Cruz Thread

[Peter_J]

This is so exciting, isn’t it?

I think I’ll go with the “exciting, as well as sickening” assessment.

But anyhow, I don’t want to treat it as black-and-white in one direction or the other: I found Gov Romney’s speech a couple weeks ago to be too gung-ho about delegates voting over and over as more and more of them become unbound – possibly leading to a nominee who didn’t even run (e.g. Paul Ryan as some have suggested) – not to even mention the party official who recently told the press “We decide the nominee.” But that doesn’t mean that I support the idea that some others have, that the party should basically just disqualify e.g. Marco Rubio’s delegates (and, by extension, disqualify all the people who voted for him) and just give the nomination to whoever has a plurality on the first ballot.

The reality is more complicated than either of those two extremes.

 

[_Abyssinia]

The GOP will back Trump. Never in a million years will they allow a contested convention. (with ONE caveat…they might orchestrate a “brokered” Convention (for theatre) and then come out, knees to the wall, in favor of TRUMP).

A candidate has to get 1237 delegates. If no candidate gets to that number, there will be a contested convention.

 

[SuperLuigi]

The GOP will back Trump. Never in a million years will they allow a contested convention. (with ONE caveat…they might orchestrate a “brokered” Convention (for theatre) and then come out, knees to the wall, in favor of TRUMP).

The fact is the GOPe is out there right now trying to stop the frontrunner. I guess the left really wants to try and tie the two together for their own nefarious, selfish agenda that can’t stand on its merits (or more appropriately lack there of), but the fact is the frontunner, just like Cruz, is an outsider.

Bush donors spent over 150 million dollars trying to stop him, so that’s hardly knees to the wall.

There’s even talk that they won’t give it to Kasich, but parachute in Paul Ryan.

I mean, really, if folks want him to be president that bad, they should be demanding Obama/Biden resign.

 

[SuperLuigi]

I think I’ll go with the “exciting, as well as sickening” assessment.

But anyhow, I don’t want to treat it as black-and-white in one direction or the other: I found Gov Romney’s speech a couple weeks ago to be too gung-ho about delegates voting over and over as more and more of them become unbound – possibly leading to a nominee who didn’t even run (e.g. Paul Ryan as some have suggested) – not to even mention the party official who recently told the press “We decide the nominee.” But that doesn’t mean that I support the idea that some others have, that the party should basically just disqualify e.g. Marco Rubio’s delegates (and, by extension, disqualify all the people who voted for him) and just give the nomination to whoever has a plurality on the first ballot.

The reality is more complicated than either of those two extremes.

People are getting that confused. The convention rules were clearly set up to let the delegates vote in a close situation like we will probably have, not for someone with 200 delegates or someone who didn’t even run to get it.

The idea is to get the best nominee possible but with voter (name removed by moderator)ut.

I know, for instance, that Illinois voters get to vote on which delegates to send to the convention.

So if someone’s state or territory doesn’t do that, it’s something maybe to discuss with state party leadership.

 

[SuperLuigi]

dixieagle;13771839]I think it was an appalling, un-American statement, and one of the reasons I am wary of Cruz. For someone who is such a constitutionalist, he blew it on this one.

I can only imagine the comments on the frontrunner…

Follow up leads and investigate all of them thoroughly, but the sort of “profiling” he suggests is counterproductive and helps in radicalizing young Muslims, in my opinion.

Reports indicate it works better with informants.

 

[Cathoholic]

queenofheartscv. You asked (about the Melania GQ commercial issue):

QUOTE:
The ad tells people to vote for cruz if they don’t want to see Melania as First Lady, and you expect me to believe it has nothing to do with cruz?

Why would you conclude this has anything to do originating with Senator Cruz?

The “ad” wasn’t put out by Senator Cruz. It wasn’t put out by Cruz’s people either.

The ad telling people to vote for Cruz is irrelevant considering this is from an anti-Trump PAC.

Maybe it is from Hillary trying to stir up division among Republicans.

Why not consider liberal abortion activist billionaire George Soros who is now funding (in part) John Kasich, seemingly attempting to fracture the Republican Party at a vulnerable time?

More to the point . . . .

I have seen Donald Trump threaten Ted Cruz’s wife. (Don’t you have an issue with THAT?)

I have NOT seen Ted Cruz threaten Donald Trump’s wife (but have kind comments for her).

What do you conclude from that?

Where is Ben Carson on this Trump comment? Why is he silent? How about the rest of the Donald Trump endorsers?

This IS from Donald Trump! Not some unassociated PAC, but Trump personally!

Do YOU think this is OK?

Trump didn’t even defend his own wife (girlfriend at the time) back in 2002 when Howard Stern was asking Mr. Trump about if Melania is at home “naked”!

You can listen to Trump and Stern going back and forth about her ON THE RADIO at about the minute and a half mark.

See the radio segment portion of this article:

** In 2002, Donald Trump Said He Supported Invading Iraq**

**“Are you for invading Iraq?” Howard Stern asked him, and Trump answered, “Yeah, I guess so.” **

(link here)

Didn’t seem to even bother Mr. Trump as Trump even repeated part of Mr. Stern’s comments.

Are you are going to tell me based on the above information . . . your issues are with Cruz??

Not perfectly analogous but . . . .

I am no “fan” of Hillary.

Hillary was endorsed by a KKK grand dragon recently.
But I can see through this (and I am sure you can too).

(Hillary’s KKK endorsement reported here. This is likely a ruse to hurt Hillary by the KKK member endorsing her.)

Hillary has plenty of things she needs to be responsible for, but this isn’t one of them.

If we can try not to impugn Hillary, is it reasonable not to jump to conclusions about Senator Cruz too?

Heavens knows, every thing these political people say is under hyper-scrutiny and they ALL have some slip ups. Why not cut Cruz some slack when he DIDN’T SAY or DO anything wrong?

I have no problem with criticizing Senator Cruz or any other politician, but its my suggestion not to impugn him and his reputation without any confirming evidence.

God bless.

Cathoholic

 

[queenofheartscv]

queenofheartscv. You asked (about the Melania GQ commercial issue):

QUOTE:
The ad tells people to vote for cruz if they don’t want to see Melania as First Lady, and you expect me to believe it has nothing to do with cruz?

Why would you conclude this has anything to do originating with Senator Cruz?

The “ad” wasn’t put out by Senator Cruz. It wasn’t put out by Cruz’s people either.

The ad telling people to vote for Cruz is irrelevant considering this is from an anti-Trump PAC.

Maybe it is from Hillary trying to stir up division among Republicans.

Why not consider liberal abortion activist billionaire George Soros who is now funding (in part) John Kasich, seemingly attempting to fracture the Republican Party at a vulnerable time?

More to the point . . . .

I have seen Donald Trump threaten Ted Cruz’s wife. (Don’t you have an issue with THAT?)

I have NOT seen Ted Cruz threaten Donald Trump’s wife (but have kind comments for her).

What do you conclude from that?

Where is Ben Carson on this Trump comment? Why is he silent? How about the rest of the Donald Trump endorsers?

This IS from Donald Trump! Not some unassociated PAC, but Trump personally!

Do YOU think this is OK?

Trump didn’t even defend his own wife (girlfriend at the time) back in 2002 when Howard Stern was asking Mr. Trump about if Melania is at home “naked”!

You can listen to Trump and Stern going back and forth about her ON THE RADIO at about the minute and a half mark.

See the radio segment portion of this article:

** In 2002, Donald Trump Said He Supported Invading Iraq**

**“Are you for invading Iraq?” Howard Stern asked him, and Trump answered, “Yeah, I guess so.” **

(link here)

Didn’t seem to even bother Mr. Trump as Trump even repeated part of Mr. Stern’s comments.

Are you are going to tell me based on the above information . . . your issues are with Cruz??

Not perfectly analogous but . . . .

I am no “fan” of Hillary.

Hillary was endorsed by a KKK grand dragon recently.
But I can see through this (and I am sure you can too).

(Hillary’s KKK endorsement reported here. This is likely a ruse to hurt Hillary by the KKK member endorsing her.)

Hillary has plenty of things she needs to be responsible for, but this isn’t one of them.

If we can try not to impugn Hillary, is it reasonable not to jump to conclusions about Senator Cruz too?

Heavens knows, every thing these political people say is under hyper-scrutiny and they ALL have some slip ups. Why not cut Cruz some slack when he DIDN’T SAY or DO anything wrong?

I have no problem with criticizing Senator Cruz or any other politician, but its my suggestion not to impugn him and his reputation without any confirming evidence.

God bless.

Cathoholic

I don’t believe cruz knew nothing about it. He knew nothing about the iowa carson fiasco either. I don’t believe him.

He should have at least disavowed that Melania ad associated with his name. No such efforts either.

Trump’s threat is innocuous compared to the Melania ad, imo.

 

[randomuser]

All I am saying is that I think that it is unfair to Trump and his supporters, if they in fact have a lead of 100, 200 or so, to deny him the nomination, second ballot or not. By that I mean it will be perceived by most people as unfair, justly. That Trump is being robbed. (I won’t deny that) They count their 40% of votes as a victory, right, because of the divided field. Others don’t see it that way.

I don’t think it’s unfair at all - if the GOP bills itself as the pro-life party – against abortion – and they pick a guy who has praised the wonderful work of Planned Parenthood, except for when it comes to abortion – and they pick him over Cruz or Kasich, both of whom are pro-life, that’s what’s unfair. You can’t say, “no taxpayer funds to PP,” and then check the proverbial “pro-life” box, and yet, that’s exactly what we’re seeing happening here. Cruz, and especially Kasich, are the ones getting robbed here.

 

[mary_bobo]

I don’t believe cruz knew nothing about it. He knew nothing about the iowa carson fiasco either. I don’t believe him.

He should have at least disavowed that Melania ad associated with his name. No such efforts either.

Trump’s threat is innocuous compared to the Melania ad, imo.

I am not assigning blame to anyone for these things. I merely point out that if you have ever worked inside a political campaign, followers who are not part of the inside workings, but followers nonetheless, will do things on their own that the campaign is not aware of and would not endorse if they were. Just food for thought.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

I don’t believe cruz knew nothing about it. He knew nothing about the iowa carson fiasco either. I don’t believe him.

He should have at least disavowed that Melania ad associated with his name. No such efforts either.

Trump’s threat is innocuous compared to the Melania ad, imo.

You do realize that Melania posed for these pictures for a magazine. Anybody can look up the issue and see them. Melania has similar pictures of herself on her website.

The super PAC that used the picture isn’t affiliated with Cruz.

If Trump is so good at negotiating, why attack Mrs. Cruz ? Why not defend his wife by saying, “Yes, isn’t Melania beautiful? She was employed as a model and these are her pictures.” Hasn’t he proclaimed to be proud of her looks?

Trump is criticizing Mrs. Cruz looks and alluding to release information about her mental health.

Incredible.

 

[queenofheartscv]

You do realize that Melania posed for these pictures for a magazine. Anybody can look up the issue and see them. Melania has similar pictures of herself on her website.

The super PAC that used the picture isn’t affiliated with Cruz.

If Trump is so good at negotiating, why attack Mrs. Cruz ? Why not defend his wife by saying, “Yes, isn’t Melania beautiful? She was employed as a model and these are her pictures.” Hasn’t he proclaimed to be proud of her looks?

Trump is criticizing Mrs. Cruz looks and alluding to release information about her mental health.

Incredible.

Politics is like war. Now is not the time to negotiate. Should anybody tell trump how to defend his wife?
If people on cruz side decide Melania is fair game, so should be Heidi.
There is nothing incredible about trump liking to counterpunch. Everybody knows that by now.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

Politics is like war. Now is not the time to negotiate. Should anybody tell trump how to defend his wife?
If people on cruz side decide Melania is fair game, so should be Heidi.
There is nothing incredible about trump liking to counterpunch. Everybody knows that by now.

It isn’t a “manly” thing to do.

His wife posed for pictures like that and he was proud before, now it’s not something to be proud of? She still has them on her website. Did he attack Cruz because he thought that there was something wrong with the pictures?

He tweeted about Mrs. Cruz himself, and retweeted an unflattering picture of Mrs. Cruz.

Seriously, can Trump do nothing wrong?

 

[queenofheartscv]

It isn’t a “manly” thing to do.

His wife posed for pictures like that and he was proud before, now it’s not something to be proud of? She still has them on her website. Did he attack Cruz because he thought that there was something wrong with the pictures?

He tweeted about Mrs. Cruz himself, and retweeted an unflattering picture of Mrs. Cruz.

Seriously, can Trump do nothing wrong?

You know very well when that melania ad was put out, it wasn’t simply putting a picture out there. It was suggesting things.

Trump responded by retweeting a picture of cruz wife. You are outraged by that?

Even if you don’t believe cruz wasn’t involved, he didn’t disavow the ad. Trump didn’t start this fight.

 

[queenofheartscv]

It isn’t a “manly” thing to do.

His wife posed for pictures like that and he was proud before, now it’s not something to be proud of? She still has them on her website. Did he attack Cruz because he thought that there was something wrong with the pictures?

He tweeted about Mrs. Cruz himself, and retweeted an unflattering picture of Mrs. Cruz.

Seriously, can Trump do nothing wrong?

I don’t think trump is doing anything wrong on the retweet, but here is a picture that might have been a better choice.

twitter.com/TomFlocco/status/712832969828929536/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

You know very well when that melania ad was put out, it wasn’t simply putting a picture out there. It was suggesting things.

Trump responded by retweeting a picture of cruz wife. You are outraged by that?

Even if you don’t believe cruz wasn’t involved, he didn’t disavow the ad. Trump didn’t start this fight.

He’s dragged it on and on and just retweeted the unflattering picture with comment last evening. I’m surprised you don’t follow Trump on twitter.

The ad by the super pac featured a readily available picture featured in a mainstream magazine. Trump himself said he’s so proud to be married to such a ten.

The super pac used the readily available picture in an ad, saying “Is this who you want as your first lady.” She would be the first first lady to have posed nude for a magazine. They didn’t go and release private pictures.

Wrong or right just 20 or so years ago, something like this would have caused a Democrat to have to drop out of the race. (Look up Donna Rice and Gary Hart)

But teflon don can be on his third marriage, can have books written by him where he claims to have seduced married women, can go on Howard Stern and taunt another guest on the show about sleeping with his girlfriend. Says he’s never repented about these things and the Republican party falls for him.

 

[queenofheartscv]

He’s dragged it on and on and just retweeted the unflattering picture with comment last evening. I’m surprised you don’t follow Trump on twitter.

The ad by the super pac featured a readily available picture featured in a mainstream magazine. Trump himself said he’s so proud to be married to such a ten.

The super pac used the readily available picture in an ad, saying “Is this who you want as your first lady.” She would be the first first lady to have posed nude for a magazine. They didn’t go and release private pictures.

Wrong or right just 20 or so years ago, something like this would have caused a Democrat to have to drop out of the race. (Look up Donna Rice and Gary Hart)

But teflon don can be on his third marriage, can have books written by him where he claims to have seduced married women, can go on Howard Stern and taunt another guest on the show about sleeping with his girlfriend. Says he’s never repented about these things and the Republican party falls for him.

See, you have your opinions about trump and his family and that’s why you don’t mind melania being attacked like that. That’s fine.

Here is a close-up comparison:

Picture of melania and that of Heidi: both publicly available.
Both unflattering. (you think that melania ad would have been flattering to the mormons?)

Difference:
Trump is owning his attack while cruz seems to hide behind his super-pac.
Trump is counterpunching while the cruz camp first started the fight.

You think trump has led a dirty life and so deserves whatever but cruz is pristine. We shall see about that.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

See, you have your opinions about trump and his family and that’s why you don’t mind melania being attacked like that. That’s fine.

Here is a close-up comparison:

Picture of melania and that of Heidi: both publicly available.
Both unflattering. (you think that melania ad would have been flattering to the mormons?)

Difference:
Trump is owning his attack while cruz seems to hide behind his super-pac.
Trump is counterpunching while the cruz camp first started the fight.

You think trump has led a dirty life and so deserves whatever but cruz is pristine. We shall see about that.

The ad wasn;t even by a Cruz superpac.

The picture was readily available.

Cruz said the pic wasn’t from him.

Owning his attack? Where? He’s just attacking. Does he think Melania is beautiful and a ten, and wasn’t he proud of the pictures? When the ad came out, he could have said "Hey yep, my wife is gorgeous and will make a good great first lady.’’
He could have even said, “Cruz, I expect that you disvow the ad.”

But he attacked Mrs. Cruz. And that’s the leader you want?

 

[pnewton]

But teflon don can be on his third marriage, can have books written by him where he claims to have seduced married women, can go on Howard Stern and taunt another guest on the show about sleeping with his girlfriend. Says he’s never repented about these things and the Republican party falls for him.

When I was a Republican, it was the party of the “Moral Majority”. Now it is neither moral or the majority.

 

[edwest2]

My observation is election politics is about mud-slinging. Those who stick to the issues and tell me what they are for and intend to do, in a civil way, helps.

Ed

Cruz looked at me funny

*Most people do…"

 

[queenofheartscv]

The ad wasn;t even by a Cruz superpac.

The picture was readily available.

Cruz said the pic wasn’t from him.

Owning his attack? Where? He’s just attacking. Does he think Melania is beautiful and a ten, and wasn’t he proud of the pictures? When the ad came out, he could have said "Hey yep, my wife is gorgeous and will make a good great first lady.’’
He could have even said, “Cruz, I expect that you disvow the ad.”

But he attacked Mrs. Cruz. And that’s the leader you want?

Heidi’s picture was also readily available.
I much prefer trump to cruz. Whenever I see cruz’s eyes, they look to me calculating, canniving, and untrustworthy to me. But that’s just me.