I read this thinking it was an opinion piece. It's not. Silly me.
12
Kasich is the adult in the room but the public prefers juvenile behavior.
23
Not only does Cruz resemble the infamous "tail gunner" Joe McCarthy, he sounds like him. Who would want to 'cuddle with him?' I think he uses that greasy kid's stuff. He also is "too preachy" for me.
34
Boy oh boy, have the Republicans really made a shambles of an alleged democratic process they so vaunted. No Super Delegates for these idiots. No, they didn't see this coming, didn't have a clue. This year will be known as their McGovern. But this time they won't have a chance for a do-over.
Be assured of this, after this accident waiting to happen occurs in Cleveland and then again this Fall, the RNC will be instituting some drastic changes. Hindsight of course is 20/20, but it won't be till 2020 when the RNC can right their sinking ship and keep it afloat to Cleveland, put it in dry dock, overhaul it, then set sail it into the Fall iceberg which awaits.
A disaster of Titanic proportions. Couldn't happen to a more deserving group of obstructionist Right Wing kooks.
DD
Manhattan
Be assured of this, after this accident waiting to happen occurs in Cleveland and then again this Fall, the RNC will be instituting some drastic changes. Hindsight of course is 20/20, but it won't be till 2020 when the RNC can right their sinking ship and keep it afloat to Cleveland, put it in dry dock, overhaul it, then set sail it into the Fall iceberg which awaits.
A disaster of Titanic proportions. Couldn't happen to a more deserving group of obstructionist Right Wing kooks.
DD
Manhattan
39
Donald Trump's supporters like him because of the way he acts. He expresses strong opinions about all kinds of things he knows nothing about. He uses their language. And most importantly, he shows contempt for intellectualism. They love the way he attacks President Obama, who is both intellectual and African American. He's the kind of person they'd love to have a beer with, especially if it's inside his airplane or his home where they can uh and ah at his kitchy wealth.
As for Ted Cruz. Nobody likes Ted Cruz. He does have more than 30 endorsements (Hillary Clinton has 478), but none from fellow senators. They all despise him. In this respect he's nonpartisan.
And as for poor Marco Rubio. The Republican Party elite prefer him because he's malleable, like George W. Bush. The neocons who brought us the Iraq War would be joyous if he won. The Koch Brothers would see their pipeline dream come true. Senator Rubio is the perfect stooge.
As for Ted Cruz. Nobody likes Ted Cruz. He does have more than 30 endorsements (Hillary Clinton has 478), but none from fellow senators. They all despise him. In this respect he's nonpartisan.
And as for poor Marco Rubio. The Republican Party elite prefer him because he's malleable, like George W. Bush. The neocons who brought us the Iraq War would be joyous if he won. The Koch Brothers would see their pipeline dream come true. Senator Rubio is the perfect stooge.
61
The media frenzy to cover Trump has obscured the equally reactionary positions taken by Ted Cruz. "Any president who doesn't begin every day on his knees isn't fit to be commander-in-chief of this nation." Isn't that how Trump envisioned Romney?
When people get to know Ted Cruz, I'm confident they will dislike and abandon him.
When people get to know Ted Cruz, I'm confident they will dislike and abandon him.
54
One of the greatest accomplishments of the GOP has been the ability to convince Republicans to vote against thier vested interests for - ever? The cynical playbook is a twist on the Horatio Alger story that tells rank and file voters that tax cuts for the wealthy are part and parcel of the American Dream because, hey, buddy, you may be living paycheck to paycheck today, but any time now this whole trickle-down stuff will begin to pay off for you and you'll be rich enough that tax rates for upper income bracket earners will be a serious issue for you too! And you shouldn't be worried about cutbacks in education, infrastructure, healthcare and basic services, because soon you too will be retires, rich as Croesus, flying your private helicopter above the traffic to you 3rd home far away from the hoi polloi.
So now, in true Through the Looking Glass style, Republican voters are again voting against their real interests by bacxking a shifty, shady, circus barker with no real core values or agenda other than his own glorification.
Shaking my head in disbelief.
So now, in true Through the Looking Glass style, Republican voters are again voting against their real interests by bacxking a shifty, shady, circus barker with no real core values or agenda other than his own glorification.
Shaking my head in disbelief.
66
If the GOP's best response to Trump is Cruz, then they're still doomed.
52
I've just got one thing to say to Evangelicals who support Trump: In San Francisco, us heathens call that "moral relativism." I thought your beliefs were immutable. All that's missing from your hypocritical act is a latte and an iphone.
26
Poor fruitcake is the Rodney Dangerfield of holiday gifts. Made me laugh but now I wish I could savor just one last slice of that beautiful homemade treat.
1
I'd rather cuddle with a cobra!
28
This is what the Grand Ol' Party has dwindled down to: a continually agitated clown with a bad comb over and Cruz the Antichrist who puts chills down everyone's spine. Good going boys. The American people shiould come out in droves to vote against these vile, and dangerous, hypocrites...at least, that's what I'm hoping. God, or someone, please help us.
43
Republicans: You can get dumped with Trump or lose with Cruz. You did it to yourselves. The sad thing is that both candidates represent what Republicans truly are.
45
Poor republicans -they go from bad to worse. Trump is bad but Cruz is worst.
33
Cruz, everything one likes about Trump, but packaged in the cunningly deceitful personage of a Christian zealot.
28
Hedging your bets against the coming of the apocalypse? Cruz is more than despicable- he's a far greater danger to the republic.
21
This is what the Reublican party has dwindled down to: a clown with a bad comb over and Cruz the Antichrist who sends chills down everyone's spine. The chicken's have come home to roost, I'm afraid, and Americans will come out in droves to vote against these guys. At least, that's what I'm hoping. God, or someone, please help us.
9
This is one of Maureen Dwd's best columns showing how the Republicans are committing cannibalism during the debates. I just sit back and watch gleefully how they are killing each other off until only one will be left standing--Donald Trump. He's the only one honest one in the group.
P.S. I'm a life-long Democrat.
P.S. I'm a life-long Democrat.
3
He's dangerous-even more so than our friend Trump. Heaven help us!
There isn't one candidate, Republican or Democrat, with whom I feel comfortable.....I'm certain that I'm not alone....
There isn't one candidate, Republican or Democrat, with whom I feel comfortable.....I'm certain that I'm not alone....
8
"sober-minded, cool-headed traditionalists in the Republican Party" - you are kidding? What fantasy is this? Where were these people during the past 7 years, as demagoguery became the primary policy prescription for the party, and conning voters became a sport. The race to the bottom, wrapped in confederate flag, espousing constant hate, symbolized the party of Lincoln. They laughed from the sidelines as Trump mocked Obama and dragged our country down into the gutter. Why is Frank Bruni surprised now that Donald has become the face of the party?
16
"Cuddle with Cruz"? What a yucky thought! A soi-dise Constitutional attorney who gives the "base" a false idea of how the Constitution is supposed to work is not suitable for anything but the rubbish bin.
10
"A creature they find every bit as loathsome as the crass billionaire, if not more so."
Bingo.
Bingo.
27
I'd vote for anyone, Bernie and Hillary included, but but not Cruz. How can any rational female vote for this guy?
32
"Rubio is essentially the Christmas fruitcake of the 2016 cycle: presented as a gift, received as something neither appetizing nor especially nutritive."
Nice turn of phrase, Frank. Good column in other ways too.
Nice turn of phrase, Frank. Good column in other ways too.
18
If Ted Cruz is the GOP's best hope to stop Donald Trump now, it begs the question as to why they are hoping for a racist, nativist, fascist Taliban Christian megalomaniac. Cruz, in every single way possible, is far, far more dangerous than Donald Trump.
Ted Cruz denies climate science and evolution. Ted Cruz would let women die rather than allow them to have abortions. Ted Cruz is, in his words, "a Christian first, an American second". Ted Cruz holds the entire LGBT community in disdain, and is hell-bent on denying them rights. Ted Cruz engages in McCarthy-esque tactics to take down his targets. Ted Cruz shut down the government in protest over giving people healthcare. Ted Cruz is an apocalyptic Christian, who believes that Christ will rise with the apocalypse, and therefore...wants it, so Ted Cruz wants to "carpet bomb" the Middle East. Need I go on?
But this is where it gets really bad: the MSM seem to be just fine with him, as long as he takes down the fake fascist Trump. Please, MSM, please.....turn your attention to the REAL monster here.
It's Ted Cruz.
Ted Cruz denies climate science and evolution. Ted Cruz would let women die rather than allow them to have abortions. Ted Cruz is, in his words, "a Christian first, an American second". Ted Cruz holds the entire LGBT community in disdain, and is hell-bent on denying them rights. Ted Cruz engages in McCarthy-esque tactics to take down his targets. Ted Cruz shut down the government in protest over giving people healthcare. Ted Cruz is an apocalyptic Christian, who believes that Christ will rise with the apocalypse, and therefore...wants it, so Ted Cruz wants to "carpet bomb" the Middle East. Need I go on?
But this is where it gets really bad: the MSM seem to be just fine with him, as long as he takes down the fake fascist Trump. Please, MSM, please.....turn your attention to the REAL monster here.
It's Ted Cruz.
75
So the Republicans are torn between being the party of fascism and the party of theocracy, with a 15% rump left for the Neo-Reaganism of John Kasich that, under Reagan, harnessed coded racial authoritarianism (young bucks and welfare queens) and evangelical extremism (oh so moral Jerry Falwell majorities) in the cause of decreasing taxes for the rich.
I think we're just seeing the truth, and we can't handle the truth.
I think we're just seeing the truth, and we can't handle the truth.
16
This isn't supposed to be easy. So stop bashing Hillary. She is by far and away the best and most realistic choice and I have every confidence that she will be outstanding.
Still, she has to beat whichever whack job oozes from the GOP slime.
Be fair. Recognize her flaws, certainly, but let's not pretend they're either definitive or not exaggerated.
The Democratic Party has done its job, giving a responsible hearing to a lot of legitimate grievances. Thank you, Senator Sanders.
Now is the time for unity behind our standard bearer...
Still, she has to beat whichever whack job oozes from the GOP slime.
Be fair. Recognize her flaws, certainly, but let's not pretend they're either definitive or not exaggerated.
The Democratic Party has done its job, giving a responsible hearing to a lot of legitimate grievances. Thank you, Senator Sanders.
Now is the time for unity behind our standard bearer...
19
Republicans are offended by “political correctness”. Fine, here’s an analysis that the politically correct pundits right and left avoid. In states with large black and/or Mexican populations, the “evangelical” vote is also redneck. There, the lower middle class white male voter leans toward authoritarian neo fascist demagoguery and votes Trump with a wink and nod toward racism. In states with significantly fewer African-Americans, the white lower and middle class evangelical Republican vote will be more responsive to the bible thumping culture-wars hostile to gays and prochoice women. They’ll go Cruz. Rubio is an empty suit filled by the Koch brothers and their ilk. Rubio will mostly garner support from those who share class interests in de-regulation and tax policies that favor maintaining and expanding capital at the expense of the middle class and the poor. Given the lousy recovery from the Great Recession, this is a shrinking part of the Republican base. The Republican elite has reaped what they sowed.
12
The Republican Party that has seized power over several generations has given us Trump. The sobriquets attached to him by the other Republicans just make me laugh.. Trump lies, makes stuff up, poses, and bluffs...What do you think you have been doing? Pretending God speaks into your ears? How convenient -- but untrue. Perhaps your psychotic voices whisper once in a while, but they never bring good news for the tax-paying citizens do they? Cut our benefits, steal our hard-earned pensions, fight more wars, steal our land, steal our privacy, take away our right to vote, our woman's right to choose, and our security from attack. Build more drones, destroy more governments, drop more bombs ... I could go on. Your Republican base is telling you "We don't want you." Why don't you all go back to Mama and try to grow up, then bring some class back to the Presidential campaign. You are all an embarrassment to the country. Take off your flag pins and pretend you are all from somewhere else!
i love Bernie- the only truth teller in this mess we call a race for the White House...and he is the only grown up! You go play with your toys
i love Bernie- the only truth teller in this mess we call a race for the White House...and he is the only grown up! You go play with your toys
4
The only good news from this sordid Republican campaign of total losers is the deep damage the party is doing to itself. Years of nasty hate mongering and dumbing down of their base has paid off in the wrong direction - they have a runaway candidate that frightens the establishment to their very core, and it's turned into a kind of high stakes thriller movie with an out of control maniac engineering the train. NOBODY knows where this certain disaster will end up.
With Cruz, you have the most hated, divisive politician in Washington, whose massive ego cost the American people 20 billion dollars with his insane government shutdown - hardly the person to unite America. The Trump campaign has already made America the laughing stock of the whole planet - and this is just the campaign! With either of this two candidates, it's not win win but lose lose.
With Cruz, you have the most hated, divisive politician in Washington, whose massive ego cost the American people 20 billion dollars with his insane government shutdown - hardly the person to unite America. The Trump campaign has already made America the laughing stock of the whole planet - and this is just the campaign! With either of this two candidates, it's not win win but lose lose.
18
All of the well-established GOP candidates are either gone or will be soon. In their place are two hardnosed newbies to the presidential run. Mr. Trump seems to want to out shout his way to the White House but Mr. Cruz wants to use the Constitution and church to his way of thinking.
Cruz as a constitutionalist fails, in my opinion. If we are to believe that the Constitution is not fluid as Justice Scalia said, then his origins (Canada) could come into play. His and Trump’s idea of not allowing a nominee for the Supreme Court is not the way the Constitution works as well. I hope for a continued separation of state and church. His saying that the Evangelical community is the only way for this country to go is becoming hard to swallow.
I also do not see a Senator one backing Cruz in this run for the presidency. At least Trump has one Senator backing his run, Senator Sessions of Alabama is in Trumps corner as of now. If Cruz is, heaven forbid, POTUSA I can assure you there will be very little cuddling or cooperation between the two. The Senate may invoke those famous words: “…let’s make sure he is a one term President…”.
TrusTed? No, cuddling up to Ted is like cuddling up to a diamondback rattlesnake. He is OK to look at from a far, but very dangerous up-close.
Cruz as a constitutionalist fails, in my opinion. If we are to believe that the Constitution is not fluid as Justice Scalia said, then his origins (Canada) could come into play. His and Trump’s idea of not allowing a nominee for the Supreme Court is not the way the Constitution works as well. I hope for a continued separation of state and church. His saying that the Evangelical community is the only way for this country to go is becoming hard to swallow.
I also do not see a Senator one backing Cruz in this run for the presidency. At least Trump has one Senator backing his run, Senator Sessions of Alabama is in Trumps corner as of now. If Cruz is, heaven forbid, POTUSA I can assure you there will be very little cuddling or cooperation between the two. The Senate may invoke those famous words: “…let’s make sure he is a one term President…”.
TrusTed? No, cuddling up to Ted is like cuddling up to a diamondback rattlesnake. He is OK to look at from a far, but very dangerous up-close.
8
This is the best the GOP has? The only one I could hold my nose and vote for would be Kaisch, and I'd have to throw women under the bus to do that since one of his goals is to deprive women the freedom to choose for themselves. He's not as much an anti-abortion fanatic as Cruz or Rubio, but he is only less bad, and the only one of the four who wouldn't throw women under the bus is Trump!
Yikes! I guess I'll be pulling the lever for Hillary. I'm not that crazy about her, either, but I know she could at least do the job and she won't throw anyone under the bus, or completely wreck the country!
Yikes! I guess I'll be pulling the lever for Hillary. I'm not that crazy about her, either, but I know she could at least do the job and she won't throw anyone under the bus, or completely wreck the country!
22
Cruz should go independent, so should Bernie to create a 4 way race. Then let the voters decide.
2
Cruz is much more dangerous than Trump; enjoy him.
12
That's it! An Independent challenge by Kim Kardashian!
3
A quote from the screenplay to "The Exorcist" is apropos:
KARRAS:I think it would be helpful if I gave you some background on the
different personalities Regan has manifested. So far, there seems
to be three.
MERRIN: There's only one.
The one has always been Cruz.
KARRAS:I think it would be helpful if I gave you some background on the
different personalities Regan has manifested. So far, there seems
to be three.
MERRIN: There's only one.
The one has always been Cruz.
7
My take on it:
All the establishment of the Repub party wants is to stop Trump. Cruz and Rubio (who has been a disappointment to them, a very weak candidate who cannot win) have been told to stop him, but they are too un-self-aware to understand that they are destroying themselves for the general in descending to his level. Kasich has failed to gain traction.
Once Trump has been denied the needed number of delegates for the nomination, there will be a convention at which, because of the "indecision", someone entirely different will be chosen—perhaps Paul Ryan.
Keep looking a few steps down the road. They're playing a longer game here, and they are NOT planning on rewarding the odious Cruz.
All the establishment of the Repub party wants is to stop Trump. Cruz and Rubio (who has been a disappointment to them, a very weak candidate who cannot win) have been told to stop him, but they are too un-self-aware to understand that they are destroying themselves for the general in descending to his level. Kasich has failed to gain traction.
Once Trump has been denied the needed number of delegates for the nomination, there will be a convention at which, because of the "indecision", someone entirely different will be chosen—perhaps Paul Ryan.
Keep looking a few steps down the road. They're playing a longer game here, and they are NOT planning on rewarding the odious Cruz.
4
Trump is the very worst person in the world to be president ... except for
Rubio and Cruz. (How could that actually happen?) As far below any other
human being that's how far he is above those two (and their handlers, of course). This is no joke. When this awful tragedy comes rolling into my state,
I am switching parties for a day (or really about 10 minutes). Donald Trump will be the first Republican I vote for in my life. I am about 99.9% sure the Clinton will beat anyone of them, but if there is any chance at all that one will win (what if Clinton drops dead in October?), I have to do all I can (well, no, I will actually contribute MONEY to Donald -- how insane would that be?) to make sure it's Trump.
Rubio and Cruz. (How could that actually happen?) As far below any other
human being that's how far he is above those two (and their handlers, of course). This is no joke. When this awful tragedy comes rolling into my state,
I am switching parties for a day (or really about 10 minutes). Donald Trump will be the first Republican I vote for in my life. I am about 99.9% sure the Clinton will beat anyone of them, but if there is any chance at all that one will win (what if Clinton drops dead in October?), I have to do all I can (well, no, I will actually contribute MONEY to Donald -- how insane would that be?) to make sure it's Trump.
11
This is all rather amusing, the entire establishment, including the NYT (very fair reporting by the way) is hysterical about Trump. Now that little Marco (Trump is good at that) is not ready for prime time, Cruz is the one. For me Cruz is far worse than Trump-a true religious fanatic, intolerant, unyielding unwilling to compromise to get anything done-that's to be preferred?
By the way personally, I was much more anxious about George W. Bush than I ever have been about Trump-everyone conveniently forgets their feelings then.
Actually in historical terms Trump succeeding may open the political system up, tear the corrupt establishment apart-may provide a re-shifting which can only be welcome by all. Cruz, please, the idiotic Repub establishment should be opposing him more than Trump (of course the fool Romney dreams on)-Hilary if she makes it-more of the same.
By the way personally, I was much more anxious about George W. Bush than I ever have been about Trump-everyone conveniently forgets their feelings then.
Actually in historical terms Trump succeeding may open the political system up, tear the corrupt establishment apart-may provide a re-shifting which can only be welcome by all. Cruz, please, the idiotic Repub establishment should be opposing him more than Trump (of course the fool Romney dreams on)-Hilary if she makes it-more of the same.
8
I'm watching all of this with a sense of humor, delighted to see the Republican Party hoist on its own petard, but back of that is a nagging dread. After all, American Presidential elections are essentially a random process, determined by a very small number of uncommitted voters whose political sophistication is, umm, questionable.
Right now it looks like the Republicans are living a version of The Monkey's Paw; after wishing for an alternative to Trump, now they have him...and it's Cruz, the Most Hated Man In Washington! The irony is delicious.
Right now it looks like the Republicans are living a version of The Monkey's Paw; after wishing for an alternative to Trump, now they have him...and it's Cruz, the Most Hated Man In Washington! The irony is delicious.
4
Now GOP establishment has to pick its poison and choose either Trump or Cruz. One is worse than the other. It's as if God Himself is punishing the party elders for years of manipulative, obstructionist, fear-mongering, and hate tactics. So fun to watch! #JudgementDay
5
The short definition of demagogue is a politician who rouses the rabble by making promises he knows can never be kept.
Can there be any doubt that Trump and Cruz meet the definition?
So we seem now to confront the issue of which is worse, the demagogue who believes what he's saying, or the one who doesn't?
The answer lies in the old axiom that it's better do do busness with a crook than a fool, because a crook can always have an honest day.
Jimmy Carter gave his answer a few days ago in a speech before the House of Lords: Given the dismal choice between Cruz and Trump, he'd have to take Trump. At least you could do business with him.
Can there be any doubt that Trump and Cruz meet the definition?
So we seem now to confront the issue of which is worse, the demagogue who believes what he's saying, or the one who doesn't?
The answer lies in the old axiom that it's better do do busness with a crook than a fool, because a crook can always have an honest day.
Jimmy Carter gave his answer a few days ago in a speech before the House of Lords: Given the dismal choice between Cruz and Trump, he'd have to take Trump. At least you could do business with him.
8
I'm going to laugh if Ted Cruz wins. All the liberals who are tearing their hair out and compromising their ethics (I'm looking at you NYT editorial board) to stop Trump are going to stroke out when they discover the difference between someone like Trump who will *say* anything to win versus someone who will literally *do* anything for power.
People who compare Trump to Hitler are making a grievous error. He is many things bombastic, crass and a calculating showman, but he lacks that deep inner sadism to be truly dangerous. I don't believe that is one of Cruz's limitations. In the end Trump's whole life has been about getting attention with money, beautiful women and luxury running close, but behind. Ted Cruz's entire life has been about the "Will to Power". You tell me who is scarier.
Didn't anyone notice that when Donald Trump said "under my administration people aren't going to be dying in the streets," that Ted Cruz said, "Oh so you're for government healthcare?"
Truly it would be the final irony if political correctness and the desire to police speech landed us with a dictator and a police state.
People who compare Trump to Hitler are making a grievous error. He is many things bombastic, crass and a calculating showman, but he lacks that deep inner sadism to be truly dangerous. I don't believe that is one of Cruz's limitations. In the end Trump's whole life has been about getting attention with money, beautiful women and luxury running close, but behind. Ted Cruz's entire life has been about the "Will to Power". You tell me who is scarier.
Didn't anyone notice that when Donald Trump said "under my administration people aren't going to be dying in the streets," that Ted Cruz said, "Oh so you're for government healthcare?"
Truly it would be the final irony if political correctness and the desire to police speech landed us with a dictator and a police state.
24
As horrifying as Cruz is, I would love to see him crushed by a Democrat on election day.
(And he will be crushed.)
(And he will be crushed.)
9
Despite his many failings as a human being, Trump is ultimately a pragmatist and is learning as he goes. Cruz is wedded to a strict fundamentalist reading of the Constitution as if it were some sort of holy scripture, and therefore shows no ability to think for himself. I would take the clownish pragmatist any day over the lock-stepping buffoon.
24
If the GOP can beat Clinton, (sorry Bernie Bros), it will be by Rubio or Kasich, so of course those two are all but eliminated. Cruz as the nominee? The guy who thought shutting down the government was an intelligent response to the health care debate? The guy who is loathed by all quarters for his singular zealotry? I think I'd take Trump first.
15
I don't think Cruz is religious or even much of a believer--he's a user. When his first words on winning the Iowa (?) caucus were something to the effect of "To the glory of God," it was classic Tartuffe. I believe the Bible mentions humility and even that one should "pray in a closet." I don't think this candidate has any regard for the religious realm or the secular constitution. Cruz believes in Cruz.
19
Yes the Republican candidates as a group have presented the American people with a spectacle since last summer. But I just don't understand how the Times's opinion pages can let the Democratic candidates' negative attributes go unmentioned, or under-mentioned. Take Bernie, for example. Bernie Sanders presents a vision of an ideal world in which so much is free because a tax on "Wall Street speculation" will pick up the tab. But what about lengthy periods when there is no Wall Street speculation to speak of (extended bear markets or corrections)? And what's his definition of speculation? Much of what I suspect he calls speculation is simply people taking the other side of legitimate hedging trades - such as those routinely used by farmers, metals and energy-related businesses, and portfolio managers. Remove that liquidity and you'll find hedging costs rising to the ultimate detriment of consumers. It's called unintended consequences.
Anyone can run a campaign on the siren call of "free" - but nothing is free to the economy as a whole. There are always costs, and sweeping them under the rug to avoid a full airing and democratic debate is something the Times can correct on its opinion pages - with far greater diversity of opinion. The fact that Hillary's server issue is of little to no interest to regular columnists is just one more indication that all is not right with today's NY Times.
Anyone can run a campaign on the siren call of "free" - but nothing is free to the economy as a whole. There are always costs, and sweeping them under the rug to avoid a full airing and democratic debate is something the Times can correct on its opinion pages - with far greater diversity of opinion. The fact that Hillary's server issue is of little to no interest to regular columnists is just one more indication that all is not right with today's NY Times.
4
I believe Trump is appealing to closet voters: closet bigots, closet racists, closet "we're tired of political correctness." They've found their national voice and they flock to it.
How do we fix this mess? Move the New York and California primaries to the beginning of the season. Why should we let a few million voters in dinky states dictate the presidential field?
That said, in addition to the small states who would fight it, the political PR lobbyists and the media would fight the change tooth and nail. As much as the media trashes Trump, the love him. He sells papers.
How do we fix this mess? Move the New York and California primaries to the beginning of the season. Why should we let a few million voters in dinky states dictate the presidential field?
That said, in addition to the small states who would fight it, the political PR lobbyists and the media would fight the change tooth and nail. As much as the media trashes Trump, the love him. He sells papers.
11
"Rubio is essentially the Christmas fruitcake of the 2016 cycle: presented as a gift, received as something neither appetizing nor especially nutritive."
Man, I wish I wrote lines as great as this.
Man, I wish I wrote lines as great as this.
27
With Cruz and Trump it is not a matter of the lesser of two evils. The Republicans have the classic choice between Scylla and Charybdis, the choice between a rock and a hard place. The choice between an ignorant, lying demagogue and a death-obsessed religious fundamentalist.
Rubio is now seen for the weak and incompetent candidate he is and offers no safe exit. The Republican Party will crash and burn in 2016 thanks to the GOP party leaders who have been at the wheel of the careening disaster they have created.
Rubio is now seen for the weak and incompetent candidate he is and offers no safe exit. The Republican Party will crash and burn in 2016 thanks to the GOP party leaders who have been at the wheel of the careening disaster they have created.
28
May I offer a prediction in which the absence of a complete Supreme Court hurts Ted Cruz?
Here’s the scenario: Ted Cruz wins the presidential nomination of the Republican Party. When the ballots for the presidential race are being printed for California, Kamala Harris, Attorney General for California, files a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
The suit questions whether Senator Ted Cruz is allowed to be presented on the presidential ballot for California since Ted Cruz was born in Canada.
The District Court rules that Cruz is ineligible since he does not meet the qualification of “natural born citizen” as stated in the Constitution. The case is appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. They agree with the lower court. The case is then appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court deadlocks at a 4 to 4 vote over the case (since there are only eight justices).
In the event of a deadlocked Supreme Court, the ruling of the Ninth Circuit is upheld. Ted Cruz is ruled ineligible to run for President of the United States via a ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Here’s the scenario: Ted Cruz wins the presidential nomination of the Republican Party. When the ballots for the presidential race are being printed for California, Kamala Harris, Attorney General for California, files a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
The suit questions whether Senator Ted Cruz is allowed to be presented on the presidential ballot for California since Ted Cruz was born in Canada.
The District Court rules that Cruz is ineligible since he does not meet the qualification of “natural born citizen” as stated in the Constitution. The case is appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. They agree with the lower court. The case is then appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court deadlocks at a 4 to 4 vote over the case (since there are only eight justices).
In the event of a deadlocked Supreme Court, the ruling of the Ninth Circuit is upheld. Ted Cruz is ruled ineligible to run for President of the United States via a ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
12
Mr. Bruni, I always enjoy your columns, but to be blunt: The headline on your column nauseated me. "Cuddle with Cruz?" You mean the Devil in Disguise? A man that believes that he has been appointed by God to lead our country? If he were elected President of our country, we will be speeding down the highway to hell. Speaking as a Christian, I consider him an abomination. He makes me cringe, terrifies me, makes me want to build a bunker to hide in, makes me pray everyday that Americans wake up before it is too late. DumpTrump is a disgusting example of what has happened to politics in our country. The Republican Party in general has degenerated into advocates for the 1%, spiteful and nasty. The Democrats aren't that far behind on being bought by the billionaires. Sanders is the only one that I believe can turn the downfall of our country around. But, Cruz? God help us. Please, help us. If he is elected it will truly become hell, not just in America, but on earth.
7
For Whatever Reason, various European news outlets seem obsessed with Trump and the mayhem that will ensue, should he become president......and I think to myself "have they heard what Ted Cruz is saying?" That man is crazy. Undoing the Affordable Care Act - (which survey after survey suggests most Americans want) -tearing up the Iran Nuclear Deal (finally something to stop the threat of Iran with nuclear weapons) and his assault on Planned Parenthood. He makes Donald Trump sound reasonable in these areas.
I know at the last debate, all the candidates were made to state that they would support whoever the GOP candidate is - but my guess is - if that person is Cruz, Trump will go rouge and take all those voters with him.
I know at the last debate, all the candidates were made to state that they would support whoever the GOP candidate is - but my guess is - if that person is Cruz, Trump will go rouge and take all those voters with him.
6
Don't you think you are being a little unfair to Christmas fruit cakes?
24
Talk about a Faustian bargain. The republicans continue to dig that hole deeper. Hope we don't fall in.
6
It is possible for Trump and Cruz to join in hand and cast the republican elite further away from the hijacked party. The Republican has always used the racial discord and anti-socialist as a wedge to build their political base since the time of Richard Nixon. Fox News and the Republican Party gave birth to Trump and Cruz and their genesis will not only spell the death of the Republican Party but also inflame the class struggle echoing in the “Communist Manifesto” between the have and have not.
2
The fact that the Super PACS and their media lapdogs are so down on Trump is more than anything evidence that he is the right man for the job.
Last night he came out and said that he welcomed the competition. He looked like he meant it. He then held court.
The problem is not Trump, or how he couldn't sell steaks or get an airline going. The problem is that we are never given anything to vote for. It's always a choice of what to vote against. The only reason why Ted Cruz is still in the game is because of the tens of millions spent in negative ads against Trump.
And you folks call him vile. Why don't you all just lay off and let the voters decide?
Let's try something besides profits over people, endless war, and tax cuts for the rich, and see how we are in four years.
Last night he came out and said that he welcomed the competition. He looked like he meant it. He then held court.
The problem is not Trump, or how he couldn't sell steaks or get an airline going. The problem is that we are never given anything to vote for. It's always a choice of what to vote against. The only reason why Ted Cruz is still in the game is because of the tens of millions spent in negative ads against Trump.
And you folks call him vile. Why don't you all just lay off and let the voters decide?
Let's try something besides profits over people, endless war, and tax cuts for the rich, and see how we are in four years.
4
Cruz and Trump are brothers from different mothers. Both narcisisistic, except one is a little smarter (hint: it's not Trump). Neither love the country so much as they love attention and power. With Trump, it would be interesting to see the White House go Gold.
If you'd like to know what this country would be like with Trump as President, I suggest looking at Silvio Berlusconi's Italy: we'll be broke, the economy will be busted, and he'll be strutting into court over the sex parties and the fraud. And you'll get to enjoy the rise of fascist parties. Just add in the various stupid invasions, and you're there.
Cruz? Kansas under, and I do mean under, Sam Brownback. Tax cuts galore for the wealthy, chops in Social Security, Medicare, the EPA, and evrything elese the little creep can get his tiny mitts on. We'll be broke, too, and hearing a whole bunch about the Bible. And you'll get to enjoy the rise of guys like the "Christians," that Cruz pandered to in Iowa, the ones who screamed for giving gay people a chance to repent, and then hanging. Just add in the invasions ans the massive bombing raids, and you're there.
Rubio? The lite version of everything on the list, except maybe the bunga-bunga parties.
And the best part is, none of them will do a blessed thing to help working people. They don't care about working people--show me evidence of ONE thing they've done that says otherwise!--and they wouldn't know how if they did.
Good luck, suckers.
Cruz? Kansas under, and I do mean under, Sam Brownback. Tax cuts galore for the wealthy, chops in Social Security, Medicare, the EPA, and evrything elese the little creep can get his tiny mitts on. We'll be broke, too, and hearing a whole bunch about the Bible. And you'll get to enjoy the rise of guys like the "Christians," that Cruz pandered to in Iowa, the ones who screamed for giving gay people a chance to repent, and then hanging. Just add in the invasions ans the massive bombing raids, and you're there.
Rubio? The lite version of everything on the list, except maybe the bunga-bunga parties.
And the best part is, none of them will do a blessed thing to help working people. They don't care about working people--show me evidence of ONE thing they've done that says otherwise!--and they wouldn't know how if they did.
Good luck, suckers.
19
Cruz is so noxious and arrogant that he would rather see government grind to a halt than work with others to find solutions. The man is unfit to be leader of our great democracy.
35
The less of two clueless evils.
The Republican Party set a new, hard to beat highbar for clown cars.
How that many goofy narcissists can pile onto the American stage, without one who might have an interest in the people or the country is truly astounding.
How that many goofy narcissists can pile onto the American stage, without one who might have an interest in the people or the country is truly astounding.
3
While rot in politics is nothing new, the degree to which this iteration of an American presidential election is taking the country down with it is astonishing. The combination of lack of integrity and moral fiber in the leading candidates, the speed and venom of the mass blitz-style media, the public's profound ignorance and frustration have done at least as much to destroy American exceptionalism as President Obama has. The world needed an exceptional America. What now?
3
So the debate next week will be like watching an episode of Three Stooges work each other over? Great!? Rubio walks onstage with a long plank of wood, and hits Donald in the back of the head with it. Donald retaliates by administering a harsh, unrelenting wedgie to young Marco, elevating him from the stage floor, legs flailing in the air. Until Ted Cruz jumps on Donald's back and starts administering a furious dutch rub to Trumps heavily lacquered coif. An enraged Trump drops Marco, flips Ted over his back, waves his massive hand to a wildly adoring audience and proceeds to poke Ted in the eye with his YUGE index finger. The moderators are giggling "nyuck, nyuck, nyuck" before the broadcast cuts to a commercial.
7
Trump - Stern '16
Be prepared to find little Timmy downstairs secretly watching presidential debates at midnight with his eyes wide-open.
Cancel your Cable and Netflix, folks.
Be prepared to find little Timmy downstairs secretly watching presidential debates at midnight with his eyes wide-open.
Cancel your Cable and Netflix, folks.
3
A full-on melee between the Republican candidates is the only low that hasn't been crossed to date. Crossing over the "Jerry Springer event horizon" at Thursday's debate would probably cause Trump's numbers to spike, his supporters would love it.
3
Mr. Bruni, you must not read your employers newspaper. When you entrust your campaign to a man like Jeff Roe, there is no cuddling involved, except when exploiting your own children in attack ads. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/24/us/politics/ted-cruz-campaign-manager-...
1
From the policy point of view, Cruz and rubio are actually way more scary than Trump. Trump is a moderate.
18
Mr. Bruni, I think Rubio is much worse than a fruitcake being neither appetizing nor nutritious. By going down the sewage with Trump's hand size and wet pants, the fruitcake became spoiled and poisonous. Rubio's career in government is just about over.
11
Bad and horrible as Trump is, he will never be taken seriously. Cruz, on the other hand, is a truly dangerous, despicable person - evil from the tip of his toes to the top of his head - hated by every member of the congress. If his base is evangelical voters, one would think their God would have more common sense.
19
If, just a few months ago, you offered the opinion that a presidential candidate with stage presence, money behind him and name recognition could win the nomination of a major party even though he had never held any office, was not a war hero and had not cured cancer, people would have called you naive.
If you add to the equation the fact that the same hypothetical candidate is also very crazy, people would have said that you are certifiably crazy yourself.
Donald Trump exhibits all of the traits of a narcissist or sociopath or whatever term you prefer to describe a man too egocentric to be capable of honest self-reflection and someone lacking concern about anyone other than himself.
Trump, however, has performed a miracle. It may not be turning water into wine or walking on water, but he has made Ted Cruz look like a palatable alternative candidate to many Republicans.
If you add to the equation the fact that the same hypothetical candidate is also very crazy, people would have said that you are certifiably crazy yourself.
Donald Trump exhibits all of the traits of a narcissist or sociopath or whatever term you prefer to describe a man too egocentric to be capable of honest self-reflection and someone lacking concern about anyone other than himself.
Trump, however, has performed a miracle. It may not be turning water into wine or walking on water, but he has made Ted Cruz look like a palatable alternative candidate to many Republicans.
The story about Lawyer Cruz changing one of the descriptions of an item (a watch) to a jury in a Texas murder case over the objections of his aghast staffers says it all about him. He thought it was a better "visual" than the real thing. For a "prayerful type" he has a lot of flexibility with the Truth.
I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him.
I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him.
17
The GOP primary has boiled down to a fine Hobson's Choice: Trump on the one hand and a guy who's not eligible to serve as President on the other (because he's not a natural born citizen).
2
The true secret to Donald Trump's success is the extreme loathsomeness of his opponents.
15
The bully and the dweeb. Go Republicans!
2
The notion of President Cruz scares me outright. Look at what he did in Texas as solicitor general. The man is hell bent on turning this country into a theocracy. Other than universal school prayer, eliminating corporate taxes and abortion altogether and having unrestricted gun rights, he really doesn't much else to contribute. His cold response to deporting Mexican parents of US citizen children belies how much of a false prophet he is.
14
Once people voted for FDR, Truman, and Eisenhower. Now we have Trump, Clinton, and Cruz. It would behoove every one of us to study how we got from then to now.
This is shameful.
This is shameful.
11
Even though the thought of Trump in the White House is awful, the thought of Cruz in the White House is apocalyptic. I would not put it past him to try to hasten the rapture a little with nukes and wars for Israel.
Why is his theocracy any different than the Ayatollahs?
Why is his theocracy any different than the Ayatollahs?
19
On June 9, 1954, lawyer Joseph N. Welch, defending the Army against Senator Joe McCarthy's charges of communist penetration at the Army-McCarthy hearings, famously, and on national television, leveled at that dangerous demagogue words from which McCarthy never fully recovered: "You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?" How I longed to hear some version of those words tossed in the face of McCarthy's successor "at long last" when The Donald brought the debate for the President of the United States down to the region below his belt. The size of his organ. A tradition of debate that began with John Kennedy and Richard Nixon, during the Cold War when nuclear war with the Soviet Union was a real possibility, was now discussing penis size. What a disgrace to have a degenerate like Donald Trump on that stage. What a disgrace that on that stage there was no one with the moral fiber of a Joseph Welch to call him that.
2
Everyone should go read the Wikipedia article on the 1948 Presidential election.
There are so many similarities to 2016, with the exception that there wasn't a "YUGE" presence like Trump in the race, BUT the factions that divide up the electorate today were all there in 1948:
Establishment Dems behind Truman (sort of--like Hillary he wasn't not universally loved within the party)
Establishment Repubs behind Dewey (with conservative Repubs backing Gen MacArthur)
Southern Dems (today's Tea Party types) backing Strom Thurmond who, along with other Southern delegates, walked out of the convention and created the Dixiecrats (this party has never died--it just migrated to the GOP as the Tea Party)
A Progressive Party backing Henry Wallace--today's Feel the Bern folks.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
There are so many similarities to 2016, with the exception that there wasn't a "YUGE" presence like Trump in the race, BUT the factions that divide up the electorate today were all there in 1948:
Establishment Dems behind Truman (sort of--like Hillary he wasn't not universally loved within the party)
Establishment Repubs behind Dewey (with conservative Repubs backing Gen MacArthur)
Southern Dems (today's Tea Party types) backing Strom Thurmond who, along with other Southern delegates, walked out of the convention and created the Dixiecrats (this party has never died--it just migrated to the GOP as the Tea Party)
A Progressive Party backing Henry Wallace--today's Feel the Bern folks.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
7
Calling Roy Moore.....
Trump is the character Senator John Yerkes Iselin from the movie Manchurian Candidate (1962), a clown.
1
God, anyone but Cruz, prayerfully.
9
The Democratic commenters seem to relish the GOP predicament , but theirs is not much better. Their choices are a career opportunist, who more than half the country believes cannot be trusted to tell the truth, or trusted period, and an ancient socialist whose numbers don't add up.
But at least the socialist is honest.
But at least the socialist is honest.
4
I wonder if Trump's phallic allusion has rubbed some conservatives the wrong way. That type of bomb drop could have sent some hardcore "macho" Trump fan reaching for his Cruz bible, scratching his homophobic head, gossiping in the local diner. Whole communities, whole counties could lurch into some anti-Trump groupthink because he hinted at penis size. Call it penis-gate.
Also, the big question is California and the westward Latino vote. Will GOP Latinos--if there are any--forgive Trump his wall and deportation claims, or will they jump an the Cuban Cruz train, who is also not at all forgiving, wants to build a wall, wants to deport. After Trump's build a wall speech, the Trump pinata image went viral a few months back, and I think that image stuck with the message: Trump is not friendly to Latinos, beat him back.
So, yes, things could get really close. Trump's mistakes could be showing as we move west, and as he keeps saying outlandish, very presidential statements. In the end, we are still left with two disturbing GOP candidates competing for the xenophobic, disenfranchised, white vote.
Also, the big question is California and the westward Latino vote. Will GOP Latinos--if there are any--forgive Trump his wall and deportation claims, or will they jump an the Cuban Cruz train, who is also not at all forgiving, wants to build a wall, wants to deport. After Trump's build a wall speech, the Trump pinata image went viral a few months back, and I think that image stuck with the message: Trump is not friendly to Latinos, beat him back.
So, yes, things could get really close. Trump's mistakes could be showing as we move west, and as he keeps saying outlandish, very presidential statements. In the end, we are still left with two disturbing GOP candidates competing for the xenophobic, disenfranchised, white vote.
2
Ted Cruz, 'Calling Roy Moore!'
4
I would vote for Trump over Cruz, maybe even Rubio. Cruz is by far the most dangerous of the three. Rubio would just be a weakling one-termer, but Cruz would do serious damage to the nation. At least with Trump, there is a very small chance he wouldn't be a complete disaster.
11
Are American voters the world's most gullible?? An autocratic Harvard and Princeton trained, Goldman-Sachs-spoused Cuban Canadian son of a religious fanatic with a phony Texas accent -- is now the humble, pious soul of the "real" America?
16
If Cruz is actually elected, can the congress that professes to dislike him so much use its experience obstructing Obama to block him? Would it be four more years of gridlock?
7
Now can see the Republican Stop Cruz campaign swing into action with the same alacrity of their Stop Trump campaign. Silly Repubs. When will they ever Stop?
1
Lost in the last "debate" in response to A question about North Korea's missile program was Cruz's urgent call for the US to deploy "space-based" anti-missile weapons.
This is an insane proposal that, if implemented, would justify Putin, Turkey, Israel, Pakistan and others to follow suit. Is that in our national security interest? If Crazy Cruz actually gets in let's hope Congress at least has the sense to nix that reckless idea.
This is an insane proposal that, if implemented, would justify Putin, Turkey, Israel, Pakistan and others to follow suit. Is that in our national security interest? If Crazy Cruz actually gets in let's hope Congress at least has the sense to nix that reckless idea.
Rubio was not the darling of the Republican and Democrat establishment until Bush dropped out. The unofficial endorsement of the Republican establishment RINOs is the kiss of death.
Trump is not a Republican.
Cruz's strength is that he is hated by the crony socialists in the Republican party. If the Republicans want to win, their strategy should be to follow Lindsey Grahams suggestion. Announce that they hate Cruz but would rather work with him than with Trump, who's not a conservative or Republican but is a tool of the Democrats to make Republicans look like idiots. Then they can devote all of their efforts to pointing out the defects of the Democrat candidates.
Trump is not a Republican.
Cruz's strength is that he is hated by the crony socialists in the Republican party. If the Republicans want to win, their strategy should be to follow Lindsey Grahams suggestion. Announce that they hate Cruz but would rather work with him than with Trump, who's not a conservative or Republican but is a tool of the Democrats to make Republicans look like idiots. Then they can devote all of their efforts to pointing out the defects of the Democrat candidates.
1
Cruz better? Different yes.... But even more impossible, he represents what I hope is a very small segment of the USA,one that I hope will disappear in time.
6
What a sad, sad day for our country. But, mostly for the fractured, dysfunctional, out of touch Republican Party! They, as a party are more embarrassing than Donald Trump. And, to think that not ONE whining, bemoaning bully has not ONE suggestion or other candidate for the election...or idea of professionalism in HOW to run a party any more. All the establishment does is attack, accuse, and abuse Trump. Yet, they did this to themselves by being so unable to come together as a party and have an honest solution. They have no one to blame but themselves!! And, Ted Cruz?. The most hated member of his party?? OMG...how dangerous is that?
5
Perfect image Mr. Bruni. Rubio as a Christmas fruitcake.
5
The Republican establishment is praying for a brokered convention. Obviously Trump and Cruz are unsavory over the top impossible to control egotists. Demagoguery is the flavor of the season for the Republicans. Rubio the lap dog of the billionaire run Republican establishment has been a bust. Dangerous pronouncement fly from the Cruz and Trump campaigns. But Hillary Clinton's track record shows that she has repeatedly been the source of bad foreign policy advice. From Libya to Syria to Ukraine Hillary is all about confrontation and ultimately failure.
Frank - "Cuddle with Cruz"? Perish the thought! Only thing worse than that would be cuddling with Marco Rubio! Goody two stacked boots, the boyish smile in the empty suit and the summat firebrand? And what were we supposed to hear about Marco Rubio that we have not already heard? One still shudders with alarm at your prognosticating note on the NYTimes Opinion page which has been posted every day for a year - and one wonders what you see in Rubio that none of his naysayers and yaysayers see? Rubio is no closer to being picked by Priebus and the money-bags and deep-pockets running the Republican party for the Presidential nomination in July, than is that empty chair that old Clint Eastwood spoke to at his extraordinarily dull and peculiar speech before the RNC the last election the Republicans lost.
FRANK BRUNI
You Will Be Hearing a Lot More About Marco Rubio
March 11, 2015, 10:20 AM
FRANK BRUNI
You Will Be Hearing a Lot More About Marco Rubio
March 11, 2015, 10:20 AM
1
My ultra conservative, elderly aunt can't bring herself to support Ted Cruz. Why? Because he keeps bragging about how he never compromises and never will. She says plainly, "how can you ever get anything done if you refuse to compromise on everything, that's crazy!" She is also disgusted with Trump and doesn't get how only five percent of her fellow republicans seem to support Kasich. It seems gridlock satisfies no one, while everyone wants it their way or the highway. Trump wants it both ways, doing "great deals" while simultaneously embracing the fascist dictator model of governing. Dangerous and unstable times are being cast upon us all by the ultra-conservative third of America, no way around it.
1
Glory be, all this middle-school Reptilian infighting is just handing us executive, judicial and legislative Democratic control of the future of our country. Bless them for the stupidity...
2
republicans must become settlers, they must settle for Ted. How ironic.
1
"Sober-minded, cool-headed traditionalists in the Republican Party?" Frank Bruni's search for the Unicorns of Reason in the Republican Party only serves to perpetuate an illusion. Republican presidential candidates, Republican governors, Republican senators and congressmen have conclusively shown that Mr. Bruni has fallen victim to the triumph of wishful thinking over experience.
3
Sorry to be blunt here, but I must be: The narrative that the non-Trump GOP candidates are as bad as Trump is a lie, pure and simple. Trump is indeed woefully faulty for president in every respect. But the other GOP candidates are all good men (and woman) who all might make a good president if elected. Though now the weasel Christie don’t count anymore.
And then there’s Ted Cruz. Wow. Who’d have thought that the perpetrator of the ridiculous “Green Eggs and Ham” stunt would manage such a remarkable campaign for president?
And more and more the Ted Cruz I read of from his critics is just not the guy I see on TV. Cruz is articulate and scholarly in his discourse, mixed with haughtiness and pomposity that at times can be grating. Kind of like the discourse and manner of his fellow patrician intellectual Barack Obama.
I’m not convinced that Ted Cruz should be president, but he is immeasurably better than the horrid Trump. That should go without saying, but sadly it needs to be. Ted Cruz has distinguished himself in this election as one of the nation’s more adept and articulate politicians.
And then there’s Ted Cruz. Wow. Who’d have thought that the perpetrator of the ridiculous “Green Eggs and Ham” stunt would manage such a remarkable campaign for president?
And more and more the Ted Cruz I read of from his critics is just not the guy I see on TV. Cruz is articulate and scholarly in his discourse, mixed with haughtiness and pomposity that at times can be grating. Kind of like the discourse and manner of his fellow patrician intellectual Barack Obama.
I’m not convinced that Ted Cruz should be president, but he is immeasurably better than the horrid Trump. That should go without saying, but sadly it needs to be. Ted Cruz has distinguished himself in this election as one of the nation’s more adept and articulate politicians.
It was once commonplace to refer to Democratic in-fighting as a circular firing squad. Rather than anticipating a wedgie, common decency calls for a roundtable dual at the next Fox debate a practical extension of the Republican's embrace of the Second Amendment.
Should this occur few would object to Governor Christie (Creams) reentering the race.
Should this occur few would object to Governor Christie (Creams) reentering the race.
1
This has been the strangest primary season I can remember, going back to 1968. When there were 17 candidates for the GOP nomination, I would NEVER have picked Ted Cruz or The Donald to make it to the finals. I was certain they'd be among the earlier drop-outs. I was stunned that so many obvious leading choices, particularly governors and well-respected senators got NO traction (Jindal, Perry, Walker, Huckabee, Christie, Graham come to mind) or that the 900lb gorilla, Jeb!, tripped over his own feet before he even formally declared for the nomination! The GOP USUALLY goes for governors and there were 7 (or 8?) to choose from. Now there is one, "Eddie The Eagle" Kasich in last place.
I admit it: I have NO clue how the GOP primary voters think. Usually, even if choices seem illogical, there's an underlying logic to them. The last time the GOP made a totally illogical pick for their nomination was Barry Goldwater, who, today, would be drummed out of the party as a liberal. Before that? 1940 and Wendall Wilkie.
But now it's down to a crazy, lying, opportunistic scam artist with NO government experience and a wild-eyed, fundamentalist reactionary senator who would rather let the nation crash and burn than give an inch on his "principles".
America has never elected a President with neither government nor military experience (and most pure military leaders other than Washington and Ike made horrible Presidents) and only 3x elected a sitting senator (Harding, JFK and Obama).
I admit it: I have NO clue how the GOP primary voters think. Usually, even if choices seem illogical, there's an underlying logic to them. The last time the GOP made a totally illogical pick for their nomination was Barry Goldwater, who, today, would be drummed out of the party as a liberal. Before that? 1940 and Wendall Wilkie.
But now it's down to a crazy, lying, opportunistic scam artist with NO government experience and a wild-eyed, fundamentalist reactionary senator who would rather let the nation crash and burn than give an inch on his "principles".
America has never elected a President with neither government nor military experience (and most pure military leaders other than Washington and Ike made horrible Presidents) and only 3x elected a sitting senator (Harding, JFK and Obama).
3
I first got a glimpse of Marco Rubio's strength as a candidate when he took that sip of a water bottle on camera in his response to Obama's 2013 State of the Union speech. That was just plain dumb, and showed nervousness and an inability to think on his feet. He almost always sounded canned, speaking loud with feigned outrage. What sealed it for me was his four-times-repeated talking point, which he delivered WHILE he was being criticized for canned speeches. Marco is toast, dead in the water. Kasich comes across as a scold. I believe it will end up a close contest between Trump and Cruz for the nomination. May the worst man win.
4
This guy is far creepier than Trump. It would be like electing the Christian Taliban. Very greasy, very slick, a consummate liar, someone who would do anything, alienate every sane human being for power. At least Trump is real, not a Fundamentalist Christian cyborg like Cruz. This guy is scary. Prey for Trump.
9
Couldn't happen to a nicer party. Hah! No crocodile tears from me!
2
I love Mr. Bruni's fruitcake analogy regarding Rubio as an unwanted gift, but the term "fruitcake" also means someone who is plenty nuts -- both Trump and Cruz fit that definition of fruitcake.
So you've got three fruitcakes in the Republican race, plus John Kasich.
So you've got three fruitcakes in the Republican race, plus John Kasich.
2
The problems the Republican elites have with Trump isn't his appeal to bigotry, hatred, and prejudice. No, what scares the bejesus out of them is his refusal to communicate the appeal to these "hounds of hatred" through a coded "dog whistle"; rather, Trump calls these hounds, each by name, and in overtly invoking appeals to bigotry, hatred, and prejudice he lays plain, for all to see, the "bigoted base" that is at that the core of the Republican Party. And he forces these elites to acknowledge they too are in league with these same dark forces.
159
Cruz is much scarier than Trump. He has the intelligence and righteousness of Richard Nixon, complete with his lack of integrity. His ability to govern is in question given that he does not get along with anyone in Congress including members of his own party. His religious zealotry is a pose for votes. It would make the US a theocracy.He comes from a family that has tried on religious sects like new shoes. His foreign policy is something out of "Dr. Strangelove". He denies the necessity of government to provide basic services to its citizens and wants to abolish the IRS. While no one loves paying taxes, it is necessary for these services - or even for the salary of the president and Congress. He has blown the GOP dog whistle regarding immigrants and fear of the other. More ignorance and intolerance is not what is needed. Other than Richard Nixon, he reminds me of Joe McCarthy, wrapping himself in the flag. Where is Senator Joe Welch to ask, "Have you no decency, sir?" Actually that applies to all of them.
9
As a Democrat, I can only hope that Rubio hangs in there, Kasich too. That might be the best way to restrain Cruz or Trump from having the majority necessary to win on the first ballot. I know Cruz will lose in most of the remaining states as the base of his support is with evangelicals who are much less relevant as a voting cohort. Unfortunately, I think Rubio loses to Trump in Florida with Cruz coming in third. If Kasich manages to pull out Ohio, which is a big if, it really doesn't natter because he is going no where but he does hurt Cruz in the process. Priceless. After that, the contests will continue with Trump just falling short by the convention. That's when I get to sit back , make some popcorn, and watch the inevitable explosion as the establishment wing of the party tries to to give the nomination to Romney or Ryan and the place goes completely nuts. You see everybody in the political science ecosystem knows that the only real question in the Republican party establishment is which one of those candidates would do the most down ticket damage to the party. My guess is Cruz but that is a tough one. That is the strategic question that will drive the decision of what to do and whom to promote. I can only hope the Trump and Cruz delegates bring their guns with them and throw a really good reality show called "Shooters R US". Then we get to watch how wealthy Republicans run like the little chicken hawks they are from their own creation. Hoping for a wonderful show.
6
Rubio is the most obvious fruitcake candidate, even with Trump in the race. Which is amazing to consider. But really aren't all the GOP candidates fruitcakes, just of different sizes? No large enough numbers of voters really wants any of them, and would gladly re-gift them in exchange for a pair of socks, as they would serve a purpose. At the moment I cant find any purpose to any of the GOP front-runners - EXCEPT - and this is not so much a bad thing - except to show the nation the real guts of the GOP elite and the GOP base of registered or likely Republican voters.
Every one of them (except maybe Kasich) has put on full exhibit, thanks to Trump, the core doctrinal beliefs of the GOP. And its all centered around fear. Fear of immigrants, fear of foreign (not domestic) terrorism, fear of liberals, the educated, the sciences, the Eastern and West coast elites. All seen as threats to the America of the White male and his narrow self-interests. And its that America that is being presented as the best and ONLY one to put back in place and move the nation into the future.
An America that is truly diametrically opposed to what the crowds of rabid rally attendees truly would like to see manifest. An America run with an iron-fist by the very Government they have been preached to hate so much! The joke is truly on the Trump supporters, as well as those of Cruz and Rubio. The path to their "better" is where Government truly intrudes and overreaches, and tramples the Constitution.
Every one of them (except maybe Kasich) has put on full exhibit, thanks to Trump, the core doctrinal beliefs of the GOP. And its all centered around fear. Fear of immigrants, fear of foreign (not domestic) terrorism, fear of liberals, the educated, the sciences, the Eastern and West coast elites. All seen as threats to the America of the White male and his narrow self-interests. And its that America that is being presented as the best and ONLY one to put back in place and move the nation into the future.
An America that is truly diametrically opposed to what the crowds of rabid rally attendees truly would like to see manifest. An America run with an iron-fist by the very Government they have been preached to hate so much! The joke is truly on the Trump supporters, as well as those of Cruz and Rubio. The path to their "better" is where Government truly intrudes and overreaches, and tramples the Constitution.
13
I just cannot understand how anyone can want Mr Trump or Sen Cruz to be President. I have read all the op Ed pieces and listened to the talking heads, and spoken to a few Trump supporters, and I understand people want someone outside of the traditional group, but how anyone can see either of these men as worthy of the office and able to represent American values on the world stage is, to me, beyond comprehension.
30
The people who know Cruz best-his U.S. Senate colleagues- realize that he is a brilliant intemperate amoral half-Cuban natural born citizen of Canada named Rafael Edward Cruz. The new age Joe McCarthy political viper.
The people who know Marco Antonio Rubio best-his U.S. Senate colleagues- realize that he is an immature ignorant inexperienced fickle weak truant son of two Cubans. The new age Dan Quayle political parrot.
The people who know Donald John Trump best-his business partners and foes- realize that he wants to make a deal and reduce risk by barking but not biting. The new age Harry Houdini political magician.
"Voice your choice. Who do you love?" Or fear?
The people who know Marco Antonio Rubio best-his U.S. Senate colleagues- realize that he is an immature ignorant inexperienced fickle weak truant son of two Cubans. The new age Dan Quayle political parrot.
The people who know Donald John Trump best-his business partners and foes- realize that he wants to make a deal and reduce risk by barking but not biting. The new age Harry Houdini political magician.
"Voice your choice. Who do you love?" Or fear?
23
I totally agree with your characterizations. That said, and in answer to your question, I fear Cruz the most. He is very smart, a great debater, and the only one able to match Hillary Clinton intellectually. I shudder with horror at the prospect of a Cruz presidency. Trump is a buffoon and megalomaniac, nothing more, nothing less.
5
Well, Trump has already done something that most people felt impossible. Only he can make Ted Cruz look presidential.
16
LOL, they are down to grasping for Cruz.
What a Grand Old Party!
What a Grand Old Party!
17
Cruz expertise is constitutional law...
He skipped the chapter on separation of church and state...
He skipped the chapter on separation of church and state...
7
If the conservative hoi polloi are so sore at being told how to vote, why don't they really stick it to their masters and vote Dem?
25
Thankfully, there is finally a conservative in the race; it's time to offer some real change in the party and for the nation! Rand Paul would have presented a more clean break from the past' Cruz is the second best.
So, you want to end SS and Medicare and probably have a war with Russia?
3
Rand Paul is an admirable idealist with convictions. Ted Cruz is a rat who will say anything. Hard to call that second best.
5
In the past I may have abhorred certain candidates, but this is the first time I have felt personally endangered should a candidate get elected. I would not want any of the Republican contenders for the Presidency anywhere near the nuclear codes. They are all dangerous.
Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, and Marc Rubio: "how do I loathe thee, let me count the ways".
Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, and Marc Rubio: "how do I loathe thee, let me count the ways".
76
Stability can return to the governance of our Democracy when Congress has nearer equal numbers and straight party voting ceases. At present both party's have needed to control Congress and have the Presidency to pass a bill to a signed law.
Both have authoritarian qualities. The startling difference being this: Democrats and most of the left have no agenda to remove the social safety net that creates and maintains stability in the lives of millions of Americans. Democrats would like to expand this and would utilize their authority to do so. On the other hand Republicans wish to remove the safety nest as greatly as they are able to do so per their authoritarianism. At present there no conceivable way a compromise could evolve.
I believe the loss of the safety net is a terrifying experience in the lives of a majority of Americans.
It is the seemingly wonton disregard of the Republicans for the quality of life of the non-wealthy, middle class, working class and those living in poverty.
I believe a majority of Americans live in a range of experience from fear to desperation.
We will see what develops. I do not have a sense of comfort living in this present America.
Both have authoritarian qualities. The startling difference being this: Democrats and most of the left have no agenda to remove the social safety net that creates and maintains stability in the lives of millions of Americans. Democrats would like to expand this and would utilize their authority to do so. On the other hand Republicans wish to remove the safety nest as greatly as they are able to do so per their authoritarianism. At present there no conceivable way a compromise could evolve.
I believe the loss of the safety net is a terrifying experience in the lives of a majority of Americans.
It is the seemingly wonton disregard of the Republicans for the quality of life of the non-wealthy, middle class, working class and those living in poverty.
I believe a majority of Americans live in a range of experience from fear to desperation.
We will see what develops. I do not have a sense of comfort living in this present America.
27
The foulmouthed and policy-devoid Trump and the neo southern-strategy McCarthy-like Cruz who "nobody likes" are the likely Republican nominees? This situation surely illustrates a breakdown in our political system, the Republican Party in particular, and of national common sense.
Hence, any serious minded voter must now realize, as Bernie puts it, either he or Hillary on their worst day are far better than those two Republicans on their best day. So, for those here who daily quibble over Bernie vs Hillary, pay careful attention to the prospective ultimate opposition. That opposition, incidentally, is supported by many Republicans who think them unacceptable unless they became the Party nominee; seemingly they then would suddenly become desirable -- party above all else.
Hence, any serious minded voter must now realize, as Bernie puts it, either he or Hillary on their worst day are far better than those two Republicans on their best day. So, for those here who daily quibble over Bernie vs Hillary, pay careful attention to the prospective ultimate opposition. That opposition, incidentally, is supported by many Republicans who think them unacceptable unless they became the Party nominee; seemingly they then would suddenly become desirable -- party above all else.
47
There is a well-known saying: Democrats fall in love; Republicans fall in line. For the latter, party loyalty uber alles.
4
A "breakdown" in our political system implies that the results are flawed in some way. Hardly the case. What we are seeing is a direct reflection of the will of half the country. Your fellow countrymen are to be blamed if you are disturbed by what you see.
If The Donald gave Little Marco a wedgie during a debate on national television, not only would I support him in June and November, he'll get my vote in every election for the remainder of my time on Earth.
16
A wedgie is great, a wedgie is fun.
However,
I believe Rubio would run!
However,
I believe Rubio would run!
We are voting for president of the United Stares, not president of a fraternity.
4
The wink-and-the-nod bigotry of the modern GOP from Nixon's Southern strategy to Reagan's "welfare queens" and George H. W. Bush's "Willie Horton" have now overtaken them in the blatant, non-PC, open racism of Donald Trump. Of course, it was all meant to scare and con the mainly southern voters to support the corporate-oriented agenda of the establishment elite. While they preached conservatism, they were successfully selling Bible-thumping bromides and fear of African-Americans into political power. Now The Donald, to the consternation of the conservative elite, has exposed the shell game by embracing the anger of tan-skinned immigrants and other "outside agitators" while tossing out the "voodoo economics." And their terror has driven them mad to the point where they're on the verge of falling into the hands of their true Frankenstein in Sen. Shutdown and De-fund, Ted Cruz.
28
And I would add, the very worst example, Ronald Reagan opening his 1980 presidential campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi -- the site of one of the most notorious lynchings in American history.
3
I so enjoy your trenchant commentary on the state of the GOP race. How can anyone forget your memorable five things to know about trump following last weeks debate starting with the number one point about the size of something Donald says he possesses?
Never read that in the NYT before! But here we have, as I put it in an earlier post, Mr. bomb thrower versus Mr. bombast. And how did anybody think it would end any other way? It's not as if there is a long line of more acceptable and more rational and more intelligent and more compassionate GOP candidates waiting in the wings.
I think I've read just about every comment from GOP voters expressing a preference for one over the other, but it really is a Hobsons choice isn't it? What do you do when the devil you know turns into Devil Twins?
They used to call boring candidates tweedle Dee and tweedle dumb, but I think in this case it's got to be something else. If anyone can come up with a new phrase to express Trump and Cruz, I'd love to hear it.
Never read that in the NYT before! But here we have, as I put it in an earlier post, Mr. bomb thrower versus Mr. bombast. And how did anybody think it would end any other way? It's not as if there is a long line of more acceptable and more rational and more intelligent and more compassionate GOP candidates waiting in the wings.
I think I've read just about every comment from GOP voters expressing a preference for one over the other, but it really is a Hobsons choice isn't it? What do you do when the devil you know turns into Devil Twins?
They used to call boring candidates tweedle Dee and tweedle dumb, but I think in this case it's got to be something else. If anyone can come up with a new phrase to express Trump and Cruz, I'd love to hear it.
20
They're the guys who may save us from A) another communist or B) a fraud who has committed over 2000 felonies, gotten innocent people killed while lying about it, and run a money laundering scheme which is selling our country to the highest bidder. But take heart, you have Biden, another fraud and liar waiting in the wings.
But this all possibly leads to the nightmare scenario for Democrats. A contested convention which produces Kasich as the Presidential nominee, Rubio for Veep and Cruz for the Supreme Court in exchange for his delegates.
3
That is not a "nightmare scenario for Democrats," but a terrifying nightmare for America and the world.
5
Yes! I'm down for that.
2
Well, you know, the Red Queen of "Alice and Wonderland" has a solution for everything.
1
No time to cuddle with Cruz, what is bad for the GOP is good for the country. Long live Trump!
4
Cruz is worse than Trump. At least with Trump there is more transparency. Cruz is the epitome of Machiavellian Evil - slithery-cunning, manipulative, hypocritical ideologue and demagogue. With his religious fervor, he'll bring back the Middle Ages, and the Spanish Inquisition, as Krugman said. He'll be the Tomas de Torquemada of the 21st century.
124
I'll say it again... No one seemed outraged when he shared the stage with a Christian pastor that wants to execute all American gays.... Nice people
7
Donald Trump defies reason. Ted Cruz is mean spirited, has the largest number of "false" comments in "fact checker" and can't get along with anyone in the Senate. If no one will publicly support him for President, how is he going to "bring our country together." If he does get elected - our family will move to Canada.
20
Don't move! Stay and fight!
1
Trump has been a successful businessman. H'e's a billionaire. He has shown a certain genius campaigning for the presidency. I mean he's making history. Why wouldn't he make a good president? He seems to excel at whatever he does. Geez. Compare him to W Bush, a feckless prince who was handed the keys to the car by his parents and crashed it. I can't imagine Trump being anywhere near that bad.
8
Trump's long list of triumphs includes four bankruptcies, Trump University (for which he is now being sued and may be criminally charged) Trump Vodka and a Trump board game (both of which seem to have rapidly disappeared) and a mortgage company, launched with typical Trumpeting just before the housing bubble collapsed.
It has been calculated that had Trump simply invested his inheritance an an index fund he would now have far more than he even claims to have (and that claim is dubious, based on it is by his own estimate of the value of his "brand").
I agree that he has a certain evil genius in campaigning, but that seems mostly to consist of appealing to the most destructive instincts in his supporters. The cheers when he talks about punching protesters in the face or killing reporters have the sound of a lynch mob in full cry, and it will not be long before there is serious violence at one of his rallies. His claims are empty sloganeering, without the slightest explanation of how he gets, say, Mexico "to pay for the wall" or how he would actually deport 11 million people without a full-on police state apparatus, including goon squads, internment camps, and scenes from "Schindler's List".
You are buying his con...please, please wake up before it is too late.
It has been calculated that had Trump simply invested his inheritance an an index fund he would now have far more than he even claims to have (and that claim is dubious, based on it is by his own estimate of the value of his "brand").
I agree that he has a certain evil genius in campaigning, but that seems mostly to consist of appealing to the most destructive instincts in his supporters. The cheers when he talks about punching protesters in the face or killing reporters have the sound of a lynch mob in full cry, and it will not be long before there is serious violence at one of his rallies. His claims are empty sloganeering, without the slightest explanation of how he gets, say, Mexico "to pay for the wall" or how he would actually deport 11 million people without a full-on police state apparatus, including goon squads, internment camps, and scenes from "Schindler's List".
You are buying his con...please, please wake up before it is too late.
25
You should click on the article of the Editorial Observer about "An All-american Family Portrait, in White".
A large painting shows what Drumpf is representing in this nation, inciting an all out war by the supposedly white huddled masses to regain their feeling of 'superiority' based solely on skin colour.
A large painting shows what Drumpf is representing in this nation, inciting an all out war by the supposedly white huddled masses to regain their feeling of 'superiority' based solely on skin colour.
1
You are, apparently, not paying attention.
Trump can still lose. Don't forget the classic Simpsons episode in which Bart is catapulted to fame by repeating the vapid catchphrase "I didn't do it" to the inexplicable delight of the crowd, until at some point, just as inexplicably, the crowd turns on Bart and starts booing their previous idol. Such is the American public. On the other hand, the Simpsons also predicted a future President Trump...
13
If it's "primary election season" conduct primaries. The "raucus caucus" sideshows are toxically dysfunctional. It's no different than mixing in a little sewer water with your flu vaccination. Elections have no legitimacy when there is no quality control. Claims that "we've always done it this way" constitutes no defensible precedent. End the caucuses. They defame the very notion of a legitimate democracy.
10
I, a Ralph Nader Activist and till now, an exclusively third party voter have my voter registration form with a change of Party from "blank" to republican ready to mail so I can do my share of chaos by voting for Trump in the primaries and maybe also in the general since being a good girl and advocating third parties all of my adult life was a waste of time. By the way my registration back to "blank" after the election is also ready and stamped to go.
1
Happily you're a New Yorker, so your third party vote will be the equivalent of your staying home.
Unlike those from Florida who many of us still silently excoriate for giving us G.W.
Unlike those from Florida who many of us still silently excoriate for giving us G.W.
1
On the conservative side it boils down to a choice between a fascist and a nut who would attempt to turn us into a theocracy. I don't believe for a moment that Cruz is religious but it is a useful disguise for him, opportunist that he is.
Rubio is gone. He reminded me of a director on a board of directors I sat on. When responding to a point another director made, he would say "that is a mute point". When the board was considering a new CEO he was asked if he was decisive. He said very clearly "yes and no". That's Rubio.
Trump appears to be determined to succeed. I had thought he would get board but adulation is driving him it seems. I am a Hillary fan so I will root for Trump to carry the banner for the conservatives although Cruz might be as useful.
Rubio is gone. He reminded me of a director on a board of directors I sat on. When responding to a point another director made, he would say "that is a mute point". When the board was considering a new CEO he was asked if he was decisive. He said very clearly "yes and no". That's Rubio.
Trump appears to be determined to succeed. I had thought he would get board but adulation is driving him it seems. I am a Hillary fan so I will root for Trump to carry the banner for the conservatives although Cruz might be as useful.
8
With you Harold, but you mean "moot" and "bored," no?
2
should cruz or trump become president and no one caring for them, especially no one liking cruz at all, and what with checks and balances with the justice department, and the two houses of congress,the department of defense/military, and the free world (it has to be considered-those countries would at least bar cruz and trump from entering) could anything happen of substance if any one of these doofaces get in?
2
There is the small matter of Supreme Court vacancies. Sheesh.
3
As bad as Trump is, Cruz is 10x worse. This country has become ungovernable because one of the parties refuses to compromise (unless compromise is defined as given them 99.99% of what they want). For all his bluster and talk, Trump wants to reach a deal (the bluster is more about getting a better deal). Cruz epitomizes the GOP strategy of holding firm to accomplish nothing. I don't want either of them as president, but if we hope to move forward as a country, Trump is a much better option than Cruz.
41
Actually, looking from outside the asylum, I suspect that a Trump presidency would involve destroying what's left of governmental checks and balances and setting up his own version of The Apprentice, The Caesarian States of America. Anyone who "Trumps" him will pay. Anyone who doesn't see this is wallowing in the worse puddle of denial possible. They will all be delighted at "sticking it to the grown ups..." until reality sets in. Hail Trump.
Another Republican debate this Thursday? Can we possibly learn anything new about these candidates? Haven't we been subjected to too many debates already? Do we have to see Mr. Trump squint again and hear him state for the 1000th time that Mexico will pay for the wall? Do we have to witness once more Mr. Cruz looking directly and earnestly into the camera after a long pause and saying "I will defend the Constitution"? Do we have to hear Mr. Rubio repeat that he is against illegal immigration after he was for a path to citizenship? And do we have to endure Mr. Kasich telling us once more that he balanced the budget when he was a member of Congress? Instead of watching another debate, I'll tune into reruns of "I Love Lucy" where Ricky Ricardo will once again keep Lucy out of the show.
21
Seniors need to understand that Cruz would end both SS and Medicare, probably immediately, given enough Republicans in Congress and Senate.
18
As unappealing as thought of a Donald Trump Presidency is to me "President Cruz" would be a total nightmare. I find nothing more galling in this campaign than Cruz's ersatz piety. Quite simply those who wear their religion on their sleeves have little place for it in their hearts. I honestly believe Ted Cruz is evil, and I thought Canadians were nice.
54
He might have been born in Canada but he's no Canadian. Thank God!
3
Steve
He was born to foreign parents and left as a young child. He could never be elected in Canada a country that resembles the Western European democracie mor than the USA, despite superficial similarities.
His values are derived from his Texas upbringing. To call him Canadian is ludicrous.
He was born to foreign parents and left as a young child. He could never be elected in Canada a country that resembles the Western European democracie mor than the USA, despite superficial similarities.
His values are derived from his Texas upbringing. To call him Canadian is ludicrous.
3
Hey, easy there! Canadians ARE nice. Please don't pin Cruz on us.
3
What Rubio and Kasich have going for them is that they are not as personally abhorrent as Cruz and Trump, but apparently, what Republican voters this year want is to nominate someone who disgusts a good portion of the country. This is what happens when you leave your nominating process up to Iowa, New Hampshire and "evangelicals," who have consistently shown in this election that they're likely not Christians at all.
19
Let's see. We have Trump who pushes all of the standard GOP buttons but without the nicely crafted language of Frank Luntz talking points. We have Ted Cruz who makes his case through thomist argumentation drawn with jesuitic precision, a very well educated, and non-alcoholic Joe McCarthy. Then there's Marco Rubio who, after losing the Florida primary, might have a future career managing one of Norman Braman's used car lots. Kasich is running for VP or a cabinet post; given his Lehmann Bros. Background, he probably has his eye on Treasury. Grand Old Poseurs.
16
Yeh... sure. cuddling with Cruz is like embracing a rattlesnake.
33
I hope CNN has the disclaimers ready for its Mar. 10 event: "Due to graphic content, viewer discretion is advised" at the top of each hour, and the "TV MA" bug out of every break.
6
I like Lorem Ipsum!
All what is said by the republican frontrunners is of the same rubbish.
What has become of my beloved American people after they liberated me as a child of 12 in a village in the south of Holland from the nazi's in September1944 and stayed with us untill the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944.
The only candidate I recognize in this respect is Bernie Sanders. But if had to vote in the USA, I had to chose for Hillary, in fear of losing a vote for the Democrats.
Just imagin: President Trump ,President Cruz.
Poor America (and poor Europe)
All what is said by the republican frontrunners is of the same rubbish.
What has become of my beloved American people after they liberated me as a child of 12 in a village in the south of Holland from the nazi's in September1944 and stayed with us untill the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944.
The only candidate I recognize in this respect is Bernie Sanders. But if had to vote in the USA, I had to chose for Hillary, in fear of losing a vote for the Democrats.
Just imagin: President Trump ,President Cruz.
Poor America (and poor Europe)
3
Another "debate" on Thursday?! Lord save us.
13
Hey, GOP! This is your moment. Donald Trump IS the GOP. He never says anything that you don't hear nearly everyday from a the Republican congressman or one of their star pundits. He is the sum total of the Republican conversation in today's political world. It just sounds so bad coming from one mouth. A peek in the looking glass for any Republican shows Trump staring back. Frank's point is well taken: Ted Cruz is "Trump light" or maybe a twin "Son of Frankenstein" to Trump.
136
There is a difference between advancing bad policy, and openly using fascist rhetoric to garner support. People across the political spectrum are fond of speculating that Trump doesn't "really mean it", that he will pivot to center, or already has, that he has some views that are even liberal; that he has "merely extended" mainstream Republican politics.
Cruz could, as President, arguably lobby for legislation to the right of Trump. But this is not about whose policy is worse.
Trump is a major party candidate aggressively employing fascist rhetoric and tactics to become President! That doesn't just "sound" worse. It IS worse. He should be disqualified as a candidate on that, and that alone.
Cruz could, as President, arguably lobby for legislation to the right of Trump. But this is not about whose policy is worse.
Trump is a major party candidate aggressively employing fascist rhetoric and tactics to become President! That doesn't just "sound" worse. It IS worse. He should be disqualified as a candidate on that, and that alone.
4
I think Cruz is as deadly, or more deadly to democracy than Trump.
42
I'd have to disagree, Trump has more potential to ignore laws and the courts than Cruz, who is a psycho but at least not a dictator. What a choice.
All the choices with any momentum on the GOP side are horrifying. I was sick to my stomach when Carson with his looney tunes version of reality was rising in the polls. Trump has no position that hasn't changed, Cruz is loathed by the party, Rubio lacks the gravitas to lead, which ignores the damage anyone of these three would do as president.
My prediction: There will be a contested or brokered convention, forcing a third party run by Trump. A dem in the white house is guaranteed if this happens.
My prediction: There will be a contested or brokered convention, forcing a third party run by Trump. A dem in the white house is guaranteed if this happens.
7
Chris Wallace asked Ted Cruz who would collect taxes if he abolished the IRS. Cruz successfully filibustered his answer. Wallace let it pass. Is anyone paying attention? Cruz wants to go back to the gold standard. Do we care? Cruz will not negotiate to solve problems since he has all of the answers ( gleaned from his interpretation of the Bible). Apparently the capricious public has changed from eliminating congressional gridlock to wanting more of it.
20
He clearly said an office in the treasury department would collect them.
Dear Frank,
Thank you once again for your insightful article.My worst nightmare has come to be.Cruz the most despotic of the lot is looming on the horizon, and although,he may be far from the Goal Line, it could happen, in a Nation that is torn between disgust of our Government & the fear of the unknown outsider.While the results of the voting was coming in , My wife turned to me and said,"I can't believe it, I find myself pulling for Trump, which I replied it must be our 53 years of Marriage, I am too.This is not phenomenon in our Marriage, we often think alike,it's almost scary.We are secular moderates who are fiscally conservative & Socially Liberal.Except for Obama we have always voted for the lesser of two evils, which was usually the Democrat. However, this year it's different, We find ourselves without a party.We were entertaining Rubio, which would have been the first Republican we ever voted for.We were even considering Trump, until we tired of his act & realized he was insane.If it comes down to Hillary or Cruz, I will vote for Clinton, a person who has pandered to Black bigotry, against Sanders, & is weak in her support of Israel.I can't get over the Black person who when asked if he would vote for Sanders, replied I don't know Sanders from Madoff. then Sanders lopsided defeats.Under Obama we were progressing rapidly into a secular nation with the emphasize on Civil Rights,hopefully, Clinton will continue this, if she's elected.
Thank you once again for your insightful article.My worst nightmare has come to be.Cruz the most despotic of the lot is looming on the horizon, and although,he may be far from the Goal Line, it could happen, in a Nation that is torn between disgust of our Government & the fear of the unknown outsider.While the results of the voting was coming in , My wife turned to me and said,"I can't believe it, I find myself pulling for Trump, which I replied it must be our 53 years of Marriage, I am too.This is not phenomenon in our Marriage, we often think alike,it's almost scary.We are secular moderates who are fiscally conservative & Socially Liberal.Except for Obama we have always voted for the lesser of two evils, which was usually the Democrat. However, this year it's different, We find ourselves without a party.We were entertaining Rubio, which would have been the first Republican we ever voted for.We were even considering Trump, until we tired of his act & realized he was insane.If it comes down to Hillary or Cruz, I will vote for Clinton, a person who has pandered to Black bigotry, against Sanders, & is weak in her support of Israel.I can't get over the Black person who when asked if he would vote for Sanders, replied I don't know Sanders from Madoff. then Sanders lopsided defeats.Under Obama we were progressing rapidly into a secular nation with the emphasize on Civil Rights,hopefully, Clinton will continue this, if she's elected.
3
This situation gives me further evidence that in a Presidential race the voters should be allowed to vote both sides Republican and Democrat. We are after all trying to vote for the best possible person to run our country. I realize some would try to vote for the weakest "opposing" candidate but most of us would in fact vote for whom we would rather have as our President should our choice lose. For me now the Republican side is very frightening. There isn't a choice there anymore that I can see bringing our country together should they win.
4
Oh wow. I thought this was what general elections are for. A plurality for both party candidates and general elections seems to me to be a two-rounds election.... and that's not the american electoral system,.
That the Dems have one candidate likely to be indicted by the FBI (who also likely has a Grand Jury already seated and offering immunity) and a socialist doesn't scare you? How exactly can you make the argument that the GOP field scares you when there is ZERO chance either candidate on the left can bring the country together and both are so far left that they both make Jim Webb (a Democrat who dropped out of the race) mention that he was leaning toward voting for Trump.
Christians, will you please reread the Gospels? I apologize to those gentle souls who are already caring for each other, stewarding their environment, and extending sympathy and help to the disenfranchised, the poor, and the sick.
There's nothing Christian about evangelical power grabbing, or worship of wealth and success. Nor did Jesus tell you to go out and kill people in his name; quite the reverse.
(Yes, I know there are a few violent passages even in the New Testament, but we've moved past stoning women caught in adultery etc. The Gospels are short, repetitive, and clear. Leave the vengeance to god, if you believe in such a being.)
The first of the seven deadly sins is pride, and there is nothing but vainglory and taking advantage of others there.
There's nothing Christian about evangelical power grabbing, or worship of wealth and success. Nor did Jesus tell you to go out and kill people in his name; quite the reverse.
(Yes, I know there are a few violent passages even in the New Testament, but we've moved past stoning women caught in adultery etc. The Gospels are short, repetitive, and clear. Leave the vengeance to god, if you believe in such a being.)
The first of the seven deadly sins is pride, and there is nothing but vainglory and taking advantage of others there.
35
It's remarkable. Senator Cruz, whose major accomplishment is shutting down the government, who thinks defaulting on the national debt is a fine idea and who specializes in insulting his fellow Senators, has become the go to guy for the Republican establishment.
31
More than remarkable, it's terrifying. I suspect president trump would be inept, grow bored, and withdraw from all but the public play aspects of the presidency. An inattentive president would be very bad for the country. But not, I suspect, as bad as a president Cruz would be. Cruz is committed and mean. He will do bad things. He will be a long-term fighter. Trump represents a confused mix of anger and despair (one not as easily analyzed as the currently popular, highly satisfied soundbites suggest) that is self-defeating. Cruz is dangerous. It's time to recognize that. And to hope the democrats can turn voters out in November.
16
Oh, don't you know? Cruz blames Obama for "forcing" him to shut down the government. Cruz doesn't even own up of his own actions
1
The Gov't has been shut down 18 times since the 1970's - mainly by the Dems. Furthermore, using the power of the purse, a power allocated to Congress in the Constitution, is a means by which the body can impose enough sway to compete as a EQUAL branch of Gov't. The Gov't is never shut down for long and everyone receives back pay - so spare me the crocodile tears.
And standing up for your principles and calling out someone like McConnell, WHO DID IN FACT LIE, is an honorable thing to do. In fact, not calling out people when they so richly deserve it is a sure tale sign of weakness.
The GOP has failed its members and is reaping what it has sewn.
And standing up for your principles and calling out someone like McConnell, WHO DID IN FACT LIE, is an honorable thing to do. In fact, not calling out people when they so richly deserve it is a sure tale sign of weakness.
The GOP has failed its members and is reaping what it has sewn.
As long as the Republican debates are handled like inane personality shows, we will never see the "implosion" of Donald Trump. He thrives in a reality show environment where appearance and posture are more important than content; where questions are superficial and where the moderators never dig deep into policy issues.
The cable networks know very well that the attention span of the average low-information voter is extremely short, hence they have transformed serious presidential debatres into a ridiculous carnival show. Trump will never be asked serious policy questions; he will never be challenged to provide specific details. None of the candidates will have to face challenging questions about climate change, energy policy, education, tax policy, financial policy, foreign policy, income inequality or anything else that really matters, simply because the ratings of the carnival show would collapse if the candidates started talking about "serious stuff".
It's the sad state of mainstream American society, where everything is reduced to soundbites and reality shows. And that's how a cheap carnival barker like Donald Trump can steal the show, with a bigoted bully like Ted Cruz being the only viable alternative.
The cable networks know very well that the attention span of the average low-information voter is extremely short, hence they have transformed serious presidential debatres into a ridiculous carnival show. Trump will never be asked serious policy questions; he will never be challenged to provide specific details. None of the candidates will have to face challenging questions about climate change, energy policy, education, tax policy, financial policy, foreign policy, income inequality or anything else that really matters, simply because the ratings of the carnival show would collapse if the candidates started talking about "serious stuff".
It's the sad state of mainstream American society, where everything is reduced to soundbites and reality shows. And that's how a cheap carnival barker like Donald Trump can steal the show, with a bigoted bully like Ted Cruz being the only viable alternative.
16
Make no mistake - the nonsense carnival sells. FOX reports 17 million viewers of the most recent debate. --- I assume more nonsense is on the way.
The Republicans are apparently happy that viewership is up substantially.
Insanity reigns in the land.
The Republicans are apparently happy that viewership is up substantially.
Insanity reigns in the land.
1
Make no mistake, Senator Cruz is a monster. I'd rather have Trump. He has inculcated primitive hatred for the truth and freedom into his life philosophy.
And just in case an Republicans are reading, have you forgotten his government shutdown? It cost a bundle, mostly to working stiffs. Remember, the next time you see someone say "don't let government mess with my Medicare" - the lack of knowledge, it burns.
We are not evolving, we are devolving to the most primitive violent male ego possible. Between the overt braggart without a conscience and the deeply committed micromanager of everyone else's soul according to his twisted view, I'll take the first any day.
So forget it with shrinking our debt.
And just in case an Republicans are reading, have you forgotten his government shutdown? It cost a bundle, mostly to working stiffs. Remember, the next time you see someone say "don't let government mess with my Medicare" - the lack of knowledge, it burns.
We are not evolving, we are devolving to the most primitive violent male ego possible. Between the overt braggart without a conscience and the deeply committed micromanager of everyone else's soul according to his twisted view, I'll take the first any day.
So forget it with shrinking our debt.
73
Spot on. Sometimes, I wish Lincoln had let the South secede (while somehow eliminating slavery). We'd have a third world country on our southern border, but the remaining Union would be much more advanced than it is.
30
I am not a Republican. I was once but I'm now an independent. What you say about Senator Cruz is not factual but definitely hateful. He was elected by the citizens of the state of Texas and, as such, he has done what he said he would try to do for our state and our nation. Although we were not part of the union when the Constitution was written, we certainly believe it to be the "law of the land" and should be obeyed.
1
Trump is not an "overt braggart". He openly and aggressively employs fascist rhetoric to garner support. This is unacceptable in a Presidential candidate of any major political party. Cruz's policies are disgusting, and need to be defeated in the voting booth. But the Republican Party must disavow Trump.
1
I would like to see Donald Trump tone down at least some of his craziness. His base, who already love that stuff, would stay with him anyway, and he might swing more people his way than he would otherwise.
Given the better of two bad choices, I like Trump. Ted Cruz is really strange. (Many prefer the term "odious," but I think mine helps place him in some kind of alternate reality.).
In the end, those of us slugging out our daily existence every day - which includes supporters of both parties and the candidates therein - might be better off trying to understand, rather than excoriate, each other. Leave the nastiness to the candidates.
Given the better of two bad choices, I like Trump. Ted Cruz is really strange. (Many prefer the term "odious," but I think mine helps place him in some kind of alternate reality.).
In the end, those of us slugging out our daily existence every day - which includes supporters of both parties and the candidates therein - might be better off trying to understand, rather than excoriate, each other. Leave the nastiness to the candidates.
7
"I would like to see Donald Trump tone down at least some of his craziness"
I predict that he will. He is not as stupid as he acts.
I predict that he will. He is not as stupid as he acts.
Frankly, it is time to sit back and just observe. There is no precedence over the last 30 to 40 years in regards to the events in this election cycle. Every analysis over the last year looks reasonable at first and turns out wrong.
There was no precedence in the Republican obstructionism over the last 8 years and there will be no precedence in the reaction of the next minority and majority party.
I do firmly believe that we are at an inflection point of the American democracy. Once we come out on the other side of this process historians will have ample opportunity to analyze.
I do also firmly believe that after completion of this process there will be democratic stability again; in a changed electoral and party landscape.
Unlike Europe the American system of democracy has shown the relative stability. The Great Recession in Europe spawned the world war. America's system recovered with far less casualties.
There was no precedence in the Republican obstructionism over the last 8 years and there will be no precedence in the reaction of the next minority and majority party.
I do firmly believe that we are at an inflection point of the American democracy. Once we come out on the other side of this process historians will have ample opportunity to analyze.
I do also firmly believe that after completion of this process there will be democratic stability again; in a changed electoral and party landscape.
Unlike Europe the American system of democracy has shown the relative stability. The Great Recession in Europe spawned the world war. America's system recovered with far less casualties.
11
I've been paying attention to politics since Kennedy. Silly to think that we saw Goldwater as extreme and scary. The present buffoonery is a symptom of a serious problem: politicians no longer compromise or legislate they simply obstruct. To save our Republic we need simple reforms. Retired Judges should decide districts, gut campaign spending and restrict political contributions. Corporations have the job of making money and need oversight. Government is not evil. It has a vital role to play in our lives.
44
In an era when nuclear war seemed a very real possibility, I saw Goldwater as extreme and scary.
My ultra conservative, elderly aunt can't bring herself to support Ted Cruz. Why? Because he keeps bragging about how he never compromises and never will. She says plainly, "how can you ever get anything done if you refuse to compromise on everything, that's crazy!" She is also disgusted with Trump and doesn't get how only ten or twenty percent of her fellow republicans seem to support candidates like Kasich and Rubio. It seems gridlock satisfies no one, while everyone wants it their way or the highway. Trump wants it both ways, doing "great deals" while simultaneously embracing the fascist dictator model of governing. By embracing Trump and Cruz, today's republicans continue to demonstrate a clinical fear of both change and of anyone who doesn't look and pray exactly like them. Eight years of escalating conscious and unconscious racial hatred toward the first non- white president of the United States, has laid bare the xenophobic core underlying nearly half of the republican electorate. Their choice of 2016 candidates proves it clearly and undeniably. The embrace of Trump and Cruz taken on top of eight years of Obama phobia, is like rendering a double blind psychological exam on most of the republican base. Dangerous and unstable times are being cast upon us all by the most paranoid and xenophobic 33% of the American public, there is no way around it.
50
The way around it is the voting booth. If your party has abandoned you, then it's time to abandon your party.
2
As someone who has never failed to vote in any election and who considers themselves a good citizen, I definitely prefer Donald Trump as President to either Cruz or Rubio. However, I'm rooting for Bernie! The Republicans can take their clowns and leave the country as far as I'm concerned. All of them!
28
"Just when you think it can’t get any worse for the sober-minded, cool-headed traditionalists in the Republican Party, it does."
Well of course it does.
The advent of new media and especially social media has exposed something political junkies have pretty much known all along ... there simply aren't enough country-club-class Republicans in America for them to have a strong voice in politics. For decades the establishment of the GOP have dangled social and religious issues in front of a far more size-able chunk of the population than the elite class in order to gain their support. Now, the two factions on the right that actually have tens of millions of followers - the religious right and the hateful right (sorry, it's an accurate moniker) - have access to media sources outside the norms of the nightly news and the morning paper and the country-club wing has been exposed as completely out of line with their core issues.
There simply aren't enough Americans who believe in (or even care about) supply-side economics. The so-called "1-percent" soon may be just that at the ballot box as well as at the bank.
Well of course it does.
The advent of new media and especially social media has exposed something political junkies have pretty much known all along ... there simply aren't enough country-club-class Republicans in America for them to have a strong voice in politics. For decades the establishment of the GOP have dangled social and religious issues in front of a far more size-able chunk of the population than the elite class in order to gain their support. Now, the two factions on the right that actually have tens of millions of followers - the religious right and the hateful right (sorry, it's an accurate moniker) - have access to media sources outside the norms of the nightly news and the morning paper and the country-club wing has been exposed as completely out of line with their core issues.
There simply aren't enough Americans who believe in (or even care about) supply-side economics. The so-called "1-percent" soon may be just that at the ballot box as well as at the bank.
13
When are we going to realize that leaving the election of our national leaders in the hands of for-profit news outlets is destroying America. News outlets need to attract eyeballs to the screen to sell those eyeballs to advertisers to increase profits to satisfy shareholders. Reality tv has proven conclusively that nothing sells on American tv like base vulgarity and low behavior, e.g., the Kardashians.
That Trump has brought that behavior to the process of choosing the President should come as no surprise to any of us. This has been heading our way for a long time now. That the news media fosters it by not restraining any of the low behavior that continues to escalate in these "debates" should also come as no surprise to any of us. It is making them a great deal of money.
Fox at least tried to brings facts into play in the last "debate," but still let the theatrics continue unabated. Why not simply demand a higher level of civility and substance when any of the candidates begins to play to the reality tv audience? Take control of the tone and tenor of the exchanges to actually bring about substantive discussion. Give Trump a five minute time out when he behaves obnoxiously. Let him walk off the stage in a snit.
In other words, provide a public service rather than a profit generating exercise. The press touts its essential role in the political process ad nauseam, yet acts like a second rate carnival barker offering up two headed goats to the slack jawed rubes.
That Trump has brought that behavior to the process of choosing the President should come as no surprise to any of us. This has been heading our way for a long time now. That the news media fosters it by not restraining any of the low behavior that continues to escalate in these "debates" should also come as no surprise to any of us. It is making them a great deal of money.
Fox at least tried to brings facts into play in the last "debate," but still let the theatrics continue unabated. Why not simply demand a higher level of civility and substance when any of the candidates begins to play to the reality tv audience? Take control of the tone and tenor of the exchanges to actually bring about substantive discussion. Give Trump a five minute time out when he behaves obnoxiously. Let him walk off the stage in a snit.
In other words, provide a public service rather than a profit generating exercise. The press touts its essential role in the political process ad nauseam, yet acts like a second rate carnival barker offering up two headed goats to the slack jawed rubes.
21
Wow. Bounarotti, this is an terrific response to this bozo and to the press that has helped him forge a bizarre identity. I'd love you to sit in one of those so-called journalists' seats so someone would actually call these horrible candidates to heel.
You are blaming the messenger.
News outlets only reflect the appetites of the american public.
Same as Trump with his immigration outbursts on Muslims and Mexicans.
Also, the same as Cruz and Rubio applauding for the last seven years all efforts to bring down Obamacare which, good or bad, was staying put while Obama was president.
You should blame the american electorate. The news outlets and politicians are only guilty of pandering to them.
News outlets only reflect the appetites of the american public.
Same as Trump with his immigration outbursts on Muslims and Mexicans.
Also, the same as Cruz and Rubio applauding for the last seven years all efforts to bring down Obamacare which, good or bad, was staying put while Obama was president.
You should blame the american electorate. The news outlets and politicians are only guilty of pandering to them.
I read with dismay and then disbelief as Romney, Douthat and other GOP apologists actually put forth Ted Cruz as an alternative to Trump. What are these people thinking? Cruz is every bit as dangerous as Trump, a true demagogue, who would prove to be a tyrant if elected. It's astonishing to see the Republican Party devolve into a flailing mess of ignorance, racism, hate, anger and misogyny, but not surprising given their leadership. The commenters here who think Cruz would be a tonic, effectively inoculating us against others like him in the future, would play a dangerous game. Is it so much to ask that we could elect a relatively sane, balanced person to the presidency? Apparently yes.
108
Has it occurred to anyone that Cruz would be a more dangerous President than Trump? The Donald is such an uninformed buffoon that the forces in power, as well as the press and public would coalesce to keep him from being anything more than a paper thin reproduction of Mussolini. Cruz however is another beast altogether; this man has a brain and understands the system. Donald operates out of grotesque insecurity. Ted functions on a rock solid belief that God is on his side so where Donald would literally, be all over the place and ineffective because of it, Ted, knows what he wants, who he wants to destroy and how to do it. Give me Trump anytime. It will be fun watching him fall to pieces when he has to function as a President, not a comedian playing to his crowd. I don't believe it will happen but I wouldn't miss it for the world.
82
Entertainment value alone is not a good motive for electing a President. Cruz can and should be be defeated in the voting booth, but Trump is advancing fascist rhetoric, from the position of a major party presidential candidate. That alone should disqualify him.
Speculating what Trump will actually be like as president isn't the point. Punishing him for using fascist rhetoric to get elected is.
Speculating what Trump will actually be like as president isn't the point. Punishing him for using fascist rhetoric to get elected is.
I'm not sure he really believes God is on his side. Or wants his followers to believe that.
Not sure which is worse. That he's delusional or a sociopath.
Not sure which is worse. That he's delusional or a sociopath.
1
To fear Ted Cruz is to fear yourself, free.
Saturday's Presidential Primary Results:
One of the keys I believe to understanding the results are not just victories and percentages, but number of voters. Louisiana was the key contest yesterday- with Hillary Clinton (221K votes) having 3X the number of voters than Sanders, and almost twice Trump's vote counts. The other primary states this past Saturday had tiny voter counts and were not representative of the state's population, for example: In Kansas, with a total population of 3 million, Ted Cruz: 35K votes versus Trump's 17K.
On the Republican side, Trump has dominated by fascist tactics and an authoritarian/narcissistic personality that appeals to a non-diverse group of Americans- especially white and male- though he also has support among other demographics. His competitors to this point are amoral, servile, unsavory, highly bought and more extremist in key policy areas- and for this and other reasons have failed to effectively challenge him. Kaisch would be an exception here- though in reality it is not clear he is a true moderate. The only real substance to arise from the Republican debate is recent- and involves hard hitting fact based (imagine that) attacks on Trump. These are desperation tactics on the part of Rubio and Cruz and are intended to prevent Trump from winning a majority of Republican delegates, resulting in a brokered convention. Whether this is possible will be clearer in the coming weeks- not months.
One of the keys I believe to understanding the results are not just victories and percentages, but number of voters. Louisiana was the key contest yesterday- with Hillary Clinton (221K votes) having 3X the number of voters than Sanders, and almost twice Trump's vote counts. The other primary states this past Saturday had tiny voter counts and were not representative of the state's population, for example: In Kansas, with a total population of 3 million, Ted Cruz: 35K votes versus Trump's 17K.
On the Republican side, Trump has dominated by fascist tactics and an authoritarian/narcissistic personality that appeals to a non-diverse group of Americans- especially white and male- though he also has support among other demographics. His competitors to this point are amoral, servile, unsavory, highly bought and more extremist in key policy areas- and for this and other reasons have failed to effectively challenge him. Kaisch would be an exception here- though in reality it is not clear he is a true moderate. The only real substance to arise from the Republican debate is recent- and involves hard hitting fact based (imagine that) attacks on Trump. These are desperation tactics on the part of Rubio and Cruz and are intended to prevent Trump from winning a majority of Republican delegates, resulting in a brokered convention. Whether this is possible will be clearer in the coming weeks- not months.
7
I would still prefer trump over Cruz. A brash buffoon is much better that a religious zealot. Can you imagine the horrible things Cruz would do if he got in power? Rubio has always been the joke.
81
Why is Trump repeatedly characterized as a "buffoon", when he openly and aggressively employs fascist rhetoric to garner support?! This alone should disqualify him as a major party candidate.
Cruz needs to be defeated in the voting booth. Trump must be disavowed by the party he has appropriated.
Cruz needs to be defeated in the voting booth. Trump must be disavowed by the party he has appropriated.
Perhaps if the Republican establishment had taken income inequality seriously they would not be in this fix. Trump voters believe he will help them by improving the economy and eliminate job competition from immigrants. It is a very naïve view but it shows how bad things are for the Republican base and how out of touch the establishment is with their plight. Ted Cruz is the only one who gets some traction because he is a Trump wannabe. His problem is that he has not figured out that religious extremist rhetoric is no longer enough to win the Republican nomination. You actually have to pretend to care about their economic plight.
13
Some Trump voters say they want him to either take over the Republican party or blow it up. I support them in the latter goal. It has been getting away with obstructionism, xenophobia, and racism for two long. The problem is that Donald is both racist and xenophobic.
I only watched 20 minutes of the debate and that was too much. I tuned in to hear the alleged moderate reveal his chicken hawk tendencies. Kasich advocated sending American troops back into Libya and then into the hell hole that is Syria. That me so mad that I could hardly see straight. In a former life, I was a college history instructor. I taught Vietnam vets and one marine who helped topple Saddam. It is disrespectful in the extreme to ask men like these to do more.
I only watched 20 minutes of the debate and that was too much. I tuned in to hear the alleged moderate reveal his chicken hawk tendencies. Kasich advocated sending American troops back into Libya and then into the hell hole that is Syria. That me so mad that I could hardly see straight. In a former life, I was a college history instructor. I taught Vietnam vets and one marine who helped topple Saddam. It is disrespectful in the extreme to ask men like these to do more.
21
Primary constituents for leading presidential candidates:
Clinton - Corporations and large individual donors
Sanders - 300+ million US individuals
Trump - Trump
Cruz - Evangelical Christians
Clinton - Corporations and large individual donors
Sanders - 300+ million US individuals
Trump - Trump
Cruz - Evangelical Christians
17
Alternate reality? If Sanders had so many supporters he would lead in pledged delegates by now. I am neither a large donor nor a corporation, I am middle class and I firmly believe that Hillary is our best choice. Like Donald Trump Sanders is selling unrealistic promises. Progress is slow, but it is happening in small steps - and sometimes we take some steps backwards. We voted for a black president twice in a row, unthinkable not too long ago. We also now have health coverage for a lot more people, 8 presidents before Obama failed to implement anything useful in this area.
4
Not so fast. Up to now more people have voted for Hillary than for Bernie. The only group in which Bernie has an edge is in the young people category.
2
Frank - That wedgie comment had me doubled over in laughter. I almost spit out my coffee, accidently. Thanks for a great laugh on a Sunday morning. If only it were not so horrifying....
12
The wedgie comment had me laughing so hard I cried.....so true these guys are down to that level, crazy.
The GOP is essentially down to two choices in the presidential race:
The bombastic Donald Trump and the thoroughly odious Ted Cruz.
And neither "gentlemen" is an establishment candidate. Oh my!
The bombastic Donald Trump and the thoroughly odious Ted Cruz.
And neither "gentlemen" is an establishment candidate. Oh my!
8
Sen. Cruz is a natural born Canadian. He is not eligible to serve as POTUS. Read the Constitution of the United States, Article 2, Section 1. The language is clear, as is the "original intent." Why is everyone whimping out on this fact?
7
Maybe Cruz will use his knowledge of the Constitution to subvert it. Sorry, but I don't trust him.
13
like fundamentalists everywhere - be they Islamic, Christian, US Constitutional or otherwise - Cruz is ideological, intellectually inflexible and immune to persuasion ... this makes Trump, with his lightening flip-flops, look like an intellectual giant by comparison... at least he has the "big hands" to admit when he's made a mistake
14
I am holding out hope for one of them getting a wedgie!!
6
"Evangelical Sharia Law" doesn't quite roll off the tongue like the United States Constitution, but get used to it if Ted Cruz weasels his way to the Presidency.
17
The time may also have come for the GOP and the rest of us to deal with whether Senator Cruz is a natural born citizen of the United States. He says he is because, while born in a foreign country, his mother was a citizen. How then did his supporters ever entertain the idea -- and many of the same people did --that President Obama was ineligible? There was never any question that Obama's mother was a citizen. Or is it that Ghana is more foreign to these folks than Canada?
As for the John McCain precedent, it is irrelevant. While the place where he was born is now in Panama, a foreign country, until 1979 the naval air station where he was born was in the Canal Zone, a territory of the United States, and both his parents were citizens, as were both of the parents of George Romney, another "precedent" cited by the Cruz camp.
There is no precedent that someone born in a foreign country to one United States citizen and one foreigner is a natural born citizen within the meaning of the Constitution, and it seems unlikely that the Founders intended the foreign born son of a foreign father to be a natural born citizen. What would Senator Cruz' ideal judge, Justice Scalia, or other "originalists," say? Imagine the Jeffersonians nominating the British-born son of a British father and an American mother to run against President John Adams. I find it odd to agree with Mr. Trump, but Senator Cruz' constitutional eligibility to be President is by no means clear.
As for the John McCain precedent, it is irrelevant. While the place where he was born is now in Panama, a foreign country, until 1979 the naval air station where he was born was in the Canal Zone, a territory of the United States, and both his parents were citizens, as were both of the parents of George Romney, another "precedent" cited by the Cruz camp.
There is no precedent that someone born in a foreign country to one United States citizen and one foreigner is a natural born citizen within the meaning of the Constitution, and it seems unlikely that the Founders intended the foreign born son of a foreign father to be a natural born citizen. What would Senator Cruz' ideal judge, Justice Scalia, or other "originalists," say? Imagine the Jeffersonians nominating the British-born son of a British father and an American mother to run against President John Adams. I find it odd to agree with Mr. Trump, but Senator Cruz' constitutional eligibility to be President is by no means clear.
7
I'm curious--did Cruz make any public statements about the birther stories about President Obama?
What happened to Marco Rubio? The same thing that happened to Jeb Bush and Scott Walker. I remember an Upshot column by David Leonhardt at the beginning of the campaign saying that the Republican nominee would be one of those three men, the only plausible candidates who could win at the convention.
Mr. Leonhardt, a journalist who knows Washington, was not alone in his assessment. But this is no ordinary year. Something is happening. It's like 1968, the only year I can compare it with in my lifetime. A new era is trying to be born. The parties (and perhaps the stars?) are realigning, maybe starting to disappear. The center cannot hold. The year 1968 ended with a presidential election that gave us the familiar and comfortable, if widely disliked, Richard Nixon. If we are lucky we will end up with a familiar, comfortable, widely-disliked President at the end of 2016. I sure hope so.
Mr. Leonhardt, a journalist who knows Washington, was not alone in his assessment. But this is no ordinary year. Something is happening. It's like 1968, the only year I can compare it with in my lifetime. A new era is trying to be born. The parties (and perhaps the stars?) are realigning, maybe starting to disappear. The center cannot hold. The year 1968 ended with a presidential election that gave us the familiar and comfortable, if widely disliked, Richard Nixon. If we are lucky we will end up with a familiar, comfortable, widely-disliked President at the end of 2016. I sure hope so.
3
Yup, I hope she wins, too.
2
FB - Surely it's well past time to change the heading on your (apparently) moribund NYTimes Blog which still reads: You Will Be Hearing a Lot More About Marco Rubio
maybe not . . .
maybe not . . .
5
Time to cuddle with Cruz! How scary is that! It will be like cuddling with a snake, always afraid when it is going to strike. And then there is Trump - a wolf in wolf's clothing - ready to bite your head and body off. We, the people are caught between a rock and a hard place. Either way we lose!
11
Two thoroughly unpleasant, even dangerous, candidates, NI? You're right. Absolutely. Scary enough that we will have to fill in the circle for Hillary Clinton, who is not the people's choice, but who'll be the people's choice.
1
Rubio is on course for a Jeb(!)-style humiliation in the dying days of his campaign. It's one thing to be unsuccessful, it's another to so thoroughly tank despite such massive support from establishment well-wishers and such dire opponents. Losing Florida will be the final blow.
8
Unfortunately for Marco Rubio, he has a teenie-weenie delegate count.
23
So Republicans have a choice between fascism and a theocracy? In either case the people lose.
31
Senator Ted Cruz is a master propagandist and political evangelist. Lindsay Graham once said "that's Texas."
Why is this so important?
Ted Cruz says that he is going to get rid of the IRS, the EPA, the Affordable Care Act, and will protect religious liberties and the Second Amendment. He will defund Planned Parenthood.
The debate moderators and talk show hosts should ask Cruz these questions:
1. Does he have any idea how the IRS functions? Does he know how the IRS keeps track of your taxes, how it checks returns and surveils for fraud?
2. Does he have any idea how many hazardous waste sites the EPA has helped clean up? Does he know how the EPA establishes safe levels of dangerous substances?
3. Does he have any idea how many people have benefited by removal of pre-existing conditions in insurance policies?
4. Has he ever talked to a group of Dreamers and learned how they came here, what stage of life they are in, and then admitted they fit into our society?
5. Has he ever said that marriage equality has caused no injury to Kim Davis?
6. Has he ever admitted that gun safety regulations are constitutional and do not take away gun rights?
7. Does he know Planned Parenthood has been instrumental in reducing the number of abortions because of the contraceptives it distributes?
Ted Cruz plays to the most uninformed conservative voters who don't know of all sides of the story because he is a master propagandist and evangelist. He will be the next one to go.
Why is this so important?
Ted Cruz says that he is going to get rid of the IRS, the EPA, the Affordable Care Act, and will protect religious liberties and the Second Amendment. He will defund Planned Parenthood.
The debate moderators and talk show hosts should ask Cruz these questions:
1. Does he have any idea how the IRS functions? Does he know how the IRS keeps track of your taxes, how it checks returns and surveils for fraud?
2. Does he have any idea how many hazardous waste sites the EPA has helped clean up? Does he know how the EPA establishes safe levels of dangerous substances?
3. Does he have any idea how many people have benefited by removal of pre-existing conditions in insurance policies?
4. Has he ever talked to a group of Dreamers and learned how they came here, what stage of life they are in, and then admitted they fit into our society?
5. Has he ever said that marriage equality has caused no injury to Kim Davis?
6. Has he ever admitted that gun safety regulations are constitutional and do not take away gun rights?
7. Does he know Planned Parenthood has been instrumental in reducing the number of abortions because of the contraceptives it distributes?
Ted Cruz plays to the most uninformed conservative voters who don't know of all sides of the story because he is a master propagandist and evangelist. He will be the next one to go.
507
The people to whom Cruz appeals should not call themselves either "conservative" or "Christian." They are the complete opposite.
3
There is no macho Texas Ted Cruz. There is only the effete half-Cuban natural born citizen of Calgary, Alberta Canada Rafael Edward Cruz.
5
Ah, yes, that idiom about dilemma that I've been hearing my entire 6 decades of life, but on a national scale, "You have to choose between the devil, and the deep, blue sea...."
Trump, Cruz and Rubio. The fruit of Republican choices and decisions since Barry Goldwater. No one familiar with Richard Nixon's employment of Murray Chotiner, with Republican employment of Lee Atwater, their employment of a Southern Strategy should be surprised to see these three now as the Party candidates.
Any moral person isn't surprised at this outcome, having watched Republican overthrow of Allende, witnessed Ronald Reagan making war on Democracy in Central America and selling poison gas to Saddam Hussein, and followed the antics of Karl Rove, the Neo Conservatives who lied us into Iraq at a cost of 100s of thousands of Iraqi, U.S. and allies' dead, uncountable maimed, traumatized and banished, and a cost by 2015 of over $4 trillion (Time, January 2015).
Republicans have lost their ethical way. Racism, homophobia, xenophobia, misogyny, and religious intolerance have become the planks in their platform. Trump is a racist joke, but Ted Cruz is an authoritarian nightmare and Rubio a fiscally irresponsible incompetent.
When you have a moment Mr. Bruni, finish what you began in March 2015 when you put up this post "You Will Be Hearing a Lot More About Marco Rubio." http://bruni.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/11/you-will-be-hearing-a-lot-more...
The title has turned into irony.
Trump, Cruz and Rubio. The fruit of Republican choices and decisions since Barry Goldwater. No one familiar with Richard Nixon's employment of Murray Chotiner, with Republican employment of Lee Atwater, their employment of a Southern Strategy should be surprised to see these three now as the Party candidates.
Any moral person isn't surprised at this outcome, having watched Republican overthrow of Allende, witnessed Ronald Reagan making war on Democracy in Central America and selling poison gas to Saddam Hussein, and followed the antics of Karl Rove, the Neo Conservatives who lied us into Iraq at a cost of 100s of thousands of Iraqi, U.S. and allies' dead, uncountable maimed, traumatized and banished, and a cost by 2015 of over $4 trillion (Time, January 2015).
Republicans have lost their ethical way. Racism, homophobia, xenophobia, misogyny, and religious intolerance have become the planks in their platform. Trump is a racist joke, but Ted Cruz is an authoritarian nightmare and Rubio a fiscally irresponsible incompetent.
When you have a moment Mr. Bruni, finish what you began in March 2015 when you put up this post "You Will Be Hearing a Lot More About Marco Rubio." http://bruni.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/11/you-will-be-hearing-a-lot-more...
The title has turned into irony.
24
I don't know who would be a better "choice" Cruz or Trump, but to those bashing Trump at all costs, please take a long look at Cruz, who will take his place.
I don't have the time to look into this like NYT pundants do, I am out earning a living ten hours a day: I have only my gut feel.
When I listen to Ted Cruz I am truly, in my gut alarmed, heartpoundingly alarmed. With Trump, I am at times quite alarmed. That's the difference.
I don't have the time to look into this like NYT pundants do, I am out earning a living ten hours a day: I have only my gut feel.
When I listen to Ted Cruz I am truly, in my gut alarmed, heartpoundingly alarmed. With Trump, I am at times quite alarmed. That's the difference.
40
The Republican Establishment has declared by default that Cruz and Rubio are acceptable (mainstream?) candidates. Even the MSM, including the NYT, has developed that point of view.
Huh?
Cruz is much scarier than Trump. His sleazy, Machiavellian style is to assure the true believers that the hissing noise he makes is a quiet prayer to his god, who has anointed him to lead the chosen into a theological kingdom where immigrants, African-Americans, hispanics, LGBTs are punished as they should be. Meanwhile even bigger tax breaks for the Disciples of Wealth, the only Real Americans, will enable them to enjoy their yachts, third and fourth homes, and private jets without worrying about the nuisance of the 47% being coddled by a socialist government. They won't even have to waste money on PACs to re-elect their lapdogs, pending legislation that will disenfranchise all but white Christians who sign a statement that they truly love Jesus.
Trump would bounce off the walls of the White House, spouting one changing position after the other, while the Republicans who would presumably still control Congress, would do nothing, having honed these skills after 8 years of obstructionism.
But they would fall in line behind Cruz, with his stamp of approval and his ability to twist lies into truth, and a Christian Sharia dictatorship will be his to rule. The strategy started by Nixon, amplified by Saint Ronny would leap into a whole new paradigm, maybe even the End Times.
Huh?
Cruz is much scarier than Trump. His sleazy, Machiavellian style is to assure the true believers that the hissing noise he makes is a quiet prayer to his god, who has anointed him to lead the chosen into a theological kingdom where immigrants, African-Americans, hispanics, LGBTs are punished as they should be. Meanwhile even bigger tax breaks for the Disciples of Wealth, the only Real Americans, will enable them to enjoy their yachts, third and fourth homes, and private jets without worrying about the nuisance of the 47% being coddled by a socialist government. They won't even have to waste money on PACs to re-elect their lapdogs, pending legislation that will disenfranchise all but white Christians who sign a statement that they truly love Jesus.
Trump would bounce off the walls of the White House, spouting one changing position after the other, while the Republicans who would presumably still control Congress, would do nothing, having honed these skills after 8 years of obstructionism.
But they would fall in line behind Cruz, with his stamp of approval and his ability to twist lies into truth, and a Christian Sharia dictatorship will be his to rule. The strategy started by Nixon, amplified by Saint Ronny would leap into a whole new paradigm, maybe even the End Times.
16
So if Rubio and Kasich are staying in the race to deny either Trump or Cruz a plurality of delegates (so as to force a brokered convention), the convention would logically pick one of these two as the GOP candidate? I cannot think of anything less democratic. If the GOP elders want to lock in their losses and guarantee a third party, they could not do it in a more blatant manner. The backlash to a maneuver like this will be severe from the Cruz/Trump supporters and the Democrats will be grinning from ear to ear. If in fact the convention comes down to "brokering", the GOP will have to pick its poison between Trump and Cruz (at current delegate trajectories).
3
Republicans haven't believed in democracy for a long time. Why do you think they are suppressing the vote of anyone who disagrees with them? Why do you think they refuse to recognize any elected democrat such as Bill Clinton or Barack Obama as illegitimate. Heaven help us if thye control all levers of power. What's left of our democracy will be completely destroyed.
3
The choice between Barnum and Bailey and Beelzebub should be a no-brainer for Birther/Birchers. One's a clown that makes you laugh until he doesn't and then he gets the hook. The other's otherworldly designs, deceptions and self-deification may not only hook you, but put a hoof on your neck.
29
Brilliant!
2
Cruz makes Trump look like FDR, and Elmer Gantry look like St. Paul. He's by far the slimiest character I've seen in American politics since Joe McCarthy.
81
On point, Mr. Bruni!
"Rubio is essentially the Christmas fruitcake of the 2016 cycle: presented as a gift, received as something neither appetizing nor essentially nutritive."
"Rubio is essentially the Christmas fruitcake of the 2016 cycle: presented as a gift, received as something neither appetizing nor essentially nutritive."
17
Cruz wins and he dismantles Hillary in all debates.
All he had to say is this: When I am president, I'll make sure the Justice Department does their job. She will be prosecuted.
All he had to say is this: When I am president, I'll make sure the Justice Department does their job. She will be prosecuted.
4
Thank you for the best metaphor of this or any campaign season: the Christmas fruitcake. Sheer genius!
8
Frank - "Cuddle with Cruz"? Perish the thought! Only thing worse than that would be cuddling with little Marco Rubio, an empty suit, a smile and a summat firebrand. And what were we supposed to hear about Marco Rubio that we have not already heard? One still shudders with alarm at your prognosticating note on the NYTimes Opinion page which has been posted every day for a year - " You Will Be Hearing a Lot More About Marco Rubio" - your byline March 11, 2015, 10:20 a.m. - and one wonders what you see in Rubio that none of his naysayers and yaysayers see? Rubio is no closer to being picked by Priebus and the money-bags and deep-pockets running the Republican party for the Presidential nomination in July, than is that empty wooden chair that old Clint Eastwood spoke to at his extraordinarily dull speech before the RNC in 2012, the last election the Republicans lost.
3
All in all I'd love to be in Cleveland to watch this clown cluster play out in July.
3
Cruz reminds me of Nixon, but without the charm.
11
No, no, no. He looks like and speaks like Joseph McCarthy. However, in the last debate, he was positively calm and collected next to his out of control opponents, so now people are latching onto him. Oh, don't do that, folks. He's so scary. The very last thing we need is a self-righteous right winger in the Oval Office. Oh, please. Get him out of here. Trump would be trampled by people with more common sense. Cruz? He'd take charge, a truly frightening thought.
3
The beast of anger is best not roused. Republicans have long chosen to provoke it for their personal benefit. The careless wealthy gambled with our money to create a near Depression, but the beast slept. Republicans cast reckless aspersions against our new President in 2008 and voted consistently to thwart his policies to bring us back (don't forget they voted uniformly against the economic stimulus and voted for our auto industry to fail). Despite their efforts, health care coverage expanded and jobs recovered in numbers, though not in quality of pay. The beast remained asleep. The Republicans coarsened our speech with outrageous accusations about our President and sought to block his every move. Wages stagnated. Pensions disappeared. Income inequalities widened. Student loans became nearly impossible to repay. The Republicans blocked minimum wage increases and put up fresh obstacles to voting. They intentionally prevented Congress from lifting burdens from the shoulders of the hard working citizens they were elected to serve. At the same time, they fought against imposing necessary regulations to protect us against the inevitable future malpractice of a unrestrained financial industry. All through this, the banks thrived. Finally the beast awakened. Now the questions before us are: 1) Can the beast be pacified by fairness and true opportunity? or 2) Will it be channeled by demagoguery to the road warrior destruction of what still could be the shining city on a hill?
7
I'm a Democrat, so I say: please let it be Cruz. By far the easiest likely candidate to beat.
7
Horrors, a Cruz presidency would be equivalent to Sharia Law in the middle east. He is a nasty (shut down the govt.), lying (AFA a job destroyer), cheating (Iowa caucus)egomaniac whose policies are intolerant (his religion)and regressive(flat tax). Any of the republicans will add to the income disparity of the citizens of this country, while appointing more Citizens United jurists to the Supreme Court and dismantling Social Security, but Cruz is a scary ideologue.
21
You ask, "What happened to Rubio?" Simply put, voters this time around want a candidate who thinks on his / her own and has powerful convictions. Marco fails on both scores.
With respect to Trump and Cruz, it is clearly now a two-person race until the very end.
This is good news for the Democrats:
- Ted and Don will go at each other even more viciously, exposing deeper dirt.
- There will be five moths of this and the voters will tire of it.
- The GOP Convention will ooze with divisive vitriol and turn off independents.
- Trump will be the nominee but the GOP establishment will back Cruz so hard that his supporters will stay away in November.
Seriously, how could the evangelicals supporting the Cruz "start your day on your knees" candidacy ever vote for the un-Christian and utterly vulgar Donald Trump?
With respect to Trump and Cruz, it is clearly now a two-person race until the very end.
This is good news for the Democrats:
- Ted and Don will go at each other even more viciously, exposing deeper dirt.
- There will be five moths of this and the voters will tire of it.
- The GOP Convention will ooze with divisive vitriol and turn off independents.
- Trump will be the nominee but the GOP establishment will back Cruz so hard that his supporters will stay away in November.
Seriously, how could the evangelicals supporting the Cruz "start your day on your knees" candidacy ever vote for the un-Christian and utterly vulgar Donald Trump?
7
A President Cruz may really be a blessing in disguise and in the best long-term interest of the country, though not perhaps of the GOP.
Think of a Cruz administration as the fever needed to fight the virulent strain of xenophobic and economically regressive conservatism that presently infects the American political body. As with its biological counterpart, this conservative pathogen will induce induce much misery and may even pose an existential threat. Yet it is essential for the fever to run its course so that a complete cure of the malady is accomplished and a high degree of immunity to future infection imparted.
The result of a Cruz presidency will likely be severe damage to the US, both economically and socially. This will almost certainly be short-term pain however, lasting only to the next Presidential election. The country is likely be much stronger afterward, and will be rid of the pathological strain of Cruz conservatism for generations afterward.
Think of a Cruz administration as the fever needed to fight the virulent strain of xenophobic and economically regressive conservatism that presently infects the American political body. As with its biological counterpart, this conservative pathogen will induce induce much misery and may even pose an existential threat. Yet it is essential for the fever to run its course so that a complete cure of the malady is accomplished and a high degree of immunity to future infection imparted.
The result of a Cruz presidency will likely be severe damage to the US, both economically and socially. This will almost certainly be short-term pain however, lasting only to the next Presidential election. The country is likely be much stronger afterward, and will be rid of the pathological strain of Cruz conservatism for generations afterward.
3
this line of reasoning reminds me of "c'mon, how bad can George Bush be?"
4
Hi Charlie---What makes you think there would be another election. Cruz might just decide that god wanted him to be president for life, and since he had eliminated the IRS, etc. and appointed another Justice Scalia to the SCOTUS he might just get away with it.
3
Charlie,
Ah. Would that it were true, but like many viruses, this one keeps mutating and coming back: Goldwater, Reagan, George Bush, Jr., and...now...the entire Republican field. More than half the country seemed to enjoy their feverish state in the 1980s when the Reagan virus was ravaging the country. They're nostalgic for that old sick bed, and many want to be sick again, just like they were then. Perhaps that's why zombies, robots, and crazed serial killers have become such objects of fascination in our popular culture. This virus affects the brain in strange and fascinating ways.
Ah. Would that it were true, but like many viruses, this one keeps mutating and coming back: Goldwater, Reagan, George Bush, Jr., and...now...the entire Republican field. More than half the country seemed to enjoy their feverish state in the 1980s when the Reagan virus was ravaging the country. They're nostalgic for that old sick bed, and many want to be sick again, just like they were then. Perhaps that's why zombies, robots, and crazed serial killers have become such objects of fascination in our popular culture. This virus affects the brain in strange and fascinating ways.
2
Ted Cruz blocked federal relief funds for Flint, Michigan. He blocked the bill, and in the Congress which he did more to paralyze than any other Senator in a long, long, long time, that means he effectively killed the bill. Poor families cannot afford to buy bottled water or even water filters. That means "pro-life" Ted Cruz cosigned those children affected by Flint's toxic water catastrophe to fend for themselves. Some have certainly already died. Others will suffer from cancer. And others from learning and cognitive deficits. Cruz cannot win, and will not win.
57
"(Cruz) got substantially more delegates from the four contests overall than Trump.." By my count, Cruz netted three more delegates than Trump - hardly substantial. And so I hereby declare my disgust with media obsessing over who "wins" a state. It's about delegate count, folks.
6
Why do you even care? You and your paper have already declared Hillary the winner -- Empress Hillary, The Anointed One. So there is no contest -- is there? The Republicans might as well run a sheep dog for office. You've declared they have no chance whatsoever and that we are a few clicks away from being a one party system, just Democrats, all the time.
If you want the other guys to fail, and they are running candidates you declare to be terrible and incapable of winning -- why aren't you happier?
If you want the other guys to fail, and they are running candidates you declare to be terrible and incapable of winning -- why aren't you happier?
1
I can't speak for Frank, but as a lifelong Democrat (except one vote for Reagan), I do care. I want balance in our country. We need corrective forces. I'm in favor of unions but I detest when union leadership overreaches. I'm in favor of business but I want regulation that will check the extreme profit at all cost attitude. So I want a Republican party/candidate that keeps pulling us back to center. I just wish the Republican candidates were level-headed and serious about governing. If the Dem's were putting forth Trump this year I would definitely vote for Kasich in a general over Trump because in spite of disagreeing with all his policies he intends to govern, not play games with our Country for his own ego. We just don't seem to be one country anymore and it is exceedingly sad.
5
I'll answer your question. Because our country would be stronger if we had serious candidates on both sides of the political spectrum working together to craft solutions rather than self-serving demagogues throwing temper tantrums when they don't get their way.
5
Your party has already declared Obama as being an 'Emperor" and a dictator to boot. So why not continue with an 'Empress'?
As to the one party system, we already have a one party dominated Congress, and the fascist wing of the Republican party would most certainly be overjoyed if a President Trump would shut down all other parties and forbid any non-Aryan so serve in the hand picked government.
It happened in Germany, if you recall at all.
As to the one party system, we already have a one party dominated Congress, and the fascist wing of the Republican party would most certainly be overjoyed if a President Trump would shut down all other parties and forbid any non-Aryan so serve in the hand picked government.
It happened in Germany, if you recall at all.
4
Just reading about Ted Cruz gives me hives.
41
I saw last night that he wins in Kansas. In horrible nightmares one sees a combination of the worst features of Senator Joseph McCarthy and President Nixon combined with a dangerous intelligence. There is no pleasantness here or redemption. There is no "Ghost Busters" to call to stuff him safely away forever into a little box.
49
This is an excellent example of "be careful what you pray for."
All the big guns come out blaring "anyone, anyone, anyone but Trump." And they get the loathsome, despicable, detested Cruz.
Bwahahaha!
All the big guns come out blaring "anyone, anyone, anyone but Trump." And they get the loathsome, despicable, detested Cruz.
Bwahahaha!
29
No, look at the longer game: Cruz will not receive the needed number of delegates either. Then they will be free to nominate someone entirely different at the convention—someone who hasn't been tarnished by the many debates, as Repub candidates usually are.
2
Christmas fruitcake! Thank you, I can't stop laughing!
17
Stay in the race, Cruz and Rubio and you too, Kasich! With Trump blocked from a majority of delegates and knowing he is unlikely to prevail in a brokered convention, he will start his own party, the TOP or Trump Oligarch Party.
Then the GOP will nominate someone other than the current batch of losers. And then we will have a very interesting election.
Then the GOP will nominate someone other than the current batch of losers. And then we will have a very interesting election.
4
The republican party has brought this down on themselves. It began years ago.
When the Clinton administration achieved successful in numerous domestic policies, the republicans could not offer any alternative ideas that were better. They are a party that has no new ideas. Their trickle down are bunk. Yes in these periods we have growth, ie 20ies 80ies and the early 2000's. Yet that wealth was flawed, very little tricked down and dangerous bubbles were created. In addition the last two periods saw record increases in the deficit.
If they could not win by offering new ideas they turned to winning by fear. Immigration is stealing jobs (Ignore facts, Illegal imm.. in last few years is down, technology is taking more jobs).
Radical Islam is greatest threat (ignore domestic gun violence). And on it goes.
the Government does not work.. Well which party is the architect of each shut down. Supreme Court nominee??
Yea America is frustrated but the Democratic party is not swept by this anger. There is an establishment candidate and an outsider, Who is winning? Voter turn out? No serious upheaval here.
The Republicans are a train wreck. Listen to the people who have reacted to Romney's speech. Instead of heeding his warning they talk of wanting to blow up the party. Too win the party has stoked anger and fear devoid of any new ideas, now you can't control the fire you have created. How's it working for you?
When the Clinton administration achieved successful in numerous domestic policies, the republicans could not offer any alternative ideas that were better. They are a party that has no new ideas. Their trickle down are bunk. Yes in these periods we have growth, ie 20ies 80ies and the early 2000's. Yet that wealth was flawed, very little tricked down and dangerous bubbles were created. In addition the last two periods saw record increases in the deficit.
If they could not win by offering new ideas they turned to winning by fear. Immigration is stealing jobs (Ignore facts, Illegal imm.. in last few years is down, technology is taking more jobs).
Radical Islam is greatest threat (ignore domestic gun violence). And on it goes.
the Government does not work.. Well which party is the architect of each shut down. Supreme Court nominee??
Yea America is frustrated but the Democratic party is not swept by this anger. There is an establishment candidate and an outsider, Who is winning? Voter turn out? No serious upheaval here.
The Republicans are a train wreck. Listen to the people who have reacted to Romney's speech. Instead of heeding his warning they talk of wanting to blow up the party. Too win the party has stoked anger and fear devoid of any new ideas, now you can't control the fire you have created. How's it working for you?
5
Some of donnie frump's support comes from people who consider him so gross that his nomination ensures a Democrat victory. Risky. Supports the chance he could win POTUS!!!
Anything can happen in an election, depending, in part, on external events.
The world would be appalled. Many Americans would move to other countries. What is happening To America?
Maybe, this is just the predicted demise of the GOP- overrun with Neo-Cons, hateful Evangelicals, tea party anarchists, ---and donnie frump supporters.
Maybe we are on the edge of a GN(ew)P!!! Dreamer? Hope not.
Anything can happen in an election, depending, in part, on external events.
The world would be appalled. Many Americans would move to other countries. What is happening To America?
Maybe, this is just the predicted demise of the GOP- overrun with Neo-Cons, hateful Evangelicals, tea party anarchists, ---and donnie frump supporters.
Maybe we are on the edge of a GN(ew)P!!! Dreamer? Hope not.
1
One of the top quotes of this bizarre election year: "Rubio is essentially the Christmas fruitcake of the 2016 cycle: "presented as a gift, received as something neither appetizing nor especially nutritive". And an unprincipled fruitcake at that. If he had any real concern for his party's meager hopes of winning the general election, he would drop out now.
10
"The Christmas fruitcake of the 2016 cycle." Great line.
9
I give up. I don't know who I want to win on Republican nomination. I believe Hillary or Bernie would stand a good chance against any of them except possibly Kasich. but given how truly awful and scary the other 3 are and how unpredictable voters are right now, I'm scared that there could be even a remote possibility of a President Trump, Cruz or Rubio if one of the is the nominee.
6
I am a Democrat but if you were to take a step back and vote on character alone, I would vote for Rubio. I do not believe in many of his conservative views, but he holds them honestly and with integrity. He is not mean-spirited. He does not come across as arrogant as do the other three Republican candidates (yes, including Kasich). He is not calling for carpet bombing. He is young, ambitious, and inexperienced perhaps, but at least you have the raw material to work with. Without character, there is little to work with.
31
Clinton has character?
2
I don't think Rubio hold anything with honesty or integrity - except his grasp on money. From his billionaire handlers!
3
? Bob, Rubio is a tool for the rich men who have paid his bills and own him. He doesn't believe a rape victim should have the right to an abortion, an intolerant phony who can give a decent speech.
3
Let's not forget the key factors favoring each candidate: For Trump, it's the long hoped for, increasingly bombastic opposition of the Republican Establishment led by Ultra-Establishment Failed Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney. For Cruz, it's the promise that we'll be able to compute our income tax returns on the back of a postcard (with new taxes on everything we consume a detail left better unsaid). For Rubio, it's his miraculous emergence from debt-ridden near insolvency after his salvation by Jesus and the Republican Establishment. For Kasich, it's his congressional record of figuring out how to balance the budget during the Reagan Administration (although we didn't actually do it until Bill Clinton took charge).
3
Looking at the Republican candidates -- all of them -- one first laughs then cringes. There is NO reasonable or safe choice for any one there. Just awful!
7
Just watch Idiocrasy , a light weight movie from 2006 to see where we are headed if Cruz or Trump slithers into the White House. The ruling class contaminated by religiosity or money will make the Hunger Games look accurately prescient. Time for an exit to sanity.
2
Senator Ted Cruz is a man of deep personal integrity and grace. The vitriolic diatribes being thrown at him are the failing attempts by his foes to denigrate his brilliance, charm, wit and great ability.
The entire election is descending into mud slinging and vituperative attacks. But, Senator Cruz has remained above the fray by keeping a sense of dignity, poise and grace.
Senator Ted Cruz is the most graceful, loving, kind, gentle and sensitive candidate in the race. Senator Cruz will be President Cruz this time next year!
The entire election is descending into mud slinging and vituperative attacks. But, Senator Cruz has remained above the fray by keeping a sense of dignity, poise and grace.
Senator Ted Cruz is the most graceful, loving, kind, gentle and sensitive candidate in the race. Senator Cruz will be President Cruz this time next year!
3
Your kidding? Right?
2
While you seem to be writing from Vatican City, you're clearly not the Pope.
Ted Cruz is far from graceful, loving, kind, gentle, and sensitive. He comes by the title of most-hated man in the US Senate honestly; he is an arrogant, self-serving, Dominionist -- a self-styled evangelical "Christian" in name only.
And he will never be President, not of this country.
Ted Cruz is far from graceful, loving, kind, gentle, and sensitive. He comes by the title of most-hated man in the US Senate honestly; he is an arrogant, self-serving, Dominionist -- a self-styled evangelical "Christian" in name only.
And he will never be President, not of this country.
3
Come on. I like fruitcake; please don't compare it to Rubio.
14
The lefties who dominate the readership of this paper (including yours truly) will write the usual comments on your Op-Ed, Mr. Bruni, about how the GOP has brought this on itself, etc., etc., etc. That is getting very old. So how about something new?
How about you list for us, say, the five most prominent members of Congress or the Senate who in your view are "the sober-minded, cool-headed traditionalists in the Republican Party". Please tell us what policy stances they have taken in the past or advocate for the future that are sober-minded and cool-headed.
I am not trying to be snarky. The opposition to President Obama has seemed to me so lock-step and angered me so much that I no longer remember things very well. I am probably not giving due credit to these sober worthies of whom you speak. Please help me out. Thanks in advance.
How about you list for us, say, the five most prominent members of Congress or the Senate who in your view are "the sober-minded, cool-headed traditionalists in the Republican Party". Please tell us what policy stances they have taken in the past or advocate for the future that are sober-minded and cool-headed.
I am not trying to be snarky. The opposition to President Obama has seemed to me so lock-step and angered me so much that I no longer remember things very well. I am probably not giving due credit to these sober worthies of whom you speak. Please help me out. Thanks in advance.
49
The Republican people are speaking, and their message is "we'll take anything but the Republican establishment". So the establishment wants to take Trump out, to eliminate him. They send in Mitt Romney, their big gun, to come down from the mountain where the establishment dwells to tell the great unwashed who not to vote for. (If Mitt is their big gun it's going to be a very short battle)
But it only emboldens Trump supporters. Possibly, just possibly, if the establishment wants to take Trump out, all they have to do is support him.
But it only emboldens Trump supporters. Possibly, just possibly, if the establishment wants to take Trump out, all they have to do is support him.
5
Thank you Mitt!
6
Mr. Bruni! You really would rather have Cruz more than Trump? Trump, however inept, would only do what is expedient. Cruz is a crazed ideologue who's heaven-obsessed finger I don't wish to see even close to the button.
384
The GOP voters are utterly repudiating Rubio's sole Senate effort - the failed Gang of Eight amnesty attempt. Cruz and Trump both support no amnesty and deportation, Rubio does not. Not the only issue, but the decisive one.
1
"... If Trump and Rubio continue their puerile trajectory, one of them will almost certainly give the other a wedgie...
There'd be a simple way to fix.
Give Rubio and Kasich a 30 minute undercard 1:1 debate - followed by a 75 minute main event.
When was the last time you paid to watch four boxers get into a ring and fight each other?
Wrestlers, yes - but that's wrestling.
There'd be a simple way to fix.
Give Rubio and Kasich a 30 minute undercard 1:1 debate - followed by a 75 minute main event.
When was the last time you paid to watch four boxers get into a ring and fight each other?
Wrestlers, yes - but that's wrestling.
1
Where is Dwight Eisenhowef when we need him? He was responsible for "In God We Trust" on our coinage, but that God was the beneficent Father, not the hateful, uni-dimensional God of Cruz. Ike was the top general of the country but he nonetheless warned us of the dangers of the military-industrial complex. Yes, he was quite likely racist and anti-feminist but to the degree of the hateful self-serving smugness of Cruz.
3
We can fix Senator Cruz, easily. His problem is a self-inflicted malady that is common in Cowboys that wear boots undersized and too small. Tight boots causes lymphatic edema and node swelling. The glands are out-of-whack and gastrointestinal distress follows as the bile is extremely toxic. Dyspeptic tummy, foul mood and a general disdain of everything and everybody follows. However, the big secret is that Ted is two inches shorter than claimed and inside his cowboy boots are lifts that makes him appear taller. He knows and understands that it is illegal for short men to be President. The lifts compound the lymphatic edema and all America needs to do is to overturn the law about short men and the Presidency.
3
"Rubio is essentially the Christmas fruitcake of the 2016 cycle: presented as a gift, received as something neither appetizing nor especially nutritive."
What a beautiful line ... but I suspect rather than the electorate exhibiting dietary self-control, they instead are surprisingly adept at realizing that he is ventriloquist's dummy.
What a beautiful line ... but I suspect rather than the electorate exhibiting dietary self-control, they instead are surprisingly adept at realizing that he is ventriloquist's dummy.
4
They're all so awful.
10
With all the focus on just how awful il Donald is, we cannot lose focus on Ted Cruz.
Cruz is the candidate who will fight Sharia law from poisoning our shores by invoking Christian theocracy.
Cruz is the candidate who will save our children's future from debt, by bringing the global economy down by not raising the ceiling and defaulting instead.
Cruz is the candidate who will keep us safe by carpet bombing innocents - which won't have any unintended consequences, like permawar and the permanent continuation of the rise of Islamic terrorism, of course.
Donald is awful, Cruz is *dangerous.* And Cruz is the only alternative for the GOP. Just try wrapping your head around that.
Cruz is the candidate who will fight Sharia law from poisoning our shores by invoking Christian theocracy.
Cruz is the candidate who will save our children's future from debt, by bringing the global economy down by not raising the ceiling and defaulting instead.
Cruz is the candidate who will keep us safe by carpet bombing innocents - which won't have any unintended consequences, like permawar and the permanent continuation of the rise of Islamic terrorism, of course.
Donald is awful, Cruz is *dangerous.* And Cruz is the only alternative for the GOP. Just try wrapping your head around that.
30
With Cruz instead of Trump they are going from bad to weird !!! After watching the debate the other night I thought Kasich , for sure , was going to really take off ! Never misunderestimate lol the republican party . It is obvious to anyone that most of the problems in this country can be laid at the feet of these people and those who cast their vote for them , the patriots !!! Save us from patriots !!
11
Let's put that in quotes, please -- save us from "patriots."
I consider myself a patriot, also, the difference being that I'm not a blind patriot. I'm not blind to the differences among the Founding Fathers themselves, and I'm not blind to the errors made by America over the last 100 years.
The problem with these "patriots" is that they don't even really understand American history; they have been fed -- and happily slurped up -- a bizarrely-distorted history of America that paints the Founding Fathers with a one-dimensional conventional-modern-evangelical-Christian brush.
The Founding Fathers were anything but one-dimensional. They would be disturbed by how they are being portrayed by this group.
I consider myself a patriot, also, the difference being that I'm not a blind patriot. I'm not blind to the differences among the Founding Fathers themselves, and I'm not blind to the errors made by America over the last 100 years.
The problem with these "patriots" is that they don't even really understand American history; they have been fed -- and happily slurped up -- a bizarrely-distorted history of America that paints the Founding Fathers with a one-dimensional conventional-modern-evangelical-Christian brush.
The Founding Fathers were anything but one-dimensional. They would be disturbed by how they are being portrayed by this group.
5
The Republican leadership reaps what it sows.
11
Cruz surged in same-day voters. Trump tanked (surviving on early voters). The allegations about Trump U and his debate on Thurs have turned the tide - just wait a week. We move from Mussolini to McCarthy now. May God Save the United States of America.
16
Watching the Republican primaries and caucuses unfold is particularly unsettling for this older gay man who wants to live my life with my partner peacefully and quietly. It's increasingly disconcerting to be the focus of the daily rants, accusations and recriminations offered by these extremists. I have hope that educated, sane voters will prevail. Vote Democratc.
27
A choice between Trump or Cruz is no choice at all.
13
Given the animosity shown to Cruz by his Senate colleagues, and vice versa, it is hard to imagine how they will work with him to enact his agenda, regardless of which party is in control. If voters are tired of partisan gridlock, Cruz should be the last candidate they support. There will be Blood!
5
Yes, voters are finally discovering Ted Cruz with his dignity and constitutional strengths.
4
Is ending SS and Medicare part of his "dignity"?
2
Thanks for the laugh... Using the word 'dignity' to describe Ted Cruz is truly funny.
4
I keep telling myself I'm going to stop reading these editorials and like an addict here I am again, reading and writing and feeling sick. I don't think any decent person cares one way or the other whether it's Cruz or Trump or Rubio. We just want this nightmare to be OVER. We're going to let them eat each other alive on the GOP side and then vote for Hillary who will be elected the next President of the United States. Can't we just stop with this constant barrage of sickening reporting on whether or not the GOP nominate BEELZEBUB or PAZUZU? At the end of the day WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?!
11
Thank you, William, for enlightening me with a new word - Pazuzu. A bit of humor, ER horror, as I've learned.
1
Cruz is dangerous. He is an extremist of the Christian fundamentalist right wing variety with an ego as big as TX. He will tear this country to shreds as he jams the Bible down our throats with one hand and the Constitution as it was conceived 300 years ago with the other hand. He is bad for this country at this stage in our history.
32
I am still waiting to hear that story about where Ted Cruz used his influence to help anyone other than Ted Cruz. Even Sarah Palin had some wins for her community before she sold out to be a media star.
10
just figured out you have no good candidates?
5
Cruz is the most vile of all of them!
20
Christmas fruitcakes and wedgies! Bruni is back!
5
Yep, the Republican establishment is well out of synch with the Republican rank and file. This all bodes well for Democrats, but whose establishment is similarly out of synch with its base, which is why Sanders won't go away. I would really love to see Trump and Sanders run together on an independent ticket. They are really more similar than they are different.
1
Cruz is my wish for the Republicans. Trump is vile but he is unpredictable in terms of who might vote for him and in what numbers. His mixture of advocacy for displaced workers, racism, reduced taxes for the rich and deregulation is attractive to an unclear portion of the voters. Cruz on the other hand has very defined plans to do away with abortion rights, the departments of education and environment, planned parenthood, reduce the IRS to meaninglessness, increase taxes on low and middle class workers, move the supreme court even further right and establish and national religion. Cruz is not the moving target that Trump is and my bet is that Hillary or Bernie would destroy him and his brand of self righteous conservatism by simply articulating its agenda.
13
Cruz is the Spanish word for "Cross". Ted certainly would be a heavy one for this country to bear.
9
They can cuddle with Cruz now...but who can work with him? It would be interesting to see a Republican president as stymied by a Republican legislature as Obama has been maybe even more.
Not interesting enough to want it, just an interesting thought exercise.
Not interesting enough to want it, just an interesting thought exercise.
4
Cruz and Rubio keep saying that they are'conservatives'[Conservatives]. If so, don't they belong in the Conservative Party (Enforceable borders, Support 2nd Amendment, Repeal/Replace AFC, Adopt a Fiscally Responsible Monetary Policy, Stop Offshoring Jobs..)? All of which leads to the final question- Why do Republicans still call themselves the Party of Lincoln?
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3
The voters I know that favor either Cruz or Trump have one thing in common: It absolutely tickles them to surprise the pundits, unset the applecart of predictability so long controlled by "the party", and all of them enjoy saying 'I told you so!'.
I'm tempted to vote for cruz or Trump just so I can say, "I told you so!."
I'm tempted to vote for cruz or Trump just so I can say, "I told you so!."
This isn't really a game, you know. I hope you won't give in to temptation.
4
In 2012 it was hard to imagine a more bizarre GOP primary circus than that one. Now, in 2016, the show is exponentially more circus-like. What will 2020 bring? An actual on-stage roller derby?
The prospect that either Trump, Cruz or Rubio might prevail should give everyone pause. It's not for nothing that Cruz is universally loathed in his own camp. Rubio may have long fingers but he's short on everything else. As for Trump, more than enough has already been written about him.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
The prospect that either Trump, Cruz or Rubio might prevail should give everyone pause. It's not for nothing that Cruz is universally loathed in his own camp. Rubio may have long fingers but he's short on everything else. As for Trump, more than enough has already been written about him.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
11
The Republicans have brought on this scenario themselves by courting extremists to stay in power. Trump is crazy and Cruz is so far to the right that he represents just a small percentage of the average U.S. voter. I fear for the future of our country.
These are the choices the Republicans have presented their voters. There is an old saying which clearly applies to the Republican Party's Presidential picks:
"If you lie down with dogs, you wake up with fleas".
These are the choices the Republicans have presented their voters. There is an old saying which clearly applies to the Republican Party's Presidential picks:
"If you lie down with dogs, you wake up with fleas".
14
There is also one that says: A country gets the government it deserves.
1
Cruz as a palatable alternative to Trump? It says a lot about Republican voters that they almost uniformly reject Kasich, who appears to be the only sane and qualified Republican candidate.
9
I think Rubio sunk too low trying to out do Trump: came across as even more childish, and in the process, did not help himself. Perhaps easy to do since there is very little substance from any of them (except Kasich) that makes any sense.
143
Cuddle with Cruz? I'd rather cuddle with a cactus than Cruz.
I'm convinced that Trump doesn't believe in most of the things he says now whereas Cruz believes--and will act on--everything he says.
Not that it is much of a choice, but I think a Cruz presidency will be more troublesome than a Trump one. Cruz will appoint Supreme Court justices to the right of Scalia and he may indeed bomb the Middle East until, as he put it, the sand glows.
The other day Senator Graham's joked, "If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you." That's quite troubling, even as a joke.
As much as the GOP senators don't seem to care for Obama, there was no jokes about killing the president.
I'm convinced that Trump doesn't believe in most of the things he says now whereas Cruz believes--and will act on--everything he says.
Not that it is much of a choice, but I think a Cruz presidency will be more troublesome than a Trump one. Cruz will appoint Supreme Court justices to the right of Scalia and he may indeed bomb the Middle East until, as he put it, the sand glows.
The other day Senator Graham's joked, "If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you." That's quite troubling, even as a joke.
As much as the GOP senators don't seem to care for Obama, there was no jokes about killing the president.
9
Oh,no!!!! Another debate? Haven't we had enough???
4
The winning team is Cruz/Trump 2016 !
Cruz is truly deluded. It is interesting to watch someone so convinced of his own superiority despite all the evidence to the contrary. Should he continue to win, he will not fare well under the inevitable close scrutiny that will come with it.
14
Anyone taking the time to read about Cruz's platform and policies, will come away appalled, if not terrified, that he is being touted as a viable candidate. In no particular order: He surrounds himself with and embraces pastors who advocate Seven Mountains Christian Dominionism (including his father), which seeks the imposition of a biblical government, economy and society. He advocates a return to the long-discredited gold standard (which is a tenet of Christian Dominionism). Cruz enthusiastically stood on the same stage with Rev. Kevin Swanson shortly after Swanson, citing scripture, advocated death for gay people. Cruz has said we need "leaders" like Troy Newman of Operation Rescue who endorsed Cruz and who has called for the killing of abortion providers. Cruz has said he is "a Christian first. American second," which calls into question how he could abide by his oath to defend and uphold the Constitution. He consistently says he would sell off all of our National Parks and forests to private interests, something long sought by the Koch Brothers, in particular. Finally, where ever he goes, the people he has to work with literally loathe him, a red flag if there ever was one.
One Cruz supporter who commented said that we could trust Cruz to do exactly what he says - and that is the terrifying problem and prospect of electing a narcissistic zealot who thinks God is on his side. He is unfit to occupy the Oval Office in a secular society and government.
One Cruz supporter who commented said that we could trust Cruz to do exactly what he says - and that is the terrifying problem and prospect of electing a narcissistic zealot who thinks God is on his side. He is unfit to occupy the Oval Office in a secular society and government.
75
The GOP nomination process has turned into a horror movie without laughs. One can only hope that the movie ends with the monsters slain at the end and most of the cast survives, but it is hard to see how the GOP survives this catastrophe if the supposedly more responsible party elders line up behind either monster. That neither will become the next president is almost a given, however this should be a warning. Goldwater begat Reagan begat Bushes. The descendants of Trump and Cruz may be slicker than them but just as destructive. To avoid that future the GOP needs a complete overhaul and rethinking of tactics and ideology. It needs to become a party of inclusion and not exclusion, one that does not use fear and loathing as way to gain votes nor one that genuflects at the altar of money.
10
I'd rather cuddle with a porcupine.
4
How can a person who believes in the End Times as vehemently as Ted Cruz become our President? Would the interest of all of the American people be upmost on his mind or would all his policies be about bringing on the Rapture? Listening to his father sermons makes me really question the presidency under Ted Cruz.
10
As always, Mr. Bruni....Thanks for the candor, lucidity, and humor. We need it for Sometimes the sanest reaction to an insane situation...is Insanity. Watching
the "unholy trinity" of Trump, Cruz, and Rubeo is a gagging. I now could Never vote Repulsive....but, at least appreciate the Sanity of Kasich.
the "unholy trinity" of Trump, Cruz, and Rubeo is a gagging. I now could Never vote Repulsive....but, at least appreciate the Sanity of Kasich.
4
Kasich only appears sane in comparison.
12
I can imagine Clinton or Kasich as president, possibly even Sanders but none of the other pretenders. What really concerns me is the quality of the voters - like those mugging in the background of the moderators at the last republican debate.
10
And what makes Cruz such a great catch? He too has wacky ideas and little sense of our place in the world, or what the founders of our country wanted for us when they put together the Constitution. Either way, the Republicans have it our for America. We are in deep trouble!
7
Couple of paraphrases:
"Give me Trump or give me Cruz"
or
"Give me Cruz or give me Trump"
"Give me Trump or give me Cruz"
or
"Give me Cruz or give me Trump"
Why cuddle anything touched by the GOP, the RONCO of American politics?
4
Let's simply combine the ostentatious piety of the Republican candidates with the reality show meme and have candidates put up on crosses to see who can last the longest. Whoever survives will obviously be the best preacher/politician and eminently qualified to lead us all into prayer and supplication to the hallowed 1%.
4
"Rubio is essentially the Christmas fruitcake of the 2016 cycle"
Wow. I bet even the Donald is envious of that insult.
Wow. I bet even the Donald is envious of that insult.
7
TRUMP AND CRUZ: OUR HEROES
They are effectively destroying the Republican establishment, that circle of donors, past leaders, and snake oil salesmen who have gotten the large majority of uninformed voters to vote against their own best interests. They are doing a job the ineffective Democratic communicators could not do, and they are doing it surpassingly well.
I hope they decide to fight fire with fire and adopt Mike Bloomberg as the billionaire to put the party's apparatus behind, even if he is really competent and not ideological. Perhaps this necessity will pull the Republicans back to the more responsible position they once occupied in the political spectrum.
Or should I give up dreaming?
They are effectively destroying the Republican establishment, that circle of donors, past leaders, and snake oil salesmen who have gotten the large majority of uninformed voters to vote against their own best interests. They are doing a job the ineffective Democratic communicators could not do, and they are doing it surpassingly well.
I hope they decide to fight fire with fire and adopt Mike Bloomberg as the billionaire to put the party's apparatus behind, even if he is really competent and not ideological. Perhaps this necessity will pull the Republicans back to the more responsible position they once occupied in the political spectrum.
Or should I give up dreaming?
3
It's time to start this process over with 3 changes:
1. Large population states need an early voice in the process. 8 of the 10 largest states are on the sidelines watching these flyover state primaries.
2. We need accomplished adults running this time. Bloomberg, Romney and Kasich come to mind for the GOP.
3. The media needs to treat this like the serious event it is; not a ratings boosting steel-cage match. Debates need to be debates.
1. Large population states need an early voice in the process. 8 of the 10 largest states are on the sidelines watching these flyover state primaries.
2. We need accomplished adults running this time. Bloomberg, Romney and Kasich come to mind for the GOP.
3. The media needs to treat this like the serious event it is; not a ratings boosting steel-cage match. Debates need to be debates.
19
And who are the competent adults, again? I never would have guessed
3
These changes seem fine, but what are you going to do about the voters?
1
I agree with your overall premise, but object to your use of "flyover states" as if unworthy. I've lived in four of those states, as well as NY, FL and CA. I've been to all 48 contiguous states, spent significant time in several. There are no "flyover" states. Every one is unique, all beautiful in their own right, and not one deserving of being ignored or believed to be unsuitable. America is beautiful, as is much of the rest of this magnificent planet. It is a paradise compared with every other planet we know much about.
Go check it out sometime. You might be surprised at what you'll find. In one sense, every state is part of the whole, which makes every state equal in the statements made in the Declaration of Independence.
Go check it out sometime. You might be surprised at what you'll find. In one sense, every state is part of the whole, which makes every state equal in the statements made in the Declaration of Independence.
1
Of the remaining Republican candidates, Cruz is the scariest and most dangerous for America. What has Cruz ever done to build up America? He has a clear record of obstructionism and destruction, witness the witless government shutdowns that have cost the public billions of dollars and sent government employees' morale spiraling downward, especially those professionals in government, such as lawyers, accountants, and scientists who are already paid a small fraction of what they would earn in private sector. We desperately need those people for an effective, responsive government. Cruz has wasted countless hours of everyone's time in the Senate by repeatedly trying to repeal the ACA, knowing it was only for show, and to help his presidential campaign. He has never put the will of the majority of Americans first. And he wants to turn the American government into a theocracy.
Additionally, he is personally repugnant. He has never admitted he was wrong about anything. He is incapable of compromise. He is arrogant. And 100% of everyone I have ever met who knows him personally--on both sides of the aisle--loathes him. He is simply wrong for America.
I am no fan of Trump. But at least he knows how to compromise, how to work with people who think differently from him, and how to get things done. And he will never try to turn America into a theocracy. He is offensive on many levels, but not nearly as scary as a Cruz.
Additionally, he is personally repugnant. He has never admitted he was wrong about anything. He is incapable of compromise. He is arrogant. And 100% of everyone I have ever met who knows him personally--on both sides of the aisle--loathes him. He is simply wrong for America.
I am no fan of Trump. But at least he knows how to compromise, how to work with people who think differently from him, and how to get things done. And he will never try to turn America into a theocracy. He is offensive on many levels, but not nearly as scary as a Cruz.
835
Cruz is much worse than Trump. If i had to choose between Christian Sharia rule and American Nationalism i'd favor the latter anytime.
2
"And he wants to turn the American government into a theocracy".
Donald Trump is nauseating, and even as I cringe at the thought of the white house emblazoned with vegas-style T-R-U-M-P across the front in that tacky gold, I can still stomach him more than a holy roller.
Donald Trump CAN'T do most of the things he says he would by law, therefore he is the safer choice. Plus, I have felt for a while now that if he were to win, he would completely flip the script and republicans the bird.
Donald Trump is nauseating, and even as I cringe at the thought of the white house emblazoned with vegas-style T-R-U-M-P across the front in that tacky gold, I can still stomach him more than a holy roller.
Donald Trump CAN'T do most of the things he says he would by law, therefore he is the safer choice. Plus, I have felt for a while now that if he were to win, he would completely flip the script and republicans the bird.
4
Your view of Cruz is correct, though there is no indication that Trump knows how to compromise, so don't agree on your view there. Personally, I want the most disagreeable, unappealing Republican hack to win and for my money that is Cruz. There is danger in either of the two and Cruz is intellectually smarter, but he is also mind blowingly unappealing. It's a close call though, as the G.O.P. Senator from South Carolina stated, it's a choice between being shot or poisoned.
3
Perhaps if there is one positive thing that might come out of this election it is that future politicians will learn the value of authenticity. Nothing illustrates the importance of this rare political trait more than the success of Trump and the failure of Rubio. Trump has been true to his character, as despicable as it is, from day one. He has not wavered one inch. Rubio, on the other hand, has tried to be all things to all people, culminating in a last week's embarrassing display to out-Trump Trump. His juvenile behavior was justly and widely condemned and (apparently) a key reason for yesterday's massacre at the polls.
50
Sometimes I think we're being set up. In one scenario the "establishment" rejection of Trump burnishes his cred, rebrands the GOP as the party of oppressed billionaires fighting Mexicans & Muslims on behalf of working people (as opposed to the party of oppressed billionaires fighting homosexuals & welfare mothers on behalf of working people). Trump wins, the party embraces him & it's on to more upward redistribution of profits, downward shifting of the tax burden, deregulation for them, bureaucracy for us, & all the rest. Trump will be as good a front for that as Reagan was, substituting Reagan's condescending grins & convenient confusions with reversals, insults & non-sequiturs. The Mexican wall could be a real stimulus project, but one that we could all get behind since it's about racism instead of economic self-interest. I mean since it's a Republican project & not a socialist one.
In the other scenario, Cruz slays the bully Trump, is himself rebranded as a "mainstream" Republican (or perhaps even a human being!), and he can do the same economic shenanigans with one hand while distracting us with fun things like carpet bombing the victims of terrorism & debating the nuances of torturing people, a la GW Bush.
No matter which one we're threatened with, Clinton's "neo-liberalism with a human face," or at least a human mask, starts to look like sanity. And no matter what happens, it always looks like what the powers that be had counted on.
In the other scenario, Cruz slays the bully Trump, is himself rebranded as a "mainstream" Republican (or perhaps even a human being!), and he can do the same economic shenanigans with one hand while distracting us with fun things like carpet bombing the victims of terrorism & debating the nuances of torturing people, a la GW Bush.
No matter which one we're threatened with, Clinton's "neo-liberalism with a human face," or at least a human mask, starts to look like sanity. And no matter what happens, it always looks like what the powers that be had counted on.
15
Controlling the border is about racism? I thought it was a basic responsibility of government. Martin essentially says that the USA should be Latin America's population overflow tank, and if we don't think so, we're racist. People like him give me a reason to vote for Trump.
1
Please relax and stop worrying about Trump, liberals. Hillary will be our next president. That said, I'm a YUGE fan of The Donald. Here are all the things we must thank him for:
1. sparing us a year of dismal platitudes from the likes of Scott Walker, Rand Paul, and Jeb Bush
2. Drumming up more interest in the political process than has been seen since the Nixon-Humphrey election in 1972
3. Provoking Jorge Ramos to commit the enormous weight of Univision to get out the Hispanic vote
4. Forcing all the other candidates to equal or outdo his most extreme positions in ways that will hurt the party for a long time
5. Rendering the billionaire puppeteers temporarily powerless!!!
Trump doesn't reflect trends in our society at large. He represents a third of a party that represents a third of Americans, heretofore very effectively manipulated by billionaire puppeteers behind the scenes.
The entire gaggle of Republican candidates were a bunch of losers and the media treating them as serious candidates was far more appalling to me than Trump's success. President Rubio, really?? Has anyone fulminating against Trump actually listened to Rubio? Trump has done us a YUGE favor by rendering all the other Republicans unelectable.
1. sparing us a year of dismal platitudes from the likes of Scott Walker, Rand Paul, and Jeb Bush
2. Drumming up more interest in the political process than has been seen since the Nixon-Humphrey election in 1972
3. Provoking Jorge Ramos to commit the enormous weight of Univision to get out the Hispanic vote
4. Forcing all the other candidates to equal or outdo his most extreme positions in ways that will hurt the party for a long time
5. Rendering the billionaire puppeteers temporarily powerless!!!
Trump doesn't reflect trends in our society at large. He represents a third of a party that represents a third of Americans, heretofore very effectively manipulated by billionaire puppeteers behind the scenes.
The entire gaggle of Republican candidates were a bunch of losers and the media treating them as serious candidates was far more appalling to me than Trump's success. President Rubio, really?? Has anyone fulminating against Trump actually listened to Rubio? Trump has done us a YUGE favor by rendering all the other Republicans unelectable.
306
Agree, but one correction: Humphrey ran against Nixon in 1968; McGovern was the Democratic candidate in 1972.
2
Nixon did not run against Humphrey in 1972. It was 1968. In 1972 Nixon ran against McGovern.
1
"Nixon-Humphrey election in 1972" [1968]
Why do republicans insist on being conservative as a litmus test of bona fides? This seems like a naive question perhaps. The word conservative suggests backward looking, cowardly, Dickensian, unbending, unable to think of anything because one is so tethered to the past, inflexible and to me, something totally unacceptable. Trump is clearly a demagog, but is quicker thinking and more skillful at manipulating than Cruz. Cruz is polished, but his equally nasty attitude is kept hidden, only escaping in debates when he he insists that Trump is not a conservative because he would " not let people die in the streets" Its a choice between two disgusting individuals. A 5th grader I teach asked me why a Presidential candidate would say his supporters will still love him if he shot someone. I tried, but could't. I hope the Republican Party eats and digest itself like a boa constrictor!
35
Ted Cruz, unlike Trump, Cruz understands the Constitution and has been declared brilliant by none other than Harvard Law's Alan Dershowitz. Cruz's vision for a limited government in an era of Obama largess and unbridled debt is welcome antidote indeed. Trump is fundamentally a Democrat and always has been, until recently. He will expand government welfare and blow up the deficit to sights heretofore unseen. Cruz is true to his inner core and a person we can trust to do as he says.
2
Professor Dershowitz: “He had brilliant insights and he was clearly among the top students, as revealed by his class responses.” That, Notphilivey, doesn't mean that Dershowitz was endorsing/supporting Cruz. http://www.dcclothesline.com/2015/03/24/liberal-alan-dershowitz-ted-cruz...
3
Trust Ted to be as blackhearted as he says?
Versus the guy who "speaks his mind," even if that mind isn't worth speaking?
Bring it.
Versus the guy who "speaks his mind," even if that mind isn't worth speaking?
Bring it.
4
If Mr. Cruz is a "person we can trust to do as he says," how is it that his tax proposals don't "blow up the deficits to sights [sic] heretofore unseen"?
2
Voters don't care which party you from as long as their frustrations are heard. Both sanders and trump are preaching to the same frustration.
Republicans will have a brokered convention, where they select Romney or Ryan (with Rubio as running mate). This will infuriate many, translating into an independent run from Trump. In a three way general election, Trump will go very far as most voters will vote for trump as a retaliation to gop tactics. Trump will win or will come very close to winning. What will make the difference is his choice of veep. He will need a very strong liberal veep. This is where I think we may see a completely disruptive choice, maybe even someone from the democratic camp!
This election will redefine traditional politics around party lines!
Republicans will have a brokered convention, where they select Romney or Ryan (with Rubio as running mate). This will infuriate many, translating into an independent run from Trump. In a three way general election, Trump will go very far as most voters will vote for trump as a retaliation to gop tactics. Trump will win or will come very close to winning. What will make the difference is his choice of veep. He will need a very strong liberal veep. This is where I think we may see a completely disruptive choice, maybe even someone from the democratic camp!
This election will redefine traditional politics around party lines!
5
Lilliputians -- Taunting, trashing, trapping, torpedoing Trump. But his base sees through this game.
Everyone talks about Trump's "ceiling" --but no one says anything about his "floor."
It is one thing to launch a media blitz to condemn a man as a bigot, a misogynist, a torturer, a monster -- expecting you can spook some undecideds to go for the milquetoast.
But it is something altogether different to hear and understand the concerns of those who see Trump as their voice. One can no longer ignore this 40 percent segment of GOP voters (many of whom came over from a DNC that had gone too far left). If the GOP believes they can prevail, outflanking Trump on the right, with their "conservative and "religious" candidates, Trump voters are going to be very mad.
We don't need some vapid interpreter of what the Constitution really "means." There are three branches of government who keep that balance of power intact --a President must be an Executive for the Executive branch. We need real jobs, and safe streets, secure borders, and heroine drug lords behind bars.
Everyone talks about Trump's "ceiling" --but no one says anything about his "floor."
It is one thing to launch a media blitz to condemn a man as a bigot, a misogynist, a torturer, a monster -- expecting you can spook some undecideds to go for the milquetoast.
But it is something altogether different to hear and understand the concerns of those who see Trump as their voice. One can no longer ignore this 40 percent segment of GOP voters (many of whom came over from a DNC that had gone too far left). If the GOP believes they can prevail, outflanking Trump on the right, with their "conservative and "religious" candidates, Trump voters are going to be very mad.
We don't need some vapid interpreter of what the Constitution really "means." There are three branches of government who keep that balance of power intact --a President must be an Executive for the Executive branch. We need real jobs, and safe streets, secure borders, and heroine drug lords behind bars.
6
No democracy with a separation of church and state should be electing a candidate who uses the word "prayerfully" and preaches sermons to galvanize voters.
Is Trump scary too? Surely. But we have a system of checks and balances that will keep him from doing whatever he wants (you know, like that wall and the deportation of 11 million people). With Cruz, it's different because it's less about actions and more about ideas Religious ideas. Spiritual warfare, so to speak. I think it's easier to stop someone who is motivated by his own human ego (Trump) than someone who claims to be motivated by Jesus Christ.
Is Trump scary too? Surely. But we have a system of checks and balances that will keep him from doing whatever he wants (you know, like that wall and the deportation of 11 million people). With Cruz, it's different because it's less about actions and more about ideas Religious ideas. Spiritual warfare, so to speak. I think it's easier to stop someone who is motivated by his own human ego (Trump) than someone who claims to be motivated by Jesus Christ.
517
Too fussy. Both candidates are on the road to crazy town and it doesn't matter who gave them the directions.
Cruz is scarier only because he's smarter but I don't think the absence of the baby Jesus in the supporting cast makes Trump less of a spiritual threat.
Cruz is scarier only because he's smarter but I don't think the absence of the baby Jesus in the supporting cast makes Trump less of a spiritual threat.
4
Not only "that wall" etc., but the appalling embrace of torture, even beyond waterboarding. Trump is giving a hint now that he acknowledges some of the laws, but his grasp of governing and how it works or should work is below middle school level.
He is the kind of citizen we get with non-stop entertainment instead of news, and not teaching civics to our children. The immigrants who proceed to ciizenship know more about America and what we represent than the Donald does.
He is the kind of citizen we get with non-stop entertainment instead of news, and not teaching civics to our children. The immigrants who proceed to ciizenship know more about America and what we represent than the Donald does.
7
Which only proves that smart Republicans will vote Democratic in the Presidential election even if the candidate does not agree with all the Republican issues. There is only one candidate that can demonstrate the true values we in America hold valuable; not one Republican holds these values except Kasich but no one is brave enough to support him.
Primary voters' perception of Rubio is that is that his greenness extends far beyond a spot behind his ears. What one finds strange about the lad and the evolving public impression of him is that despite the fact he appears quite sharp and articulate, he has only diminished himself by stooping to schoolyard antics.
Didn't he realize that given his youth and demeanor, in attacking his opponents with vulgarities and juvenile insults, that he would have only reinforced the image that he is indeed a juvenile?
Whether or not he would have done better sticking to the high road we can't say, but he's finished in this contest and has certainly not given much thought to how this stumbling and inept performance might affect his chances down the road.
I haven't given up on the idea that there are ways to lure the Donald to self implode. It should borrow from some tried and true military strategy where the attack is two pronged, as when the opposing side is lured one way, then caught off guard and dealt an unsuspecting blow from another direction. Myself, I know next to nothing about military science but strongly suspect if calculating about how to lure him to self-destruct was done in a carefully plotted and scientific way, given his psychological flaws, it is eminently possible.
Didn't he realize that given his youth and demeanor, in attacking his opponents with vulgarities and juvenile insults, that he would have only reinforced the image that he is indeed a juvenile?
Whether or not he would have done better sticking to the high road we can't say, but he's finished in this contest and has certainly not given much thought to how this stumbling and inept performance might affect his chances down the road.
I haven't given up on the idea that there are ways to lure the Donald to self implode. It should borrow from some tried and true military strategy where the attack is two pronged, as when the opposing side is lured one way, then caught off guard and dealt an unsuspecting blow from another direction. Myself, I know next to nothing about military science but strongly suspect if calculating about how to lure him to self-destruct was done in a carefully plotted and scientific way, given his psychological flaws, it is eminently possible.
12
Just need to take a page from the Republican Party, which has used its version of 'military science' to self-destruct itself... Along with the near balanced budget of 1979 (pre-Reagan) and the consecutive balanced budgets of 1998/1999/2000 (pre-Bush).
I've wondered about the loyalty of the advisers who told Rubio to get in the gutter (or junior high bathroom) with Trump. As if he could out-vulgar Donald, a bully boy from way back, far out of the young fella's league. No, the people who told Rubio to do that were no friends of his, and he was foolish to listen.
2
Rubio is finished. He proved that in his childish debate performance Thursday. Kasich has no path to the nomination.
I'm rooting for Cruz as he will be easily beatable by Hillary.
There are far too many unknowns with Drumpf.
I'm rooting for Cruz as he will be easily beatable by Hillary.
There are far too many unknowns with Drumpf.
43
Rather than being forced to bite our collective lip observing Republican's single-minded effort obstructing and denigrating President Obama for seven years, It's a wicked pleasure watching them discombobbled over having to choose between unhinged and gag-worthy. That is, if that spectacle didn't pose a potential danger to us and our country. Wake up Republicans. Use this mess as an opportunity to self-examine the factors that created this debacle so it won't happen again.
104
Mitt Romney could have and, some say, should have won in 2012. In the wake of his defeat, the Republican establishment spent five minutes trying to analyze what went wrong and pave the way forward. Then they went back to doing what they do best--trying to obstruct Obama at every turn. The GOP is not a party of solutions. They are a party of negativity and destruction. Let's hope they will implode by the end of this sorry campaign season.
14
No, please let the Republican form a new christian, radical right wing party and Trump have his own Nationalist Party. The so called Democrats are the new secular, 'progressive' corporatist (Republican) party and Sanders should start his own Social Democratic people's party, his being the only real democratic alternative and thankfully the party of the young.
2
Ted Cruz is arguably worse than Donald Trump, but for an entirely different set of reasons. For one thing, he's steeped in political and policy positions for extreme that he's barely inhabiting this solar system. Just as compelling: his personality and presentation, which doesn't do the word "creep" justice. Would this nation really vote for someone who looks like Hollywood's idea of a serial killer? That said, the establishment has to be smiling at this turn of events. Cruz raises the likelihood of a brokered convention if ever so slightly, leaving the door open for a Paul Ryan. He may look more like Eddie Munster than Grandpa Al Lewis, but he passes for "mainstream" in a party gone off the rails.
74
I believe I read here somewhere (perhaps in a comment - so no real bona fides) that the Republican party requires that the nominee have won at least eight states in the primary/caucus process.
If that be true, Paul Ryan (an almost equally dreadful choice) would not pass muster.
If that be true, Paul Ryan (an almost equally dreadful choice) would not pass muster.
5
LOL. Hollywood's idea of a serial killer.. Spot on, and I need some humor.
3
Paul Ryan, as we know from his days as a VP candidate, is just as much a flim flam man as Trump. Remember those budget proposals that all didn't add up? And he's an Ayn Rand worshiper who wants to turn Medicare into a voucher program, among other things.
If Republicans want to bring in a dark horse candidate, how about someone like Jon Huntsman? You know, someone rational and reasonable who would not put the entire world into panic mode? Of course, I know it will never happen -- and so we will continue to follow this atrocious spectacle. Hard to see how it turns out well.
If Republicans want to bring in a dark horse candidate, how about someone like Jon Huntsman? You know, someone rational and reasonable who would not put the entire world into panic mode? Of course, I know it will never happen -- and so we will continue to follow this atrocious spectacle. Hard to see how it turns out well.
2
Like a traumatic flashback, giving me nightmares, is the tv memory of Ted Cruz praying in front of a political audience. Leading them in evangelistic prayer like a revivalist preacher. Prayer that God might bring forth - in his voters (or the country?) - a (religious) awakening. Through Cruz! This, to me, is the most frightening, theocratic call from a politician that I have ever seen on tv! From a man universally hated by his peers! A liar. A charlatan. "Evil incarnate" - to me, a spiritual person.
We are not a theocracy. Cruz is way out of bounds to call to voters as if he were calling people to the altar. I cannot state this strongly enough!
Cruz is a dangerous demagogue. A hypocrite of the highest order. And his manipulation of religion, for political ends, is the equal of ISIS.
We are neither a christian nation nor is this presidential election a revivalist event. If Cruz wants to head a religious movement, fine by me. But not as a politician! Even as a religious movement, I see him more as attempting to gather a cult around him, like a diabolical force field. Certainly not a Christ follower - who should be washing feet, not acting lordly.
Cuddle with Cruz? I'd sooner be dead!
We are not a theocracy. Cruz is way out of bounds to call to voters as if he were calling people to the altar. I cannot state this strongly enough!
Cruz is a dangerous demagogue. A hypocrite of the highest order. And his manipulation of religion, for political ends, is the equal of ISIS.
We are neither a christian nation nor is this presidential election a revivalist event. If Cruz wants to head a religious movement, fine by me. But not as a politician! Even as a religious movement, I see him more as attempting to gather a cult around him, like a diabolical force field. Certainly not a Christ follower - who should be washing feet, not acting lordly.
Cuddle with Cruz? I'd sooner be dead!
490
And yet, there he is. Amongst the six running for the presidency.
1
When I read your headline this morning it made me sick. I usually turn off the TV when Ted Cruz is on. But this election, as circus as it is, has brought out the people who live in this country who are bigoted, racist and angry. And it has also brought out people who are not that way, too. And that is ok. We have been a simmering pot of anger for years. This election has ripped the lid off of that. We are witnessing what has been truly diving this country for years right on our own TV set. I for one hope the Republican Party is dismantled. I hope that Hillary can instill love and hope again. I hope Bernie Sanders messages resound. Eventually we will pick a new leader and maybe by then some wounds will heal. Let's hope so. In the meantime it is messy. But just like therapy, you have to slog through the mud to get to that place.
118
I protest on behalf of fruitcakes. A good rum-soaked fruitcake is a delight. These guys are just nuts.
The only hope for the GOP now is a dark horse and a brokered convention. And when I say 'the only hope', I don't mean 'to win the White House'; I think they've blown that. (Or maybe I just hope Trump and Cruz are both unelectable. Am I giving the American people too much credit?) I mean 'to remain a viable political party'. Kasich, who was the closest thing the party could muster to a sane moderate, was marginalized out of the starting gate (as was Martin O'Malley on the Democratic side, but that's a separate complaint). The GOP base is not interested in governing nor has it cultivated the talent and competence for it. They're more like the mobs in the Colosseum cheering on the gladiators (and the lions).
This wouldn't be the first time a political party has fallen apart and the pieces have re-coalesced into new entities. The 'party of Lincoln' is not much more than 150 years old. Perhaps it's reached the end of its lifespan, and authentic conservatives - what we used to call 'Rockefeller Republicans' - will rise from its ashes. One can only hope.
The only hope for the GOP now is a dark horse and a brokered convention. And when I say 'the only hope', I don't mean 'to win the White House'; I think they've blown that. (Or maybe I just hope Trump and Cruz are both unelectable. Am I giving the American people too much credit?) I mean 'to remain a viable political party'. Kasich, who was the closest thing the party could muster to a sane moderate, was marginalized out of the starting gate (as was Martin O'Malley on the Democratic side, but that's a separate complaint). The GOP base is not interested in governing nor has it cultivated the talent and competence for it. They're more like the mobs in the Colosseum cheering on the gladiators (and the lions).
This wouldn't be the first time a political party has fallen apart and the pieces have re-coalesced into new entities. The 'party of Lincoln' is not much more than 150 years old. Perhaps it's reached the end of its lifespan, and authentic conservatives - what we used to call 'Rockefeller Republicans' - will rise from its ashes. One can only hope.
132
Don' be fooled by Kasich; he is a reactionary conservative. Like Christie, just because he has done one un-beknighted thing (Medicare expansion) does not mean he is moderate. His Ohio "miracle" is entirely due to President Obama's bailout of the auto industry and the coincidental explosion of the fracking industry (no pun intended).
I have said it before; look to the movies for the correct analog: Terminator 2 - "Come with me if you want to live". Michael Bloomberg as draft candidate at the convention. Think about it!
I have said it before; look to the movies for the correct analog: Terminator 2 - "Come with me if you want to live". Michael Bloomberg as draft candidate at the convention. Think about it!
6
Yeah, but--the description of Rubio as a "Christmas fruitcake" was itself truly delicious.
6
"The GOP base is not interested in governing nor has it cultivated the talent and competence for it."
Yes
Yes
2
Ted Cruz is unelectable as President for many good reasons.
Americans didn't like the original Joseph McCarthy...and they don't like his Godson either.
Four of the six states Ted Cruz has won - Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa - are all Cruzifixion states where the Lord and Savior dominates the gray matter of its citizenry; this is the Religious Tent Revival Belt, where the End Times, The Rapture and the 2nd Coming remain huge hallucinatory hits despite zero evidence of 'God' in all of human and American history.
Cruz's other two states, Alaska and Maine, are two continental bookends where citizens who need 'extra space' - like the anti-social Ted Cruz - go to be alone.
Ted Cruz preached this sermon to supporters in December: “If we awaken and energize the body of Christ– if Christians and people of faith come out and vote our values– we will win and we will turn the country around.”
No, Senator Cruz, America is not a Christian Caliphate in spite of your devoted Bible Study.
At the National Religious Liberties Conference in November, right-wing homophobic pastor Kevin Swanson introduced Cruz and asked him how important it was for candidates to submit to Jesus Christ as "the king of the President of the United States."
Ted Cruz responded: "Any president who doesn't begin every day on his knees isn't fit to be commander-in-chief of this country."
There will be no Ted Cruz GOP nomination or Presidency.
Americans do not believe in Green Eggs and Christian Shariah Law.
Americans didn't like the original Joseph McCarthy...and they don't like his Godson either.
Four of the six states Ted Cruz has won - Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa - are all Cruzifixion states where the Lord and Savior dominates the gray matter of its citizenry; this is the Religious Tent Revival Belt, where the End Times, The Rapture and the 2nd Coming remain huge hallucinatory hits despite zero evidence of 'God' in all of human and American history.
Cruz's other two states, Alaska and Maine, are two continental bookends where citizens who need 'extra space' - like the anti-social Ted Cruz - go to be alone.
Ted Cruz preached this sermon to supporters in December: “If we awaken and energize the body of Christ– if Christians and people of faith come out and vote our values– we will win and we will turn the country around.”
No, Senator Cruz, America is not a Christian Caliphate in spite of your devoted Bible Study.
At the National Religious Liberties Conference in November, right-wing homophobic pastor Kevin Swanson introduced Cruz and asked him how important it was for candidates to submit to Jesus Christ as "the king of the President of the United States."
Ted Cruz responded: "Any president who doesn't begin every day on his knees isn't fit to be commander-in-chief of this country."
There will be no Ted Cruz GOP nomination or Presidency.
Americans do not believe in Green Eggs and Christian Shariah Law.
663
socrates - Besides, Cruz is not " natural born " as the Founders clearly intended and wrote:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ted-cruz-is-not-eligible-to-be-p...
though he was " automatically naturalized " at birth, if his mom was a citizen at the time.
Cruz's election (even his nomination ?) would be a constitutional crisis requiring a SCOTUS decision - we might all decide that ' natural born ' is archaic and since the GOP'ers don't care because it would be politically inconvenient, then none of the rest of us should care either.
But the issue would have to be ruled upon :)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ted-cruz-is-not-eligible-to-be-p...
though he was " automatically naturalized " at birth, if his mom was a citizen at the time.
Cruz's election (even his nomination ?) would be a constitutional crisis requiring a SCOTUS decision - we might all decide that ' natural born ' is archaic and since the GOP'ers don't care because it would be politically inconvenient, then none of the rest of us should care either.
But the issue would have to be ruled upon :)
7
There is oil money backing Cruz. That is what we are seeing with TX, OK, and AK.
4
On the contrary, Cruz wins the national polls against Clinton. This is why we must support Sanders who wins in these polls.
2
Trump and Cruz, then. OK.
First, a history lesson for those too young to have lusted for a '57 Bel Air convertible or a '63 Corvette Stingray coupe. (Neither of which am I using in reference to the two narcissistic freaks above, but just to put a time perspective on things.) In the '50's Al Capp's comic strip Lil Abner carried a detective comic strip within itself whose title character was "Fearless Fosdick". (OK, now we're talking about Trump.) Fearless rarely appeared in frame without at least one, and usually a dozen or more, through-and-through bullet holes --some the size of bowling balls-- in his arms, torso and head. "Mere flesh wounds," Fearless said. And so they were. Fosdick survived them all unscathed.
For Mr. Cruz we turn to the TV set and a show from later in the same stone age when Fearless Fosdick roamed the comic pages, Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Bullwinkle the Moose. Within this show we find another pair of characters from whom one can draw parallels to Mr. Cruz: Boris Badenov and his paramour Natasha Fatale. And no the comparison is not to Boris but to Natasha, and for more than just the physical resemblance. Boris was as bright as a brick. Natasha was the real brains and the truly oily one. But in the end they always got their just deserts. They lost.
Next week: More on Rocky and Bullwinkle, with special guests Bernie and Hilllary and the Amazing Wall Street Magical Mystery Lecture Show with their new smash hit, Show Us the Transcript.
First, a history lesson for those too young to have lusted for a '57 Bel Air convertible or a '63 Corvette Stingray coupe. (Neither of which am I using in reference to the two narcissistic freaks above, but just to put a time perspective on things.) In the '50's Al Capp's comic strip Lil Abner carried a detective comic strip within itself whose title character was "Fearless Fosdick". (OK, now we're talking about Trump.) Fearless rarely appeared in frame without at least one, and usually a dozen or more, through-and-through bullet holes --some the size of bowling balls-- in his arms, torso and head. "Mere flesh wounds," Fearless said. And so they were. Fosdick survived them all unscathed.
For Mr. Cruz we turn to the TV set and a show from later in the same stone age when Fearless Fosdick roamed the comic pages, Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Bullwinkle the Moose. Within this show we find another pair of characters from whom one can draw parallels to Mr. Cruz: Boris Badenov and his paramour Natasha Fatale. And no the comparison is not to Boris but to Natasha, and for more than just the physical resemblance. Boris was as bright as a brick. Natasha was the real brains and the truly oily one. But in the end they always got their just deserts. They lost.
Next week: More on Rocky and Bullwinkle, with special guests Bernie and Hilllary and the Amazing Wall Street Magical Mystery Lecture Show with their new smash hit, Show Us the Transcript.
22
You are more than welcome to cuddle with Cruz. I stand his pandering to religious zealots. I can't stand it now and I haven't stood for that campaign strategy when Jimmy Carter used it in 1976, Reagan in 1980 and 1984, and George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. Religious fanaticism has no place in politics. Thank you.
100
if Hillary wins over Bernie Sanders, then the Sanders supporters, the ones looking for a revolution, may decide to vote for Trump as opposed to Hillary in the General election. I am a Sanders supporter and would never ever vote for Trump, but after talking with Trump supporters I understand that many of the issues they care about are the same ones Sanders supporters care about and they desperately want a "change" in Washington and are willing to hold their noses and get it by voting for Trump. Sanders supporters may do the same. I think the democratic establishment and all voters should quickly get behind Bernie Sanders or else Trump will be our president.
So many voters want a change and they will get it. Will it be through Sanders or Trump?
So many voters want a change and they will get it. Will it be through Sanders or Trump?
18
Sorry, but voting for Trump would be a copout. Many of his supporters haven't even voted and so you can be sure they've never contacted their representatives about any concerns. Or if they do vote, the ur fears and prejudices lead them to support candidates who would take everything away from them, including Social Security. As Sanders says, it's dangerous not to be involved with the government. There are more constructive things they can do rather than attaching themselves to an ignorant demagogue who has been playing them for fools; now he's starting to soften his position on immigration, moving to the center to win a general election. He's just a politician like the rest of them.
12
No, this is the dumb logic that gave us two republican houses of Congress.
I'm old enough to remember McGovern and the high-principled folks who gave us Nixon.
Government's about running the country. Change comes from running it well.
Voters who defect to Trump on "principle" would appear to be more concerned about bruising their high principled egos than running the country.
It's kind of like saying I don't like Michael the Archangel so i'll vote for his brother Lucifer down in hell. You just can't make this work.
I'm old enough to remember McGovern and the high-principled folks who gave us Nixon.
Government's about running the country. Change comes from running it well.
Voters who defect to Trump on "principle" would appear to be more concerned about bruising their high principled egos than running the country.
It's kind of like saying I don't like Michael the Archangel so i'll vote for his brother Lucifer down in hell. You just can't make this work.
7
I think they main desire of the majority of the American people, that you will get when combining Trump and Sanders voters, want to disrupt the established, corporatist, political machine. Disruption is what they want i.e Sanders or Trump and not continuity i.e Hillary or even Cruz...and why should anybody have the right to tell the people not to have its will in a real democracy?
We have spent the last several election cycles talking about American exceptionalism. What we Americans must admit is that our city on the hill is occupied by large segments of a population that, for the countless reasons offered in these op-ed columns, express values that are counter to what this country stands for...what makes us exceptional. These groups are always waiting backstage for an individual who will give voice to their dark values--and Trump is now serving in that role. What is groundbreaking in this election cycle is not only watching party taken over by an individual who is very clear about what he will do to minorities, to immigrants, to women, to non-Christians, but, the opposition candidates are merely a Lite version of Trump's balcony speeches. I would hope after this terrible election cycle, assuming sanity returns to the American public, that instead of talking about American exceptionalism, we start talking about the beliefs, values, and behaviors that would make a country exceptional --- we really need to return to the drawing boards.
37
Americans wouldn't be upset about immigrants if we were raking in money hand over fist. It's the economy still, the economy of Main St, which has long lagged that of Wall St.
2
It's ironic that front-runners Trump and Cruz are the two most odious men in the race, and yet, they are the product of a long-standing propaganda crusade to get people to like, and vote for, racist, misogynist, oligarch bullies. The Rs have worked for decades to get to this point and now they don't like the chickens that have come home to roost.
Perhaps the big difference with these two men that the Republican leadership finds so objectionable is that neither of them will kowtow to the Koch Brothers. Trump is already his own oligarch and Cruz is ordained of his own malignant god. These two are not following Charles' and David's script and it's tangling the strings of the normal pandering puppet show. Trump and Cruz have moved the pot at the end of the rainbow and the Kochs are pouting. Their ROI from billions poured into twisting the system for their own ends is dropping.
It's still a game of Follow the Money.
Perhaps the big difference with these two men that the Republican leadership finds so objectionable is that neither of them will kowtow to the Koch Brothers. Trump is already his own oligarch and Cruz is ordained of his own malignant god. These two are not following Charles' and David's script and it's tangling the strings of the normal pandering puppet show. Trump and Cruz have moved the pot at the end of the rainbow and the Kochs are pouting. Their ROI from billions poured into twisting the system for their own ends is dropping.
It's still a game of Follow the Money.
197
Well said. I could easily see Cruz bending over and taking what Kochs and their ilk have to offer. Whether he later betrays them is something else. But the one place where we will see Cruz willing to compromise will be to get into the Oval Office. He'll do and say anything for that. Come to think of it, he already has.
4
If you really don't think that Trump or Cruz "will kowtow to the Koch Brothers," you aren't paying attention. Ted Cruz is already owned by the brothers Koch and Mr. Adelson; Donald Trump will be more than happy to do their bidding, at least on issues most important to them.
2
This should be a NYTimes pick comment -- brilliant!
1
The originalist, the constitutionalist, you know, the one who reminds us at every turn that he will defend the constitution, seems at every turn to conveniently forget about the part regarding the separation of church and state. Cruz is hypocritical to the core. And speaking of separation of church and state, how are all these evangelical pastors, who relentlessly politic from the pulpit, able to retain their institutional tax free status? It's turtles all the way down.
331
Yes, how do they retain tax exempt status? It's a joke.
In part, it's undoubtedly due to disabling and intimidating the IRS. People don't realize how overmatched the government often is when it tries to enforce the law against recalcitrant entities and individuals with lots of money and other resources (e.g., political connections). Except, of course, Republicans and corporate/money interests - they know this all too well.
In part, it's undoubtedly due to disabling and intimidating the IRS. People don't realize how overmatched the government often is when it tries to enforce the law against recalcitrant entities and individuals with lots of money and other resources (e.g., political connections). Except, of course, Republicans and corporate/money interests - they know this all too well.
4
As a lifelong progressive Trump is the best candidate in the bunch. He will certainly do the wrong thing most of the time, but occasionally will get it right, much like his company. Neither Rubio or Cruz will ever get it right for the typical American, as they will be working tirelessly for their benefactors, one of who wants us to be at war in the middle east, (Adelson), one who wants Social Security to disappear (Singer), and one who wants Democracy and protection of the environment to disappear (Koch). At least Trump will be in a position to ignore them.
I am personally torn between Trump and Cruz. Trump brings energy and will bring out a strong racist vote, essentially reenergizing the Reagan Democrats who realized that Reagan while not helpful to them, would hurt others, allowing them to stay on the bottom rung of the ladder. Cruz is seen as distasteful, but will have millions (billions) of plutocrat money that will funnel to him. So, the key question is who will be most harmful to the Senators and Representatives running this cycle.
My dream is that it is a brokered convention with Trump on top, and Cruz a close second, and that they give it to Cruz. Thus, allowing Trump to blow up one more time, and hopefully the end of the Republican party.
Please don't wake me.
I am personally torn between Trump and Cruz. Trump brings energy and will bring out a strong racist vote, essentially reenergizing the Reagan Democrats who realized that Reagan while not helpful to them, would hurt others, allowing them to stay on the bottom rung of the ladder. Cruz is seen as distasteful, but will have millions (billions) of plutocrat money that will funnel to him. So, the key question is who will be most harmful to the Senators and Representatives running this cycle.
My dream is that it is a brokered convention with Trump on top, and Cruz a close second, and that they give it to Cruz. Thus, allowing Trump to blow up one more time, and hopefully the end of the Republican party.
Please don't wake me.
71
You are a progressive??? And you want Trump? - All he talks about is going backwards - make america great again - and lets's undo all of the progress we've already made in so many areas. if Hillary wins over Bernie Sanders, then the Sanders supporters, the ones looking for a revolution, may decide to vote for Trump as opposed to Hillary in the General election. I am a Sanders supporter and would never ever vote for Trump, but after talking with Trump supporters I understand that many of the issues they care about are the same ones Sanders supporters care about and they desperately want a "change" in Washington and are willing to hold their noses and get it by voting for Trump. Sanders supporters may do the same. I think the democratic establishment and all voters should quickly get behind Bernie Sanders or else Trump will be our president.
So many voters want a change and they will get it. Will it be through Sanders or Trump? If it is Trump - we will go backwards in many scary ways.
So many voters want a change and they will get it. Will it be through Sanders or Trump? If it is Trump - we will go backwards in many scary ways.
1
Try as I might, I can not wrap my feeble brain on why you, Mr. Bruni stay so firly entrenched in the Republican Party. How do they represent your interests in any way shape or form? In favor of equal rights for LGBT folks? Nope!! Economic policies that will help the upper middle class (as if there still were such a thing)? Nope and double nope!! Realistic responses to all the unrest in the Mid East and other places? That at least is questionable, but my answer is that none of the Presidential Candidates have any idea about foreign policy, even though there are members of the GOP who do.
Mr. Bruni, I beg you, one last time to join rational people with the same doubts about the Government being able to save everyone in voting against the extremist Republican Party. I know that Bernie's brand of socialism reduces the individual responsibility so necessary for economic growth, but we right of center folks will be able to influence a Hillary Presidency in ways that we won't with a Trump or Cruz Presidency. Do you really want to move toward a country controlled by Evangelical Christians (Cruz)? Join us former Republicans.
Mr. Bruni, I beg you, one last time to join rational people with the same doubts about the Government being able to save everyone in voting against the extremist Republican Party. I know that Bernie's brand of socialism reduces the individual responsibility so necessary for economic growth, but we right of center folks will be able to influence a Hillary Presidency in ways that we won't with a Trump or Cruz Presidency. Do you really want to move toward a country controlled by Evangelical Christians (Cruz)? Join us former Republicans.
26
Bruni, Douthat, Dowd, are all perfect exemplars of the US electorate at large. They vote blindly for Republicans, even though their intelligence must be insulted at every turn - although I do doubt Douthat's intelligence - and their interests not served. What complex mechanism makes some voters - millions - think that Donald Trump or Cruz or any Republican in the Senate or the House has their (the electorate's) interests at heart is a mystery.
6
I think Bruni is a Dem. You're thinking of Douthat and Brooks.
6
I don't think we read the same column..,.
3
Both of these candidates scare me, Cruz more than Trump. He is basically a demagogue, and a religious zealot. The happy thing about Cruz, he would not stand a chance of getting elected whether he faced Hillary of Bernie.
It will be interesting to hear of the outcome of the upcoming debate on Thursday (I don't watch them). Who will scream the loudest, who will spew out profanities, and who will insult the President first and how often.
It will be interesting to hear of the outcome of the upcoming debate on Thursday (I don't watch them). Who will scream the loudest, who will spew out profanities, and who will insult the President first and how often.
170
Isn't it more useful to tally lies?
The candidate telling the most lies probably is saying the most things Republican voters want to hear.
The candidate telling the most lies probably is saying the most things Republican voters want to hear.
7
There's only one thing more alarming than a Trump presidency, and that's a Cruz presidency. But let's hope for the best possible outcome: Trump fails to gain enough delegates for the nomination on the first ballot, the convention turns open, they choose somebody else, (I can hardly believe it will be Ted Cruz--though who can tell in this election cycle), and Trump takes his supporters away from the contest (or they simply fail to show up at the polls). Looks rather like a win-win.
112
Even warmed over leftovers like HRC could get elected if Trump runs 3rd party.
2
Disclosure: I am a foreigner living in the US for 40 years with a green card.
I can not vote but I can, and do, support candidates monetarily.
I all these years I have not met over 4 Americans that actually read American History.
This is a pity since if the public knew a bit of it's own history they, MAYBE, would not tend to repeat their mistakes.
The founders were horrified, after a few years of living in a US kept together by the articles of confederation, by the way things were going. Several states were controlled by demagogues, their lower houses passing laws that interfered with interstate commerce, restricted liberties, abused minorities (Sounds familiar????) and were threatening to destroy the Union to the uplifting of the Brits,etc.
The Constitution was the cure, it was sold to the People by artifice and it passed, miraculously by a majority of the same State legislatures it was created to control.
Why would a 21 first century American vote for a transparent , lying, un educated demagogue like Trump or a religious fanatic like Cruz?
This election cicle is a great opportunity for us all to reflect on today's America and try and take advantage of the opportunities presented to informed, literate citizens to take over the White House , Senate and Supreme Court and do some needed repairs to our non functioning government to try and keep it going for another generation at least.
Send a little cash to the right folk!
I can not vote but I can, and do, support candidates monetarily.
I all these years I have not met over 4 Americans that actually read American History.
This is a pity since if the public knew a bit of it's own history they, MAYBE, would not tend to repeat their mistakes.
The founders were horrified, after a few years of living in a US kept together by the articles of confederation, by the way things were going. Several states were controlled by demagogues, their lower houses passing laws that interfered with interstate commerce, restricted liberties, abused minorities (Sounds familiar????) and were threatening to destroy the Union to the uplifting of the Brits,etc.
The Constitution was the cure, it was sold to the People by artifice and it passed, miraculously by a majority of the same State legislatures it was created to control.
Why would a 21 first century American vote for a transparent , lying, un educated demagogue like Trump or a religious fanatic like Cruz?
This election cicle is a great opportunity for us all to reflect on today's America and try and take advantage of the opportunities presented to informed, literate citizens to take over the White House , Senate and Supreme Court and do some needed repairs to our non functioning government to try and keep it going for another generation at least.
Send a little cash to the right folk!
347
Gaston, you have learned some basics of American History - probably more than most Americans but are missing one big stream as well as some of the smaller streams of thought that have been part of our history since the beginning. The big stream is the idea that we are NOT all in this together - regional and geographical distinctions (north v. south, east v. west, rural v. urban, industrial v. agrarian, slave v. free, etc.) have defined how our political system has operated - not with the Constitutional "checks and balances" but with internal unending competition where sometimes one or the other is able to impose its will. The Civil War was only the biggest and most destructive example, but internal competitions never disappear. Two subsidiary themes - namely fear of "others" (Indians, religious dissenters, Jews, Catholics, Irish, poor people, women ... it's a long list) and the use/need of violence to solve problems have always been there, right beneath those blowing and whipping flags. Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are not aliens - they are both opportunistic manipulators who understand the fault lines of American history and know how to exploit them.
148
gaston - Inconvenient historical facts are indeed white-washed by the states' rights crowd; the whole issue could be solved if we followed Bruce Bartlett's solution of enlarging the House of Representatives to match the Founders' Intent:
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/enlarging-the-house-of-repr...
a subject so serious that George Washington held up the last day of the Constitutional Convention to increase the size of the House of Representatives so there was 1 representative for every 30,000 constituents instead of 1 for each 40,000:
http://www.delanceyplace.com/view-archives.php?p=2238
If we made the House larger (as Founders' plainly intended), gridlock would stop, since it would be too expensive for lobbyists to buy them all off :)
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/enlarging-the-house-of-repr...
a subject so serious that George Washington held up the last day of the Constitutional Convention to increase the size of the House of Representatives so there was 1 representative for every 30,000 constituents instead of 1 for each 40,000:
http://www.delanceyplace.com/view-archives.php?p=2238
If we made the House larger (as Founders' plainly intended), gridlock would stop, since it would be too expensive for lobbyists to buy them all off :)
20
Sometimes, it takes an outsider to see the forest for the trees. Yet, too, the outsider sometimes never fully empathizes with the insider.
Like Gaston, I, too, am baffled by the GOP winnowing down to Trump and Cruz, though I am a natural-born citizen (though some don't believe the state of New York is part of the USA!)
As an outsider who spent time at the College of Europe studying the European integration movement (the EEC, ECSC and EurAtom had yet to be integrated into an EU) I am deeply distressed by the suicidal "Brexit" movement that must delight Vlad Putin. Yet so few of my friends in the UK see the catastrophe it will cause.
One thing that makes the USA different than Europe is that we, too, though we don't realize it, are many nations under one government, despite most of us speaking the same language, with different cultures and mores. Usually, we can get along, though we have had severe fractured periods and seem to be in one now. I believe most right and left wingers can talk and compromise, but the rise of the ignorati threatens that.
Like Gaston, I, too, am baffled by the GOP winnowing down to Trump and Cruz, though I am a natural-born citizen (though some don't believe the state of New York is part of the USA!)
As an outsider who spent time at the College of Europe studying the European integration movement (the EEC, ECSC and EurAtom had yet to be integrated into an EU) I am deeply distressed by the suicidal "Brexit" movement that must delight Vlad Putin. Yet so few of my friends in the UK see the catastrophe it will cause.
One thing that makes the USA different than Europe is that we, too, though we don't realize it, are many nations under one government, despite most of us speaking the same language, with different cultures and mores. Usually, we can get along, though we have had severe fractured periods and seem to be in one now. I believe most right and left wingers can talk and compromise, but the rise of the ignorati threatens that.
13
Why won't the Republican debate moderators ask a comprehensive question about climate change? How is it that the defining issue of our time, with implications for national security, the economy, health, and social justice is barely even mentioned?
650
Because they would all give the same idiotic reply: the consensus is still debatable and/or the costs to the economy are too great, yadda, yadda, yadda.
18
Those types of questions are not nearly as entertaining as the blustery taunting the candidates excel in, so the media promotes that behavior, beside, real questions might expose the real underlying causes of many problems. The failure of the US media over the past 30 years is stunning. Many have noted it, but little has been done by the media to correct its descent into "infotainment." Vidal wrote for decades on the lack of objectivity in the media. Two of my favorite Vidal quotes on the media:
You cannot get through the density of the propaganda with which the American people, through the dreaded media, have been filled and the horrible public educational system we have for the average person. It's just grotesque.
Gore Vidal's America (2009) Seven part interview by Paul Jay, The Real News, (5 July 2009)
The corporate grip on opinion in the United States is one of the wonders of the Western World. No First World country has ever managed to eliminate so entirely from its media all objectivity — much less dissent.
"Cue the Green God, Ted" (1991).
You cannot get through the density of the propaganda with which the American people, through the dreaded media, have been filled and the horrible public educational system we have for the average person. It's just grotesque.
Gore Vidal's America (2009) Seven part interview by Paul Jay, The Real News, (5 July 2009)
The corporate grip on opinion in the United States is one of the wonders of the Western World. No First World country has ever managed to eliminate so entirely from its media all objectivity — much less dissent.
"Cue the Green God, Ted" (1991).
12
Because the de facto director of climate policy in the United States (and boss of debate hosts), Roger Ailes, says it is not happening.
14
The response to Trump among foreign leaders would be like an ad for a deodorant, nobody in the room wants to be too near him, in case the smell rubs off. How can a habitual liar expect respect, even if he desperately craves it? The response to Cruz would be similar, but the reason different. Here is a guy so venal, so dishonest, that he would simultaneously stab you in the back and declare it as the Lord's will! The current Republican front runners are not acceptable representatives of a functioning democracy.
520
On point: the first is embarrassing; the second terrifying.
54
The media fails us continuously. How is it, that in the Republican debates, not one question was raised about Cruz's part in shutting down the government and thereby costing us billions of dollars?
22
Since Eisenhower's heart attack in 1958, I think Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush 41, 43, have proven that Republicans don't care what foreign leaders think -- and that anyone can be president.
2
We don't cuddle with cobras !
268
Oh, no!!! Another debate??? Haven't we had enough?!!
6
I came across a black cobra in Singapore which frightened me big time, I think I'd more frightened of Cruz as President of the United States.
21
Well enough Texan voters and enough big donors cuddled with him to get him elected as US Senator from Texas!
3