Posted on 02/14/2016 7:53:00 AM PST by justlittleoleme
A little over a year ago, I wrote that my choice for President would be Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, assuming nothing changed along the way. A lot has changed, but my choice has not.
I also made the decision that I would vote for Ted Cruz regardless of who the GOP decided to nominate, but over time, I knew I, at least, had to consider a viable second alternative. Unfortunately, out of a field of 17 candidates, there was little to choose from.
Let me be clear, it takes more than an R by your name to get my vote. A candidate does not have to be perfect, or agree with me on every single issue, but there are some issues that are disqualifiers. I will never cast a vote for any candidate that supports abortion, gun control, or amnesty, and that is not up for discussion.
Sadly, that disqualified most of the Republican field.
One candidate, Ted Cruz, meets or exceeds my expectations on almost every issue. I would prefer the Fair Tax over his plan, but the Cruz tax plan is definitely an improvement over what we have now. Since we won't get the Fair Tax, I can easily support the Cruz plan.
Ted Cruz is the one candidate that undoubtedly understands and respects the Constitution, he is a rock solid Conservative, and he has the record to prove it. With Cruz, I know I won't have to worry that he will suddenly change his stripes when he enters the White House. Of all of the candidates in the race, I know he is the one that is most qualified to select a Supreme Court Justice, he is the one that will defend my Constitutional rights, and he is the one that can be counted on to pursue a conservative agenda that will put the country back on the right course.
Backing Cruz was a simple and obvious choice, but finding a 'Plan B' candidate has not been quite so easy. When Donald Trump began his campaign I, like most Republicans, had serious doubts that he would last long or ever gain any measurable support. Obviously, we were wrong.
Trump has exceeded everyone's expectations and I was willing to consider him as my 'Plan B', but I have not been able, until now, to come to a decision. Last night's debate, however, eliminated all doubt.
Donald Trump might well be our next President, but if he wins he will have to do it without my vote. Three things cemented my decision.
First, as the campaign progresses he has become increasingly rude and obnoxious, and he lashes out at anyone who disagrees with him. These are not qualities that make a good President, and he is not someone I want to represent the country I love. Contrary to what he says, he is not the first person to come up with the idea of building a border wall, we were discussing immigration before he got in the race, and he is not the only person in the world that can negotiate a deal. We already have a President that is an embarrassment to the whole country, but the Democrats own that one, I don't plan to make it a bi-partisan embarrassment.
Second, I have studied Ted Cruz, I know his record, I understand what motivates him, I trust his integrity, and I trust his judgement. When Trump and Rubio stand there and repeatedly call him a liar and suggest that he is anything but a rock solid conservative, rather than shake my confidence in Cruz, they demonstrate to me why I cannot trust their integrity or their judgement.
Finally, one issue where I have had doubts about Trump is his insistence that he is pro-life. Given the fact that it has not been that long since he was on video proclaiming that he was "very pro-choice", I had reasonable doubt that his change of heart was anything but a campaign strategy. I needed to be convinced, not told, that he was pro-life because he genuinely believed it. Last night, when he stood before the American people and defended Planned Parenthood, all doubt left my mind. Anyone who buys into the "abortion is only a small part of what they do" argument needs to remember that operating gas chambers was only a small part of what Hitler did, too.
Trump says he is now pro-life and I cannot dispute that, but I am convinced that his stand is a political calculation rather than a moral conviction. Frankly, a man who claims to be a Christian yet sees no reason to ask God for forgiveness most likely has no moral convictions, and I simply cannot trust him to do the right thing.
My decision of a year ago stands, Ted Cruz is my choice for President because I believe, just as Rush Limbaugh recently said, that he is the closest thing to Ronald Reagan we have ever seen. The survival of this country depends on our choice, and there is no doubt in my mind that Cruz is the one right choice. I will vote for Cruz in March and I will vote for Cruz in November.
I’m sorry for all the abuse you are about to take for putting up this well reasoned post.
Well-said.
Trumpbots will be here to leave their craps in 3 ... 2 ...
Who cares?
I’m with you on every point, except sitting out the election if Trump is the nominee.
x2
Especially with Scalia passing away, the stakes have never been this high.
You don’t like Trump. OK.
Must be nice to live in such an ideal world. Have you looked at your country lately?
I see a purge coming of Cruz supporters, including myself. I also see a lot of buyers remorse two years from now when a lot of people wake up to discover Trump is not the conservative they believe him to be.
I remember when GW Bush was the greatest thing since sliced bread to many here on Free Republic, his supporters were willing to overlook many faults. When Trump not just debates but demonizes Cruz, he sets up a paranoid personality cult that is also likely to be sorely disappointing to true believers.
I believe in one God, and that is not Donald Trump, nor even Ted Cruz. The only silver lining is that Hillary and Bernie are far, far worse.
I’m a Trump supporter but I will vote for Cruz if he is the nominee, or Rubio, or Kasich or any other current Republican candidate because I know that they will be light years better than Hillary or Bernie or anyone else the Dems put up.
Just think about the Supreme Court and what it will look like if Clinton or Sanders gets to choose.
So when I see those who say they will never for Trump if he is the nominee then you are, in effect, putting Hillary or one of the other Dems in the WH.
Now, post the 64 electoral votes you believe Cruz could win that Romney lost, or, tell us "I don't care because my vote is precious to me and I don't care about winning".
I don't think Trump is particularly conservative, and that's not why I support him.
“Donald Trump might well be our next President, but if he wins he will have to do it without my vote”
I concur with your analysis.
But consider this:
IF TV Star is the nominee
IF you then vote against the DemRats candidate
IF TV Star becomes the POTUS
YOU (like many of us) will have EVER dam reason to hold his arrogant a$$ to the fire.
We then have “standing” since we provided our vote.
I can disagree with your assessment of Cruz and support Trump without having to bash you or be bashed(unless others choose to do so)
In your frame of reference you see one thing I see votes and actions on Cruz part differently. Yet I respect your right to your opinion and the fact that you can express your opinion in a clear manner. Americans (most of us) are not lemming and it is great we can have opposing views in this nation. Most of us love this country and want what we perceive as best.
Well my vote will cancel yours, so GOOOOOOOOOOOOO TRUMP!
Another vote for Hillary.
Now, post the 64 electoral votes you believe Cruz could win that Romney lost, or, tell us “I don’t care because my vote is precious to me and I don’t care about winning”.
Exactly. Forget VA, OH, PA with TPA Teddy on the ticket. Election will be called for the Hildabeast when the polls close. Cruz would be lucky to win 10 states in the general after the MSM/Dem tag team carpet bombs him, IMO.
Well said... you know, this might be the first article without vilifiers in all directions!
If the past is any guide, the only way there’s a “purge” coming is if supporters refuse to back a nominee that isn’t Cruz, and insist upon tearing down that nominee or saying they’ll sit it out. There are a lot of Cruz supporters here including the site owner. He’s been my second choice and I’ll vote for him, not pout.
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