Iowa conservative kingmaker endorses Ted Cruz (Bob Vander Plaats)

Washington Examiner ^ | 12/10/15 | Ryan Lovelace

[Isara]

Bob Vander Plaats, the CEO of the social conservative group the Family Leader, endorsed Ted Cruz's presidential candidacy. A "kingmaker" of sorts in Iowa, Vander Plaats endorsed Mike Huckabee in 2008 and backed Rick Santorum in 2012.

When the Washington Examiner spoke with Vander Plaats earlier this year, he said it would be easy for conservatives to divide their support among several quality candidates and he would wait until the Thanksgiving holiday to make a decision. On Thursday, Vander Plaats made clear he believes the best candidate is Cruz.

Cruz has racked up endorsements from several influential conservatives in the Hawkeye State, including Rep. Steve King and radio host Steve Deace. With Vander Plaats, King, and Deace lining up in his corner, the Texas senator has three influential ambassadors who will work to make more Iowan conservatives coalesce around his campaign.

As Cruz returned to Washington, D.C., and traveled to New York City for a fundraiser this week, his campaign received a string of endorsements. Direct mail pioneer Richard A. Viguerie and the National Organization for Marriage, a group that opposes gay marriage, both pledged their support for Cruz.

Cruz ranks first in the Washington Examiner's GOP presidential power rankings and has surged in Iowa. A Monmouth University survey released earlier this week showed the senator surpassing Trump for the top spot among Republican voters in Iowa. Cruz appears to be gaining momentum in Iowa as little more than 50 days remain until the caucuses.

[Isara]

[Calpublican]

Clearly, winning Iowa is not a predictor.

But, Go Ted.

[US Navy Vet]

If Vander Plaats is SUCH an Iowa “Kingmaker” the just WHY is not the Iowa Governor NOW!

[Wilderness Conservative]

The agri-welfare king maker has spoken. These early states arent the best indicators. Let’s see where we stand after Super Tuesday.

[LS]

My only qualm with the headline is that we’ve already had at least one “kingmaker” in IA endorse Cruz. How many are there?

[wmfights]

Ted Cruz is who I back. If he doesn’t win and it is Trump I’ll vote for him. Rino’s forget it. I hope the Trump supporters think the same way.

[rovenstinez]

Did the Des Moines Registry weigh in for Ted Cruz

[Calpublican]

Excellent Point.

[VanDeKoik]

Most of us are fine either way. It just if Cruz people continue to insists that we are brainless idiots that are backing Trump because he’s just some reality TV star or continue calling us names like “Trumpoids, Tumpanzees, Trumpsters, Trumpeets, and Trump Tramps”, then I know I’m not going to make much of an effort advocating for him. They can fight the left on their own and see how far they get with the left with the stuff they do here.

[JSDude1]

You notice how the trump people on here hardly ever reciprocate, or am I wrong?

[Calpublican]

{”Ted Cruz is who I back. If he doesn’t win and it is Trump I’ll vote for him. Rino’s forget it. I hope the Trump supporters think the same way.”}

My sentiments exactly.

Sadly, many Trump supporters, even on this forum, are rabidly opposed to anyone but Trump.

In fact, my goofy brother isn’t speaking to me since Trump is my second choice. But, in reality, that’s not a bad thing. One less Christmas gift to buy.

[Calpublican]

In 2012 The Des Moines Register backed Romney.
Don’t think they’ve backed anyone this time, yet.
My guess: Rubio - nice and RINO

[crz]

How many times in the last 40 years has Iowas winner gone on to win the whole thing?

Not that many.

[lewislynn]

A "kingmaker" of sorts in Iowa, Vander Plaats endorsed Mike Huckabee in 2008 and backed Rick Santorum in 2012

LOL! "Kingmaker"? Or kiss of death?

[kevkrom]

These early states arent the best indicators

They do serve to weed out the real pretenders though.

[JohnBovenmyer]

The agri-welfare king maker has spoken.

Yeah, for the guy who's against agri-welfare. Big Corn wants anyone but Cruz (or IIRC, Paul). Mr. 'nobody can buy me' is pro-ethanol requirement.

[Fantasywriter]

Have you seen that disgusting little gif that goes along with calling us Trumpanzees?

My personal favorite is when they claim—as quite a few do—that every word out of Trump’s mouth is a lie. Every single word.

You’d think the last thing they could ever possibly want is our support. If I eventually wanted Cruz supporters to back Trump, I wouldn’t call them Cruzanzees, coupled with a hideous chimp gif. Nor would I malign Every Single Word that leaves Cruz’ mouth. That would be ill advised...at best.

[deport]

Now that you asked........

Candidates in bold eventually won their party's nomination. Candidates also in
italics subsequently won the general election.

Iowa Caucuses

• 2012 - Rick Santorum (25%), Mitt Romney (25%), Ron Paul (21%), Newt Gingrich (13%), Rick Perry (10%), Michele Bachmann (5%), and Jon Huntsman (0.6%)^[14]
• 2008 Mike Huckabee (34%), Mitt Romney (25%), Fred Thompson (13%), John McCain (13%), Ron Paul (10%), Rudy Giuliani (4%), and Duncan Hunter (1%)
• 2004 George W. Bush (unopposed)
• 2000 George W. Bush (41%), Steve Forbes (31%), Alan Keyes (14%), Gary Bauer (9%), John McCain (5%), and Orrin Hatch (1%)
• 1996 Bob Dole (26%), Pat Buchanan (23%), Lamar Alexander (18%), Steve Forbes (10%), Phil Gramm (9%), Alan Keyes (7%), Richard Lugar (4%), and Morry Taylor (1%)
• 1992 George H. W. Bush (unopposed)
• 1988 Bob Dole (37%), Pat Robertson (25%), George H. W. Bush (19%), Jack Kemp (11%), and Pete DuPont (7%)
• 1984 Ronald Reagan (unopposed)
• 1980 George H. W. Bush (32%), Ronald Reagan (30%), Howard Baker (15%), John Connally (9%), Phil Crane (7%), John B. Anderson (4%), and Bob Dole (2%)
• 1976 Gerald Ford (45%) and Ronald Reagan (43%)

[VanDeKoik]

It’s really picked up in the past month when they figured out that Trump was not going to “collapse” in time for the primaries. Now it’s daily Trump conspiracy theories, polka-dot charts, virtue signaling, and breathless posts about some person no one has heard of endorsing Cruz.

I try to separate them from my personal view of Cruz, but they really make you unenthusiastic about him like no one in the media could.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Clearly, winning Iowa is not a predictor.

Can't win 'em all unless you win the first one.