Posted on 03/16/2016 8:54:10 AM PDT by jimbo123
The Houston-based presidential campaign of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz suffered a major setback Tuesday night, as Donald Trump more than doubled his lead for the Republican nomination.
After failing to win any states outright in a big round of primary votes, Cruz now faces dismal chances of winning an outright majority of delegates, and experts said he'll have to posture carefully for the future of this race and his political career.
"The only credible path Cruz has now to the nomination is through a contested convention," said Mark Jones, a political scientist at Rice University's Baker Institute.
That could happen if no candidate arrives at the Party's July convention with more than 50 percent of delegates awarded, prompting a series of re-votes that could plausibly name Cruz the party nominee.
A contested convention looks more likely after Tuesday night, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political scientist at the University of Houston. If the three remaining candidates continue to pick up delegates at the respective rates that they have been, it will become increasingly likely that none wins a majority, he said.
But to stand a chance of winning that scenario, Cruz would have to arrive at the convention within close reach of Trump's delegate count, which is seeming increasingly unlikely.
On Tuesday morning, Cruz trailed Trump by about 100 delegates, and the gap widened to more than 200 by Tuesday night. Experts said he would have to be within a few dozen of Trump to be a credible choice in a convention contest.
"It was a pretty sobering night for [Cruz]," said Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
What happened to Cruzmentum?
Cruz will soon be joining jeb catchin’ frogs.
It isn’t gonna happen.
Unless Cruz miraculously starts winning states outside the Great Plains/Mountain States, forget about a contested convention.
He is shut out in the South and he hasn’t won a single state east of the Mississippi save for ME.
Steep odds for Cruz to become the nominee.
It’s the big “L” for you, Ted!
Swap Donald with Jeb and the people from all sides would be calling on Ted to stop the madness and face reality
Looking at the primary schedule, I think he goes 0 for the month of April.
WE THE PEOPLE have spoken loud and clear. The Establishment Repubs had better be taking note — they certainly have noted the Obama attempt to load the SCOTUS.
He really surged in Florida, eh?
Its a long drought before you can win any delegates because now the calendar slackens until June.
I caught a few minutes of an old Martin and Lewis movie last night. Jerry Lewis did a pretty good imitation of Ted Cruz.
Cruz seemed to be flirting with the idea that the GOPer slime would support him as the anti-Trump and that would secure him the necessary delegates. With Kasich staying in the race it is clear that the GOPe plans to subvert the base at convention and just wants to use Cruz to keep Donald from the necessary delegates. I have long been a Cruz supporter but at this point I think he needs to cut his deal with Donald and save us from GOPe machinations.
O-fer.
With an average finish of 2.5
When your only hope is not to win yourself, but to somehow possibly prevent another from winning - is it not time to “prayerfully consider whether one should stay in the race”?
Ted’s best service to this country might be to suspend, speak about influencing positively the conservative principles he stands on, support Trump at least tacitly as opposition to Hillary and thus help him win, make some friends in the Senate, and then wait for Trump’s second SC vacancy.
I’d love to see Cruz and Carly as designated Clinton attack dogs. They don’t even have to say nice things about Trump.
I would prefer Cruz to Trump as President. I worry, however, about either of them in the General. Cruz: because I can’t see him inspiring a big turnout or any crossover voting. Trump: although he will being in some new voters, it is unlikely to make up for the slaughter he will experience among women and minority voters.
But Levin and Beck are confident that Cruz will defeat the evil Trump and get 1237 convention delegates! They have damned all who disagree. Besides Ted’s dad has said that Ted was called and anointed to become president to bring home the spoils of war to the priests. How can this be?
On a lighter note if you want to see full denial go to #feelthebern it’s hilarious.
There is no way Cruz is going to be close in delegates or votes. Trump got 1.3 million more votes than Cruz last night.
Ted Cruz is toast, no...burnt toast!!! His fifteen minutes of fame have flushed down the toilet bowl with him!!! They say Glenn Beck was holding his right hand and, Carly Fiorina was holding his left hand....as they tumbled down with the cold flush!!! Funny.....all three of them, Cruz, Beck & Fiorina tick you off when they say “Good Morning” to you!!! What real conservative in their right functioning mind could ever have backed this loser??? Go figure!!!
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