Would like some feedback on this post some time. Kindly think about it before hammering it. Thoughful is good: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3375805/posts?page=32#32
Lake I agree with most everything you said, however, I do not reach the same conclusion. What Donald has done for all of us that no one else can do is one thing - whether he's the right man for the Oval is not quite the same thing - whether he's the man who can beat Hillary is not the same thing. And remember, this is still a guy with a lot of big government reflexes in him. In fact, on all the big issues, his solutions seem to be more government, at least for a time. I find that very dangerous.
There is no doubt that Trump has carried the fight to the media. No one -- not even Cruz -- has rallied to Trump's forays. With illegal immigration, the consensus was condemnation of Trump, and while Cruz signaled support, he didn't get into the fight. With the exception of the aftermath of San Bernardino, most other candidates have distanced themselves from Trump or been barely audible. Cruz and Carson, and sometimes Fiorina, have been in the barely audible camp.
If Trump had not been in this race, Cruz would have been insignificant by now. He didn't have the firepower to withstand the establishment onslaughts and the media onslaughts that would have come his way.
Cruz remains relevant in this race purely because Trump has paved the way for him. That does not detract from his intelligence, policies, etc. In one sense, it means he read the terrain correctly and responded accordingly.
But he is the BENEFICIARY of Trump and not the instigator of or companion warrior with Donald Trump.
If I were Trump, I would pick Cruz as running mate, not because he'll deliver Texas -- because Texas will go Republican no matter who the candidate -- but because he is now the heir of the social conservative/Christian conservative base. Carson would split off some blacks, and Fiorina would split off some women, but Cruz is now the focal point for Christian Conservatives.