Posted on 01/15/2016 1:41:05 PM PST by Brices Crossroads
Watching the Fox Business News debate last night, in particular Donald Trump's savage rejoinder to Ted Cruz's attack on "New York Values", I was reminded of a debate over twenty five years ago when another young Senator found himself on the receiving end of a similar shiv in the ribs from a more seasoned competitor.
In the 1988 Vice Presidential debate, Senator Dan Quayle was attempting to allay fears that he was too young (41) for the job. He compared his level of experience to that of John F. Kennedy at a similar point in their careers. His opponent, Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen, stood and watched until Quayle finished and then uncorked among the most memorable lines in American political history: "Senator, I knew Jack Kennedy, I served with Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." Quayle stood frozen at his podium, head down as Bentsen slowly and deliberately delivered the line, as if waiting for the blade of the guillotine to drop. When is was over with Quayle could only respond weakly, "That as uncalled for, Senator." Perhaps it was. I certainly thought so. But that single line, perfectly delivered, spelled the end of Dan Quayle as a political figure of consequence.
Fast forward to the debate last night. Ted Cruz set forth his bill of particulars against New York's sins of social liberalism (which actually afflict the entire country in varying degrees) in a rather transparent attempt to pander to the evangelicals in Iowa. When Cruz had finished Trump slowly and deliberately, in hushed tones, painted a picture of New York and New Yorkers as resilient and brave in the aftermath of 9/11. As Bentsen had hearkened back to a martyred President, Trump channeled the New York Fire Fighters and other heroes of September 11. The reaction was so electric that Cruz actually joined the audience in clapping for his opponent. By the time Trump turned to look at him and call him out to his face, Cruz just stood there mute with a sheepish smile on his face, like a beaten puppy. I was embarrassed for him. The optics of the exchange were so devastating for Cruz that it is hard to see how he recovers. The fact that Trump had telegraphed earlier in that day that he intended to allude to 9/11 made it all the more perplexing that Cruz, a reputedly seasoned debater, was unprepared for it and in fact doubled down on his earlier statements, leaving himself wide open to Trump's thrust. While Quayle was caught by surprise, Cruz was hoisted by his own petard.
Finally, pandering on social issues, such as abortion and gay marriage, is standard fare in a GOP primary. GOP candidates have been doing so for well over a quarter of a century. On the the rare occasions when the GOP has won elections in the last 25-30 years, the results for social conservatives have been underwhelming. I must confess that I have been taken in by this pandering more than once, because of my desire to see Roe v. Wade consigned to the ash heap of judicial history. No more. The candidates who shout the loudest and promise the most on this score never get around to the fact that a President's power to affect these issues is severely limited. From now on, it is not who yells the loudest about abortion that will get my vote, but the candidate who, I believe, will fight the hardest and most effectively to get his court appointments confirmed. Donald Trump has said that his favorite Supreme Court Justice is Clarence Thomas, the most conservative Justice on the Court and among the most conservative in history. I have no doubt that Trump would use his powers of persuasion and negotiation, including brass knuckled threats of political retribution against Senators, in order to get his nominations confirmed.
While Ted Cruz is certainly willing to talk about the social issues, at least in Iowa (if not at his fundraisers in Manhattan), I do not believe he would be nearly as effective in nominating conservative judges and, more to the point, getting them confirmed.
Yep.... he’s got all the air in the room right now. Take it and run with it. He can keep the press talking about him for months with this topic because they’re all in NYC. Prove what conservative is..... Run baby run....
Why? People who agree with Cruz about New York are already voting for him. Harping on this topic isn't going to help him any. Nor will being little Raphael-One-Note, the guy who can't stop talking about how much he hates the Empire State.
Trumptards out in full force.
Go seek help with your mental disabilities.
Cruz stepped in it so bad Steve King had to admit it on CNN this morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZjCc0PbcNY
Cruz can recover if he owns it and moves on.
New York Values...
Was it really directed at Trump???
Or just a reminder to the SEC Primary Voters...
Let Trump and NYawkers protest more...
Climb on my nose little NewYawk GingerBreadboy !
said the FOX( ; )
I disagree.... This is his chance to own it. I think he should make the most of it. And I don’t agree with your premise. I think he can syphon conservatives away from most of the others.
Your opinion, and while not a prudent comment, I call B.S. on the results.
was sheepishly speechless after that Trump comment
___________________________
I don’t think so. This is what the pundits are saying, but they are wrong. In fact, Cruz’s reaction was perfect. He was GRACIOUS in applauding Trump’s fine response and his defense of NY. Every moment of every debate doesn’t need to be adversarial. I thought it was a good moment for both men.
That was not a Dan Quayle moment, that was Lloyd Bentsen being an a**hole moment.
Yep... megyn Kelly, krauthamer, Morning joe and mika, CNN... all those NYers think a lot more highly of themselves and their city than most of this country thinks of them.
BC!!! Welcome back!!! I am always eager to read your take on things. Your input has been sorely missed around here.
You’re extremely wrong, but I hope he follows your advice.
WHY?
Because Ted will fall to a jebbie Bush percentage, in those 2 weeks. *snicker*
The butt hurt is gonna start if you knuckle draggers are successful in getting this yankee carpetbagger elected president and you suddenly see that, oops, The Donald really is a left winger with NYC values: pro gay marriage, pro gays in the military, pro abortion, pro amnesty, pro socialized medicine, etc.
In addition, The Donald, being the Big Business man that he is will naturally be a Big Government man once he’s in charge of that. Trump’s Wall will not only cost Americans billions of dollars (the Mexicans ain’t gonna pay for it) but we’ll end up with several new agencies to over see its construction and maintenance, undoubtedly with union thug and mob ties. NY values and all that..............
Trump going to 911 is classic liberal victimology.
WOW...what a stupid remark! LOL
I’m not sure you understand that most of the country is not infatuated with NYC. It’s like vegas... it’s a fun place to visit, but you’re glad that everything that is there stays there.
Maybe, but it was the predictable response -- something Ted Cruz should have seen coming -- and effective, too.
I totally agree.
It’s a non issue, unless Trump and the press he’s manipulating make it one. New Yorkers were never going to vote for any Republican, including Trump.
Those of us in flyover country knew exactly what Ted meant.
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