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.
The Cruz supporters just do NOT understand that simple thing at all. LOL
‘You can google the same pro abortion and gay pride and occupy images for Austin, Dallas and Houston, Texas. You don’t win by insulting states in debates.”
Who decided to insult Texas values here?
Are you just winging it instead?
Here’s what NY’s governor says his state’s values are.
So who do you agree with, Cuomo or Cruz?
He insulted values not the state - don't play the victim because, well you know 9-11.
I think it's politically suicidal. He may win Iowa with it, but he'll lose more delegate-rich states as a result. It will be the political equivalent of a dead-cat bounce.
You don’t know S**T from Shineola !
Only liberals think that Cruz made a mistake by identifying Trump with New York values.
Are you really that pathetic, or did I miss the sarcasm tag?
Cruzbotz are funny just stumbling all over the place since their Golden Boy stuck his foot in that big pompous mouth of his.
It’s over. Should be reflecting in the next batch of polls. Ted Zeppelin, hes Goin Down, goin down now.
I saw that rally and I bet that you never did!
I’m just curious, when was the last time New York helped to elect a Texan who is a Baptist, and is pro-life?
Who's your favorite when Cruz drops out? Jeb or Rubio I would imagine.
I beg to differ, because you definitely are the earlier ot those terms.
I know many CONSERVATIVE New Yorkers who live in other states where they have not only been welcomed, but liked very much.
Call us Winners.
Winners are Not Losers.
Cruz to Lose.
Because Trump didn’t question impugn values like Ted did of New Yorkers.
From the Trumpet camp? The ultimate of irony.
Very true and he may NOT even win Iowa.
WHO ARE YOU CALLING A “LIBERAL”, YOU COMMIE?
Trump made a crass comment about doubting Cruz’s conservative creds because his family came from Cuba.
Cruz, in what likely was meant as a tit-for-tat, made a crass comment about Trump having New York values, which was essentially implying the same doubts of his conservative creds.
Trump gets away with this, since these are the kinds of comments we expect from him, and because, hey - it’s Cuba, so say what you want.
Cruz doesn’t get away with it, because we expect better from him, and he unwisely (also unexpected from him) chose an American state as the subject of his taunt.
I think Cruz’s best move now is to just come out and admit it an ill-advised turn of a phrase in an attempt to get even with Trump over his Cuba comment, and apologize to New Yorkers.
He alienated many people and it was unnecessary. Not smart.
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