I love the mindless idiocy of the “Conservative Purity†bots. They all worship this myth that Reagan went to DC, took off his coat, and proceeded to kick everyone’s butt.
No, the real Reagan went to DC, and cut deals with a Democrat Congress to get what he wanted done and the “Conservative Media Establishment†of the time all when into hysteric about “Reagan betraying the Conservative baseâ€.
If Cruz wins, he will go to DC and be forced to do the same thing to advance and the “Conservative Purity†bots will go into hysterics about it just like they did with Reagan.
With pandering to the ethanol lobby and the vow to continue the EPA to enforce that mandate in Iowa, Mr Trump broke any chance of getting my vote.
Considering Gov. Branstad had pulled out the long knives for Cruz because Cruz said he'd eliminate the mandate (The Gov's son is an ethanol industry lobbyist), Trump's announcement very shortly afterward that he'd seek to increase the mandate and use the EPA to the fullest extent of the law to enforce it reeked of pandering for local GOP support. I have belabored the forum with the implications of that trade off for everyone, and for merely Iowa, but that was the deal breaker for me.
It takes a HUGE logical disconnect to vow to continue the one agency which has been the standard bearer (literally) of the destruction of American industry and then say you're going to make America Great again.
That's like raising the speed limit and dynamiting the bridge.
None of the candidates is perfect, and some far less than others, but Cruz does have the sand to stand his ground against hostile media and a hostile Congress. I think he'll play a better game of hardball, and be less likely to measure success by making deals than accomplishing Conservative goals.
YMMV