Let me add an addendum to your thoughts, Jeff.
In reality, the candidates must win their home states handily for it to be a clear message of support from their own state.
What it boils down to is this...we must be fair. TRUMP must ALSO win New York. Given that principle, it is also only fair to say that Cruz must win Texas by as much as Trump wins New York. Rubio must win Florida by as much as Trump wins New York. Kasich must win Ohio by as much as Trump wins New York. I’m not sure which state Carson is claiming as his own, but the same principle applies.
Squeaking through a close battle with Trump in one’s own state is certainly not an endorsement. In my view, it demands more than a bare victory. I think it requires a minimum double digit victory.
Some will say that I’m being partisan because I support Trump. I am a Trump supporter, but I think the logic of expecting a candidate to win in his own back yard is extremely rational.
What does it say if your Mom says that she cares for an unknown kid almost as much as you, and she’s written him into the will for almost as much as you get?
All of this ‘win his own state’ stuff must be in balance. Now certainly, if Cruz loses Texas, that’s huge. That means Mom wrote him out of the will altogether in favor of a stranger.
But if the stranger is in Mom’s will AT ALL, then YOU have a problem, “Houston”. (pun intended)
Agree. it’s not enough to just win. that won’t be a clear enough endorsement.