h/t Bobalu
Posted on 07/18/2015 6:54:45 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
So what are we to make of the Cruz/Trump meeting this past Wednesday? Many have reported on it, but both candidates are fairly mum. Prior to the meeting, Trump said: "I don't know why I'm meeting with him, to be honest, but I do have respect for him."
Some would say that the comment is a bit of a swipe at Cruz, but I believe it's just Trump being Trump. I think he likes being the maverick by portraying his candidacy as him against the entire Republican Party. And, for the most part, at least thus far, he's been pretty successful. Not that he necessarily has a strategy, but if this is it, it's working.
I also think he may have been a bit taken aback by Cruz's support of his illegal immigration "straight talk." I'm guessing he expected the entire field to run away from his stance, if he thought about it at all.
But then Ted Cruz stepped up to defend him. So now, it appears they are unlikely allies, at least on this one issue. And as far as The Donald saying what he said about the meeting with Cruz - I don't buy it.
Sure, Cruz can definitely use an ally like Trump at this point, and he's certainly intelligent enough not to go all in with Trump. But The Donald will need Cruz, also. He can possibly be Trump's voice of reason if and when he starts going off the rails - especially in the debates.
The first debate is rapidly approaching, and everyone is expecting a showdown between Trump and his immigration detractors - which appears to be the entire field, less Cruz.
I fully expect for the eight others to try to hammer Trump over his comments. I also fully expect at least a few to purposely take those comments out of context, just as the left, the establishment, and the entire pundit class has done.
And, at that point, Cruz, the brilliant debater, can take the reins and dismantle those who still wish to pander to illegals, figuring it will ingratiate them to Latinos and the spineless moderates. Moderates, as we know, are just liberals without the courage to admit it.
So for Trump, this meeting probably firmed up the ally status.
For Cruz, some have said that he went to New York just to kiss The Donald's ring. I don't believe that's either Cruz's style or his personality. He doesn't strike me as a groveler. I also think that Cruz has no problem as a maverick, and as Slate.com puts it: "the simple possibility of a loose partnership between the two will only add to the GOP establishment's Trump-related heartburn."
Also, many believe that Trump is simply not serious about the race, and Cruz figures The Donald will support someone if he drops out - so why not him?
Now, what I've yet to hear (and I'm a bit surprised not to have done so yet) is that the meeting was the initial strategy session to develop the framework of a Trump/Cruz ticket. Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but is it really that far-fetched? Frankly, is anything really that far-fetched anymore?
Ted Cruz is a smart guy, and as a former national debate champion, he must possess the power of persuasion. The Donald is a loose cannon who has changed his position on several issues over the years. Might Cruz believe it's possible for him to persuade Trump to adopt most of Cruz's originalist positions? It would be sort of like Cruz is the brains of the operation and Trump is the limelight-hogging mouthpiece. Frankly, I think Cruz would be good with that, providing he was confident enough that Trump would push his agenda.
But I doubt that this is what's going on, although it is an interesting possibility, and now is the time for fun spit-balling—before it starts getting serious.
Good article. I like the speculating by some and the sleepless nights by many. Trump and Cruz sleep like babies and thrive on adversity. It’s a beautiful thing to behold.
That's the ticket!
backwards. if anything.
Trump certainly owns property in a lot of peoples.mind
He would be like Joe Biden, eh? Let Trump be Trump!
The more Trump occupies that space, the more interesting and revealing this campaign will be.
I hope Cruz keeps Trump at an arm’s distance. The Donald is becoming toxic now.
I don’t want Trump to taint Cruz. If Trump is forced out maybe Cruz will go back up in the polls and be in the 1st debate.
Cruz is a much better debater than Bozo-haired Trump.
Trump would never take the VP slot under Cruz. Unless Trump self-destructs it will be Trump vs Bush. Cruz would be Trump’s VP if anything.
President Ted Cruz, then.
And if Trump self-destructs it will be another Bush coronation because Cruz is like 8th in the poles and Bush is 2nd. Better not bet against Trump. He can bring Cruz along with him.
A lot of good points.
I also speculate that Trump and Cruz are going to tag team Jebbie right out of the race. Rubio is tanking on his own and its not going to be hard to push Walker in the pool. He’s a nothing burger. Trump and Cruz can always duke it out later down the road.
h/t Bobalu
I remember when Palin met with Trump. I am just as mystified by this meeting as I was that one.
Interesting to be sure......Mr. Cruz is not stupid and plays chess while the others play checkers....
Would be really interesting if there was a connection....wouldn’t it?
Trump should name his entire cabinet, send them all out to do stump speeches.
Sarah Palin - Energy Sec [drill now, drill every damn place]
Mark Levin - Attorney General [jail the Obama gang]
etc..etc
Toxic for you maybe, but all I know are loving this, and most are laughing at the discomfiture of those of the Socialist persuasion. Somebody makes your enemies squirm, I can't help but like him, and I suspect I am not the lone voice in this.
It would be a hoot. I’d put Trey Gowdy in at AG though.
Wow.
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