2015-2016 Republican Primary Season - Trump Courts the Conservatives

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Interesting.

Libertarian Gary Johnson in double digits in race against Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump: poll - Washington Times

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Interesting.

Libertarian Gary Johnson in double digits in race against Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump: poll - Washington Times

Keep in mind that 3rd party candidates do a lot better in early polling than the actual election.

It's a safer place to put a protest vote .

[JPhillips]

Double that and he still doesn't win any states. A third party candidate isn't going to even sniff victory.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Double that and he still doesn't win any states. A third party candidate isn't going to even sniff victory.

Yeah but I thought 5% gets you into the debates. I won't fool myself into thinking this translates into a presidency but certainly could push some Libertarian issues to the general publics view in a Perot sort of way.

[Ben E Lou]

#CruzSexScandal

More rumor/innuendo than anything else, at this point, but quite the entertaining hashtag.

[digamma]

Gross. Can I choose to unlearn about that?

[Ben E Lou]

Look on the bright side Ted, at least no one is talking about you being the Zodiac Killer anymore #CruzSexScandal pic.twitter.com/SaIEdJAeRa

— Marklen Kennedy (@MarklenKennedy) March 25, 2016

GOP strategists rn #CruzSexScandal pic.twitter.com/6XOfBoWrqJ

— Adam Khan (@Khanoisseur) March 25, 2016

We now cut to a live look-in at RNC headquarters. #cruzsexscandal pic.twitter.com/qKmDL6W2uA

— Justin Surber (@JSur07) March 25, 2016

Everyone waiting on #Twitter to see what @realDonaldTrump has to say about #CruzSexScandal like pic.twitter.com/I6zhzjKVAJ

— Alan Ly (@theAlanLy) March 25, 2016

waiting for @realDonaldTrump to log on.. #CruzSexScandal pic.twitter.com/oXDOpWCuo6

— Diane McCarty (@imjustdiane) March 25, 2016

[Neuqua]

Yeah twitter was having a lot of fun with the #CruzSexScandal last night.

[Easy Mac]

Yeah, twitter was of little help this morning in figuring out what exactly the rumors were. I ended up having to google the hash tag to get actual articles about it. I decided to google it in incognito mode just so I wouldn't have that in my search history for the rest of time.

[mckerney]

I'm not buying it, even if it is coming from the same person who broke the John Edwards scandal. Sure, of course Cruz is an immoral slimeball, and I don't think it was a surprise to anyone when his email was in the addresses from the Ashley Madison hack. But that five women were willing to have sex with Ted Cruz? Unbelievable.

[QuikSand]

Jose A. DelReal on Twitter: "Statement from Donald Trump on Cruz allegations: https://t.co/eRifGQO4Jr"

[JPhillips]

I'd bet Roger Stone has been behind a lot of stuff ever since he "resigned" from the campaign. A Nixon veteran knows all about plausible deniability.

[Solecismic]

Behind the scenes, there's a lot of work going on.

In the Virgin Islands, most of the elected delegates failed to fill out paperwork and won't go to the national convention. They were replaced. Rubio picked up two pledged delegates, Trump one and Cruz one.

In Louisiana, Cruz's organization is far superior to Trump's. So, despite Trump winning, 41.4%-38.8% (under rounding rules and congressional district divisions, this ended up being 18-18 in terms of pledged delegates), Cruz's team won most of the leadership roles at the state convention, and, in a contested convention, Cruz would have a heavy advantage.

And in polling, Cruz seems to have opened a small lead in Wisconsin.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

in a contested convention, Cruz would have a heavy advantage.

You mean, if he makes it that far.

If there's any fire to go with today's smoke, he's finished.

[stevew]

Going to have to take a shower after I say this-

Entirely possible The Cruz's have an arrangement with each other and if so people should mind their own business



(And I fucking hate this Canuck asshole)

[Solecismic]

Originally Posted by stevew

Going to have to take a shower after I say this-

Entirely possible The Cruz's have an arrangement with each other and if so people should mind their own business



(And I fucking hate this Canuck asshole)

In the interest of reducing the threat of proliferation, maybe it's best to contain the Cruz missile.

I don't really see the relevance. It hasn't affected the Clintons, why should it matter here? Edwards' campaign was derailed by lying and a baby was involved and his wife was dying of cancer.

Of course, I'm socially liberal, so I'm not someone who would be considering Cruz anyway. This could hurt him with his core. Still a long way from being credible - especially in this day and age when the media will report anything as fact if it suits their politics.

Cruz needs to attack the media in response, not Trump. Unless the allegations are true and there's a chance someone can prove them.

[Ben E Lou]

Jon is right. Cruz's base will break out pitchforks and torches if any part of it can be proven.

[larrymcg421]

I absolutely agree that it shouldn't matter. But it's naive to think it won't matter. It hits Cruz's base support much harder than a cheating scandal did to Clinton or would to Trump.

[Arles]

Ironically enough, the people who wouldn't really care about this (socially liberal, myself included) wouldn't have considered voting for him to begin with. The only thing I've enjoyed is referencing his shot at Bill Clinton for womanizing (saying how the truth will come out) back in January when he was asked about it.

[stevew]

One of the ladies is in the media and another is a Fiorino staffer supposedly. They matched 3 pictures.

It's probably deadly to his base but maybe he uses this as a learning experience to stop acting like an asshole to others

[JPhillips]

One of them is the wackadoo spokeswoman for Trump.

[JPhillips]

What odds could I have gotten on Cruz talking about fucking Trump?

Well, let me be clear: Donald Trump may be a rat, but I have no desire to copulate with him.

(To be clear it was in reference to Roger Stone being a ratfucker, but still...)

[larrymcg421]

Apparently now there are rumors that it was actually Rubio people behind the Cruz scandal.

[JPhillips]

This is where the universal animosity towards Cruz hurts him. Nobody is coming out to defend him.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

What odds could I have gotten on Cruz talking about fucking Trump?



(To be clear it was in reference to Roger Stone being a ratfucker, but still...)

So is he saying he'd be okay fucking most rats but Trump is the exception?

[molson]

I feel like for conservatives, this isn't a huge deal if it's their guy. People make mistakes and Christians can be very forgiving. And don't we know about trump's infedelity? (Edit: looking it up, yes, trump has admitted cheating on his wife. But he has also admitted being pro-choice and pro-universal health care, so who knows what rules apply to him) Who is the republican candidate who has lived a clean and moral life?

[Arles]

Originally Posted by molson

Who is the republican candidate who has lived a clean and moral life?

Ironically enough, the one guy social conservatives would never consider:

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by molson

I feel like for conservatives, this isn't a huge deal if it's their guy. People make mistakes and Christians can be very forgiving. And don't we know about trump's infedelity? (Edit: looking it up, yes, trump has admitted cheating on his wife. But he has also admitted being pro-choice and pro-universal health care, so who knows what rules apply to him) Who is the republican candidate who has lived a clean and moral life?

For the most part, the Cruz "evangelical" base doesn't consist of the types who want their opinions shaped by Biblical principles no matter what. No, they're frequently the types who pick and choose the Biblical principles that fit their own personal moral code, espouse those, and ignore the rest.

And typically with that lot, adultery is going to be a huge deal, irrespective of how often they've committed it themselves, and forgiveness isn't necessarily part of the equation either.

[Surtt]

Originally Posted by stevew

Going to have to take a shower after I say this-

Entirely possible The Cruz's have an arrangement with each other and if so people should mind their own business

Normally I would agree with you.
But when you campaign on family values, this is relevant to his integrity.

[AlexB]

I've lost count of the number of times I've thought this, but surely Trump's 'go for the jugular' tweet based on a mistaken belief that Cruz had used his wife in an ad is going to stop any sane person voting for him?

You cannot have the President of the USA being someone who will lash out based on knee-jerk assumptions before knowing full facts. If he did something similar with Putin, Kim, Xi it could lead to something very serious.

The Economist had the risk Trump being President as the sixth biggest threat to world security. I think they underestimated him

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

In the interest of reducing the threat of proliferation, maybe it's best to contain the Cruz missile.

I don't really see the relevance. It hasn't affected the Clintons, why should it matter here? Edwards' campaign was derailed by lying and a baby was involved and his wife was dying of cancer.

Of course, I'm socially liberal, so I'm not someone who would be considering Cruz anyway. This could hurt him with his core. Still a long way from being credible - especially in this day and age when the media will report anything as fact if it suits their politics.

Cruz needs to attack the media in response, not Trump. Unless the allegations are true and there's a chance someone can prove them.

The relevance is that Cruz wants to be considered the "right hand man of God", and has courted the evangelical vote since day 1. If this turns out to be true, he loses a lot of that vote and will make people wonder what other "sins" he's committed.

[Ryche]

Originally Posted by Arles

Ironically enough, the one guy social conservatives would never consider:

When he's not considered conservative enough the Republican party is in serious trouble

[JPhillips]

It's not so much policy as temperament. Kasich just isn't enough of a belligerent asshole for today's GOP.

[Ryche]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

It's not so much policy as temperament. Kasich just isn't enough of a belligerent asshole for today's GOP.

So sad, so true. They keep saying they want Reagan but he wouldn't get anywhere near the presidency today.

[Solecismic]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

It's not so much policy as temperament. Kasich just isn't enough of a belligerent asshole for today's GOP.

The same could be said of where the Democrats are today, it's just a different brand of asshole.

But I think part of is that Kasich doesn't lead. He's the guy who reads the focus group report and gives you a measured reaction. There's a lot of value in having Kasich around, but he doesn't really inspire you or stand for anything. Having a Kasich rally is a lot like tailgating before the big forensics competition.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Having a Kasich rally is a lot like tailgating before the big forensics competition.

I love this.

My favorite part when he won Ohio was watching his wife and daughters in the background during his speech. Mom looked like she was going to kill somebody if she didn't get a triple martini *right now* and I'm pretty sure at least one of those girls was catching hell when she got home for waving at people too much.

(Don't get me wrong: Kasich is my favorite candidate on this side of the slate...but we still call him President Grandpa in my house.)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ryche

When he's not considered conservative enough the Republican party is in serious trouble

When a lightweight do-nothing p.o.s. like Kasich is considered an actual contender for the Republican nomination, the entire country is in serious trouble.

His amnesty sentiments alone make him unfit for office, he's worse than useless, he's part of the fucking enemy.

[Ryche]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

When a lightweight do-nothing p.o.s. like Kasich is considered an actual contender for the Republican nomination, the entire country is in serious trouble.

His amnesty sentiments alone make him unfit for office, he's worse than useless, he's part of the fucking enemy.

If anyone you actually think is qualified becomes president this country is done.

[GrantDawg]

It is going to be interesting to see if this Cruz scandal is going to have any legs at all. I doubt very seriously that any part of it is true. Not that someone like him couldn't be a serial adulterer (seriously all this "who would do him?" crap is silly. Any man with the least bit of power can collect mistresses. It has nothing to do with looks or personality at that point). It is more who they claim he had sex with that is very suspect. Basically they found any moderately attractive woman that has worked for, or close to, him at any given time. It is so clear they just found women that they know people can get pictures of both of them together. Proof would be if any of the women actually admitting it. Picking who they did makes it very unlikely, because it would end their careers because of the positions they hold. (if anyone has better way of writing that sentence, let me know. My grammar and vocabulary failed me there)

This is like the National Inquire story that Obama had 12 mistresses. It as mostly ignore because there was never any proof, and made up in much the same way. That the Trump-idiots will keep bringing this up on social media every chance they get is the only way this has a long term affect (and again, it will be interesting to see if that alone is enough to make a measurable affect).

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

That the Trump-idiots will keep bringing this up on social media every chance they get is the only way this has a long term affect (and again, it will be interesting to see if that alone is enough to make a measurable affect).

Riiiight.

The only mentions of it I've seen on my social media have been from butt-hurt Cruzians, aside from the rest of us chuckling as Trump's published statement.

Cruz was, essentially, already dead to us as a candidate & nothing more than an annoyance prior to this reveal. That means it was really a lot less interesting than you think.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Riiiight.

The only mentions of it I've seen on my social media have been from butt-hurt Cruzians, aside from the rest of us chuckling as Trump's published statement.

Cruz was, essentially, already dead to us as a candidate & nothing more than an annoyance prior to this reveal. That means it was really a lot less interesting than you think.

It is not like I am making that up, Jon. Just search #cruzsexscandle on twitter. It is actively being pushed by Trump supports, with many tweets from campaign supporters to encourage people to keep it trending.

[PilotMan]

God this whole thing is such a CF. The general is going to be even more painful. Where's my popcorn?

[larrymcg421]

I love the spread on these Utah polls from Deseret News

Clinton 38, Trump 36
Sanders 48, Trump 37
Cruz 60, Clinton 32
Cruz 53, Sanders 39

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

God this whole thing is such a CF. The general is going to be even more painful. Where's my popcorn?

I can't believe the Presidential Election has come to this. It's pretty insane all the way around.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

God this whole thing is such a CF. The general is going to be even more painful. Where's my popcorn?

Even if he loses, Donald's going to be around for a while. The entertainment will extend past the election regardless of how it ends up.

[PilotMan]

You know before this is all done, Donald is going to sue someone. We should be taking bets on it.

[Edward64]

Hope this passes. We need to reaffirm everyone's gun carry rights and we know the GOP is going to try screw Donald.

Thousands Petition To Allow Guns At Republican Convention For 'Safety'

Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition calling for Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland to allow guns at the Republican National Convention — all in the name of safety.

The Change.org petition, which had more than 26,000 supporters as of Saturday evening, claims that the arena’s weapon ban makes those who attend the RNC in July “sitting ducks, utterly helpless against evil-doers and criminals.”

It’s addressed to Republican candidates like Donald Trump, who’s quoted as promising to eliminate gun-free zones in schools should he be elected.

[Dutch]

Stupid games...is this really important?

[PilotMan]

Only in the way that the idea of unpermitted, open carry (as in no C&C required), is working it's way through all the state legislatures where it isn't. It's being pushed by the very same people and groups that are represented in the RNC. I wrote my state congressman stating my opposition to it. The response I got back was that it was a good bill. It seems to me that there are so many holes and questions that it raises, and yet it feels like it's all being rammed down the heavily controlled Red states that any opposing voice doesn't matter.

[Ben E Lou]

How on earth has this been on the interwebz for more than a week and not gotten one mention here:



30-second "teaser" version is here: Donald Trump dances to Stand By Me at fundraiser – video | US news | The Guardian