Friday, April 8, 2016

Presidential Horse Race 2016: How we know Ted Cruz remains the establishment’s biggest foe
By Jeffrey A. Rendall

Despite Ted Cruz’s big win in Wisconsin and Donald Trump’s possible decline, some in the establishment just won’t get behind the Texas senator. Plus, Make no mistake, Ted Cruz will give Democrats all they can handle; Looking ahead, Cruz lays a foundation in Indiana, and, New poll shows seven in ten don’t like Donald Trump.

I must admit, one of the most interesting – and humorous – aspects of covering the 2016 Republican presidential race has been watching the Washington establishment of both parties writhe in pain over the prospect of either Donald Trump or Ted Cruz winning the Republican nomination.

As the months went on and Trump’s poll leads turned into real votes, real victories and real delegates, many Republicans decided about a month ago (just prior to Super Tuesday) that something needed to be done to Ted Cruzstop him. Hence, the birth of the #NeverTrump movement coupled together with some limited peace overtures towards Trump’s one remaining viable contender, Ted Cruz.

Many in the establishment now look to be onboard with the conservative Texan, though it’s still difficult for others to come to grips with getting behind what they believe to be a force counter to their own selfish interests and power base.
Sean Sullivan and Paul Kane of the Washington Post report on their struggles, “In Washington and across the country, many mainstream Republicans who despise Trump — including many supporters of former candidate Marco Rubio — are still declining to support the senator from Texas, whose antagonism toward GOP leaders has been the centerpiece of his political rise.

“The lukewarm reception highlighted the difficulty Cruz faces in recasting himself as a bridge builder after years of bridge burning. Many top Republicans remain strongly opposed to both Cruz and Trump and hold out hope that long-shot candidate John Kasich, or perhaps another Republican not in the race, can somehow clinch the nomination.”

Hence, the humorous part in all of this. These people are so emotionally conflicted they’re repeatedly lying to themselves in holding out hope that some
miracle from establishment heaven is going to mysteriously materialize to save them from their worst nightmares.

If only Paul Ryan had run! If only Mitt Romney had given it another shot! What happened to Jeb Bush? Can we bring him back?


If anyone doubts Ted Cruz is still viewed as a serious threat to the establishment, please read Sullivan and Kane’s article. There’s anguish out there, folks.

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