How Ted Cruz Can Still Beat Trump

[Votto]

This is now or never time for the nonTrump GOP voters. Trump is in position to secure a mathematical lock on the nomination certainly by the end of the month.

Cruz has to act NOW and tweak his message a bit, but compeltely overhaul his attacks on Trump.

To understand why what I am suggesting would work it is necessary to explain the underlying advantages and disadvantages on both candidates.

Trumps weaknesses are his lack of ideological fluency, but that is also a strength on many for whom the Wonk Word Salad answers just make them feel insulted. Trump is shunning the role of a moral champion or cultural champion of the US and that is a big weakness with the social conservatives and cultural conservatives.

Trumps strengths are his division of his opponents base. Kasich splits the Establishment lane with Rubio and Carson splits the moral Christian base with Cruz. So no wing of the GOP can unite to oppose Trump. Trump has a draw on American conservative that is based on his style and not his substance. He projects an ability to fix things, that the political class as a whole has lost. Trump also is blunt and people love his frankness and his 'Telling it like it is' persona.

Cruz weakness is a lawyerly style, lots of ideological word salads and a certain "I am the most pure ideologue" taint to his message that repels most voters who think a President has to be flexible in response to unexpected crisis situations.

Cruz strengths are his long record as a reflective conservative champion who will fight anyone that tries to undermine or ignore the American public. He has a firm command of the issues and he has a strong debate skill set. He is the ideal complete conservative spokesman.

This is what Cruz needs to do to win.

First of all stop attacking Trump as weak on conservative ideas and ideology litmus tests. Trump is pulling the people that are reflexive conservatives, not reflective conservatives. Cruz needs to focus on standing up for cultural and moral conservative people and highlight the fact that Trump repeatedly backs away from and shuns this role of the President being Americas moral leader using his bully pull pit for maximum advantage. Talk about Trumps record on gay marriage and and ask if they feel that certain that Trump wont flip flop again once he is in the White House and has four years ahead of him till his re-election.

Secondly, Cruz has to get an IT expert to make his www.tedcruz.org website free of viruses and redirects. He needs to buy www.tedcruz.com to remove alot of confusion people run into trying to find out more about him. IT will be worth the money, trust me. Then Cruz needs to set up his site as a data and information rallying point on Ted Cruz with all his policy details and positions with explanations and FAQs. He has most of this down, but really needs to focus more on the social conservative content to highlight where his target voter demographic differs from other GOP candidates. He also needs to have a 'rebuttals to latest opponent accusation' section that would help people get the Cruz side of the media stories and opponents attacks.

Third, Cruz needs to flank his opposition and offer some unexpected positions that would bring more attention to his independent thinking and that he is not just an ideologue. If he would stand and defend our cultural heritage and attack the left's attempts to bleach it away, it will give him a lot of support in Southern states whose cultural conservative base has felt under attack the last 7 years and abandoned by the GOP. No other GOP candidate is appealing to cultural conservatives and Ted Cruz could win their support simply by implication.

Trump has a lot of independent first time voter support. Cruz could compete for this block by calling for the decriminalization of marijuana. No one should be prosecuted for merely smoking pot, but only for doing it irresponsibly, i.e. trying to drive while on LSD. The worst drugs (like crack and LSD) traffickers should be the focus of federal prosecution, and marijuana sales should not be prosecuted. Cruz should promise a pardon on all marijuana based offenses, but not on violent crimes, with immediate release of any prisoners whose only crime is possession and redistribution of Pot. Then their should be a review with Congress of all drugs related laws and remove from that list drugs that are less harmful than alcohol and then plan for a Presidential pardon of the rest. This would also shore up libertarian support for Cruz as well.

Cruz should also make a bold declaration for an Article V States Amendment Constitutional Convention to wrap up some controversies that have plagued our nation for the last 50 years. Balanced Budget, Term Limits, Declaration of War revision, etc, there are many things such a convention could address and still have the safe guard of the required approval of 3/4s of the states.

Cruz needs to simplify his message to sound bites, like Trump has. Cruz has won over the conservatives at the National Review and radio talk show hosts already, so reach out more to regular reflexive conservatives who feel like politicians are talking over their heads and wont keep these wonky policy promises sure to be loaded with fine letter escape clauses anyway. Like Trump's 'Make America Great Again" Cruz needs to simplify his message to a sound bit size and put it everywhere. FOX was showing an intro to the top three candidates and Trump had his motto shown and Rubio's canned speech opening, but when Cruz was shown it was way too wordy and sleep inducing for most people.

Some suggestions:
"Let's give our children an American future they can look forward to!"

"Let's clean up Washington DC and give it back to the American people!"

"I will be a President you and your family can be proud of!"

Hell, he might be using some of these already, but people are too dozey to remember.

And the last idea that I think would be dynomite for Cruz would be to puncture Trumps image by having a comedian pose with him on stage dressed up like Trump and responding to Cruz's questions and rebuttals using Trumps own statements. Cruz websites should document these statements. The Trump-clone should be lampoonish but he has to accurately reflect Trumps actual positions to buy authenticity in what the clone says. And then have Cruz debate the man to make him look like a man out of his depth, predisposed to making more flip-flops in the future and DEFLATE Trumps persona of being a man who can 'get her done'. I think this can be more effective with reflexive voters than trying to do wonkish critiques of Trumps lack of ideological purity.

Either way, I like Trump, but I think I prefer Ted Cruz, but God bless them both!

Cruz still has some time to make a reality show.

It's the only way to reach the American voter.

It's either that or promise everything will be free.

 

[ptbw forever]

Unless Cruz or Rubio beat Trump badly in the South this is over.

Trump will win the Northeast and the Midwest, and most, if not all of the East and West coasts.

Trump's appeal to all types of the electorate is just too much for a conventional politician to handle.

He is not going to get more than 35% to 40% in any state. I does appeal to a large electorate but he also turn off a large electorate.

35 to 40 is more than enough in a 3 or 4 man race.

However, he is doing better than 40% in a lot of states(like Nevada)

There isn't enough time to stop him now.

You take Rubio, Bush and Kasich polling numbers and one of the three will beat Trump. With Bush out, his votes will most likely go to Rubio and Rubio moves very close to Trump. Rubio needs to capitalize on His good showing in S. Carolina, Cruz's new issues and Trump not getting much more than what he has and Trump becomes beatable.

Bush had very little support and Kasich is only relevant in a few states(and he won't drop out in time).

The 9% Bush got in South Carolina was actually pretty good for him.

What is likely to happen is a 2 on 1 beat down on Rubio from Trump and Cruz on immigration, which will destroy Rubio and guarantee Trump the nomination.

 

[JimH52]

Cruz is toast.

I can see you dug deep into your intellect. lol!

Kevin McCarthy: 'I think it's down to a two-person race' - CNNPolitics.com

Like I said.....Toast.

 

[ptbw forever]

Unless Cruz or Rubio beat Trump badly in the South this is over.

Trump will win the Northeast and the Midwest, and most, if not all of the East and West coasts.

Trump's appeal to all types of the electorate is just too much for a conventional politician to handle.

Let's be clear: to a certain significant minority of the Republican electorate. We have seen absolutely nothing that he appeals significantly to the center of the left.

I was specifically talking about Republicans in the primary, but Trump will definitely pull a lot more Democrats in the general election than you think he will.

 

[JimH52]

Unless Cruz or Rubio beat Trump badly in the South this is over.

Trump will win the Northeast and the Midwest, and most, if not all of the East and West coasts.

Trump's appeal to all types of the electorate is just too much for a conventional politician to handle.

Let's be clear: to a certain significant minority of the Republican electorate. We have seen absolutely nothing that he appeals significantly to the center of the left.

I was specifically talking about Republicans in the primary, but Trump will definitely pull a lot more Democrats in the general election than you think he will.

With the possibility of a SC justice seat on the line and the control of the SC, I don't think so.

 

[Papageorgio]

Cruz is toast.

I can see you dug deep into your intellect. lol!

Kevin McCarthy: 'I think it's down to a two-person race' - CNNPolitics.com

Like I said.....Toast.

Letting others do your thinking for you. Your are a deep thinker, did you need someone to read your opinion to you?

 

[Indeependent]

Cruz is toast.

I can see you dug deep into your intellect. lol!

Kevin McCarthy: 'I think it's down to a two-person race' - CNNPolitics.com

Like I said.....Toast.

Wondering...Retired and living well?

 

[JimH52]

Cruz is toast.

I can see you dug deep into your intellect. lol!

Kevin McCarthy: 'I think it's down to a two-person race' - CNNPolitics.com

Like I said.....Toast.

Letting others do your thinking for you. Your are a deep thinker, did you need someone to read your opinion to you?

Haven't uou concluded yet that even THE GOP does not like Cruz. Just a few more weeks and he will bow out.

 

[Papageorgio]

Cruz is toast.

I can see you dug deep into your intellect. lol!

Kevin McCarthy: 'I think it's down to a two-person race' - CNNPolitics.com

Like I said.....Toast.

Letting others do your thinking for you. Your are a deep thinker, did you need someone to read your opinion to you?

Haven't uou concluded yet that even THE GOP does not like Cruz. Just a few more weeks and he will bow out.

I didn't say anything either way, just commented on your intellect.

 

[Moonglow]

Cruz has to do well on March 1, or he has little chance.

His only chance after that will be to beat Rubio in the delegate count and hope to over-take Trump at the convention.

He said if it's all for nothing he's running for Canadian MP next..

 

[JimBowie1958]

Cruz came in third in a southern state. He will finish no better than third the rest of the way. With Bush out Rubio will pick up the majority of his votes. If Kasich drops out, they will mostly go to Rubio. If Carson drops, his votes will go to Trump and Cruz. When Cruz drops out most of his support will go to Rubio.

Rubio will become the big winner as people drop out Trump will not garner more than 35%-40% of the GOP he has crested.

You people keep claiming Trump cant do this or wont do that, and you have been proven wrong every step of the way.

Trump is already polling at 50% in MASSACHUSETTS, hardly his strongest state, dude.

 

[JimBowie1958]

Well, that's wrong. Ben's people will go to Cruz. Kasich's will go to Rubio. None is going to Trump.

After what Cruz did to Carson in Iowa?

Tom, why are you arguing with yourself?

 

[Papageorgio]

Cruz came in third in a southern state. He will finish no better than third the rest of the way. With Bush out Rubio will pick up the majority of his votes. If Kasich drops out, they will mostly go to Rubio. If Carson drops, his votes will go to Trump and Cruz. When Cruz drops out most of his support will go to Rubio.

Rubio will become the big winner as people drop out Trump will not garner more than 35%-40% of the GOP he has crested.

You people keep claiming Trump cant do this or wont do that, and you have been proven wrong every step of the way.

Trump is already polling at 50% in MASSACHUSETTS, hardly his strongest state, dude.

Okay.

 

[JimBowie1958]

Haven't uou concluded yet that even THE GOP does not like Cruz. Just a few more weeks and he will bow out.

And that will be long enough for Trump to get a mathematical lock on the nomination.

 

[JimBowie1958]

Cruz came in third in a southern state. He will finish no better than third the rest of the way. With Bush out Rubio will pick up the majority of his votes. If Kasich drops out, they will mostly go to Rubio. If Carson drops, his votes will go to Trump and Cruz. When Cruz drops out most of his support will go to Rubio.

Rubio will become the big winner as people drop out Trump will not garner more than 35%-40% of the GOP he has crested.

You people keep claiming Trump cant do this or wont do that, and you have been proven wrong every step of the way.

Trump is already polling at 50% in MASSACHUSETTS, hardly his strongest state, dude.

Okay.

OK!

 

[Zander]

Trump is the man to beat. He has YUUGE momentum. He is running the smartest campaign in GOP history, IMHO.
Cruz needs a big win in Texas to remain viable. Regardless, he will not drop out any time soon. He is in to the end or until Trump locks it up.
Kasich will stay in until at least Ohio (march 15) . He's been a good governor.He might surprise between now and then too...
Carson is coming to a close..soon. Probably shortly after Super Tuesday.
Rubio is the neocon puppet, fully controlled by the donor class and the GOPe. . I hope he shits the bed and drops out. But the GOPe will not allow that. They will spend every cent they have (cash and political favors) to keep him in the race.

Bottom line - as long as this remains at least a 3 horse race- Trump rules.

 

[John93JK]

eww, ted cruz should not lead anything... ew.
right now. trump > > > > > > rubio > > > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >cruz.

trump might be slightly wack, but cruz will just put the usual blablabla politislime all over the place. plus cruz looks like a sad dragqueen.

 

[JimBowie1958]

Trump is the man to beat. He has YUUGE momentum. He is running the smartest campaign in GOP history, IMHO.
Cruz needs a big win in Texas to remain viable. Regardless, he will not drop out any time soon. He is in to the end or until Trump locks it up.
Kasich will stay in until at least Ohio (march 15) . He's been a good governor.He might surprise between now and then too...
Carson is coming to a close..soon. Probably shortly after Super Tuesday.
Rubio is the neocon puppet, fully controlled by the donor class and the GOPe. . I hope he shits the bed and drops out. But the GOPe will not allow that. They will spend every cent they have (cash and political favors) to keep him in the race.

Bottom line - as long as this remains at least a 3 horse race- Trump rules.

And as you said, Cruz and Rubio will not drop out.

I still think it is hypothetically possible for Cruz to win it, but he isnt doing anything of the sort that he needs to do.

 

[JimBowie1958]

eww, ted cruz should not lead anything... ew.
right now. trump > > > > > > rubio > > > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >cruz.

trump might be slightly wack, but cruz will just put the usual blablabla politislime all over the place. plus cruz looks like a sad dragqueen.

Dude, Cruz is leading in Texas by about 5% points over Trump and trouncing Rubuthole.

Texas has 155 delegates.

 

[Zander]

Trump is the man to beat. He has YUUGE momentum. He is running the smartest campaign in GOP history, IMHO.
Cruz needs a big win in Texas to remain viable. Regardless, he will not drop out any time soon. He is in to the end or until Trump locks it up.
Kasich will stay in until at least Ohio (march 15) . He's been a good governor.He might surprise between now and then too...
Carson is coming to a close..soon. Probably shortly after Super Tuesday.
Rubio is the neocon puppet, fully controlled by the donor class and the GOPe. . I hope he shits the bed and drops out. But the GOPe will not allow that. They will spend every cent they have (cash and political favors) to keep him in the race.

Bottom line - as long as this remains at least a 3 horse race- Trump rules.

And as you said, Cruz and Rubio will not drop out.

I still think it is hypothetically possible for Cruz to win it, but he isnt doing anything of the sort that he needs to do.

He needs to win 100+ delegates from his home state of Texas. If he does, anything can happen! My money is on Trump.