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Since you support Cruz at any cost people just can't stop, this thread is locked.

Chas.

I just deleted my last responsive post and I'm backing away from this thread. I've given my opinion and there's nothing more I can say. It's time to work like carpenter ants to keep the baby-killing, gun-grabbing, constitution-burning Hillary out of the White House. Cruz's future in politics, if any, is not an issue for today. We must win the Presidency, retain a majority in the Senate and maintain or expand our margin in the House.

Nothing else matters at the moment.
Chas.

Okay, I guess this thread isn't going to die a natural death for a while.

Many Forum Members have repeatedly and correctly stated that, if elected officials run and win as Republicans, then they are honor-bound to support the Party's Platform. These elected officials are rightfully condemned for failing to do so.

Millions of Republicans voted in primaries around the country. Their choice, by record margins, was Donald Trump. If Cruz or anyone else wants to campaign under the Republican banner, then respect the will of those millions of Republicans and support the Party's Candidate. If you want the benefits of the Party, then support the people who make up the Party and respect their decision. Otherwise, leave the Party and run as an independent.

Chas.

I started this thread, now let me try to end it without actually locking it. Many of us have given our opinions about this issue, but Cruz's actions are now history, albeit recent history. The job now is to do everything we can to get Trump elected and Hillary to the political retirement home.

Join the NRA if you are not already a Member. Donate to the NRA/ILA. Talk to your friends and family and get them involved. As I said in a prior post, 2020 is not merely four years away, it's four years and four U.S. Supreme Court Justices down the road. If Hillary wins, it won't matter if Republicans sweep the House, Senate and Presidential elections in 2020, because a 6/3 liberal majority will control the SCOTUS for an entire generation.

Chas.

LSUTiger wrote:Here's Everything You Need To Know About Cruz's 'Vote Your Conscience' Speech

http://www.dailywire.com/news/7663/here ... benshapiro

The Trump Campaign knew Cruz was not going to endorse Trump, but they expected a speech to rally voters against Hillary. Trump's people didn't see the speech until two hours before Cruz spoke, but Trump allowed him to speak anyway. As Skiprr said in an earlier post, that speaks volumes about Trump.

Chas.

twomillenium wrote:

Charles L. Cotton wrote:

LSUTiger wrote:Does anybody really think that Ted Cruz's speech is gonna cost Trump the election? People are saying that even the VP picks are irrelevant. I agree. The only thing that matters is Trump vs Clinton. They only thing that might win or lose the election for Trump is his own words. That's the only thing that really matters or anyone will remember when they go to the voting booth.

I agree with you to an extent, but the "Cruz factor" that concern's me is his supporters staying home, or not voting in the Presidential election. Look at the stunt they tried to pull off at the Rules Committee meeting and on the floor of the Convention. At least some walked out during or at the end of Cruz's speech.

In my opinion, it's not so much that Cruz gave aid to the enemy, but his failure to rally the troops to defeat Hillary.

Chas.

Sen. Cruz did rally the troops! He told everyone including his supporters to VOTE your heart. Anyone who thinks that voting your heart in Nov. might be a vote for Clinton, was not going to vote for the Republican nominee. No matter who it was.

When your Party has nominated a candidate and you say to "vote your heart/conscience" rather than "vote for ______________________," you are not rallying the troops. You are sending quite a different message.

Chas.

LSUTiger wrote:Does anybody really think that Ted Cruz's speech is gonna cost Trump the election? People are saying that even the VP picks are irrelevant. I agree. The only thing that matters is Trump vs Clinton. They only thing that might win or lose the election for Trump is his own words. That's the only thing that really matters or anyone will remember when they go to the voting booth.

I agree with you to an extent, but the "Cruz factor" that concern's me is his supporters staying home, or not voting in the Presidential election. Look at the stunt they tried to pull off at the Rules Committee meeting and on the floor of the Convention. At least some walked out during or at the end of Cruz's speech.

In my opinion, it's not so much that Cruz gave aid to the enemy, but his failure to rally the troops to defeat Hillary.

Chas.

JALLEN wrote:. . . I don't understand the vitriol over Cruz. He didn't use the "e" word. So what? If he refuses to participate with Trump in the campaign, that might be a different story.

I have repeatedly stated that Cruz should have taken a Ronald Reagan approach. Reagan didn't endorse Ford, but he stood on the platform during the convention and gave a tremendous speech about unity, the risks we faced and he did it standing right next to Ford. Heck, he was almost arm-in-arm with Ford and smiling at him every time he looked at Ford. Everything about Reagan's speech and demeanor called for people to vote for Gerald Ford. Four years later, Reagan was elected and became the greatest President this country has ever seen. Politicians plan and scheem, while statesmen put the country's best interest ahead of their own.

Cruz's failure wasn't the lack of stating "I endorse Trump," it was what he said about the voting booth. Cruz said to go down the ballot and vote for people individually. (Message: Don't vote straight Republican ticket.] Then he said to "vote your conscience." Overall his speech was great, but it was the ending I have discussed that drew boos so loud his final words could hardly be heard.

I pains me to say these things about a man I have respected, appreciated and supported since he was Solicitor General of Texas. He's brilliant and he's right on most if not all issues, at least in my view. Last night, at a minimum, he took a step toward making sure none of the values he has professed and that I share will be exhibited by the next occupant of the White House. At worst, he did so for selfish reasons and in a misguided attempt to pave a way for him to become President.

Remember, 2020 is not merely fours years hence, it's four years and four Supreme Court Justices down the road.

Chas.

v7a wrote:

Charles L. Cotton wrote:Cruz gave his word, then didn't honor his pledge. Play all the word games you like, but that makes him a liar.

I wasn't playing any word games. Just pointing out the hypocrisy of criticizing Cruz for breaking his pledge as if Trump didn't also break his pledge.

It's not hypocrisy, unless you have a sliding scale on your integrity. I do not. If I give my word, I keep it. I expect the same of others, especially if they want my support in some fashion.

Chas.

psijac wrote:So the consensus is that Cruz has lost the election for Donald Trump. Can we stop pretending Donald Trump ever had a chance? I jumped on the Romney train four years ago, I know where it leads. This is good for Trump because he can just lay his inevitable at the feet of Ted Cruz.

Now is the time to make Battle Preparations against the Next President and their assault on the 2nd. Is new POTUS so powerful that the NRA can't stand against? Should all just have our boating accidents now? I seriously want to know because if they cannot my lifetime membership is worthless. This is the new day, a new start, the battle is over but the war continues. No fight is ever truly lost because no fight is ever truly won

That's not a consensus, but it's obviously your attitude. Cruz made a Trump victory more difficult, but not impossible. There will be Cruz supporters who will not vote for Trump because of his childish and selfish attitude, but Trump can still win. It will require people to rally around him, not whine and cry that Cruz didn't get the nomination or give up trying.

Chas.

v7a wrote:

ajwakeboarder wrote:but I am incredibly proud of him [Ted Cruz].

Ditto. Cruz has been fighting for the 2nd Amendment and conservative values for longer than Trump has pretended to be a Republican. Kudos to Cruz for not endorsing a New York liberal con man.

That Trump supporters on Twitter are upset that Cruz said "vote your conscience" speaks volumes. They apparently believe voting your conscience and voting for Trump are mutually exclusive.

As for the sacred pledge: Trump already broke his pledge back in March.

Donald Trump has rescinded his pledge to support the Republican nominee for president.

Asked during a CNN town hall whether he stood by the earlier pledge — which he signed in September after meeting with party chairman Reince Priebus — Trump said: "No, I don't."

"We'll see who it is," he told moderator Anderson Cooper.

Trump said he had been treated "unfairly" by the Republican National Committee and the GOP establishment. He said he was unsure whether the Republican establishment was plotting to take the nomination away from him during the convention in Cleveland.

He also said he didn't need Ted Cruz to promise to support him should Trump win the nomination.

"I’m not asking for his support," Trump said.

Cruz gave his word, then didn't honor his pledge. Play all the word games you like, but that makes him a liar.

Chas.

Skiprr wrote:. . . That says more to me, now, about Trump than it does about Ted.

Yes it does, it does indeed!

Chas.

ajwakeboarder wrote:I'm gonna get flamed for this, but I am incredibly proud of him. I can't believe anyone would expect him to endorse the man who implied his dad had something to do with a Presidential assassination, called him a liar, and a cheater. I will never be a politician because I don't have the temperament for it. I would have punched trump in the face early on in this race.

He didn't have to "endorse" him, he could have taken the Ronald Reagan approach. When Reagan lost to Gerald Ford, he stood on the podium with Ford at the convention and gave a great speech unifying the Party around the one candidate. Cruz should have done the same.

Many people, including me I must admit, previously stated that Cruz may be our best chance of having another Reagan in the White House. We owe Reagan a heartfelt apology. Reagan was a true statesman who put the country's interest above his own. Cruz is just another politician. By tomorrow when he realizes what he has done to his own political future, he may well try to "fix" his problem. It won't work.

Chas.

SRO1911 wrote:Cruz was professional, articulate, accurate and exactly what I would consider 'presidential'.
Pretty sure the rest of the circus is downhill from here.

And he went back on his pledge to support the ultimate Republican candidate. So much for honesty, integrity and being a man of his word. Every single commentator has said the same thing -- he cam across as a sore loser. Conscience my foot. He sold the country down the drain, went back on his promise and drove a stake through his own political heart.

Chas.

I will never vote for Cruz again.

Chas.