By Christopher Ruddy
Trump Defeated Himself in Iowa
Trump defeated himself.
I have no doubt that polls showing Trump leading in Iowa — and across the nation — have been largely accurate.
Trump is fresh, bold, brash and brave. His message is resonating with millions of Americans.
In some ways, he could be starting a Great Awakening in American politics, paving the way for "outsiders" to finally have their voice heard in Washington.
If Trump were elected president, it would be historic — the first "Citizen President." Every president to date has been a politician or general.
But Iowa underscores that Trump's great strengths can turn into fatal weaknesses, and this phenomena will make his gaining the nomination difficult.
Here's why.
Trump lost Iowa largely for one reason: he crushed Ben Carson.
Remember the likable doctor who was leading in Iowa polls?
Trump hit Dr. Ben hard, questioning his integrity and even his medical acumen.
Trump, as we know, is a super-effective communicator. Perhaps the best communicator ever fielded in a GOP race.
Trump used his verbal powers and eviscerated Carson. Carson's poll numbers collapsed, his campaign staff quit and his fundraising machine ground to a halt.
But it was a Pyrrhic victory for Trump because the Carson voters didn't back him — they switched to Cruz!
Poll numbers show Cruz's dramatic rise right after the Carson collapse.
Trump effectively defeated Carson to elect Cruz. Had Carson remained higher in the polls,he would have become Cruz's target, and the pair would have divided the evangelical vote, paving the way for an easy Trump win.
The lesson of Iowa is this: Reagan's 11th Commandment makes great political sense.
Reagan's directive famously said, "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican."
The lesson of Iowa is this: Reagan's 11th Commandment makes great political sense.
Reagan's directive famously said, "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican."
The idea is that GOP rivals can and should vigorously disagree on policy matters — but personal attacks should be avoided at all costs.
Reagan himself fought a bitter primary against Gerald Ford in 1976. But Reagan's campaign was a battle for his ideas — never a personal attack on Ford.
After Iowa, I have little doubt that Donald Trump will continue to lead the GOP field heading into New Hampshire's primary.
But Trump has to remember that as every candidate drops out – especially grassroots conservatives like Rand Paul, Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee, Carly Fiorina, and Rick Santorum — their supporters have to go somewhere.
Trump's sharp attacks on his fellow GOP rivals will make capturing these voters difficult. For the moment, Ted Cruz seems more inviting to them.
Back in November, after Trump had dominated the polls for so long, he should have made a strategic pivot to reach out to critics and take the high road.
He waited until tonight to do so. His concession speech was terrific, with a perfect tone.
"I love the people of Iowa," Trump said as he graciously congratulated Ted Cruz.
If Trump takes this new tack in the wake of Iowa, he just may win this yet.
Natural Born Citizen
DUAL CITIZENS - CRUZ & RUBIO
Comments :
My question is by whom,confirmed his eligibility, I really like senator Cruz and would vote for him if someone can show me he is eligible by law , not hearsay, by the Constitution ,if we don't follow the Law of the land : Barack Hussein Obama.is what happens and we dont want anymore of his kind.
HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO;
Cruz manages to get past the primary season with a win. The first problem comes; “will the GOP establishment” go along with the “peoples” choice of the nominee or will they seize control of the convention and force a Jeb Bush nomination because of Cruz’s birth issues? This is a very real issue because even the “Tea Party Constitutional Purest” are questioning whether he can legitimately be President.
Now for the second problem. Let us assume for a moment that Cruz blows past all of the above landmines and actually wins the general election against Hillary. Hillary (and we know what she is like) will no doubt file lawsuits against Cruz’s legitimacy as being Constitutionally legal to be President. This creates an actual “Constitutional Crises” for America. Do we have a President that is even legal? I know what you’re thinking; well heck Ken, we have not a legal one for over 6 years now!
This is different because Obama claimed to be born in America and the media and records (even though they were forged) backed him up. The other issue with that was the McCain was unwilling to challenge him in court. Hillary will not be so polite, particularly because it is widely known that Senator Cruz was actually born in Alberta. This would no doubt cause a legal suite that would end up in the Supreme Court. Then what happens?
If the court ruled that Cruz could not be President, do we have another election? Does Hillary become President because she was 2nd in the vote count? Can you see the can of worms this opens up if Senator Cruz does manage to dodge all those mines and become victorious in his bid?
I honestly believe these are questions that are no doubt going to crop up on the campaign trail.
Cruz manages to get past the primary season with a win. The first problem comes; “will the GOP establishment” go along with the “peoples” choice of the nominee or will they seize control of the convention and force a Jeb Bush nomination because of Cruz’s birth issues? This is a very real issue because even the “Tea Party Constitutional Purest” are questioning whether he can legitimately be President.
Now for the second problem. Let us assume for a moment that Cruz blows past all of the above landmines and actually wins the general election against Hillary. Hillary (and we know what she is like) will no doubt file lawsuits against Cruz’s legitimacy as being Constitutionally legal to be President. This creates an actual “Constitutional Crises” for America. Do we have a President that is even legal? I know what you’re thinking; well heck Ken, we have not a legal one for over 6 years now!
This is different because Obama claimed to be born in America and the media and records (even though they were forged) backed him up. The other issue with that was the McCain was unwilling to challenge him in court. Hillary will not be so polite, particularly because it is widely known that Senator Cruz was actually born in Alberta. This would no doubt cause a legal suite that would end up in the Supreme Court. Then what happens?
If the court ruled that Cruz could not be President, do we have another election? Does Hillary become President because she was 2nd in the vote count? Can you see the can of worms this opens up if Senator Cruz does manage to dodge all those mines and become victorious in his bid?
I honestly believe these are questions that are no doubt going to crop up on the campaign trail.
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