David French:
I tip my cap, unreservedly, to Ted Cruz. With everything on the line — and so many GOP colleagues cowed and intimidated — he took on Donald Trump and won. Late last year I wrote that the GOP needed an actual leader, someone who would step up and take on Trump directly:
Now is the time. A presidential campaign is an early test of leadership, a proving ground for dealing with the challenges of the world’s most difficult job. I don’t want the last man standing. I want the guy who took down the king. If Trump can absorb the best shots from the Republican party’s best young talent, then he deserves the nomination. If one of the two talented freshman senators can dethrone The Donald, then at least we have some assurance that they can first stand strong against the coming Clinton onslaught and then have the strength of will to lead a nation desperate not just for wisdom but for the right kind of tough-minded leadership.
Cruz challenged the king of polls — the man who’d intimidated so many others — and he won. And he did so when the conventional wisdom said that he’d lose — that the larger the turnout, the greater the chance that Trump would win. Instead, with record Iowa turnout, Cruz won.
This is a deeply encouraging moment for the conservative movement. To his immense and undying credit, Cruz refused to pander on ethanol, he defied Iowa’s popular governor, and he stuck to his conservative principles — and he won.
Yes, Marco Rubio exceeded all expectations, but tonight was Ted Cruz’s night. There is much hard fighting ahead, but had Trump won, we would even now be shuddering not just for the future of the conservative movement but for the future of a nation bounded and governed by constitutional principles.
“a nation bounded and governed by constitutional principles.”
Someone’s apparently been sleeping for the last seven+ years.
“we have some assurance that they can first stand strong against the coming Clinton onslaught and then have the strength of will to lead a nation desperate not just for wisdom but for the right kind of tough-minded leadership.”
No, we have the assurance that they can be rock stars. Winning an election has little to do with being a good leader. (Insert criticisms of Trump and his followers with name changed from “Trump” to Cruz”.)
Look, I respect Cruz, and think that he would make a good president. I’m not about to stay home or vote for Hillary if my candidate doesn’t get the nomination, unlike so many of Trump’s whining little critics. But let’s keep it real, okay?
The National Review quoting more of the National Review.
But they missed how Cruz won.
He gave his precinct captains fake emails as if from the Ben Carson campaign.
Those emails claimed Carson was dropping out BEFORE the vote and that all Carson supporters should throw their votes to Cruz.
Rep. King even told that lie in person at one precinct.
Ben’s wife was able to debunk it at one precinct where she happened to be when it was going around.
A shameful dirty trick, worse than that Voter Report Card mailer.
Those of us old enough to remember Nixon know that dirty tricksters can get elected but make lousy presidents.
@Nanny G:
Shame on you, Nan. You’re taking a story and only presenting half of it. I understand that you have become enamored with the Trumpster, but it was not the Cruz campaign that created the buzz Carson might be packing it in.
http://therightscoop.com/carson-accuses-cruz-of-telling-caucusers-he-was-dropping-out-cruz-camp-denies/
Politics is a blood sport. You need to remember that. You were willing to ignore all the hateful things The Trumpster said about Cruz (winning at any cost philosophy) but now you’re whining about a rumor that actually started with a network.
In the end, Carson underperformed, rumor or no rumor. There is not a chance in Hell he’ll take the nomination. Undecided voters went primarily to Rubio, not Carson.
Actually in a caucus the top 3 are likely winners. It is quite different from a primary.
@Randy: There is only one “winner” whether “winner take all” as in certain primaries ( Fla.) or delegates divided proportionately as in certain primaries (N.H) or Iowa caucuses. Cruz-8 Trump-7 Rubio-7
This was an absolute much/must needed win for Cruz. Rubio “out performed.”
Trump lost but at the moment holds a big lead in next up N.H. 2/9. Trump must win N.H–and almost certainly will—Kasich and Christie will try to challenge Rubio for 2nd–very unlikely and one-probably Christie- or both will drop after results.Cruz finishes 3rd or 4th and moves on.
The rest, including Carson if under 10%, should drop though Bush hangs in with massive amount of opm money already spent.
Bernie wins big in N.H.–Hillary wounded but moves on to S.C and Nevada where African-American (S.C) and Latino (Nev.) vote gives her large victories.
NOTE—HRC claiming victory in Iowa–give me a break–she “survived” after being up 30 points 90 days ago.
Gotta love it—are you watching Uncle Joe?
Three take aways.
1. Trump is not invincible.
2. Hillary is far more vulnerable than her cheerleading crowd thinks she is although, barring an unlikely indictment from a very politicized Justice Department, she will still get the nod.
3. The Republican base is more fired up than the last two elections which bodes well for November.
Watching Fox you would think Rubio won, typical in the can for the establishment. The participant trophies all handed out. But the Don in a death spiral crap is just as moronic. 54 counties for Cruz 6 for Rubio and no reporting on how many Don took. Bias bias everywhere.
@kitt: Do not concur–Last night Fox pushed Trump until he was dead. Rubio was ignored till the end—media has been driving force for the showman
He was gracious for a minute—back to his nasty excuse making self today.
@another vet: Iowa delegates mean nothing. This was a beauty contest where we pick the final 3 to continue competition. That is why there were three winners. Now, the best of the three will be decided over the next months. There are polls that have 20% of the minority voters looking to vote for a Republican. With the large turnout and people fired up over the mismanagement the past 7 years, I would be concerned if I had committed crimes and misdemeanors during the past 7 years. We have a place for them in CO if the rooms are all taken in Leavenworth, KS..
There was one winner—Ted Cruz see#5
There will be one winner in New Hampshire–Donald Trump
One Repub. nominee for POTUS—Marco Rubio
OUT
@Randy: It would be quite amazing if Hillary were to be indicted. This is the most politicized Justice Department we’ve ever had. You’d think people would abandon her given all the lies and the damage she has most likely caused with her disregard for our laws concerning classified material. But we all have our priorities for the nation. For some it’s man-made global warming, abortion, gay marriage, and more free stuff. For others it’s National Security, upholding the Constitution, the debt, an economy that produces jobs that can actually support a family, and crime.
If Cruz wins the nomination, the Reps will lose the election.
Only Trump can win. No independent will vote for Cruz.
@Nathan Blue: He didn’t prove that yesterday did he?
@Nathan BlueTrump is a legend in his own mind–and maybe yours and the far right of your party.
Wake up man—the country can’t stand him or his sidekick Sarah-You are out on a reactionary limb that’s gonna break.
@Petercat:
Except for lazy, piggishly-greedy Democrats who only want more freebies at everyone else’ expense.