Analysis: Regardless of 2016 Results, Texas GOP Still Enthralled by Cruz

[Sanguine]

DALLAS — A funny thing happens when you pack a political convention with one personality’s supporters: That personality gets more attention.

Ted Cruz, for perfectly sound reasons, packed the Republican Party of Texas convention with his own supporters. As of last week, he’s no longer a candidate for president of the United States, but he’s still the favorite here.

One measure: Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick opened the convention with speeches, each hitting on some of their favorite issues and also trying to get conventioneers thinking about the general election fight ahead.

Ted Cruz was the biggest applause line either speaker got. You’d think he had been nominated or something.

Abbott talked first. He timed the release of his book — "Broken But Unbowed: The Fight to Fix a Broken America" — in sync with the convention. And he spoke of his proposal to call the states together to amend the U.S. Constitution, shifting power from the federal to the state governments. He also — without actually saying the word “Trump” — argued the Republican case against four more years of Democrats in the White House....

https://www.texastribune.org/2016/05/13/analysis-regardless-2016-results-texas-gop-still-t/

[geronl]

If a Texan wanted snake-oil, we can make it ourselves.

[Sanguine]

If a Texan wanted snake-oil, we can make it ourselves.

??

[Hank Rearden]

If Hillary wins in November, would love to see Abbott, Cruz, Patrick, and Paxton lead the charge for Texas independence.

[Ghost Bear]

Just speculation on my part, but... if Ted Cruz announced that he would run for re-election to his Senate seat as a member of a third party (such as the Constitution Party) I wonder how well he would do?  Would he in fact win the election?   

[geronl]

??

We have lots of snakes! Good for BBQ!   

I knew someone wouldn't get that. eventually

[geronl]

Just speculation on my part, but... if Ted Cruz announced that he would run for re-election to his Senate seat as a member of a third party (such as the Constitution Party) I wonder how well he would do?  Would he in fact win the election?   

The Constitution Party almost doesn't exist in Texas. It has no ballot status. If we can get a candidate for Railroad Commission this year 5% of the vote, it can get ballot access for the next 4 years or so.

[Ghost Bear]

The Constitution Party almost doesn't exist in Texas. It has no ballot status. If we can get a candidate for Railroad Commission this year 5% of the vote, it can get ballot access for the next 4 years or so.

I thought the CP had done the work necessary to qualify for ballot access, but after doing some checking it seems you are correct. It's a shame they won't be on the ballot, IMHO.

[Sanguine]

We have lots of snakes! Good for BBQ!   

I knew someone wouldn't get that. eventually

And, it just had to be me.   

[geronl]

I thought the CP had done the work necessary to qualify for ballot access, but after doing some checking it seems you are correct. It's a shame they won't be on the ballot, IMHO.

They will need to gather signatures I think. They need to get a candidate for Railroad Commission and try to get 5% of the statewide vote that way.

[M1078]

They will need to gather signatures I think. They need to get a candidate for Railroad Commission and try to get 5% of the statewide vote that way.

I would certainly vote for changing "Railroad Commission" to something else.