Going cold on Cruz (I don't want to)

[Wistful]

I went out on a limb for Sarah Palin so often.

Now I regret it.

I went out on a limb often too for Ted Cruz. In fact that's why I was kicked off Free Republic.

Its been announced recently that Ted Cruz has met with Donald Trump and agreed to speak at the Convention.

Now I felt good about Cruz when I read previously that he had not been invited to speak and that he didn't care about that. I like that he has continued to refuse to endorse Trump.

So it was a disappointment to read he was now going to be speaking.

But that's not all of it.

Cruz was asked why he had agreed to speak in support of someone he had described as a "sniveling coward". Someone who had repeatedly smeared him with lies and false allegations of an extremely personal nature. Who had attacked his wife personally too.

In fact it was Trump's cowardly attacks on Cruz that finished the Donald for me. My decision to never support Trump was based on the fact that he had revealed himself to be just what Cruz called him, a sniveling coward who would lie and cheat and denigrate, do anything to win. No way I am ever going to support such a person in any leadership position.

So what was Cruz's answer as to why he had agreed to speak?

He said- “You know what, life is too short to worry about (that)".

Really?

Its important to me, and I thought it would be important to Ted too. Trump crossed a line of morality, many times, and when you cross those lines so often and so carelessly, there is no coming back.

If it isn't important to Ted, it says a lot about his character. His opponents have said his image of a person of integrity and trustworthiness is phony. That Ted is a phony. I've always argued against that smear.

Now, I'm having my own doubts, and I hope Ted doesn't turn out to be another Sarah Palin. Even on the grounds of common sense, he should stay the hell away from the Trump train wreck.

[Cripplecreek]

I don't buy it but its a nice try.

[geronl]

Its been announced recently that Ted Cruz has met with Donald Trump and agreed to speak at the Convention.

Ted Cruz is invited to speak at the party convention (not Trump convention) because he earned a speaking slot. Trump probably didn't want to "invite him" but he pretty much had to. This does not mean Ted in any shape or form caved or endorsed Trump.

[Cripplecreek]

Ted Cruz is invited to speak at the party convention (not Trump convention) because he earned a speaking slot. Trump probably didn't want to "invite him" but he pretty much had to. This does not mean Ted in any shape or form caved or endorsed Trump.

Ted Cruz said from day 1 that he would attend and that he would speak if asked. He isn't however giving an endorsement which is why the Trumpers have their panties all wadded up in their cracks.

[jedidah]

Even on the grounds of common sense, he should stay the hell away from the Trump train wreck.

There's more at stake here than Cruz's (very understandable) bitterness toward Trump.  Our country is in trouble.  This is not a time for Cruz to take his marbles and go home angry, but rather to stay in the game and do what good he can.

I look forward to hearing him speak.

[geronl]

but rather to stay in the game and do what good he can.

He can try and rally conservatism, which is even near-death in the GOP. It's probably a losing effort but it's worth doing

[truth_seeker]

"True conservatives" eat most of their own. Cruz must be about due. One false move, one strike, and you are out.

[libertyandfreedom]

I don't have a problem with Cruz speaking at the convention.  It will be at least one conservative voice. He hasn't endorsed Trump and I would be very surprised if he does.

[truth_seeker]

So according to your theory...

1.  You admit it is a false move.
2.  You admit either you are not a true conservative or that you also eat your own.

Title of article "Going cold on Cruz" and what I state is true.

[Gefn]

I don't have a problem with Cruz speaking at the convention.  It will be at least one conservative voice. He hasn't endorsed Trump and I would be very surprised if he does.

Agreed. I'm still very much on the Cruz wagon, and withholding any judgement until after I hear the speech.

[Wistful]

Its not so much that Cruz is speaking at the convention. Commenters above make some good arguments that help me understand that decision. Maybe his speech will be a benefit in some way.

Its more that Cruz appears to be ready to forgive Trump for his cowardly attacks, and make light of those attacks.

I can't, and its difficult for me to understand how Cruz can.

Seems to me that an honourable man would never reach out to someone whom he had (rightfully) described as a sniveling coward. Never describe those cowardly attacks by means of the phrase "life is too short to worry about such things".

Is this an issue of Conservatism? I'm not so sure it is, and I view it more as a personal issue than one that reflects upon Cruz's commitment to Conservatism in the political context.

I see Cruz as the best existing option for the restitution of the Constitutional Republic. I hope he is aware of the concerns of his supporters regarding his relationship with Trump, and shows some care for this in respect of his future actions.

Edit: As Freya above suggests, maybe the speech itself will be the best indicator of where Cruz is going with this.

[EC]

Cruz wasn't my first choice. Nor my second, for that matter. He was joint 3rd.

But, I respect the guy. Enough to wait and see what he'll do, at the least.

Still - I can see two divergent possibilities.

1/ He's using what clout he has to keep conservatism front and center of the party platform - which is also thrashed out at the convention, if you recall.

2/ He's taking one for the team. This I think is unlikely as hell given Cruz' character, but it is a possibility.

If it's the first, well, people are going to come out of his speech muttering "Why didn't we pick him?"

[DB]

Its not so much that Cruz is speaking at the convention. Commenters above make some good arguments that help me understand that decision. Maybe his speech will be a benefit in some way.

Its more that Cruz appears to be ready to forgive Trump for his cowardly attacks, and make light of those attacks.

I can't, and its difficult for me to understand how Cruz can.

Seems to me that an honourable man would never reach out to someone whom he had (rightfully) described as a sniveling coward. Never describe those cowardly attacks by means of the phrase "life is too short to worry about such things".

Is this an issue of Conservatism? I'm not so sure it is, and I view it more as a personal issue than one that reflects upon Cruz's commitment to Conservatism in the political context.

I see Cruz as the best existing option for the restitution of the Constitutional Republic. I hope he is aware of the concerns of his supporters regarding his relationship with Trump, and shows some care for this in respect of his future actions.

Edit: As Freya above suggests, maybe the speech itself will be the best indicator of where Cruz is going with this.

Not much point in speculating what Cruz is going to do. I'll wait and see what he actually does. He's in a tough spot. If Trump is going to be the head of the Republican party Cruz is going to have to decide if he's still a Republican as defined by Trump or not. I'm not...

[Smokin Joe]

Agreed. I'm still very much on the Cruz wagon, and withholding any judgement until after I hear the speech.

I'll wait and see. Cruz will be in the Senate, still fighting the fight.

A lot can happen in one little ol' speech...

"Friends, Romans, and countrymen, lend me your ears..."

[OldSaltUSN]

Its not so much that Cruz is speaking at the convention. Commenters above make some good arguments that help me understand that decision. Maybe his speech will be a benefit in some way.

Its more that Cruz appears to be ready to forgive Trump for his cowardly attacks, and make light of those attacks.

I can't, and its difficult for me to understand how Cruz can.

Seems to me that an honourable man would never reach out to someone whom he had (rightfully) described as a sniveling coward. Never describe those cowardly attacks by means of the phrase "life is too short to worry about such things".

Is this an issue of Conservatism? I'm not so sure it is, and I view it more as a personal issue than one that reflects upon Cruz's commitment to Conservatism in the political context.

I see Cruz as the best existing option for the restitution of the Constitutional Republic. I hope he is aware of the concerns of his supporters regarding his relationship with Trump, and shows some care for this in respect of his future actions.

Edit: As Freya above suggests, maybe the speech itself will be the best indicator of where Cruz is going with this.

Well, if you're a Cruz supporter who has soured on Cruz, who is your new hero?   If he was the last Indian standing, and now, he too has fallen, why bother even postings.  The world has ended.  There are no more heroes, all is lost, etc., etc., etc..

I say this specifically because I've seen "trolls" in the past on TOS and others posting on "conservative blogs" say such things, like

"Oh, I was a really super-duper-Cruz-supporter, I was the very first Reagan supporter, I am HUUgely conservative ....
but now I've seen the light, and he's Trump, TRUMP, TRUMP!!"

You might say, I'm a bit jaded.    Seems every "born again" conservative on the web is running a not-so-conservative agenda supporting a RINO or "former" Democrat.  I guess I find it hard to trust your comments at face value.

"Its more that Cruz appears to be ready to forgive Trump for his cowardly attacks, and make light of those attacks." - Wistful

I don't see any evidence at all to support that statement.

I think Cruz is above all, a Christian, American Patriot, and good father.   If he can save conservative values within the GOP, and keep Hitlery out of the White House, he'll do what it takes.  He won't do it for Lyin' Donald.  He'll do it for his family and the country.   If there's a legitimate reason to "forgive" Trump, then Trump will be the one out front apologizing to Cruz.  Sincere, pious repentance could take Trump a long, long way in his campaign.  However, time is short, Trump has no funds, nor is he doing anything to earn the goodwill to raise the funds, and he's still doing everything possible to alienate conservatives from his campaign.   

Given the Trump status quo, I don't see Cruz at the convention doing more than reinforcing conservative values, i.e. why "we are who we are" within the GOP, if he speaks at the convention.

You wouldn't want Cruz to do that?

[Timber Rattler]

My understanding is that Trump asked for the meeting with Cruz to try and make amends, with Priebus mediating.  Nobody except those three knows what exactly was said behind closed doors, but I'm not too worried about Cruz.  My guess is that he plans to use the convention to raise his profile higher and to kick off his 2020 run for president, like Obama did in 2004.

[Wistful]

I guess I find it hard to trust your comments at face value.

Your lack of trust is your problem not mine.

[Silver Pines]

@Wistful, I'll be honest here...as a Cruz supporter myself, when I heard that Ted would be speaking at the convention, I was angry.  I didn't like it at all.  But that kind of reaction isn't unusual for me; I have a temper, and sometimes I respond emotionally right off the bat.  Then, after I have time to cool down, I'll reconsider.  My husband advised I do just that, and he offered me his good-sense opinion which turned out to be true.

As others have told you here, Cruz didn't go begging to Trump.  He earned the right to speak, and he always said he would be there in order to address his delegates.  He isn't the type of man to let them down.  Trump made it known that he didn't want anyone to speak unless they endorsed him, so if Priebus was present, it was probably to try and smooth Orange Julius Caesar down a little, because Reince knew that Cruz would be speaking, regardless.  I imagine that's why Cruz says Trump asked him to speak---it's a concession to his touchy ego.

You said this:

"So what was Cruz's answer as to why he had agreed to speak?

He said- “You know what, life is too short to worry about (that)".

Really?"

No, not really.  A google search turned up the fact that Cruz DID say those words, but he was not referring to the smear jobs Trump pulled.  You don't really think he would be that dismissive of his wife and father, do you?   He said those words to Glenn Beck in response to Beck asking him about Megyn Kelly's ridicule.  Here's the link:

http://www.adweek.com/fishbowldc/ted-cruz-re-fnc-im-not-going-to-worry-about-their-attacks/157378

National Review reports that Cruz is already preparing to run again in 2020.  If he is, skipping the convention wouldn't be the thing to do.  He needs to be front and center, and recognized as the leader of the conservative movement.  I think his speech will position him for that.

@Freya

[skeeter]

Cruz was probably going to speak at the convention anyway. I looked at this as Trump trying to get out in front of that visually, since he'd already said he wouldn't allow anyone who hadn't endorsed him to speak.

Besides, this isn't Trump's convention. Its the party's.

[Wistful]

A google search turned up the fact that Cruz DID say those words, but he was not referring to the smear jobs Trump pulled.

CatherineofAragon-

Thank you for that link.

The context there is different to where I originally read the quote, where it was presented as if it applied to Trump's smears. I see now that Cruz was in fact talking about Megyn Kelly's words.

I am pleased to to discover this truth, and I can see now I should not have been so ready to accept what some blogger/ twitter user had written.

I've followed and supported Cruz for years. I know he has a difficult path to walk as far as supporting Trump goes. I hope he can make his way through it OK and it will be good to see him running again in 2020.

By then I hope Trump will be long gone. I just cannot at all come to terms with the fact that the choice voters have is now between Clinton and Trump while a good man like Cruz, without a doubt the best option by far to restore the Constitutional Republic, sits abandoned and rejected. Just crazy.

[Silver Pines]

Cruz was probably going to speak at the convention anyway. I looked at this as Trump trying to get out in front of that visually, since he'd already said he wouldn't allow anyone who hadn't endorsed him to speak.

Besides, this isn't Trump's convention. Its the party's.

Yep, I agree.

[Silver Pines]

CatherineofAragon-

Thank you for that link.

The context there is different to where I originally read the quote, where it was presented as if it applied to Trump's smears. I see now that Cruz was in fact talking about Megyn Kelly's words.

I am pleased to to discover this truth, and I can see now I should not have been so ready to accept what some blogger/ twitter user had written.

I've followed and supported Cruz for years. I know he has a difficult path to walk as far as supporting Trump goes. I hope he can make his way through it OK and it will be good to see him running again in 2020.

By then I hope Trump will be long gone. I just cannot at all come to terms with the fact that the choice voters have is now between Clinton and Trump while a good man like Cruz, without a doubt the best option by far to restore the Constitutional Republic, sits abandoned and rejected. Just crazy.

I've seen Trump described as the candidate of cultural degradation, and I believe that's exactly right.  Only a nation that's become pathetically dumbed-down, morally skewed, and enamored of celebrity could embrace Trump.  He's never been an option for me, nor will he be.

Are you familiar with Steve Deace?  He's a radio host based in Iowa and a strong Cruz supporter.  He's extremely reliable, and his twitter feed is always full of very good information.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

With any luck and Lord willing Ted Cruz will be in this fight long after Trump has gone to the great big casino devolpment in the sky.

[Wistful]

Cruz has fought the establishment for so long, from within, which is an even harder task than fighting it from without.

Trump attacked him with lies and smears at the same time as he refused to debate Cruz one on one.

For those actions I regard Trump as an unprincipled valueless coward and for those who want such a hollow man as President I have nothing but contempt.

[Smokin Joe]

Cruz has fought the establishment for so long, from within, which is an even harder task than fighting it from without.

Trump attacked him with lies and smears at the same time as he refused to debate Cruz one on one.

For those actions I regard Trump as an unprincipled valueless coward and for those who want such a hollow man as President I have nothing but contempt.

That pretty much sums it up. When you do explain that, most folks won't listen.