It's my understanding that the South would certainly understand the NY values Donald Trump was referring to. He made them quite clear: how NYers handled 911.
After the debate, Trump spoke with passion of the blue collar guys who ran up hundreds and hundreds of stairs even as people were flocking down them --- How hundreds of cops ran toward the burning buildings to help evacuate survivors; how firemen and construction crews dug for weeks through toxic debris -- often with their hands -- searching for any survivor and then any hint of the remains of the souls lost so their families would have something to bury....
The restaurants that opened to feed cops and firefighters free of charge, the NYers lined up to give blood, the church services, spontaneous applause for first responders when sighted by NYers on the streets --- and how the Mayor attended the funeral of every cop and firefighter killed.
For the man who lived and grew up there, "NY Values" meant community.
But somehow you missed all this @Sighlass and heard a defense of gay rights, abortion and gun control.
I don't think the problem here is with Trump.
You forget that we are political bugs, that was not the NY values Cruz was referencing (and you know it). Trump defined it and it wasn't anything like Trump (and you) suggested in the debate. But it worked, why because the electorate in general is not informed like you and me on such matters, so stop spinning the subject pretending we are political novices, at least here at TBR.
Trump's NY Values was far liberal. He was dang proud of his position (at an age that he should of known better).... It just goes to prove that Trump wasn't a conservative and never will be, he is a populace and blows with the wind.
Here is Cruz's video on the subject. I have it bookmarked actually. He admits his views are different from Iowa.... he goes on and on about his NY values because he is lived there all his life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHAHKGP10ycWhat ticked me off the most was the way Kelly (Fox News at the time) handled the question during the debate, she only admitted later that she knew what Cruz was driving at. She knew Trump's positions he placed out front during the interview.
@Right_in_VirginiaTrump said "it was a very insulting" statement Cruz made... well in context it was 100% true and Trump's own words prove it. Again, too bad the voting public didn't do their homework to fully understand "Trump's NY Values" which at least partially negate most conservative voters that vote those issues (gay marriage, gays in military, and partial birth abortion).