May 5
Indiana was the last stand for a floundering Ted Cruz campaign, but in the end the effort failed forcing Cruz to abandon his Presidential bid, then Kasich followed suit. Now with Donald Trump the presumptive nominee, the quest for the White House moves toward Hillary Clinton. But the big question is, what should those that opposed Trump going to do now?
First, let me speak to those who supported Ted Cruz, not the fair weather fans who recently jumped on the Cruz bandwagon, but the ones who stood by the principled Conservative Champion from the start. You should be proud of the job you did.
Cruz was long-shot, a single term Senator, but he was able to emerge from a group of 17 largely qualified candidates and almost win. His ground game was very well organized, but only for the second ballot if Trump could not get the needed 1237 delegates. Unfortunately, no matter how extraordinary the effort was, losing Indiana in such a decisive way paved the way for the inevitability of Trump.
Donald Trump is a testament to the failure of the Republican Party leadership over the past many years. Seriously, how did Reince keep his job after the 2012 debacle? Regardless, many Republicans are becoming unhinged.
This is where I would like to elaborate. Ted Cruz was probably the most Conservative candidate in decades and his supporters followed him on Conservative principles. Even the ‘#nevertrump’ crowd that latched on after the field was culled was largely on Conservative principles. The Trump movement was not one of conservative ideology but of the need to rock the establishment, and for many, having him as the Republican nominee is a difficult pill to swallow.
I say, Cruz lost, get over it. I am not meaning to be harsh, but it’s ‘gut check’ time, Hillary is the real enemy. We cannot let her get the White House and the chance to replace several Supreme Court Justices. I do not believe a ‘principled’ Conservative would even consider voting for her.
I find it amazing how so many people presume to know exactly where Trump stands ideologically. Really? Since he has never been elected to any office, and has supported both Democrats and Republicans, all we know for sure is he is likely a populist pragmatist.
That is a world better than the criminal who is clearly and historically a devout Liberal. She even makes Bill Clinton look Conservative. Things being equal, I am supporting at least the chance of being better than Hillary. After all, it cannot get worse.
As for those of you reciting the polls that Trump will lose badly, I say get a grip. Sure, there is always that chance, but the polls have been extremely inaccurate this election cycle.
The issue with the polls is, Trump is highly unpredictable, things that should harm him don’t even leave a dent. He thrives on and embraces the negative press. I bet Hillary is quaking in her boots knowing that she cannot play the ‘victim’ card and win.
Donald Trump needs to now take a step back and regroup. He is now likely the Republican Presidential nominee, with that comes immense responsibility. He got into this position by divide and conquer tactics, leaving many casualties in his wake.
He needs to be pragmatic, and start acting presidential by reaching out to those he chastised, apologizing, and asking for their help. It’s not bad to eat a little crow every once and a while. Trump is severely lacking a ground game and will need the ‘establishment’ to help with that.
Next, Trump needs to start being specific about what he wants to accomplish, and how he intends to do it. Maybe start talking about Cabinet appointees, and most of all, who he would replace Scalia with. It would be ‘yuuuuuge’ if he named Ted Cruz.
Finally, his Vice-Presidential pick needs to be someone that would heal the party. Maybe a Rubio or one of the governors like Rick Perry, one who supported Cruz.
Trump needs to earn back the Conservatives that are now feeling disenfranchised. These steps will surely help.
Trump supporters need to settle down, no more gloating, there is work to do. Do not force your support for Trump on people, simply explain why you support Trump and let them think about it for a while. If they change their own mind, they are sure to vote.
Cruz supporters need to sit back and take a deep breath, just because you are with Trump, does not mean you have sacrificed your principles. Our country is deeply wounded and we need to stop the bleeding before healing the wound. Trump can be the Band-Aid to stop the downward spiral we have been riding for over a decade.
Ted Cruz is young and is a fighter, we have not heard the last of him. Let’s use Trump to set the stage for that Conservative resurgence. But, we need to take steps to ensure there is that resurgence, the Supreme Court is the biggest issue. Do you really want Hillary making those appointments? Four or eight years from now will be way too late.
I know the wounds are fresh, but there is too much at stake to hold a grudge. We have a two party system which leaves us with either Trump or Clinton. A vote for Trump is a vote for Trump, a vote for anyone else is a vote for Clinton. Yes, it is your vote, and it does not belong to the Republican Party, but you are faced with that choice. Choose wisely.
