Convention wackiness thread - GOP Edition

[81usaf92]

Deservedly so I would say.

Right or wrong it's just something you don't do in such an environment.

Fwiw I don't like McConnell, but it still doesn't diminish the fact that it was incredibly stupid on Cruz's part. Don't believe me then answer the question of why Trump got more important endorsements way faster and more often than Cruz. And most of Cruz's endorsements came in a desperate effort to block trump. Cruz just committed political suicide by pulling this latest stunt, and unless another Trump like canidate comes, he has no chance in future presidential elections.

 

[NationalTitles18]

I'm not upset at all. Actually I find it kinda amusing. Mostly because I accepted long ago that this is just one big tv reality show.

But if you want to know why it was more dumb for Cruz than it was for Trump, it's because Trump is a career businessman while Cruz is a guy that desperately wants to stay in politics. For trump losing this election means little to him. He just goes back to telling everyone what to do in one of his many Trump towers. For Cruz, what little chance he had of being the nominee in the future diminished when newt returned the favor of publicity making a stand right after him. The GOP will most likely try to reorganize and try to develop more moderate candidates for the next elections, and Cruz really needed to either stand for his principles by not participating in the RNC or to bite his pride and endorse Trump. Openly challenging and trying to humiliate the establishment in a coranation is not very wise.

Because trying to do what he feels is right and changing the party from within is so....Reaganesque. (Cruz is no Reagan)

 

[MattinBama]

Every election cycle I feel more like Ralph & Piggy from Lord of the Flies.

 

[81usaf92]

Because trying to do what he feels is right and changing the party from within is so....Reaganesque. (Cruz is no Reagan)

If Cruz is no Reagan then what is your argument? I'm just saying that if Cruz had any future presidential ambitions going forward, then he probably severely damaged them by doing what he did.

 

[NationalTitles18]

If Cruz is no Reagan then what is your argument? I'm just saying that if Cruz had any future presidential ambitions going forward, then he probably severely damaged them by doing what he did.

Possibly. I really don't think he cares.

 

[Aledinho]

Not urine, but a protester set himself on fire while burning a flag in protest:

FOX

"You're on fire. You're on fire, stupid," an officer shouted as he wielded a can of extinguishing spray.

 

[Chukker Veteran]

I think Trump punked Cruz. He reviewed Ted's speech ahead of time. Then instructed the New York delegates to start booing when he got to the "vote your conscience" line. Which triggered Trump's entrance to the arena. All of a sudden, the entire crowd is booing Ted, in sympathy for poor Donald being dissed.
Trump knew Cruz was a scorpion who couldn't resist his nature, and played the scorpion's stinging him into a move to unite the party behind him.

 

[ValuJet]

I heard that Cruz was the least likeable member of the Senate but couldn't understand why. Now it's becoming clear. I agree with Chukker that Trump gave him enough rope.

Who knows what the next election cycle will be like but I don't see Cruz leading the pack. Last night's display will be a matter of record. They all took a pledge and some have gotten butthurt and not honored that pledge. Jeb! is toast so he probably doesn't care. But from all appearances Cruz just tanked his own political future.

 

[92tide]

I think Trump punked Cruz. He reviewed Ted's speech ahead of time. Then instructed the New York delegates to start booing when he got to the "vote your conscience" line. Which triggered Trump's entrance to the arena. All of a sudden, the entire crowd is booing Ted, in sympathy for poor Donald being dissed.
Trump knew Cruz was a scorpion who couldn't resist his nature, and played the scorpion's stinging him into a move to unite the party behind him.

wwf. trump knows his target market well

 

[Bamaro]

 

[92tide]

i think we will be hearing a lot along these lines today

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I think some of you need a reality check. "Well, Cruz just blew himself up blah blah blah."

Hilarious. Cruz would have been a far less risky choice as the nominee (even if he lost) than Trump is. Besides, I seem to recall the party infrastructure (re: Establishment) collapsing towards Trump because - and I quote - "Ted Cruz is a RINO." This was the assessment of former GOP Senate leader Bob Dole, who warned of "cataclysmic" losses if Cruz was nominated. Dole, of course, is an expert on cataclysmic losses, having borne major responsibility for the GOP loss in 1976 that left them with only 12 governors nationwide. (For those who don't recall, he managed to lay the blame for every 20th century war at the feet of the Democratic Party during his debate with Walter Mondale). He also ran a disastrous nomination campaign twice (80 and 88) and a disastrous electoral one another time. The guy went to the plate four times and struck out, grounded out, flamed out, and bombed out.

A guy who knew he would never be the nominee even in the future went out onstage and committed a (metaphorical) homicide bombing of both himself and Trump. It might be the first time in his life Cruz put the long-term interests of the country over his own.

(And before you start, spare me the typical "you're a Cruz supporter" when I never did).

 

[Chukker Veteran]

I heard that Cruz was the least likeable member of the Senate but couldn't understand why. Now it's becoming clear.

That reminds me of when Cruz called Mitch McConnell a liar on the Senate floor. My question at the time for Cruz..."You worked with him for two years and you just now realized he's a liar?"

I think Cruz is counting on Trump losing in a blowout, and Cruz picking up the pieces and putting the party back together in four years.
If Trump loses, I expect he will start his own cable news network. With Ailes out at Fox, it's possible the stars at Fox will migrate to Trump's new network. That way, Trump wins even by losing.

 

[92tide]

That reminds me of when Cruz called Mitch McConnell a liar on the Senate floor. My question at the time for Cruz..."You worked with him for two years and you just now realized he's a liar?"

I think Cruz is counting on Trump losing in a blowout, and Cruz picking up the pieces and putting the party back together in four years.
If Trump loses, I expect he will start his own cable news network. With Ailes out at Fox, it's possible the stars at Fox will migrate to Trump's new network. That way, Trump wins even by losing.

jmho, i think trump has done quite a bit to damage his "brand" going into the future. i wonder if it has sunk into his kid's heads that their inheritance sort of hinges on that brand.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

It seems that Trump knew what would happen:

Quote:

Wow, Ted Cruz got booed off the stage, didn't honor the pledge! I saw his speech two hours early but let him speak anyway. No big deal!

So he lets Cruz self-immolate on stage and it galvanizes the Republican party for Trump

Some of y'all aren't bothering to consider the fact the party actually needs unifying at the Convention does not speak well of Trump's abilities to lead or inspire. The Convention - yes, ties up the loose ends - but it's also the opportunity to actually SHOW you can manage something as tiny as a Convention. If not, it's fair to question whether or not you can manage the government.

It's also the 'reach out' time to the 'need to be committeds' (ha ha). Let me quote James Carville assessing the 1992 RNC - "using the Convention to nail down your base is a terrible thing to use a Convention for. You just gotta take your base for granted."

 

[Bazza]

Mike Pence looks just like "Race" Bannon from the Johnny Quest cartoons.

Ha ha.....

 

[Catfish]

...I think Cruz is counting on Trump losing in a blowout, and Cruz picking up the pieces and putting the party back together in four years...

I have the same theory except with Ryan. I think he's going to position himself as the leader of the "New Rational Republican Party".

 

[Catfish]

Some of y'all aren't bothering to consider the fact the party actually needs unifying at the Convention does not speak well of Trump's abilities to lead or inspire. The Convention - yes, ties up the loose ends - but it's also the opportunity to actually SHOW you can manage something as tiny as a Convention. If not, it's fair to question whether or not you can manage the government.

He should have just gotten Kasich to manage the convention.

 

[Bamaro]

Cruz was simply Cruz being Cruz. No one should be really surprised unless you haven't been paying attention. It will have little or no negative effect on whatever his next campaign is. He will simply blow the same dog whistle and the memory of last night will quickly fade.

 

[bama_wayne1]

Some of y'all aren't bothering to consider the fact the party actually needs unifying at the Convention does not speak well of Trump's abilities to lead or inspire. The Convention - yes, ties up the loose ends - but it's also the opportunity to actually SHOW you can manage something as tiny as a Convention. If not, it's fair to question whether or not you can manage the government.

It's also the 'reach out' time to the 'need to be committeds' (ha ha). Let me quote James Carville assessing the 1992 RNC - "using the Convention to nail down your base is a terrible thing to use a Convention for. You just gotta take your base for granted."

Isn't that what happens every time there is a tight race? Why do you think the POTUS met with Bernie? To get him to swallow his pride to unite the party. Yes I realize that all happened before the convention, but I think you will see it carry into the primary.