Corey Lewandowski Contradicts Donald Trump: Ted Cruz Wasn’t Involved In Melania Trump Ad
[guest post by Dana]
So where’s he been for the past week while his boss has been burning up Twitter and the airwaves insisting that Ted Cruz was indeed involved? :
Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, said in a radio interview on Tuesday that Ted Cruz’s campaign was not involved in an attack ad on Trump’s wife, Melania. Lewandowski’s comments contradict his own candidate’s repeated claims the Cruz campaign was responsible.
Lewandowski made the comments on the John Fredericks Show, where he denied the Trump campaign had any involvement with a National Enquirer story alleging Cruz had affairs with five different women. Roger Stone, a long time Trump aide who is no longer affiliated with the campaign, was quoted in the story.
“I have no control over what Roger Stone does, doesn’t work for the campaign. He’s an independent individual who has no relationship with the campaign in any way, shape, or form,” said Lewandowski. “For them to intimate otherwise is completely inaccurate and it’s a narrative that they want to continue to perpetuate. The bottom line is Roger Stone is as much tied to this campaign as the super PAC that leaked that is tied to the Cruz campaign.”
Lewandowski also said this during the interview:
“To be clear, Roger Stone is someone who does not work for the campaign. He was a consultant to the campaign up until August of last year and then I’ve had no communication with Roger Stone until August of last year,” said Lewandowski. “For the Cruz campaign to equate that Roger Stone is part of this campaign is akin to us saying the super PAC that put out the pictures of Melania Trump is part of their campaign. Now, they can deny that, and they can say that they have no communication, but the two are exactly equal.”
No Twitter response from Trump thus far. Maybe that’s because he’s too busy trying to figure out how to catch up to Cruz given the *latest poll numbers from Marquette Law School in Wisconsin which show him trailing at 30% to Cruz’s 40%, or maybe he’s otherwise preoccupied with backtracking on his comment made this morning that women who have illegal abortions should be punished.
[*poll was done Mar. 24-28, before last night’s CNN GOP townhall and Scott Walker’s announcement supporting Cruz – Ed.]
–Dana
UPDATE BY PATTERICO: To me, this is the best proof yet that Trump is behind the Enquirer story. Think about it. Why would Lewandowski admit Cruz isn’t behind the Melania ad? Because he’s honest? Come on. We just got through watching him lie his way through the Michelle Fields incident. He learned con artistry from Trump. And this is a con: you admit something surprising (OK, Cruz wasn’t behind the Melania ad) to give yourself credibility when you tell the lie (Trump wasn’t behind the Enquirer story). It’s a two-fer: keeps it in the news a little longer, and gives the story faux credibility. I don’t buy any of it for one second, and neither should you.
Hello.
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 1:50 pmGood post!
Corey’s being too cute by half. Had that Melania ad really come from one of Cruz’s recently departed aides, the Trump campaign would insist this proves a close link.
I can understand why Trump and the little man who hits women would want to distance themselves from the Enquirer story… it’s fallen apart quickly and doesn’t appear to have any evidence behind it at all. But it’s too late to do that. Trump’s promoted the scandal endlessly, and he owns it. Corey is well practiced in doing something and then lying about responsibility for those actions, but once he begins telling lies, he has to tell more lies to back up the other lies and eventually he just can’t keep up the charade.
Not that we trust anything he says after he bruised up that reporter, claimed he never touched her, and was charged for assault when the police saw the video of him grabbing the reporter. Any interview with Corey that doesn’t start and end with “you do lie a lot, Corey” is a disservice.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:07 pmi hear him saying he thinks Cruz’s campaign coordinated with Liz Mair to do naked melania on all them mormon women
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:08 pmHello Dana.
Hopefully Walker’s endorsement will win over at least a few undecideds for Cruz. If you want to talk about someone who has the battle scars from taking on the entrenched leftwing thugocracy, you can’t find a better warrior than Scott Walker.
JVW (9e3c77) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:09 pmIf i could insist, as long as they are legal in our nation, abortions would be done in the public square until we were so sick and tired of seeing them we would do away with the injustice altogether!
maybe then we might hear angels singing when we ponder the glory of conception!
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:17 pmhappyfeet, I’m pretty sure Melania did the naked Melania all on her own, on those magazines. She did this for money. Trump used these photos to boast about how he’s better than men who didn’t buy nude supermodel wives with daddy’s money. Now, once again, Trump and his fans think he’s the victim somehow.
But this is easy mode for Trump. The media wants him to win. He’s the only path for Hillary and trainwrecks are great for ratings. Once he’s the candidate, they will actually start to attack the perpetual crybaby.
Corey’s going to have to beat up a lot more reporters I guess.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:18 pmshe’s so pretty though when she doesn’t have all her clothes on
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:29 pmclearly andrea mcwilliams and liz mair were on the same wavelength, does she appear to be someone who does things on her own,
narciso (732bc0) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:33 pmyup you nailed it, Mr. narciso
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:34 pmOT: Trump just stated a position on abortion and completely reversed himself, all within the space of a few hours. It should be fun to see how many True Believers posted several comments in response to a single blog entry, only to have to suddenly slam on the brakes and defend the polar opposite position in the same set of comments. For those trolling for the lulz, it’s all part of the fun–but for anyone who sees Trump as something other than a walking piece of performance art and is genuinely trying to support Their Man, it has to be a tad disorienting. . .
M. Scott Eiland (59e34f) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:35 pmI was asking dustin or drj, or beldar, I’m still for cruz, no matter how foolish and frankly counterproductive some of his supporters have been, trump’s track record is checkered to say the least,
narciso (732bc0) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:41 pmOf course, there’s no proof that Cruz knew of, approved or originated the Melania ad. Of course, there’s no proof that Trump is behind the NE story, either. When will there be a post taking Cruz to task for his lie? Won’t hold my breath.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:41 pmAnd according to Donald “We literally have never had an argument, forget about the word ‘fight'” Which makes sense as she’s basically his employee.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:42 pmthey probably have lots of fun together
plus there’s always steak in the fridge!
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:43 pmI think it was pretty silly that folks suggested Cruz did this. Cruz doesn’t go after family. He’s not the only politician who is better than that, but he definitely is better than that. Also, he was already dominating Utah, and it was pretty obvious that going after family in any sense would only provoke anger. Cruz’s campaign has been run a little more strategically than to pay a lot to gain nothing.
What lie? Trump’s man provably was behind the story. Trump personally has promoted the story while attacking Cruz’s wife personally. It is simply a fact that Trump has a large share of responsibility at this point. Hell, they are now picking any woman who has ever upset Trump and suggesting they are one of Cruz’s harem. No evidence needed for these smears. They even blamed that reporter they roughed up, I guess in hopes they could smear her into silence, Sid Blumenthal style.
So don’t hold your breath waiting for this ‘lie’ to be exposed.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:46 pm“plus there’s always steak in the fridge!”
– happyfeet
Useful to have around, that steak in the fridge. You don’t have to wrap it up, like you do with an icepack.
Leviticus (efada1) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:48 pmabout andrea mcwilliams, who floated the subject, a week before mair’s ad,
narciso (732bc0) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:49 pmFinally some common ground between myself and Trump. But no, I actually don’t find his life that enviable, and I find Melania’s life depressing. Marrying your modeling agency boss, who calls you a piece of ass and boasts that you never disagree with him? Yeah, she was nude in that photo. She was also handcuffed to a suitcase of money and lying naked in a private jet, much like Paris Hilton’s chihuahua. Clever photo.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:49 pmSo a friend of Trump does something means it’s Trump that does it? Well, the Super PAC is clearly a friend of Cruz, so I guess that means Cruz is responsible for the Melania ad. Are you really too stupid to see this is the same thing?
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:52 pmObviously, for better or worse, Melania and Trump both got what they wanted out of life. It works for them.
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:07 pmDana, that’s true and I am out of line to worry about it. Trump’s promotion of that picture versus Cruz’s wife really gets under my skin, partly because it’s an attack on my values of marriage as a commitment and equal partnership. But Trump does that stuff for the same reason his fans do… to get a reaction.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:08 pmDustin,
I want to know (and maybe Melania does as well…) what happens to her when the natural wear and tear of life begin to take their toll in spite of any extraordinary measures she may take to slow them down?
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:12 pmWhen will there be a post taking Cruz to task for his lie? Won’t hold my breath.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 2:41 pm
As a guest contributor here, I have to ask, to what lie are you referring? Because as of right here, right now, I know of none. And neither do you.
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:13 pmDustin,
He should have never tweeted the photo but why he did it is no secret–he was furious at the attack on his wife and returned in kind. Cruz surrogates had attacked Melania in the weeks prior. Hard to see whether he approved of the tactic but he certainly did not publicly condemn it until just recently.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:13 pmTrump’s mental health is obviously quite poor, and she’s 25 years his junior. Trump did one thing right… marry the third one so young you hopefully can’t outlive her beauty.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:15 pmCruz surrogates had attacked Melania in the weeks prior.
Wrong.
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:17 pmCruz has never attacked Trump’s wife.
Two lies in one comment, OC.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:17 pmCruz lies when he says Trump is behind the NE story. While this might be true, there is no evidence of this whatsoever (just as we don’t have evidence Cruz supported or approved of the Melania ad). It’s a lie to say he knows Trump is behind it.
Cruz has lied many times. He lied about his support of amnesty (or he lied in 2013, take your pick). He lied about Carson dropping out. He sent out the phony/sleazy mailer that implied voters need to vote for him in order to cure their voting delinquency. He lied about supporting TPP (he wrote an editorial promoting it!). There are others, but start with those.
If you’re not too busy writing up posts on the horrible Fields battery, why don’t you look into why Cruz’s Super PAC sent 500k to Carly’s Super PAC (that employs one of the alleged mistresses). Just a thought.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:19 pmCynical, Dustin, but likely!
However, that sells Melania short, and given what I’ve seen and read of her with both Trump and her son, she is a loving and present mom and wife. That speaks volumes. Further, I watched this interview with Trump’s sons, and you don’t just luck out on having such thoughtful and responsible kids. Clearly an incredible amount of work went into raising these boys. I’ll take their word for it that their dad played a huge part in developing their appreciation for their financial status and for having a solid work ethic.
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:21 pmOld Christoph, it’s more polite to read the post before commenting on it. Trump’s campaign has admitted Cruz had nothing to do with the Melania ad. It wouldn’t make any sense if they did, and no one has provided any basis for saying they did. The group backed Rubio, not Cruz.
Most women can’t stand Trump. They aren’t all Cruz supporters. This paranoid notion that anything in the entire world that hurts Trump is Cruz’s fault is simply being thin skinned.
And at the end of the day, Trump is the one celebrating his wife’s nudity in magazines. Why aren’t you taking him to task for it, since this material obviously bothers you a great deal?
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:22 pmCaptain Foreskin Rides Again!!!
Colonel Haiku (9be3ce) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:24 pmI agree that it’s wrong for Trump to blame Cruz for the ad, but he should have demanded Cruz condemn the ad. But Cruz has engaged in the same behavior by blaming Trump for the NE story. There is no evidence of this whatsoever. Cruz is lying.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:24 pmM. Scott Eiland,
I linked the abortion flip-flop in the post above. After watching the full interview, I think Trump was gauging his audience and also what the Republican base would like to hear. But because he is his ignorant about abortion politics and likely hasn’t given them very much thought,he seriously misgauged both the pro-aborts and pro-life electorate given that both groups blew up at him. Thus he back pedaled to some middle-of-the-road stance as not to offend:
I think someone told him he relaly stepped in it, I don’t think he came to the realization on his own.
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:33 pmYou’re lying about Cruz, Old Foreskin.
Colonel Haiku (9be3ce) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:36 pmI don’t know how the ritual denunciation game became a part of political theater, but it seems idiotic. Some ninnies think it is the duty of any Republican candidate to issue sweeping public condemnations of the comments and actions of any other Republican the scolds in the media take offense to. Now I guess it has become the responsibility of Ted Cruz to hastily issue contemporaneous denunciations any time a Republican misbehaves to ensure that he isn’t later criticized for being slow to denounce.
Not all cry-bullies are 19-year-old coeds.
As for the Liz Mair smear, the more I get to know her, the more I like her. For months, high profile pols and operatives from across the political spectrum have tried to bring Shorty to heel. Liz did it. Attagirl, Liz, attagirl!
ThOR (a52560) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:38 pmOld Foreskin used to perform circumcisions, but botched one and got sacked.
Colonel Haiku (9be3ce) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:40 pmOld Reader,
No need for Trump to demand Cruz denounce the ad – he did it on his own even though he had no responsibility for the ad nor any responsibility to denounce it.
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:40 pmWhy can’t we just enjoy Mr. Trump for who he is instead of finding fault and getting all upset about him not being who we’d like him to be?
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:44 pmgood question happy
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:45 pmTrump is imploding …
Rodney King's Spirit (a089dc) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:46 pmOh. Trump has totally revised his statement on abortion, so much so that now the woman is no longer required to be punished for having an illegal abortion, but is instead the victim:
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:46 pmImploding like a horse.
SarahW (67599f) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:47 pmI don’t have a problem with Trump, happyfeet, other than he wants to be my president. That makes me get a bit itchy about what he says and does.
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:47 pmFWIW, Trump haters are not necessarily Cruz surrogates or supporters …
Rodney King's Spirit (a089dc) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:48 pmOld Christoph, do you wonder how we all can tell, immediately, that it’s you?
You lie with such laziness. Hint: if something is true it’s not a lie. If you call something a lie when you think it might be true, you’re the one who is the liar. I love that you say you’ve been reading the blog for ten years but have never even heard of Christoph, one of the most embarrassing and memorable trolls. Embarrassing because he trolls by telling these hysterical lies that even tick off people who agree with him on the general topic.
‘Cruz surrogates’ that have no link whatsoever to Cruz vs Trump’s lifelong friends at the Enquirer relying solely on a source who worked on Trump’s campaign, with Trump personally promoting the story by name, and thus embracing responsibility for it much like a sponsor of a bill. I think Trump’s responsibility here is between 99 and 100% and Cruz’s between 0 and 0%. But again, you can just read Dana’s post and see that Trump’s campaign admits Cruz has nothing to do with the ad. Issue’s closed.
Fire doesn’t melt steel therefore Cruz is lying. Michigan State forgot how to play basketball therefore Cruz is lying. Trump’s campaign admits Cruz told the truth therefore Cruz is lying.
Christoph, knowing your views on race and that an Hispanic Cruz isn’t pure enough for you really helps me understand your ridiculous treatment of one versus your ridiculous treatment of the other. It reminds me of Drudge Report’s headline a few weeks ago. A photo of Rubio and Cruz on either side of Trump at a debate. Headline “Cuban Sandwich”. Compelling.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:50 pmI would like to see NBC restart The Apprentice. He was very good in that.
Gerald A (7c7ffb) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:50 pmwas andrea mcwilliams a cruz surrogate or not, whereas most of this enquirer carp, was circulated supposedly by rubio staffers,
narciso (732bc0) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:54 pmIf I say, “I know Trump is behind the NE story” that can be a lie even if it’s true that Trump is behind the NE story. It’s a lie that Cruz knows this is true, he doesn’t. That’s a lie. Just as it’s a lie that Trump says he knows Cruz was behind the Melania ad (while this could be true, we do not know this and it probably is not true).
Sheesh, bro, get a grip.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 3:59 pmWhy can’t we just enjoy Mr. Trump for who he is instead of finding fault and getting all upset about him not being who we’d like him to be?
Horsewhipped, tarred and feathered, and put in steerage to Tasmania? Call me quixotic.
nk (dbc370) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:00 pmAll this happy horsestuff about this while a REAL criminal – Hillary Clinton – evades media attention and runs free an unfettered.
Who benefits?
Colonel Haiku (9be3ce) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:01 pmHe took his time, initially he just kept repeating that he wasn’t behind the ad. And he didn’t condemn his supporters appearing on TV bashing Melania in the past, either.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:02 pmI condemn Old Reader for not condemning Melania for creating a silicone shortage while homes in the inner city go un-weatherproofed.
nk (dbc370) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:05 pmTrumpkin are complete loons. Now they are swapping claims that Breitbart is in the bag for Cruz.
SPQR (a3a747) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:06 pmIt can only be read as Cruz wasn’t involved in the Melania thing if it also reads that Trump wasn’t involved with the Cruz affairs story. So now Patterico is doing a 180 and claiming Trump wasn’t involved in the Cruz affairs story.
jcurtis (5055ca) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:08 pmjcurtis,
This post is about contradictions in what Lewandowski and Trump have said. In addition, this post was written by Dana so you can use it to say Patterico “did a 180” since he didn’t write it.
DRJ (15874d) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:13 pmDana at 33 gets to the heart of it.
He is like Superman pretending to be a human being by acting like a cowardly wimp (to paraphrase Kill Bill 2). Trump takes on the idea of being a conservative from what he gleaned as a lifelong lefty. He can’t pull it off very well, hence the abortion flip flop. Trump rarely talks specifics on policies and every time he does it’s a mistake.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:13 pmDustin,
See my follow-up at 41.
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:15 pmYou’re wrong. Corey Lewendowski is famous for lying about laying hands on that woman he faces charges for roughing up on video. Liars will say things that serve their interests. But when they make a statement against their own interests, such as Corey admitting what we all know: that Cruz wasn’t associated with that Melenia ad, that has credibility. It’s so contrary to Corey’s interests that it must be true.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:16 pmDustin 6,
That makes sense. Trump is like what someone imitating a conservative would be.
DRJ (15874d) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:28 pmDustin 56, not 6.
DRJ (15874d) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:29 pmA Trumpkin sockpuppet posting as “Old Reader” wrote above (#24): “Cruz surrogates had attacked Melania in the weeks prior.”
I call b*llsh*t. That never happened.
You’re a baldface, deliberate, and despicable liar, “Old Reader,” and you manufactured this allegation out of thin air.
I know this is not exactly news: “Dishonest Candidate’s Fanboy Tells Lies on Behalf of Dishonest Candidate.” But this is just a particularly ridiculous and scummy example, and while I have no interest in any conversation with the
Beldar (fa637a) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:39 pm… in any conversation with the Trumpkin at issue, I do feel obliged to point out this falsehood lest someone else be misled or confused.
(Sorry, hit “Return” a half-line too early.)
Beldar (fa637a) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:40 pmTrump is not pro-life. He never has been. If he were, I’d be keeping quiet as a mouse. He is only pro-Trump. A liar, a cheat, a snake-oil salesman.
nk (dbc370) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:47 pmI think that is the goal, Beldar: to repeat falsehoods over and over and over again.
Pretty soon folks think there must be something to it.
Simon Jester (2708f4) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:47 pm“Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby.”
Which is true. Big-ass-caterpillar-head is nothing like the real thing.
nk (dbc370) — 3/30/2016 @ 4:51 pmI think that is the goal, Beldar: to repeat falsehoods over and over and over again.
Pretty soon folks think there must be something to it.
Or it just wears them down into quiet surrender…
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:21 pmUPDATE BY PATTERICO: To me, this is the best proof yet that Trump is behind the Enquirer story. Think about it. Why would Lewandowski admit Cruz isn’t behind the Melania ad? Because he’s honest? Come on. We just got through watching him lie his way through the Michelle Fields incident. He learned con artistry from Trump. And this is a con: you admit something surprising (OK, Cruz wasn’t behind the Melania ad) to give yourself credibility when you tell the lie (Trump wasn’t behind the Enquirer story). It’s a two-fer: keeps it in the news a little longer, and gives the story faux credibility. I don’t buy any of it for one second, and neither should you.
Patterico (86c8ed) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:22 pm“Cruz surrogates had attacked Melania in the weeks prior.”
i think he must be talking about Andrea
that’s the first pro-Ted Cruz person i think anyone’s found what went after Mrs. Trump cause of how she sometimes doesn’t wear maybe all the clothing she should at any given time
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:25 pmthose insinuations were apparently spread by rubio staffers, who probably picked them up from some other place, but erica grieder won’t say,
narciso (732bc0) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:31 pmYes, “We are no more responsible for these questionable things than Cruz is about those questionable things.”
Weasel words, it’s like the CIA saying that Plame “was undercover” (“just not undercover at the time referred to, but we will not make that clear if it doesn’t serve our purposes”).
One can frame it the way Dana has and make the point,
MD soon back in Philly (ef31c4) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:31 pmbut I think what he meant was, “Blah-blah-blah”.
as with the levick playbook, (gitmo) texas for public justice, (delay, perry, paxton), crew,
narciso (732bc0) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:38 pm(foley, o’donnell)the veterans intelligence professionals, (behind the plame matter, organized by the head of the saudi lobby) crump and julian (sanford, ferguson, baltimore, n charleston)
you see why there’s more then meets the eye,
Lord, how I am loving the paradox that the one time Trump actually takes a principled position, he is being crucified for his lying, among other issues.
It’s a hard truth, my friends, but if we are going to give natural rights to any given life in a womb, we simply must prosecute anyone who harms that life. I care not what ANY right-to-life organization says.
I’d also bet a lot that Chris Matthews is on the sh*t list with HRC for trapping the one opponent she most craves.
I am a bit upset that I did not understand that abortion could/would be the ONE issue that is so sacrosanct that it would derail the Donald. As wonderful as this result is, it still reflects the horrid truth of who we are as a people.
Question for all: When Ted is asked about Corey, why has he not/will he not he cite the action he took on his own campaign for an offense nowhere near as awful? Why not draw a direct contrast in actual leadership???
Ed from SFV (3400a5) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:46 pmYes. I think we can all agree, save for a blinded few, that there was nothing good and pure motivating Lewandowski. His statements were definitely in Trump’s best interest. Why wouldn’t they be? After all, Trump chose not to fire him.
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:49 pm“These are my principled positions. If you don’t like them, I have others.”
Like that. Trump’s “principled position” on abortion lasted for hours. Not even a whole day. And he is on the record for being pro-abortion before this campaign.
nk (dbc370) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:53 pmi think Mr. Lewandowski’s crimes against humanity are being blown out of proportion i don’t think he’s any more worse than Liz Mair or any of these other professional political filthmongers
and I like how he’s got a firm hand with the press
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:54 pmLewandowski is Trump’s Donald Segretti.
Beldar (fa637a) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:56 pmEd From SFV,
There are about 2 million abortions a year in America. That’s an awful lot of jail cells, wouldn’t you agree?
Cruz Supporter (102c9a) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:56 pmI agree with Patterico’s Update. The only other thing I can think of is that Lewandowski has become a liability and Trump needs an excuse to fire him. If so, we will see more mistakes and mistatements that don’t hurt Trump with his base but give him an excuse to cut ties with Lewandowski.
DRJ (15874d) — 3/30/2016 @ 5:59 pmHappyfeet, there is a difference between a “supporter” and a “surrogate.” Don’t pretend that you don’t understand that distinction.
No Cruz surrogate has ever attacked Melania Trump, and certainly no Cruz surrogate did that before the Liz Phair PAC ad.
As for the Cruz supporter you linked, I’ve never heard of her, but all she did was point out a vulnerability — not exploit it. It’s not an “attack” to point out that yes, Melania Trump has posed nude for money.
Beldar (fa637a) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:00 pmNo serious pro-life person would propose something like that. And there’s nothing in Trump’s history and character to indicate that he means it, and everything to indicate that he was National Enquiring (that’s the same as bulls***ing).
nk (dbc370) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:00 pmI don’t think the Republicans should throw women in jail just for having abortions
I just wanna plant a flag here
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:01 pmHappyfeet, there is a difference between a “supporter” and a “surrogate.” Don’t pretend that you don’t understand that distinction.
yes there is but you can coordinate with both Mr. Beldar and not go to jail (like the abortion women)
so being that this is failmerican politics a pikachu can be forgiven for being cynical
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:03 pmI suggest reading today’s Marquette Law poll prior to assessing Lewandowski’s intent with this walk back. Trump is all about polls and this one says he’s going to get his butt kicked in Wisconsin next Tuesday. Lewandowski can read and the 70.2% unfavorable rating is the highest I’ve seen to date. Nothing Lewandowski can say will change anything in Wisconsin but stopping the snowball from continuing to grow is the object of the effort.
Too bad Trump’s Tod Akin moment just created a threefer which means Lewandowski might as well just shut up and sit down. I’m really looking forward to next week’s national head to head results.
Rick Ballard (edb5cf) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:09 pmTrump changed position three times on abortion in less than two hours. That certainly can’t instill any confidence in Trump supporters that their candidate will hold the line on any other policy stand.
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:11 pmJudge Napolitano says the charge against Lewandosky is BS.
I guess we know who doesn’t want to wake up with a pillow on his head.
If it was Judge Nopalitano it would have been a thorny dilema.
pinandpuller (a12946) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:12 pm77- Cruz Supporter There are ~30 million illegals. Your point?
Ed from SFV (3400a5) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:12 pm“I don’t think the Republicans should throw women in jail just for having abortions”
The ONLY person that has suggested that is the person you run around trying to carry his jock.
JD (34f761) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:13 pmi just wanna make it clear that I’m not on board
happyfeet (831175) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:17 pmI think it’s cute he calls himself judge when he’s really a TV host. He’s saying that for attention.. The video actually shows him intentionally physically harm another person. Corey also lied about it, because Corey knows what he did was wrong. You don’t lie about things you think were right. I hear this is OK because Fields must bruise easily. When your defense is that the woman you roughed up just bruises easily, guess what, you committed assault!
Corey will have his day in court.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:26 pmHow do you feel about Trump’s walkback, then? See the new post for details.
Patterico (86c8ed) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:54 pmHere is what Judge Napolitano said about the Lewandowski crimihal charges:
As I understand what he is saying, he either believes an incidental touching should not be the subject of criminal charges or it is a defense to a criminal charge. He likens it to being jostled on the subway, and that probably would not be the subject of a proper criminal charge — but not because the touching was unconsented to or incidental.
Most touching on a subway comes from trying to enter or exit or from being jostled as the subway moves. Typically the touching is incidental and unintentional. The Lewandowski touching was intentionally directed at Fields, so subway jostling is not a good analogy.
DRJ (15874d) — 3/30/2016 @ 6:58 pmJudge Napolitano says Fields waited a month to file a police report.
Judge Napolitano is full of shit.
Patterico (86c8ed) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:00 pmPlease. If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen. Reporters should just wear full plate mail, and then this kind of thing would never happen.
Boom. Solved.
Aut (d9703c) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:00 pmWhat amazes me is that these people get to go on TV and say these completely uninformed and false things. In front of a lot of people.
Patterico (86c8ed) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:01 pmI have plenty of objections to napolitano, notably from his work with ron paul, however doesn’t this feel a little like nadia naffe,
narciso (732bc0) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:03 pm90 – Pat His walkback is classic Trump. He deserves ridicule heaped upon scorn for it. My post was about the irony of DT finally getting his nuts roasted, and it was over a very, very principled position to take. I also noted that he was, for once in his miserable existence, on the side of the angels and the true enemy is our electorate who will not see past the surface on most anything – including the most basic of all natural rights…innocent life itself.
Ed from SFV (3400a5) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:06 pmEd from SV,
How principled ican one really be when they state three different views in less than a few hours?
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:22 pmMr Lewendosky was worried that Ms Fields would miss her stop.
Dennis Miller tells a story about meeting Nancy Reagan.
He reached in for a handshake and went too low and grasped her fingers instead of the fleshy part of her hands. He actually elicited a pain reaction from her when he squeezed.
I bet he could shake anybody’s hand on Fifth Avenue and his fans would still love him.
pinandpuller (a12946) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:22 pmReferring to the perpetually thin-skinned Trump, who ducks debates moderated by women and freaks out about women with pens, I tend to agree. He’s supposed to be running for president and he appears to be a coward when faced with a woman who isn’t subservient.
Note that he brags that his wife has never disagreed with him. Real proud of that.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:25 pmAbortion: strong enough for a man but made for a woman.
pinandpuller (a12946) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:26 pmWhere did Trump say she never disagrees with him, Dustin? His wife says she disagrees with him but doesn’t try to change him.
DRJ (15874d) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:30 pm@99 Dustin
Trump should be a dumb dad who’s always messing stuff up like Phil on Modern Family so Hillary can come in and fix everything with her disaproving looks and Huma power.
pinandpuller (a12946) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:30 pmNote that he brags that his wife has never disagreed with him
Probably in the prenup
Kevin M (25bbee) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:31 pm97 – Dana That is part of the richness of today! DT is the least principled GOP candidate evah, but for the few moments on MSNBC when he actually displayed some – and he is getting torched. It is all so delicious!
Ed from SFV (3400a5) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:31 pmBeldar, you honestly seem unstable. I’m not your enemy and I’m not some sinister sock puppet here to spread lies. Get some perspective, go for a walk.
The link above is one example of Cruz henchmen attacking Melania. That loon Beck also attacked Melania on numerous occasions and Ted was happy to accept his endorsement and campaign side-by-side many times.
Obviously, I don’t hold Cruz responsible for anything a supporter says but he could have made his opinion known. The fact is he waited to condemn the ad even after he addressed his lack of involvement. After the Carson Iowa trick, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the idea originated from his campaign. The PAC is linked at the hip to Carly and Carly is attached at the hip to Cruz. But I won’t say I know he was behind it, since that’s not the case.
Cruz will not be the nominee. All that you accomplish with these histrionics is help elect Clinton, who will appoint at least two Supreme Court justices and swing the balance of the Court for years to come.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:40 pmBut Ed, if he really were principled, he wouldn’t have flip-flop-flipped!
Dana (0ee61a) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:41 pmIt’s true that for many issues DT does not have developed, long-held positions. How much do you think DT thought about abortion the last 50 years? Not much. Doesn’t mean he isn’t unprincipled, just that much of the Washington code is not known to him–he did not know pro-life groups have staked their position around penalizing providers while letting abortion-seekers off the hook completely. From a perfectly rational perspective, it doesn’t make much sense. But that’s the accepted wisdom of the pro-life movement so that it offends as few as possible. Trump was ignorant of this but does that make him unprincipled? I don’t think so. It does mean he needs to spend a lot more time in debate prep on some of the issues he lacks knowledge but we all know that.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:46 pmOld Reader….The very FIRST statement by Ted included this passage…”Melania is lovely.” He was NOT speaking in the context of physicality, either.
If you, or anyone else, wants to make this election about hanging the candidates by the collective actions of their supporters, I would gleefully accept. The Trumpsists, as a whole, have been far more mendacious than any other, including HRC!
You want to make it about candidates taking action when one of their own misbehaves? Here again…Ted FIRED his campaign spokesman, over something far more trivial than the actions of Trump’s COS CL. Trump DOUBLES DOWN on, let alone refuse to renounce, that reprehensible action.
Ed from SFV (3400a5) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:47 pmEd,
Saying Melania is “lovely” means nothing. He could have condemned the ad for attacking family member but he did not.
The primary is over and you know it, given how few of the remaining states are Cruz favorable. Nevertrumpers may succeed in forcing a brokered convention but if anybody other than the delegate-leader (Trump) is nominated, that will simply hand the election and both houses to the Dems.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:51 pm“Washington Code” and “accepted wisdom”? What you are saying is that, if given enough time, Trump can learn to say what the establishment says. That is not reassuring.
DRJ (15874d) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:51 pmI’m not reading known Trumpjiks’ comments anymore. There’s no point. We’re traveling along parallel lines and we won’t ever meet.
nk (dbc370) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:52 pmDRJ,
I’m saying that for non-issues like the abortion issue in question, yes, he just needs to learn the accepted wisdom of how to answer this questions to minimize controversy so he can focus on issues that matter. The who-to-punish issue is so far removed from actually mattering–we would probably need to replace Scalia and probably at least two other liberal justices before it would even matter. Then Congress would have to decide it wanted to create its own law regulating abortion rather than leave it to the states. It really shouldn’t even be entertained–all a pro-choice politician should say is that abortion law is the most permissive in the world and I support overturning Roe so that the people may decide how to answer these difficult philosophical questions.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:58 pmGive “Old Lying Reader”‘time and he will explain away every Trumpkin incoherency.
JD (a6bc68) — 3/30/2016 @ 7:59 pmDana – For one, brief, shining moment, the man took a principled and consistent position as to the consequences of a difficult policy position taken. I completely agree with you that this is a supremely rare occurrence. Yet, he did it.
Do I trust that he would now actually back it up with actions as the POTUS? No way in hell. As you rightly insist, he’s already backed down.
Ed from SFV (3400a5) — 3/30/2016 @ 8:00 pmTrump is running as a caricature of a conservative, a cartoonish version of what a leftist imagines conservatism to be. And his fanbois lap it up
JD (a6bc68) — 3/30/2016 @ 8:01 pmEd,
He backed down because he wants to win this election and because he doesn’t care about abortion like he cares about jobs, immigration, and non-interventionist foreign policy. Making this election about whether we should punish women who seek abortions–a years off hypothetical on a deeply divisive issue–is dumb. You have to pick your battles.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 8:02 pmJD,
Trump isn’t all that conservative but then neither was Bush. But he’s best candidate on the most important issues facing our country. That’s why his supporters support him.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 8:04 pmI’m not reading any Trump anything any more. Those parallel lines are ending in The Twilight Zone. I’ve had it. You all reached Full Trump Saturation weeks ago but like the proverbial Eveready Bunny you just keep going. The SC gave unions a victory today because Scalia’s gone, we’re flooded with immigrants and terrorists are killing people all over the world and you’re worried about some Trump worker grabbing the arm of a reporter.
Imam Hoagie ™ (e4fcd6) — 3/30/2016 @ 8:05 pmNon-interventionist foreign policy – like when he was in favor of the Iraq war. Before he believed Bush lied us into war.
JD (a6bc68) — 3/30/2016 @ 8:07 pmLewandowski is Trump’s Doug Stamper.
Beldar (fa637a) — 3/30/2016 @ 8:07 pmit really has gotten fight club, and they forgot the first rule, I try to include elements outside the shield wall, fwiw,
narciso (732bc0) — 3/30/2016 @ 8:08 pmTrump isn’t all that conservative. Lololololololololololol
He isn’t remotely conservative. Or Republican.
JD (a6bc68) — 3/30/2016 @ 8:08 pmhohum, fwiw,
http://www.weaselzippers.us/264544-breaking-fbi-may-interview-hillary-in-a-matter-of-days-over-her-email-server/
narciso (732bc0) — 3/30/2016 @ 8:18 pm18 months before Iraq he said “sure, i guess, but i dont think we will have to.” Hannity and others have confirmed he was against the war before the war started and there are media accounts shortly after with him opposing the war.
Old Reader (08f24c) — 3/30/2016 @ 9:22 pmJohn Hinderaker at PowerLine agrees with Judge Napolitano that this should not have been a criminal charge. He says the prosecutor is Democrat and a Hillary supporter and advisor.
DRJ (15874d) — 3/30/2016 @ 10:53 pmCan you give me a link for your statement about Hannity?
DRJ (15874d) — 3/30/2016 @ 10:55 pmTrump is a registered Republican. Trump is running for the Republican nomination for President. Trump is on the Republican ticket. Trump has been on the Republican ballots. Trump has been at the Republican debates. In what fantasy world of yours is Trump not a Republican? Whether you like it or not Trump is a Republican. JD, you make a patently false statement like that and expect people to have respect for your opinion all while crapping on Trump supporters opinion.
Trump derangement syndrome strikes again.
Imam Hoagie ™ (e4fcd6) — 3/31/2016 @ 6:14 amI look at these stories (and the intelligence I dealt with in Iraq) as constrained optimization problems.
For example, consider the false story put out by Trump’s associate Packer alleging that Cruz had an affair with not one, but five women (three of which had been unnamed). Is the story true or have some kernel of truth?
No, in fact we know this with near certainty.
The three women are like “slack” variables. They open the dimensionality of the problem and make it appear more complex (please keep in mind Occam’s razor as you read this). To be part of the problem, these three unknown women must serve a purpose to the story.
The downside for the story creator in making a story more complicated is that it seems more preposterous. The benefit of the addition must outweigh this added drag on our credulity. Thus, the slack variables are designed to fit a simple alternative hypothesis (as if they arise from some aspect of Cruz’s character).
Take a look at the photos. The unknowns are all a certain “type” which just happens to match the type of Ms. Pierson–the perky young woman who Trump was able to place in a photograph with Cruz. (Ms. Pierson works for Trump).
These slack variables serve the purpose of feeding our suspicion. Yes, we know that the credible Ms. Carpenter and even Ms. Pierson deny the alleged affair, but then we think that the story had to arise from the testimony of one of these other women who are shielding their identity for sake of shame.
But the story does not quote any statements from these slack variables.
So there is no reason for their existence except to raise our doubt in Cruz’s defense. If we did not realize that these slack variables were required to provide a generating reason for for story by their existence, we might sloppily think that the weight of three imaginary women add weight against Cruz.
In fact, they destroy the veracity of th allegation.
In Iraq, I analyzed why certain types of bombs were put in different places. The enemy operates under constraints. For example, one tribe cannot use the territory of ano tribe.
I was very successful an my unit ran the hottest route in Northern Iraq for nearly a year all of which over we had no serious losses. Other more arrogant units were not so fortunate.
Consider my analysis.
And BTW, how do we know Trump created the story? He connected th outlet (Pecker) to the placement of an element of the story (perky and poorly clothed Ms. Pierson with he red top) in the photo.
Of course Trump created it. It also served his asinine political needs.
paul deignan (8d56b9) — 3/31/2016 @ 7:53 pmAnd btw, the Ledowski event is significant.
It shows the character of the campaign.
paul deignan (8d56b9) — 3/31/2016 @ 8:07 pmI missed the greatest absurdity.
If you are an ambitious person, do you hand your neck to your ruthless political rival for him to slit?
No of course not.
Only a person like Trump would do that.
Cruz would never make a play on Pierson. Only an idiot like Trump would think it would be in the realm of the imaginable.
(because Klein was right. Trump does have the mind of a feral cat)
paul deignan (8d56b9) — 3/31/2016 @ 9:16 pm