Patterico's Pontifications

3/22/2016

GOP Primaries Open Thread

Filed under: General — Dana @ 5:49 pm



[guest post by Dana]

There are 98 delegates to be doled out tonight.

Arizona has 58 delegates and is a winner-take-all state. Donald Trump is expected to win.

Utah has 40 delegates. A candidate must break 50% for the winner-take-all rule to kick in. Ted Cruz is favored to win. If Cruz doesn’t break 50%, then the delegates will be split proportionally between the candidates. This would include John Kasich, who refuses to get out of the race.

Added, because I forgot: American Samoa is also having its caucus tonight (9 delegates).

Decision Desk here.

–Dana

150 Responses to “GOP Primaries Open Thread”

  1. I just read that John Kasich is receiving money from George Soros.

    Dana (0ee61a)

  2. i hope ted fails to get 50% in utah cause then america’s candidate Mr. Trump would get more of these “delegates,” and we’d be that much close to making America great again

    happyfeet (831175)

  3. *closer* i mean

    happyfeet (831175)

  4. Slight nit…Trump must get at least 15% in Utah to come away with any delegates, even if Ted does not get 50%. The last poll had him at 11%.

    It seems like Ted will lose a net of at least 18 at best tonight, with each winning all the delegates in their respective wins. It is far more likely that Trump will take AZ than Ted will attain 50% in Utah, though.

    Flippin’ Kasich.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  5. @ Dana (#1): Can anyone doubt that Soros gives money to Kasich for the purpose of helping Trump (by blocking Cruz) — precisely because Soros assesses Trump as the easiest GOP nominee to defeat?

    Beldar (fa637a)

  6. Mr. Trump deserves these little symbolic victories number one he’s worked really hard and plus the Cruz people are sending naked pics of his wife to the mormons who hate naked people

    happyfeet (831175)

  7. mormon #1: jumping jehoshaphat that hoochie ain’t got nothing on her chest thingers

    mormon #2: you’re right we should vote for ted cruz

    happyfeet (831175)

  8. Polling is termed ‘sparse’ for both contests, but Kasich reported by at least one at 29% in UT.

    That seems a lot for maybe the most conservative state in the Union.

    DNF (755a85)

  9. Mormons should love Trump:

    He doesn’t drink and he has three wives.

    pinandpuller (c16705)

  10. 5. Yeah, I do. Soros paid the Chicago agitators too. He’s taking no chances.

    DNF (755a85)

  11. I thought American Samoa was voting too. Not true?

    DNF (755a85)

  12. DNF,

    Yes, yes they are, too. I totally forgot to include them.

    Dana (0ee61a)

  13. Soros funds MoveOn.org and BLM and other groups that are protesting Trump because those protests help Trump. Soros wants Trump to win the GOP nomination. He wants that because he wants Hillary to win, and Trump is the only remaining potential GOP nominee whom she can surely beat. If you can’t follow this logic, congratulations: You’re a Trumpkin, and you’re exactly stupid enough for George Soros to sucker you coming and going both.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  14. 13. Your analysis is superficial. As positions are hardening the Right’s vote will be split at least two ways, possibly three.

    Yesterday, Coburn registered himself as available for a third party run if needed. Trump insists if the nomination is stolen he’ll run third party.

    Your assertion that Cruz will never kneel to Trump must be normalized against those realities.

    The Right must therefore lose.

    DNF (755a85)

  15. I illustrated the example you are most familiar with, also miller and macho grande,

    narciso (732bc0)

  16. Added to the post, because I forgot: American Samoa is also having its caucus tonight (9 delegates).

    Dana (0ee61a)

  17. Yes, because the person organizing the third party run organized Buchanan’s 1992 third party run. I’m sure we all remember that one.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  18. I want trump to run third party,
    and sanders for fourth.

    MD in Philly (at the moment not in Philly) (80d77c)

  19. 15. It is tough competing with a photographic memory, apart from the occasional dyslexia.

    DNF (755a85)

  20. 18. Uh, I did neglect a permutation.

    DNF (755a85)

  21. I don’t think so,

    Carlson has remained politically active in retirement. In a speech at the state capitol on October 23, 2008, he endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.[6] In 2010, he announced that he would embark on a “Paul Revere” tour of Minnesota to bring attention to fiscal problems facing the state.[7] In 2010, he again broke with his party to endorse Independence Party candidate Tom Horner in Minnesota’s gubernatorial race[8] and Tim Walz for Congress.[9] In a narrow vote by the state Republican central committee, Carlson and 17 others were banned for 2 years from participating in party events, described by Politico as a “stunning purge.”[10]

    narciso (732bc0)

  22. Something might be fishy in Arizona, usually early results are reported very shortly after polls close , within minutes. It’s been half and hour and still no numbers.

    ropelight (4cdf30)

  23. plus the reform party was in 96, and 2000,

    narciso (732bc0)

  24. Frankly, I care more about the Senate primary.

    nk (dbc370)

  25. i hope ted fails to get 50% in utah cause then america’s candidate Mr. Trump would get more of these “delegates,” and we’d be that much close to making America great again

    happyfeet (831175) — 3/22/2016 @ 5:51 pm

    You misspelled “making America worse”

    Patrick Henry, the 2nd (ddead1)

  26. 22- ropelight Nothing fishy. The state put an embargo on any reporting until at least one hour after the close of polls. Given that there were still lines at polling places after the closing time, this seems a smart move, to me.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  27. Thanks Ed, if that’s what it is, it makes sense. Thanks again.

    ropelight (4cdf30)

  28. @ Ropelight,

    I’m in Arizona, and there’s a results embargo until 11pm Eastern (8pm Mountain Standard – no DST here)
    It’s just past 8 now, so there should be something coming in, but the state website looks like it’s getting too many hits to load.

    Arizona CJ (da673d)

  29. There it is…early voting killing it for Trump. 119K – 53K for DT over TC in first reports. Others? SIXTY-ONE THOUSAND

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  30. i hope ted fails to get 50% in utah cause then america’s candidate Mr. Trump would get more of these “delegates,” and we’d be that much close to making America great again

    happyfeet (831175) — 3/22/2016 @ 5:51 pm

    Trump is not making America anything as he’ll only be in the White House next year if Hillary invites him to visit, which I’m pretty sure she won’t.

    Gerald A (7c7ffb)

  31. The AP is reporting that Trump took Arizona and all 58 delegates.

    Dana (0ee61a)

  32. There’s a checkmark next to Donald Trump in Arizona
    From my front porch you can see the sea
    checkmark next to Donald Trump in Arizona
    If you’ll buy that I’ll throw the golden gate in free

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  33. My Utah precinct numbers:
    Cruz 79
    Trump 15
    Kasich 10
    One write-in for Dr. Carson

    Zoltan (c8e27b)

  34. Thank you, Zoltan. Seems like you live in a nice neighborhood.

    If I were still stuck in a line in AZ, I would so get the hell out of there. Then again, with the early voting numbers reported, I would never have bothered to get in a line to begin with.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  35. Thank you, Zoltan.
    It appears that you probably don’t live in Salt Lake City.

    MD not exactly in Philly (521954)

  36. Here are some detailed returns from AZ (most sources are just reporting Trump, Cruz, and others) with 54% in.

    Trump 168k
    Cruz 78k
    Rubio 59k
    Kasich 35k
    Carson 11k

    BTW, early voting has been going on for weeks here, which is why Rubio and Carson have substantial totals – many votes were cast before they dropped out.)

    Arizona CJ (da673d)

  37. I’m in Ivins, UT, SW corner of the state, near St. George.

    Zoltan (c8e27b)

  38. Sweet, love that area and then the drive over to Lake Powell. Favorite vacation spot!

    Colonel Haiku (8ebd68)

  39. This election has certainly illustrated the downside of early voting.

    Dana (0ee61a)

  40. Just classic: Virgin Islands GOP today released these partial results: Rubio 2 delegates, 2 uncommitted, and 1 for Cruz.

    Other news… Cruz’ campaign chairman is insisting that the final margin in AZ will not be anywhere near what we’ve seen so far. Cruz will decisively win the votes cast today.

    I doubt it, but it would be nice.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  41. Enough results are now in to be confident that Cruz will get all of Utah’s delegates, with a huge majority. Trump will get all of Arizona’s delegates with a much weaker, but still substantial, plurality.

    On [to] Wisconsin.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  42. Just think, based on ArizonaCJ’s numbers at 36, had Rubio and Carson dropped out as soon as the polls indicated they had little or no chance of securing the nomination, 71,000 votes would have gone to some other candidate.

    Dana (0ee61a)

  43. @ Dana: If Santa is a Republican — and I believe he is, even though Democrats insist that they are the Party of Santa Claus — then he’s keeping a list of who’s been naughty and nice. Rubio’s at the top, but John Kasich is number two with a bullet. These men have done incalculable damage to the GOP and the conservative cause, and one still persists with it.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  44. Excuse me, I meant: Rubio’s at the top of the “naughty” list. What part of any of this wasn’t clearly foreseeable by at least the night of the South Carolina primary?

    Beldar (fa637a)

  45. @ Dana;
    Many of those votes may have gone to other candidates, but not all. Here’s the full list with
    83% of the vote in. Some of the candidates dropped out long before the early voting began (around March 1st, if I remember right), but still got votes.

    TRUMP, DONALD J. 217,742
    CRUZ, TED 107,026
    RUBIO, MARCO 70,078
    KASICH, JOHN R. 46,566
    CARSON, BEN 13,949
    BUSH, JEB 3,874
    PAUL, RAND 1,841
    FIORINA, Carly 1,111
    HUCKABEE, MIKE 1,099
    CHRISTIE, CHRIS 870
    GRAHAM, LINDSEY 414
    SANTORUM, RICK 398
    PATAKI, GEORGE E. 242
    COOK, TIM 187

    Arizona CJ (da673d)

  46. Yes, one of the rare pleasures from tonight (h/t: Jonah Goldberg, from whom I stole this), has been watching John Kasich get beat decisively in Arizona by a guy who dropped out a week ago (Rubio).

    Beldar (fa637a)

  47. Heh. That’s a good one, Beldar.

    Thanks for the numbers, Arizona CJ. While it’s wonderful A,ericans can vote their conscience, I do wish some had been smarter about it. But then, even the sum total of those who dropped out wouldn’t have caught Cruz up to Trump. Kasich needs to go.

    Dana (0ee61a)

  48. All nine delegates from American Samoa are announcing “uncommitted” for tonight, per DecisionDeskHQ.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  49. Beldar – Where are you getting Utah numbers beyond the 2% being reported by FOX?

    Have y’all noticed Hugh Hewitt isn’t tweeting about the certainty of an open convention tonight? First time he has not on a primary Tuesday.

    Frank Luntz continues to infuriate…He tweeted a few minutes ago that Kasich’s only goal was to come in 2nd in Utah. Luntz is not to be trusted. The man has agendae not directly related to TRUTH.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  50. What kind of dipshit votes six weeks early in a primary?

    JVW (9e3c77)

  51. Ed, that’s only a “BeldarHQ” projection for UT, based on the early returns plus impressions from comments made by Nate Silver’s folks as they went to bed.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  52. I don’t understand Luntz at all, Ed. If the guy has anything magical about him, I don’t see it. He looks to me like a schlub with a polyester tie and a two-day case of diaper rash, which I suppose might be his natural persona or some assumed personality designed to make himself ingratiating. But usually after watching one of his sessions, I’m left wondering, “Who rounded up these bozos?”

    I’ve had occasion, from time to time on spectacularly big cases, to hire focus group experts for public opinion/jury polling. They have uniformly been about two levels of personal grooming and charisma above Luntz, so maybe I’ve been overpaying or picking the wrong schlubs. But I don’t think so. I share your distrust of the man.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  53. Me likey BeldarHQ. I concur with its projection, but I was hoping it had some more data.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  54. Soros wants Trump to win the GOP nomination. He wants that because he wants Hillary to win, and Trump is the only remaining potential GOP nominee whom she can surely beat.

    I think your ideological radar needs some adjustment. Soros is extremely leftwing, the epitome of a champagne socialist. In turn, horrible Hillary, based on opinion polls going back several years, has for whatever reason (but probably because she’s of the left, not the right, natch) pinged the love and warm tears of far too many Americans. A rightwing version of Hillary, meaning a person as dishonest and corrupt as she is but with a conservative tilt would never fly. Can anyone imagine a Sarah Palin loaded down with the lies, flakiness and deviousness of Hillary being anything but a pariah throughout the US?

    Soros is too leftwing to stomach someone as big mouthed as Trump, at least when his flippancy is generally aimed against any issue or policy that tugs at the heartstrings of liberals. The Soros crowd truly dislikes him, just as various country-club Republicans do too. Since both camps also dislike Ted Cruz, there apparently is a lot of animus directed at combination of non-Democrat a–holes like Trump and rightists like Cruz.

    Finally, the very fact someone as truly disreputable and manically liberal as Hillary is perceived as having a very good chance of becoming the next president says what about the US, says what about a good percentage of the American electorate?

    Mark (293713)

  55. Mark – An HRC presidency seals a SCOTUS that will be the most progressive and statist in history – for at least a dozen years. Soros well understands the levers of power and his wallet has been hard at work manipulating said levers.

    Beyond all doubt, Trump is the easiest potential opponent who will meet the Rule 40 requirements of the GOP convention.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  56. The only way I’d vote for Trump is if Gingrich was his VP. Then Trump could be impeached and I’d have what I wanted in 2012.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  57. 37 – The Dixie of Utah. Love that area. Used to golf in St. George on my way to Vegas back in the 80’s.

    mg (31009b)

  58. Lunt looks like a child molester.

    mg (31009b)

  59. z

    mg (31009b)

  60. OK. AP called Utah for Ted with more than 50% – he wins all 40 delegates.

    Still waiting to see Cruz close the gap on Trump in AZ as the Cruz campaign insisted would happen. So far? Not a bit. 47-24 Trump with 74% reporting.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  61. Last post from me for the night…

    AZ reporting 92% Cruz has failed to close the gap. Trump leads him 47-25. This means that in a CLOSED state, for the first time, late-breaking votes matched the early votes for Trump and Cruz. This is a very, very, VERY bad thing.

    I am sure the Belgium terror attack had something to do with it. But, we are headed to liberal as hell Wisconsin and a two week lull. The narrative will be deafening, and pretty much true: Trump will get his 1237 – unless Kasich miraculously gets out.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  62. Nothing like diving off the sandstone cliffs of Lake Powell into the clear blue water from a 100 feet.
    Water skiing the Escalante, spraying the walls with your wake, I love that place. And the stripper fishing is great.

    mg (31009b)

  63. trump wins arizona! canaduh turd crud loses again!

    trump wins arizona (5b015c)

  64. Ultimate GOP establishment leader, JEB Bush, to endorse Ted Cruz today – a good thing, or the kiss of death?

    ropelight (1ae4d6)

  65. I was just going to post that, ropelight. Oh well. I think it is the kiss of death.When will the Booshes realize they no longer belong?

    mg (31009b)

  66. The Bush endorsement signals the GOP’s leadership has decided to put their establishment machinery behind Ted Cruz along with the considerable financial resources a national political party can muster. Is this true love, or a shotgun wedding?

    ropelight (1ae4d6)

  67. I feel better now that I saw that Arizona is holding two primaries. The Presidential now, and the one for everything else on August 30. They’re a bunch of weirdos. Must be the heat or, possibly, the snakebite medicine.

    nk (dbc370)

  68. “Nothing like… spraying the walls with your wake, I love that place. And the stripper fishing is great.”

    mg (31009b) — 3/23/2016 @ 2:19 am

    goddam!!! I wanna party with you, cowboy!

    Colonel Haiku (8ebd68)

  69. The Bush endorsement signals the GOP’s leadership has decided to put their establishment machinery behind Ted Cruz along with the considerable financial resources a national political party can muster. Is this true love, or a shotgun wedding?

    ropelight (1ae4d6) — 3/23/2016 @ 3:55 am

    It’s a shotgun wedding. It took the establishment way to look to throw their support behind Cruz because they hate him just as much as Trump. But they understand the disaster that Trump would be for America and now have no choice.

    Might be the kiss of death for some, but not for me.

    Patrick Henry, the 2nd (0ec37f)

  70. “He looks to me like a schlub with a polyester tie and a two-day case of diaper rash, which I suppose might be his natural persona or some assumed personality designed to make himself ingratiating.”

    Lol… tell us how you really feel, counselor! “Don’t strike that, your honor, not poorly phrased!”

    Colonel Haiku (8ebd68)

  71. “striem>pers“, mg… catch ’em with a pole, not hangin’ on one…

    Colonel Haiku (8ebd68)

  72. stripers

    Colonel Haiku (8ebd68)

  73. with Cruz’s margin in Utah did our prostitute friend Liz Mair really have to go Full Gutterslut

    happyfeet (831175)

  74. Can Cruz even denounce the tranny’s ad without violating the rule against coordination between candidates and PACs?

    nk (dbc370)

  75. Guess the establishment hug is okay now because they back Cruz. How to resolve the idea that he is firmly in bed, unclothed with dirty low down elitist Washington insider establishment….apostasy for Rubio or Jeb but God’s will for Ted…. /sarc
    The hypocrisy is slippery than a stripper’s pole after a three song set….

    spokanebob (6797b5)

  76. Mitt Romney is pleased to announce that, due to his strong showing in the Utah caucuses, Ted Cruz has been granted the title ‘Dictator for Eternity’ on Planet Beck in our glorious Celestial Kingdom; and awarded all 40 spirit wives, which were in contention.

    pinandpuller (c16705)

  77. Can Cruz even denounce the tranny’s ad without violating the rule against coordination between candidates and PACs?

    Yes. Publicly commenting on what someone does, in the same way that anyone else might do, is not coordinating with them. Directly telling them to knock it off might be.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  78. That’s one way of looking at it, Bob,
    the other way is that after a period of indecision about who the GOPe hated most, saying Cruz and Trump were like a bullet and poison,
    they have decided that supporting Trump would be worse.

    But I put nothing past them. Perhaps they really aren’t behind Cruz at all, and just think it will help the Congressional races to be on record as not supporting Trump.

    For the most part, the GOPe just needs to stay out of it, including not backing other contenders like Rubio then Kasich.

    Is Kasich really getting funding from Soros???

    MD not exactly in Philly (521954)

  79. Guess the establishment hug is okay now because they back Cruz. How to resolve the idea that he is firmly in bed, unclothed with dirty low down elitist Washington insider establishment….apostasy for Rubio or Jeb but God’s will for Ted…. /sarc
    The hypocrisy is slippery than a stripper’s pole after a three song set….

    spokanebob (6797b5) — 3/23/2016 @ 5:31 am

    I assume you’re not voting for Trump since Christie endorsed him. /sarc

    Gerald A (7c7ffb)

  80. There once was a puller of pud
    Weak with disease of the blood
    Pin dicked chased the skirt
    Beat down, dick in the dirt
    Bitter tears by teh morn changed to mud

    Colonel Haiku (8ebd68)

  81. Soros wants Trump to win the GOP nomination. He wants that because he wants Hillary to win, and Trump is the only remaining potential GOP nominee whom she can surely beat. If you can’t follow this logic, congratulations: You’re a Trumpkin, and you’re exactly stupid enough for George Soros to sucker you coming and going both.

    I’m sorry Beldar but by that logic ISIS (or whoever) bombed Brussels to help Trump.

    Rev. Hoagie ™ (e4fcd6)

  82. Mr. Trump is the good candidate whereas harvardtrash Ted is an establishment favorite

    advantage: Mr. The Donald

    happyfeet (831175)

  83. It’s a fact that Melania posed nude and pointing it out is fair game. The question is whether it’s politically effective to point it out. Most Internet bloggers and commenters seem to think it isn’t effective, but the Utah results show Cruz vastly outperformed the polls. Thus, it appears the Melania ad didn’t hurt Cruz and it may have been effective in that market.

    DRJ (15874d)

  84. Simple fact; GOPe wants chaos. Doesn’t even matter who the candidate is after the scrum of Cleveland. They want the status quo uber alles, even if it is Hillary! They fail to grasp chaos invariably has unintended and unforeseen consequences.

    Not sue anyone grasps that Hillary! means roughly half the left and 75% of the right will be very unhappy.That could play out very badly. To say nothing about having an incompetent lying criminal with a drinking problem, serious health issues and the most grating voice in the world. To say nothing of her complete indifference to national security coupled with her personal life being a subject of possible blackmail.

    Bugg (db3a97)

  85. The Bush family, with the exception of Bush 43 and Karl Rove, have supported Cruz since his earliest race in 2009. Bush 43 has said he doesn’t like Cruz.

    DRJ (15874d)

  86. Colonel no likee

    I think his approbation

    Is overrated

    pinandpuller (0845e7)

  87. i’ve lost all respect for Team Cruz when they lower themselves to distributing smutty eurotrash hooker porn to mormon housewives

    what a sick sick man

    happyfeet (831175)

  88. The Pat Benatar-wannabe tranny is not on team Cruz. She does her own thing. Trannies are unreliable; lesbians are more dependable. Kris Kristofferson wrote a song about it:

    Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin’ for a tranny
    And I’s feelin’ near as faded as my jeans
    Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained
    It rode us all the way to New Orleans

    nk (dbc370)

  89. At this point, happyfeet, no one expects you to like anything Cruz and his supporters like or do. You are the anti-Cruz.

    DRJ (15874d)

  90. you wound me

    damien happyfeet (831175)

  91. It’s a fact that Melania posed nude and pointing it out is fair game. The question is whether it’s politically effective to point it out. Most Internet bloggers and commenters seem to think it isn’t effective, but the Utah results show Cruz vastly outperformed the polls. Thus, it appears the Melania ad didn’t hurt Cruz and it may have been effective in that market.

    But to the extent that dishonest people like Trump or his acolyte happyfeet successfully (but falsely) portray it as Cruz’s doing, the harm could be nationwide.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  92. Personally, I don’t think pointing it out is fair game. I think people should leave the wives out of it.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  93. Soros wants Trump to win the GOP nomination. He wants that because he wants Hillary to win, and Trump is the only remaining potential GOP nominee whom she can surely beat. If you can’t follow this logic, congratulations: You’re a Trumpkin, and you’re exactly stupid enough for George Soros to sucker you coming and going both.

    I’m sorry Beldar but by that logic ISIS (or whoever) bombed Brussels to help Trump.

    Rev. Hoagie ™ (e4fcd6) — 3/23/2016 @ 7:07 am

    Why would we assume ISIS is even thinking of the election when they do something like that? Your logic fails.

    But if we did make that assumption, then concluding that they are trying to help Trump would make sense.

    Gerald A (7c7ffb)

  94. Of course Cruz’s camp had nothing to do with it [/wink] That’s why he denounced the ad as vile and beneath contempt.

    But wait, he didn’t, did he? All he said was, to paraphrase, “it wasn’t me and if YOU bring MY wife into it, you’re a coward”. More cowardly than having your fellow pro-amnesty GOPe minion do it for you?

    And now Cruz is even farther behind than he was the day before. It must suck to sell your soul only to get second place.

    prowlerguy (fa36d8)

  95. Fox News and Trump are one and the same:

    “I noticed this morning … Ted Cruz is saying things about Melania, and your father fired back,” Fox News’ Ainsley Earhardt told Eric Trump during an interview Wednesday morning.

    Trump responded with the suggestion that Cruz’s “super PAC is him” and continued to blast his father’s opponent.

    They both lie.

    And happyfeet, if you’re going to support Trump, fine. But stop being dishonest about this. Melania Trump posed nude, Cruz doesn’t use the photo, but you blame him for Liz Mair’s decision to use it in her ANTI-TRUMP SUPER-PAC? Why are you so sexist? Mair can take the heat, she’s not a shrinking violet. Why don’t you respect women?

    Dana (0ee61a)

  96. Do you really want to play The Candidate Is Responsible For Everything His Supporters Do And Say game??? I’m thinking Trump wouldn’t be the winner in that. Sad!

    Dana (0ee61a)

  97. The assumption that Soros et al are protesting (violently) Trump in order to HELP Trump seem to rest on their ability to perfectly assess the situation and act accordingly.

    The truth, however, is that Trump has baffled the pundits and king-makers from day one. Each time he says something that is not PC or challenges the DC norm, they trumpet how this will surely be the one that brings him down. Yet, over and over, his numbers go up. It understandable for them to assume that their antics would bring him down. After all, it worked with Bush43 (Code Pink, Bush lied people died), it worked with McCain (rumor of affair), and it worked with Romney(47%, dog on roof of car). Why would think this time would be different?

    The much more likely explanation is that the political elite (both parties), radical left, and anti-American groups around the world all want to stop Trump, They just aren’t very good at it this time.

    prowlerguy (fa36d8)

  98. Liz Mair is not a good person

    you know who also has smutty pics in her portfolio is that Megyn Kelly

    i hope as the campaign progresses people will remember that women are not to be treated as objects like how Liz Mair treats them but that they are actually good especially if they speak FIVE languages

    happyfeet (831175)

  99. 78.That’s one way of looking at it, Bob,
    the other way is that after a period of indecision about who the GOPe hated most, saying Cruz and Trump were like a bullet and poison,
    they have decided that supporting Trump would be worse.

    At this point I think it will be a Trump vs Hillary or Trump vs Bernie (if the email scandal drives the meltdown). I would vote for Trump over Hillary because he is less dangerous than she is with the power. If it were Bernie vs Trump I’d vote Bernie as he would be less dangerous than Trump with power.
    Not the choices I would like to have but now you know my main criteria in those choices.

    spokanebob (e86321)

  100. I don’t know, Dana. Do you really want to play the The Candidate Has No Idea What His Super PACS Are Doing game? I’m thinking the you wouldn’t be the winner in that. Hilarious!

    I also like you try to conflate Super PAC with individuals at a rally. They are not the same, you know.

    prowlerguy (fa36d8)

  101. Do you want to play the “I’ll lie for Trump all day” game with prowlerguy? It is not Cruz’s PAC. It is Liz Mair’s PAC. Candidates and independent PACs are not allowed to coordinate with each other. Not allowed to have the PAC be the candidate’s alter ego.

    nk (dbc370)

  102. 94. “They both lie”

    This truly is a disappointment.

    DNF (755a85)

  103. Six languages, feets.

    Leviticus (efada1)

  104. IF Liz Mair were in food service, I’d move on to a different restaurant.
    She doesn’t wash her hands after using the rest room.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  105. So you expect to fix this?

    http://donsurber.blogspot.com/2016/03/government-workers-paid-to-serve-time.html

    The Bushies in Cruz’ corner is not a positive.

    DNF (755a85)

  106. Frankly beautiful women who take their clothes off are pleasure to behold.

    DNF (755a85)

  107. @83. Bringing attention to Melania’s beauty is a fool’s errand given the pork chops the others are wed to.

    It’s an act of desperation.

    Back in 1960, Jackie Kennedy was briefly ‘attacked’ by the opposition for being ‘dim-witted’ because she spoke somewhat slowly. If memory serves, the attempt evaporated when future First Lady responded in French, Spanish and English. Bess Truman was labeled a frump. Eleanor Roosevelt, much worse. Nancy Reagan was smeared as superficial and frivolous.

    DCSCA (a343d5)

  108. Do you want to play the “I’ll lie for Trump all day” game with prowlerguy?
    nk (dbc370) — 3/23/2016 @ 8:49 am

    There’s so many Trumpers we can play that with so no need to just play it with him.

    Jumping all over Cruz because Bush endorsed him is the disingenuous Trumper ploy of the day. I’m 100% sure they’d all drop their support of Trump in a second if Bush endorsed him.

    Gerald A (7c7ffb)

  109. Mark (293713) — 3/22/2016 @ 11:17 pm

    Finally, the very fact someone as truly disreputable and manically liberal as Hillary is perceived as having a very good chance of becoming the next president says what about the US, says what about a good percentage of the American electorate?

    They are unaware of things. Also, we have avery bad selection system, wth too limited a choice of candidates.

    Sammy Finkelman (652c5b)

  110. yes yes SIX languages

    happyfeet (831175)

  111. NK, that’s so cute. You actually believe that the PACs supporting the candidate don’t ever communicate with anyone affiliated with the candidate? So when the Cruz surrogates start, as a group, planting stories about Melania (she’s only getting good press so the MSM can kill conservatives’ chances, she gave to Hillary, she’s foreign born, she’s the third wife), you believe that the pro-Cruz PACs don’t pay attention to what their boss is signalling them to do? You’re not that big a simpleton. You know better. But yet you grasp at that fig leaf as if your life depended on it. Give it up. Your boy has slipped through the grate in the gutter as is floating down the river of excrement to the dustbin of history.

    prowlerguy (fa36d8)

  112. It’s a fact that Melania posed nude and pointing it out is fair game.

    Not false, but not germane, either. Nothing to do with policy, nothing to do with legislation. Only pandering to the lowest and most base emotions of a Christian sect that still practices polygamy. That’s your boy, Teddy Cruz. Who, BTW, has been caught lying again about who is still in the race. This time, he claimed that Kasich would not be on the NY primary ballot.

    prowlerguy (fa36d8)

  113. prowlerguy, you’re prowling in the gutters of history. And in the gutters.

    If it’s not Megyn Kelly, then you guys are savaging Heidi Cruz. Oh my God. She works for Goldman Sachs. Your candidate claims to be worth ten billion, yet you little hysterical frogs scream that Ted’s wife works on Wall Street. (LOL)

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  114. Gerald A, we aren’t jumping on him because Bush endorsed him. It’s because his staff is now filled with ex-Bush operatives, and because he is now the GOPe candidate. The Bush endorsement is just the cherry that makes it impossible to deny.

    prowlerguy (fa36d8)

  115. This time, he claimed that Kasich would not be on the NY primary ballot.

    oh dear

    “Most of the things Donald Trump says have no basis in reality,” Heidi Cruz told reporters at a campaign stop in Wisconsin.

    this is not all her fault the voices in her head made her say that

    the voices are oblivious to irony

    happyfeet (831175)

  116. Where have I ever even mentioned either of those two? Provide a link, or STFU. And it is Cruz and his surrogates that published “nude” photos and claim she does porn, even though you can not see nipples, butt crack, nor bush. Flush flush, Cruz boy.

    prowlerguy (fa36d8)

  117. Hey, Mr. Feet? Here’s a thought: quit making fun of people not running for office. Especially women, with whom you seem to have repeated issues. Oh, I know you don’t think so, but you are wrong.

    Picking on the spouses or children of candidates is extremely low class and offensive.

    I know that people just let you stink Patterico’s place up, but could you please just restrict your bile to the folks on the ballot? I mean, this time? At least for a few days?

    Simon Jester (2600d0)

  118. here’s a thought:

    happyfeet (831175)

  119. i can’t think of one right now

    happyfeet (831175)

  120. prowlerguy, does Heidi Cruz make you angry? She works at Goldman Sachs. For Huey Long populists such as yo-self, I bet that’s frustrating.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  121. ooh i just thought of one

    happyfeet (831175)

  122. it’s utterly disingenuous to pretend a purebred harvardtrash goldy sacky like Heidi Cruz isn’t a major political player on team cruz – she’s an operative pure and simple no different than Mr. Trump’s campaign manager Corey L or Mr. Cruz’s campaign manager Stumpy Buttwiggles

    in contrast though it’s not ludicrous to pretend poor Melania is NOT a political player on team trump, cause of she has her hands full just keeping her clothes on

    but who’s getting torn to pieces in this campaign so far

    hint it’s not heidi it’s melania

    happyfeet (831175)

  123. She works at Goldman Sachs.

    she’s also a former government official who traded on her government experience for to get a lucrative private sector job

    this is who they are, and it’s a very valid contrast with the Trump family, who is not like that

    happyfeet (831175)

  124. Mr Happyfeet, you’re right, we absolutely cannot endorse someone who traded on government favors. Therefore, the candidate who brags about buying favors from politicians—Donnie Douchebag—well, he should simply withdraw.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  125. that is a non sequitur what you said Mr. Supporter

    happyfeet (831175)

  126. Mr Happyfeet, you’re saying that Heidi Cruz—merely the spouse of candidate Cruz—traded on government favors. And that’s “bad.”
    Okay. (And I don’t believe that she “traded” on them. But let’s just accept your Trumpian premise.)
    But Candidate Trump traded on government favors—he purchased them. He admits so.
    So if we accept your standard that soliciting government favors is bad, then certainly The Mr Donald is more bad than the spouse of Ted Cruz.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  127. no that’s not what i said

    what i said and what you’re saying i said are different things to say

    we are expressing different ideas that are not the same

    it’s like the difference between olive oil gelato and an apple fritter with candied pecans on top

    happyfeet (831175)

  128. I would not be surprised if a brokered convention happens. Team republican will run Soros/and the guy from Ohio.

    mg (31009b)

  129. Mr Happyfeet, you can talk about apple fritters and Caesar salads all day long, but if anyone has traded on government influence, it’s The Mr Donald. He admits so.

    Donnie Toupee has long been a “john” for government wh*res.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  130. do you know who introduced ice cream to the europeans Mr. Supporter?

    it was Marco Polo, considered by many to have been the Donald Trump of his time

    so that’s some context for you

    happyfeet (831175)

  131. Well, once again Mr. Feet gets to be as Nasty As He Wants To Be to folks not running for office while commenting on someone else’s site.

    And that’s fine, since Patterico doesn’t really seem to mind—though he right does call Mr. Feet a dishonest acolyte. The vulgar nonsense does stink up the joint. Considering all he has to do is quit being crude about women (which is indeed a thing with Mr. Feet), it’s interesting he won’t even attempt to focus his nastiness on the people who are actually, you know, running for office.

    But I was quite amused by the concept that Trump doesn’t curry favors from government officials…when he most certainly has said he has done so. Many times.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiVwA19DZ6g

    Notice that, as usual, he didn’t really answer the question. What did he get for “all of his money to everyone”? Sounds like something out of “Gotham,” doesn’t it?

    No worries. That’s different to many Trump pals.

    So let’s review. A person in a company trying to curry favor from politicians is bad. Another person in a company trying to curry favor from politicians is good. The difference? Mr. Feet doesn’t like the lady, and he does like the toupee.

    More to the point are the repeated jokes about mental illness.
    And that does not…um…shower praise and goodness upon the head of Mr. Feet.

    You would actually do more for your cause by leaving family out of it. But I suspect you actually could care less about the entire political race; you just like to be a jerk online.

    But I will say that at least most of the Trump types aren’t anywhere near as vulgar as Biff Tannen. You, Mr. Feet, are pretty similar to him, though I hope your hair is your own.

    Simon Jester (2600d0)

  132. But I was quite amused by the concept that Trump doesn’t curry favors from government officials

    please to point to where I said this, for I must correct the record

    it’s not something I ever intended to communicate

    i fear I’ve been misunderstood

    More to the point are the repeated jokes about mental illness.

    I don’t believe you really care at all about mental illness jokes I think you just look for stuff you can frame as an extraordinary violation of some social nicety or the other cause of that’s how you like to attack people – by pointing to largely irrelevant things what you’ll say signify that your opponent is complete trash who should be banned while you’re the bestest most moral lil guy ever in the whole whirl.

    It’s tiresome.

    happyfeet (831175)

  133. Um. No. I just find you vulgar. And I’m not alone.

    Simon Jester (2600d0)

  134. omg i can’t even handle your relentless negativity

    happyfeet (831175)

  135. And I bet you serious coin that many, many people find your silly ass schtick tiresome.

    But hey! You are speaking truth to power!

    Again, you feel it is your right to be a jackwagon here. It’s my right to call you on it here.

    And it’s much better than making fun of people’s wives and calling folks butt sniffers.

    Simon Jester (2600d0)

  136. she’s also a former government official who traded on her government experience for to get a lucrative private sector job

    I’ve been following Instapundit long enough to know that’s the kind of thing we’d like to discourage.
    It’s not the Jon Corzine, it’s the Chris Dodd trajectory to perpetual pocket stuffing.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  137. well you have to exercise your rights

    happyfeet (831175)

  138. yes I agree Mr. tiger – i think people understand there are those kind of people and there’s the kind of people what don’t live like that, what ask not what their country can do for them

    i think most of us here at the very least do indeed aspire to fall into the latter group

    happyfeet (831175)

  139. I’d say she has shown her Doddifides. More than Melania.
    Melania’s picture had a modest, cameraman looking through the closet peephole, feel to it.

    Like he had been hiding in a secret place to spring forth unawares.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  140. Ambush is the word. Don’t know how I lost it.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  141. If Donnie Toupee buys off politicians and even invites them to his wedding, then he’s just a guy trying to get along in the world.
    But if Heidi Cruz is a former advisor to Prez Bush, then takes a job with Goldman Sachs, that only means she’s a conniving scheming jerk! She should have taken a job behind the counter at Burger King! (LOL)

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  142. That’s the principle. Who ever said these Cruz supporters are slow?

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  143. I don’t believe you really care at all about mental illness jokes

    I believe he does, and I believe I do. And I believe many others do too. I find them repulsive and revealing.

    Patterico (86c8ed)

  144. i don’t at all i find them lighthearted and egalitarian in how they acknowledge common foibles and a shared humanity

    happyfeet (831175)

  145. i suppose if one were to make mental illness jokes about somebody what was actually mentally ill it would be different though

    happyfeet (831175)

  146. i mean who’s not rooting for amanda bynes

    happyfeet (831175)

  147. Some people care about Heidi Cruz working on Wall Street. Others care that Melania Trump posed nude. The spouses tell us something about the candidates. I think only the children should be off-limits.

    DRJ (15874d)

  148. We can’t stoop to the level of electing a President whose wife works on Wall Street. We better elect the billionaire instead!

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)


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