Quote from: Hoofer on September 23, 2016, 06:19:50 PM
Completely agree with you on all points.  The race is too close for Trump to keep Cruz at arm's length, when he needs him and people like us to secure the WH... that's politics.

Levin and Cruz have this in common, they care more about the USA than themselves, or their careers - actually, that's one of the reasons I still like both of them, I understand the difficulty they went through in making a decision.... and if we're honest, we're all going through the same thing.   Of course that thing is exactly what Ted pointed out, the prospects of Hillary and the clear end of America as we love it.

While some talk show hosts might still be fuming over Ted, it was his move, and actually delaying the "decision"... yep, I was expecting it, but was wondering if Trump would give him "enough Conservative talking points" to allow Ted to say, "OK, we AGREE on those points (6 of them), you're not nearly as bad as Hillary.   Before the Trump-a-loons get all giddy, did Ted actually make any concessions, or was it Donald's "conservative talking points" that allowed the possibility of both Levin and Cruz...?    Seriously, Ted & Mark have not budged a smidgen, they are the same guys, with the same political policies of a year ago!... just a little bruised for standing on their principles!

I'm still disappointed, because I wanted people like Mark Levin and Ted Cruz to become the standard-bearers and lead us to the Conservative Promise Land.... well, our numbers are still too few.   The key for us, Mark Levin "educating" the listening audience, while guys like Mike Lee & Ted Cruz fight on the front lines in the Senate, hopefully we can keep sending them "reinforcements".

We are GROWING in numbers by the public getting educated about the Constitution -and- voters seeing & experiencing first hand the failure of Liberal, Democratic, Socialist policies.  Trump doesn't represent anything we know as Conservative - but, he's realizing he needs us, that's a really, really good thing.   Trump also has enough balls to tell McConnell to shove it, if he wants to.   So, we actually can "use" him - like Levin alludes to... keep the pressure on him.   The goal is to purge the GOP of the liberals.

Yes, I am still quite optimistic, we are not going to 'win' this fight with a couple of elections, but with educating the populace - they will "inherit" the restored America we wanted.

Well, perhaps Ted saw that optimism vanish after Hillary grants amnesty to millions; the demographics would change dramatically and he saw absolutely no chance of ANY conservative including himself surviving.  With Trump perhaps he saw a very slight minute glimmer of hope and his very last chance. Sad.

Quote from: Hoofer on September 23, 2016, 06:19:50 PM
Completely agree with you on all points.  The race is too close for Trump to keep Cruz at arm's length, when he needs him and people like us to secure the WH... that's politics.

Levin and Cruz have this in common, they care more about the USA than themselves, or their careers - actually, that's one of the reasons I still like both of them, I understand the difficulty they went through in making a decision.... and if we're honest, we're all going through the same thing.   Of course that thing is exactly what Ted pointed out, the prospects of Hillary and the clear end of America as we love it.

While some talk show hosts might still be fuming over Ted, it was his move, and actually delaying the "decision"... yep, I was expecting it, but was wondering if Trump would give him "enough Conservative talking points" to allow Ted to say, "OK, we AGREE on those points (6 of them), you're not nearly as bad as Hillary.   Before the Trump-a-loons get all giddy, did Ted actually make any concessions, or was it Donald's "conservative talking points" that allowed the possibility of both Levin and Cruz...?    Seriously, Ted & Mark have not budged a smidgen, they are the same guys, with the same political policies of a year ago!... just a little bruised for standing on their principles!

I'm still disappointed, because I wanted people like Mark Levin and Ted Cruz to become the standard-bearers and lead us to the Conservative Promise Land.... well, our numbers are still too few.   The key for us, Mark Levin "educating" the listening audience, while guys like Mike Lee & Ted Cruz fight on the front lines in the Senate, hopefully we can keep sending them "reinforcements".

We are GROWING in numbers by the public getting educated about the Constitution -and- voters seeing & experiencing first hand the failure of Liberal, Democratic, Socialist policies.  Trump doesn't represent anything we know as Conservative - but, he's realizing he needs us, that's a really, really good thing.   Trump also has enough balls to tell McConnell to shove it, if he wants to.   So, we actually can "use" him - like Levin alludes to... keep the pressure on him.   The goal is to purge the GOP of the liberals.

Yes, I am still quite optimistic, we are not going to 'win' this fight with a couple of elections, but with educating the populace - they will "inherit" the restored America we wanted.

You make sense

Quote from: Ms.Independence on September 23, 2016, 06:15:00 PM
Since Cruz has fought several Supreme Court battles (Heller v. DC etc.) and won, I think Scalia's vacancy weighed heavily on him and the fact that at least one other additional justice will probably be appointed.  Cruz stated; "We know, without a doubt, that every Clinton appointee would be a left-wing ideologue. Trump, in contrast, has promised to appoint justices 'in the mold of Scalia'".

Cruz unfortunately, is taking him at his word. 

..."Cruz also praised Trump for releasing an updated list of potential Supreme Court nominees that includes Sen. Mike Lee. Cruz said he had sought "greater specificity on this issue, and today the Trump campaign provided that."

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/09/23/cruz-says-will-vote-for-trump.html

We can either take Trump at his word, or Hillary at her word.

We are screwed.

Let's be honest here. Ted is a politician. When he refused to back Trump, Trump's numbers were lower than Obama's IQ. Ted has his career to think about if he wants to remain in the senate and eventually run for president again.
There is also Hillary. She's more miserable than leprosy.  Is Ted Wrong? He's doing what we have forsaken. The system has truly screwed us.

Quote from: Rotwang on September 23, 2016, 06:13:13 PM
Cruz is clear, and reasoned.

Just what I want from a Supreme Court Justice.

So Mr Trump, is Senator Cruz on THAT list yet ?

Trump has added names to his list of Supremes possibles suggestions.

You must think nobody on the left would object if Trump did name Cruz.

QuoteLee is Cruz's BFF in the Senate and the Trump campaign has been nudging Cruz lately to finally come aboard and endorse. If Cruz is holding out on grounds that Trump isn't conservative enough, Trump naming Mike Lee as a potential Supreme Court justice is a quick and easy way to remedy that. An even quicker and easier way would have been to float Cruz himself as a potential nominee, but maybe the politics of that wouldn't have worked. If Trump had put Cruz on the list and then Cruz had endorsed, it would have looked like a venal quid pro quo by Cruz, with Trump having essentially purchased his endorsement by dangling a plum job offer in front of him. If Cruz is going to cave now, he needs to be able to save face by framing his endorsement in terms of principle. Putting Lee on the list instead of him is the perfect way to make that happen.

http://hotair.com/archives/2016/09/23/trump-names-10-judges-possible-supreme-court-picks-including-trump-critic-mike-lee/

Quote from: wally on September 23, 2016, 02:26:26 PM
I have a higher regard for the integrity of Ted Cruz.  I believe that his conscience dictated his change of position.  Sometimes the winning strategy may dictate the Quarterback must fall back and punt even when every fiber of his body says he should run!  Ted Cruz could not set this one out on the side line and the stakes are just too high to allow emotion to stand in the way of one's better judgement!

Not sure that I'm following that line of reasoning.  Most of us vowed not to vote for Trump. Some said they would either write Cruz's name in, vote third party or just vote the rest of the ballot and not for president.

So if you're saying the stakes are so are you also saying that we're supposed to jump on board because in a sense, and I repeat...in a sense we're supposed do what Ted now tells after telling us to vote our conscience?

Sorry but this stinks to high heaven.  It smacks of promises made behind the scenes or concern born out of personal reasons. I still feel that Reince Preibus's threat that those that don't get on board will never run for President in the future played a big part.  That threat was just a few days ago and then Cruz comes out with this.  Sorry but I'm not buying Ted's epiphany.

Every alleged conservative politician that supported him was vilified and accused of selling out thus far  So should we change our principles now since Ted seems to have sold out?  Are we now suddenly going to sing the tune "well Trump is still better than Hillary" or use the "lesser of two evils" excuse?  Sorry but I'm not and I'm sorely disappointed with Cruz.

I also recall many saying that Cruz should never back Trump even with a promise from Trump to nominate Cruz for the SC. It's only a promise and we know how steadfast Trump is when he promises something. Trump changes his mind hourly.

Thankfully the electorate have short memories when it comes to future voting because right now "Ted Caved" is all over the net.  Can't see that as being helpful to him now or in the future unless there's more to it.  You can see his opponents now touting that he is a phony and caved on his principles. Perhaps not true but it will be said anyway.  Think that won't happen?

If this was any other politician we would be calling him a sell-out. Considering how principled Cruz has been it's actually worse when a person that focused and principled...caves in.  The reality is that those that vowed not to vote for Trump, probably still won't so just what did Ted gain by doing this? And if one does change their mind then maybe they aren't as principled as they first thought or they were going to vote for Trump anyway and like many will never admit that they did.

All the explanations and attempted justification doesn't change what Cruz had been saying...until yesterday.

Just a a sampling of what's out there. Not saying I agree entirely. Here's another theory:

Report: Cruz caved over possible primary challengers, and private polling numbers...

This would be a much more cynical explanation than the already damaging "Mike Lee SCOTUS" narrative being put out there. What is most likely is that they're both true.

http://therightscoop.com/report-cruz-caved-over-possible-primary-challengers-and-private-polling-numbers/


Ted Cruz Caves


Ted Cruz wants, above all else, to be president. He's spent years working and strategically plotting toward achieving that goal. After endorsing Donald Trump today, Cruz's chances of becoming president have, it seems to me, nearly evaporated.

I'd heard rumblings last week that Cruz, who had shocked most observers by refusing to endorse Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention in July, was wavering on the subject. So the news that broke today was therefore not entirely unexpected, but it does have a certain surreal quality. This is a disastrously bad decision on Cruz's part, and one that he will come to regret. He fully deserves the criticism and scorn being heaped on him today and the realization he will have—albeit only now that it's too late—is that this was not a mistake he could afford to make.


First, both of the reasons Cruz gave for his decision, in a statement he posted on Facebook Friday afternoon—that he signed a pledge and that Hillary Clinton is unacceptable—are demonstrably ridiculous. Even if you agree that Clinton is more "unacceptable" than Trump, and that a pledge made to the Republican National Committee should take precedence over one's oath of office and one's repeated promises to work for the 27 million people of Texas, it remains the case that Cruz signed the pledge last year and could have known, months ago, that Clinton would be the Democratic nominee.


At the same time, I'm aware that even before today's news, it was tricky to persuade anyone to consider giving Cruz the benefit of the doubt about anything—and after today, it will be impossible. Either his endorsement is a pack of lies, or his speech at the RNC was: they can't both be true.


http://www.texasmonthly.com/burka-blog/ted-cruz-caves/

So the Constitutional Conservative Ted Cruz is now a follower of the liberal democrat Donald Trump.

Maybe just maybe Donald Trump isn't that liberal or Ted Cruz isn't that Conservative. Maybe we call it a wash both RINOS.

How can Ted Cruz stand before us on any platform and tell us about Conservative value when he is now a follower of the liberal Donald Trump...?

Sad day for me, my pocket, our Constitution, and our nation.

I can never believe the man again.

Quote from: Dubinsky on September 24, 2016, 04:30:31 AM
Not sure that I'm following that line of reasoning.  Most of us vowed not to vote for Trump. Some said they would either write Cruz's name in, vote third party or just vote the rest of the ballot and not for president.

So if you're saying the stakes are so are you also saying that we're supposed to jump on board because in a sense, and I repeat...in a sense we're supposed do what Ted now tells after telling us to vote our conscience?

Sorry but this stinks to high heaven.  It smacks of promises made behind the scenes or concern born out of personal reasons. I still feel that Reince Preibus's threat that those that don't get on board will never run for President in the future played a big part.  That threat was just a few days ago and then Cruz comes out with this.  Sorry but I'm not buying Ted's epiphany.

Every alleged conservative politician that supported him was vilified and accused of selling out thus far  So should we change our principles now since Ted seems to have sold out?  Are we now suddenly going to sing the tune "well Trump is still better than Hillary" or use the "lesser of two evils" excuse?  Sorry but I'm not and I'm sorely disappointed with Cruz.

I also recall many saying that Cruz should never back Trump even with a promise from Trump to nominate Cruz for the SC. It's only a promise and we know how steadfast Trump is when he promises something. Trump changes his mind hourly.

Thankfully the electorate have short memories when it comes to future voting because right now "Ted Caved" is all over the net.  Can't see that as being helpful to him now or in the future unless there's more to it.  You can see his opponents now touting that he is a phony and caved on his principles. Perhaps not true but it will be said anyway.  Think that won't happen?

If this was any other politician we would be calling him a sell-out. Considering how principled Cruz has been it's actually worse when a person that focused and principled...caves in.  The reality is that those that vowed not to vote for Trump, probably still won't so just what did Ted gain by doing this? And if one does change their mind then maybe they aren't as principled as they first thought or they were going to vote for Trump anyway and like many will never admit that they did.

All the explanations and attempted justification doesn't change what Cruz had been saying...until yesterday.

I am speaking for myself and I made no such "Never Trump" pledge.  Ted Cruz did make a pledge and he is keeping his word..As difficult as it is for us to accept, I am sure it is even more difficult for Ted Cruz to have to eat shit, swallow hard and endorse our only choice of stopping Hillary from destroying America.  The only thing I focus on is that!  (I am not a Trumpster and hate how he has divided us...but there is no other way to stop Hillary Clinton and the far left loons from making our country into a Marxist Dictatorship!)

Quote from: wally on September 24, 2016, 05:08:41 AM
I am speaking for myself and I made no such "Never Trump" pledge.  Ted Cruz did make a pledge and he is keeping his word..As difficult as it is for us to accept, I am sure it is even more difficult for Ted Cruz to have to eat shit, swallow hard and endorse our only choice of stopping Hillary from destroying America.  The only thing I focus on is that!  (I am not a Trumpster and hate how he has divided us...but there is no other way to stop Hillary Clinton and the far left loons from making our country into a Marxist Dictatorship!)

And who's going to stop the liberal Trump...? Your vote...?....lol

Quote from: wally on September 24, 2016, 05:08:41 AM
I am speaking for myself and I made no such "Never Trump" pledge.  Ted Cruz did make a pledge and he is keeping his word..As difficult as it is for us to accept, I am sure it is even more difficult for Ted Cruz to have to eat shit, swallow hard and endorse our only choice of stopping Hillary from destroying America.  The only thing I focus on is that!  (I am not a Trumpster and hate how he has divided us...but there is no other way to stop Hillary Clinton and the far left loons from making our country into a Marxist Dictatorship!)

I understand and I was speaking for myself as well.  My thought is that who stops Trump which takes us back once again to the lesser of two evils scenario and I see Rrump as potentially just as evil and destructive as Hillary in his own way. He's certainly no conservative and is likely clueless as to the Constitution and what it really means. The guy can't even hold steadfast to his positions for more than a week.

Ted did not have to eat "shit and swallow hard" as you say.  In fact, I think he did himself more harm than good among his supporters. He'll lose many of those but he will NOT gain any from the ranks of those who have already proclaimed they would never vote for him.  What's  the gain here?  He isn't changing my mind (and I doubt that I'm alone on that) except to take a long hard look if I will ever support him again.

He'd better hope that he get that SC nomination because in my opinion, and maybe it's just mine, he will never get elected now.  He will be ridiculed and vilified even more.  They LSM will pound him further as "Lying Ted" and point out that he lies to his constituents, true or not when he said he would not support Trump.  It's seen as capitulation, not as the right thing to do...unless of course one was already voting for Trump anyway.

I'd ask myself if Trump isn't just as much a threat as a "Marxist" as Hillary is.   Sorry but everyone is free to vote as they please and I will as well...but not for Trump and the way I feel right now...never for Cruz either.  In fact, it gives new meaning and impetus to the name "Lying Ted".  Suffice it to say, Ted may not care what I think but I'm sorely disappointed with him.  He gains nothing from this unless he cut a backroom deal that offers him something in return for his selling out.  And yes I know, imagine all the great things he can do on the SC...or maybe not.

Just MHO.

Quote from: Dubinsky on September 24, 2016, 06:12:44 AM
I understand and I was speaking for myself as well.  My thought is that who stops Trump which takes us back once again to the lesser of two evils scenario and I see Rrump as potentially just as evil and destructive as Hillary in his own way. He's certainly no conservative and is likely clueless as to the Constitution and what it really means. The guy can't even hold steadfast to his positions for more than a week.

Ted did not have to eat "shit and swallow hard" as you say.  In fact, I think he did himself more harm than good among his supporters. He'll lose many of those but he will NOT gain any from the ranks of those who have already proclaimed they would never vote for him.  What's  the gain here?  He isn't changing my mind (and I doubt that I'm alone on that) except to take a long hard look if I will ever support him again.

He'd better hope that he get that SC nomination because in my opinion, and maybe it's just mine, he will never get elected now.  He will be ridiculed and vilified even more.  They LSM will pound him further as "Lying Ted" and point out that he lies to his constituents, true or not when he said he would not support Trump.  It's seen as capitulation, not as the right thing to do...unless of course one was already voting for Trump anyway.

I'd ask myself if Trump isn't just as much a threat as a "Marxist" as Hillary is.   Sorry but everyone is free to vote as they please and I will as well...but not for Trump and the way I feel right now...never for Cruz either.  In fact, it gives new meaning and impetus to the name "Lying Ted".  Suffice it to say, Ted may not care what I think but I'm sorely disappointed with him.  He gains nothing from this unless he cut a backroom deal that offers him something in return for his selling out.  And yes I know, imagine all the great things he can do on the SC...or maybe not.

Just MHO.

I share you perception of Trump, as well as our common anxiety about the choice we have this election. The best predictor of future behavior is always past behavior. The only reason I can see for not supporting Trump is "The Devil you know may be better than the Devil you don't (know)". I cn't sit on my hands and allow others to determine the future of my country. Too much is at stake! I have decided (for myself) that I can not sit on the sidelines and merely pitch a fit and piss and moan about this thing.  I have decided that I must do everything I can to stop Hillary from becoming POTUS. The left wing, from the media to the progressives of both parties, are all trying to fix this election in favor of her and (their)shared common cause(s).  Trump is the only way to stop them. Do you see another alternative?

Quote from: wally on September 24, 2016, 06:32:15 AM
I share you perception of Trump, as well as our common anxiety about the choice we have this election. The best predictor of future behavior is always past behavior. The only reason I can see for not supporting Trump is "The Devil you know may be better than the Devil you don't (know)". I cn't sit on my hands and allow others to determine the future of my country. Too much is at stake! I have decided (for myself) that I can not sit on the sidelines and merely pitch a fit and piss and moan about this thing.  I have decided that I must do everything I can to stop Hillary from becoming POTUS. The left wing, from the media to the progressives of both parties, are all trying to fix this election in favor of her and (their)shared common cause(s).  Trump is the only way to stop them. Do you see another alternative?

Sound to me your vote is going to a liberal democrat.

Quote from: Bronx on September 24, 2016, 07:08:40 AM
Sound to me your vote is going to a liberal democrat.

Who are you voting for?  Not much of a choice. 

Do you intend to just sit this one out, regardless of the potential harm to our freedoms and even the possible end of conservatism as a meaningful opposition to the communist movement that is taking over our country.

A parable comes to mind;  Isn't it better to light one candle than to forever curse the darkness?

Which to you prefer our weak Congress dominated by (controlled) by an Alynsky trained Marxist POTUS or having all three branches of our government under Republican control and the chance of have conservative voices heard and the chance of having conservative positions matter?

Quote from: wally on September 24, 2016, 07:47:12 AM
Who are you voting for?  Not much of a choice. 

Do you intend to just sit this one out, regardless of the potential harm to our freedoms and even the possible end of conservatism as a meaningful opposition to the communist movement that is taking over our country.

A parable comes to mind;  Isn't it better to light one candle than to forever curse the darkness?

Which to you prefer our weak Congress dominated by (controlled) by an Alynsky trained Marxist POTUS or having all three branches of our government under Republican control and the chance of have conservative voices heard and the chance of having conservative positions matter?

I see the problem. You're under the illusion there's a difference in the two party's. There is NOT!!!!