While Marco Rubio won his first state (Minnesota) and surged late in Virginia and Ted Cruz won his home state of Texas, Oklahoma, and Alaska for a total of four state wins, Donald Trump did very well in the Super Tuesday primaries. So well, in fact, that conservatives are beginning to search in earnest for a means to win the GOP nomination with a conservative candidate.
One such idea is being touted as the “Unity” ticket of Cruz and Rubio (or Rubio and Cruz, though this seems less likely).
Writing at The Resurgent, Erick Erickson argues for this in stark terms: “Unite or Die.”
To truly beat Trump and keep his supporters from completely fleeing, Trump must be beaten in the primaries, not on the floor of the convention. And it is still mathematically possible, but it requires Cruz to win Florida, not Rubio. All of this talk by Rubio voters about later states, closed primaries, and favorability ignores voter psychology and, frankly, ignores the fact that Marco Rubio’s Gang of Eight position has poisoned the well too much for too many Republican voters. It will, in fact, go down as one of the worse political miscalculations in the last quarter century. All of this talk by Rubio voters ignores that Rubio and Cruz together can win Florida and Ohio, but divided cannot and only increase the odds of either a Trump nomination or the delegitimization of the process by which the GOP will pick its nominee.
Additionally, while Rubio’s strategy against Trump has worked terrifically, it also has reminded people that Rubio looks young and not necessarily experienced. The irony is that there really is only a minor age difference between Rubio and Cruz, but Rubio comes across as the brash kid because of his remarkably effective attacks on Trump.
Seeing Rubio and Cruz twice now tag team Donald Trump and throw Trump off his game, shows the Republican Party that a unity ticket would work and wold be effective. A unity ticket is the right thing to do.
This impression of Cruz as the more presidential of the two leads many of the unity ticket proponents to suggest that Cruz be at the top of such a ticket, and Cruz himself has seemed open to the idea.
Watch:
CBS reports on the idea of the GOP rallying behind Cruz:
Some conservative commentators are already cheering that idea on, especially since some recent polls indicate Rubio and Kasich could lose on their home turfs in Florida and Ohio, respectively, on March 15.
“It is time for Ted Cruz to accept we need a unity ticket and for Rubio to agree to be Cruz’s vice presidential pick, uniting the outsider and insider factions of the party and stopping Trump in the process,” wrote Erick Erickson in a blog post.
Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak supports that idea.
“Cruz and Rubio together would be a really powerful ticket. It would be forward-looking. You would have two first-time senators of Cuban descent in their 40s. It would be a tremendous contrast with Hillary and whoever she nominates” Mackowiak told CBS News.
For many going into the election, either a Cruz-Rubio or a Rubio-Cruz pairing was a dream team. And while some had their favorite, for many, it did not matter much who was on top. Things always look different in the middle of a campaign, and now the candidates appear to be at each other’s throats. But this appearance is deceiving. Setting aside the now routine and regrettable modern practice of a calling a rival candidate a “liar” about his own record — or what he says about yours — neither has personally attacked the other. . . . .
In the immediate wake of Super Tuesday, each has much to gain from such a deal. As the candidate currently with more delegates, Cruz would love to get enough support from Rubio’s delegates to secure the nomination. For Rubio, currently in third place, for whom holding his home state of Florida has now become a do-or-die situation, the idea of securing the vice presidency would be a valuable insurance policy. As a young man, he would have an inside track to the presidency in eight years. Our current immigration situation would likely be addressed by a Cruz-Rubio administration to the degree that the issue would no longer be any obstacle for him in 2024.
With Cruz winning three of the four closed primaries so far and the calendar moving toward more closed primary states, a Cruz-Rubio unity ticket may well be just the ticket for conservatives and Republicans who do not now and feel that they never can support Trump.
[Featured image via NBC News]
Bernard,
Thank you for giving me the benefit of the doubt. People who know me would tell you that I’m probably one of the most honest people you’d meet. As you’d guess, I did not see the whole speech and I had no idea that it was out of context. Also good to know that if he is elected, Israel wouldn’t suffer because of it.
Thanks for the link to the full speech. I’ll watch it after I finish my mom’s taxes. (Mom comes before you, sorry!).
Paul
PS: Maybe she shouldn’t be having such an honest person doing her taxes 🙂
Bear Klein Said:
the GOP establishment is behind it in chorus with the left. It shows how desperate they are, what liars and crooks they are and why no candidate in that category should be supported… like trump says: they are all bought.
paulb1776 Said:
I did indeed watch your 8 minute video which purported to give evidence of anti semitism and anti israelism at Trumps 35 minute speech. As your video appeared to conflict with my own recollection of the speech I went and wasted 34 minutes of my time watching again the entire speech. Of course the video you posted was indeed a complete fraud, a hatchet job of character assassination intentionally taking quotes out of context with a transparent agenda to distort Trumps character and policy.
I do not know whether you were intentionally dishonest in posting this video or whether you were merely superficial and ignorant of the context and perhaps never viewed the speech. Personally I cannot imagine any honest person coming to your conclusion on witnessing the entire speech AND on being aware of his other statements on this issue AND being aware of Trumps history. Therefore I will post below for you the actual speech and suggest you read or view his other statments and his history which give a much more accurate and OPPOSITE view.
First, on the petty bullshit narrative of using the “negotiator” and “re-negotiator” terms: Donald grew up and went to school in New York surrounded by Jews and is completely comfortable with Jews and speaks like a New York Jew. Jews always like to be complimented on their “positive” stereotypes and do it among themselves….. he said what we all say to each other in camaraderie and humor….. and putting an anti semitic spin on that is an extremely dishonest libel.
Second, on Israel he made it completely clear in his speech that the audience knows “which side he was on” knowing that everyone in the room should know he is for Israel.
Third, he has clearly stated elsewhere that the reason for failed peace agreements is that the arabs teach their children hatred of the Jews…. there has been no more accurate statement of the reality on the subject than that true statement. this is reinforced with his statements on Muslims which shows he knows their problem is due to their creed, and its the same problem in Israel.
Fourth, he clearly stated that he does not want their money but want their SUPPORT!
Fifth, he clearly demonstrated his support for BB, he even made a campaign ad for BB.
Those attempting to put an anti semitic and anti Israel spin on Trump are liars or ignoramuses who can only take his statements out of context.
here is the actual speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsfVHB3-FB0
Fareed Zakari is a Muslim who hates Israel and is a regular visitor to the White House seeing his buddy Obama.
I am not a Trump fan but this zany lefty bullshit of comparing him to Nazis is off the wall even for Democrats and leftists.
As far as Trump & Israel goes, I believe he showed his true colors at the RJC meeting. Everything since then was probably due to people telling him to shut up.
Watch this 8+ minute video:
https://youtu.be/3w3YFq_EdUo
@ bernard ross:
Kasich will be an excellent choice for VP. Trumps needs someone with a governor’s experience. Rubio is just a little programmed chihuahua who thinks of himself as a German shepherd. He only cares for himself. Me, myself and I.
Cruz is brilliant but, very rigid in his thinking. He would make an excellent Attorney General or even a member of the Supreme Court. He has expertise on the Constitution.
I’m hoping Trump will get the nomination.
Yes, Bernard, Trump had an excellent education.
lsatenstein Said:
when I observe the desperate and libelous tactics of the bought media whores, especially the absolute scandalous liars of the corrupt CNN who I never watch since their saddam bribery scandal, it becomes apparent that the establishment truly fears trump and for that reason it will be hard to budge from him
@ babushka:
If you can find the latest release of GPS (CNN Fareed Zakaria), Fareed had an interesting piece comparing Trump to Hitler. It was said that Trump is emulating Hitler’s earlier years to arouse the people. He juxtapositioned old film episodes of Hitler with recent images of Trump (It could also be on Real-time, Bill Maher’s show too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVwFmdipfZg )
On the latter show, you will see Trump with a backdrop of supporters. And between the supporters are not one visible minority to standout.
The question to answer is, Should Israel give two hoots about Trump?
@ bernard ross:
Bernard I just answered and I lost the comment. Tuesday I’m taking this computer to the Macro Center near by.
I’ll answer you on another occasion.
I would not put it past Trump to take former DEMOCRATIC Senator Jim Webb of Virginia for VP – who, like Joe Lieberman, is a centrist – one of these “I didn’t leave the party of JFK, the party of JFK left me” Democrats – as a means of taking away the disaffected white Democrats. It should actually be noted that Webb was actually a Republican before switching parties to run for the Senate.
If he did not take Webb as a VP, he’d probably be the top choice as Defense Secretary.
Trump has defied so many basic “rules” of campaigning to date, that the idea of picking a moderate Dem would actually be in line with what he has done so far.
Bear Klein Said:
thats right, i forgot… perhaps he cant wait 8 years.
@ bernard ross: My gut tell me Kasich is not interested. He also said he would be NO ONES VP.
Looks like Christy may get that slot assuming Trump wins nomination.
Trump has more According to our latest polls-plus forecast, Donald Trump has a 94% chance of winning the Michigan primary. Per 538.com
@ Bear Klein:
I could see Trump pairing with Kasich because Trump respects doers and those who have actually run something.. for Kasich it would be a step to president.
I think rubio is finished and cruz cannot win a general…. he is too ideologically conservative and has little experience outside of law and political chat. However, I could see Cruz being given a position in an admin commensurate with his experience… but he and donald have had some very rancorous personal insults exchanged.
mar55 Said:
I agree, I beleive the “neutral” issue is a red herring completely taking his statement out of context. In all other statements he showed 100% understanding that one side, the arabs, are preventing peace by teaching their children to hate. All those who know all the “details”. about Israel’s issues, have been unable to recognize this glaring issue as important. Recognizing that, he said that perhaps no deal can be made and that he can walk away. The statement on “neutrality” was not related to his views on the issues but to the stance he would be required to take as a mediator. This is also good because as a neutral mediator he would merely be brokering rather than seeking to shove things down Israels throat. He did not express this through a political filter but it is clear to me, in context with everything else he has stated and his life choices that he would be pro Israel…. he has also recognized that muslims are a problem. The neutrality issue is raised by those who are ignorant of what mediation and brokerage means and do not bother to research the context and other statements OR those who know but are dishonestly seeking to push other candidates and destroy Trump with deceit.
mar55 Said:
I believe he attended the Wharton school of Finance, which maybe the best in the nation, for a masters in that subject; Fordham U for bachelors and the Kew forest school in forest hills, queens NY for K-12.
He talks bluntly as a new yorker, he is greatly underestimated, because he reduces issues to simple one liners it is assumed he is clueless… but I notice that what he says is usually accurate in substance. If all the so called leaders and experts in Israel could recognize what Trump recognizes in Israel their decisions would be good.
@ Ted Belman:
Thank you, Ted, for putting up with so many of us — including me — who would be regarded as aging cranks by the world at large, if they were to show up here and read what’s on our minds.
By the way. Drudge Report was totally offline for an extended period, right in the middle of yesterday’s primary elections and caucuses for both of the American main political parties. This smells to me as if it were sabotage by some of the many political enemies of Matt Trudge. What’s your take on all of that?
Arnold Harris, Outspeaker
Until this latest poll everyone believed Trump had Michigan rapped up.
Latest Polls
19.2k Shares
Republican Polls | Democratic Polls | General Election Polls | Senate Polls | All 2016 Polls | Approval Polls
Saturday, March 5
Race/Topic (Click to Sort) Poll Results Spread
Michigan Republican Presidential Primary ARG Trump 31, Cruz 15, Kasich 33, Rubio 11 Kasich +2
This is a very informative discussion, everyone.
Thanks
@ mar55:
I see the US situation, the 2016 presidential election, and the obvious imperative favoring Trump exactly the same way you do. I admit that I’m much more verbose than you are, but you have covered the topic better with your summarization than I usually do. So, good work.
Arnold Harris, Outspeaker
@ ArnoldHarris:
Arnold, the way I see it the problem is this: The US is supposed
to ELECT a president. Where the Republican Party has decided they can SELECT the would be president. Everything they are doing I believe to be illegal.
I do not think Trump will be anti Semitic. He adores his daughter and grandchildren. Ivanka Trump is an Orthodox Jew. He talks too much and often puts the foot on his mouth but anti-Semitic? I don’t believe to be so.
People are looking not for a liberal or a conservative. They are looking for someone strong who can put on the brakes in what the US has become with its multiculturalism, deterioration of our society. From schools to our economy and an out of control budget etc, etc. Someone strong and with common sense.
Someone like him does not need to have gotten a great education. His secretaries do.
The Republican Party controls a vast media/propaganda complex. The question is not whether the GOP can expose Hillary, but whether it wants to expose her. There was a treasure trove of scandalous Obama material that McCain and Romney chose not to emphasize.
@ babushka:
Okay, you have convinced me that Hillary Rodham Clinton sure as Hell is a Jew-hater.
I consider myself well-read, but I never have heard about any of this. What do you think is the best way to get this into general circulation in time to do some good in the November election?
Arnold Harris, Outspeaker
That’s some ticket. Two fakers who are Constitutionally ineligible for the presidency. We already have a Kenyan as president. Now, how about a Canadian or a Cuban? Both Cruz and Rubio are not natural born citizens but why bother with that old fashioned, outmoded document which details the requirements for presidency?( Article II, Section 1, Paragraph 5.)
And then there is this charming episode, which blows the Nixon comparison sky high:
@ babushka:
Well, BB. I had never heard of this before. But even though I disagree with some of your comments, I have no reason to doubt your honesty in reporting incidents which indicate that indeed, Mrs Clinton harbors probably deep-seated anti-Semitic feelings.
On the other hand, I recall President Richard Nixon, whom I saw being paraded along Rachov HaPalmach, near where my wife and I lived, in summer 1974, shortly before he was driven from office in order to avoid all but certain impeachment. Everyone in Israel at that time knew that Nixon had overridden the efforts of his German Jewish foreign policy boss, Heinrich Kissinger, who had been pushing to deny US resupply of vital military hardware to Israel during the Yom Kippur war in October 1973, as part of a ploy to break Israel’s will to destroy the Egyptian army that Israel had trapped on the eastern side of the Suez Canal. Lately I have been reading some of Nixon’s unguarded comments about Jews, especially Kissinger, whom he described as “my Jew-boy”.
Anti-Semitism is ingrained in the cultures of much of the Christian European civilization belt. Undoubtedly, it varies in this country at least from one non-Jewish family to the next. As for ridding the world of Anti-Semitism, I doubt that can easily be achieved. My only possible answer is to build Israel and a strong, Jewish nationalist-controlled state that is dependent on nobody else in particular.
One added point. Think of how the Republicans can put to use against Hillary Clinton her anti-Semitic comments mouthed off in the presence of so many policemen assigned to guard her and her husband, in Arkansas and during her husband’s presidency.
Arnold Harris, Outspeaker
Swearing profanities in 1974. Was that just an admiration cuss or an angry one after the 1973 conflagration in which Israel let its enemies know that Israel is here to stay?
@ babushka:
During last spring, Rubio posted a youtube defending Israel and saying in it, “The USA will defend Israel if it is attacked, and would provide resources for Israel to defend itself.”
That speech was just prior to ISIL.
@ ArnoldHarris:If Anti-Semtism is providing double standards to Jews than others Hillary is an anti-semite.
She believes she has the right to tell Jews where they can build and live in Jerusalem. Would she tell African Amercians or Lations where they can build houses in NY City? That would be discriminatory and a double standard.
So she is an anti-semite.
@ babushka:
I always have regarded Hillary Rodham Clinton as distasteful, privately malicious, untruthful, and as Secretary of State, incompetent.
But I have no personal knowledge from any source that she is anti-Semitic. If you have any such knowledge, then I bend to your judgement about her.
I do not regard Trump as monomaniacal, at least no more so than any other major industrialist who has used skill and will-power to create his own commercial empire, and inasmuch as I take him at his own word, menacing only to America’s enemies. Which is precisely what I would expect from any man for whom I would vote for ascension to the Presidency of the United States of America.
In any case, the results of the today’s four Republican primary elections, followed by another seven such primary elections through March 15, are that Trump will may lose Kansas to Cruz and Ohio to Kasich, but that he will win Florida, dooming Rubio, and will win in all the other Republican primaries through that date. If so, whether or not Rubio remains in the race with little likelihood of any other primary election victories, Kasich will also stay in the race, complicating any challenge from Cruz.
All things considered, I think any efforts on behalf of a traditional smoke-filled room conspiracy against Trump is decreasingly likely to bear fruit.
Arnold Harris, Outspeaker
@ lsatenstein:
You can you tell the difference on looks between White people of different religions?
Take a look at photo showing Trump. What you will see is a sea of WASPS. Can you pick out some blacks? Or other visible minorities?
Time to question Trump’s popularity. He, Trump is good at generating advertising revenu for CNN, ABC, FOX, NBC,,,
Kasich will win OHIO and Rubio will loose Florida according to 538.com.
Did you mean to write this?
Or have I taken it out of context:
There is some literary loop-de-loop there, but if you are actually contending that Hillary is NOT an anti-Semite you need to hit Google hard and educate yourself. She is a lifelong, maliciously toxic Jew hater (who has a Jewish son-in-law).
I do not claim that Trump is anti-Semitic.
I claim that Trump is a meglomaniacal menace.
An ecumenical meglomaniacal menace.
@ ArnoldHarris:With all due respect you are a well meaning person who has strong opinions and is very entitled to them.
Trump has won some primary states. Many people think considerably less of him than you do.
Politics is the art of getting power with out bullets. So if dirty tricks are used that are legal it is fair game. You as an admirer of Putin who throws opposition people out of buildings and poisons them should not be surprised. You say so what when Putin does this or kills people to take Crimera.
IF the GOP can win without a candidate named Donald Trump many people will cheer. He has loyal believers such as yourself and he has lots of enemies!
Trump is an unknown as to his real views and so is very untrustworthy. Hillary has a known bad negative attitude to Israel that is the only I would prefer Trump to Hillary. He is 4 of 4 on my list! I understand you do not agree.
@ babushka:
1) I select candidates and write the way I do because my life and well-being and those of my family are anchored to the United States of America, the country that my father served in the US National Army of World War I, 17 years before my birth, and which I served during the Korean War for three years on both active and reserve duty during the Korean War.
And because this country of ours is being reduced to coast-to-coast general poverty, social decay and chaos, a national debt which may never be reduced because of the outstanding need to maintain various social security, medicate, and other necessary benefits.
And because our border with Mexico has turned into an opened gate through which flood in nightly hordes of non-American non-English speaking would-be residents and laborers as if there were no laws to stop them for violating our borders.
And because trade agreements made with countries in the Orient and with Mexico which has created a situation in which corporate owners of manufacturing facilities in this country are enticed to shut down these facilities in this country and move their operations to take advantage of cheaper labor in the countries in which we have made these foolish trade pacts.
And because this country has lately been opening our borders to Moslem immigrants and long-term visitors, of whom a certain but unmeasured number come here with either intent or readiness to commit large scale terrorism of Americans who share nothing in regard to their Jihadist religious beliefs, all of whom should be excluded from travel to this country unless and until our police and national security authorities have proven and tested means of determining which of them can be trusted to live in peace with the rest of us, or the means to find and destroy those of them who mean to destroy us.
And because our political party system has devolved to selection of political candidates based less on the votes of the citizens of this country and more on the conspiracies of political manipulators, bosses, and their allies in the news media who are all controlled like so many puppets by shadowy gangs of big-money investors who purchase the votes not only of the political parties but also of elected members of the two Houses of Congress of the United States and members of the legislatures of the 50 states.
There is only one candidate today in either main US political party prepared and intent on taking action in regard to all the above vital needs for our country. That candidate is Trump, and I will waste not a minute of consideration of any others in either major party.
—
2) As for your concerns about anti-Semitism of these candidates, or their neutrality in regard to Israel, I am sure that Hillary Clinton is not an anti-Semite as much as I am sure that Trump will never treat Israel as if he does not give a damn what happens to the Jewish state. No man with an authentic Orthodox Jewish daughter and son-in-law ought to be regarded as you regard this man.
All of us who correspond on Israpundit are strongly concerned about Israel, its safety, and its permanent well-being. In my case, possibly a lot stronger than anything you have had connection with. Unless you lived and studied in Israel for a the better part of two years, and unless you had learned authentic Judaism directly from the great Rav Meir Kahane, as did, and unless you had learned authentic no-compromise Zionism directly from the great commander of the Lehi freedom fighters during the war of independence for Israel, Dr Israel Eldad, who came within days of escaping being hanged by the British imperialists who thought they controlled the destiny of the Jews of their Palestine Mandate in 1948.
If you can match any of that, tell me all about it, and if justified, I will withdraw some of my comments about this particular part of your comment.
Arnold Harris, Outspeaker
But why increase the degree of difficulty by electing an anti-Semite like Clinton or someone who professes neutrality like Trump? There is no neutrality between Jews and Jew killers.
ArnoldHarris Said:
1) Although I am a Cruz supporter (and frankly, surprised he has not done better), you are correct that the Republican Party will lose if they deny Trump the nomination if he has the most delegates at the convention. Although some type of deal may be necessary here, it is one that will have to be made BY Trump instead of AGAINST Trump – and it goes back to one that was thrown around very early in this campaign – he gets Cruz’s backing in exchange for Cruz being made Attorney General in the short term, then going to the Supreme Court when a vacancy opens up. As for Rubio – he is up for re-election this year; let him worry about his holding his Senate seat – not a given if Charlie Christ switches parties and runs against him – and getting a major committee chairmanship.
2) While you are right in that this election is about America and Americans, no country is likely to be affected more than Israel by it. I agree with you that Israel has to move away from too much dependence on the USA, and develop closer relations with China, India, and yes, Vladimir Putin’s Russia. However, the process of weaning Israel off American largesse will take time. It can start by turning down the pending F-35 deal; however, Israel has to have an alternative in that case.
3) As for empowering a nationalist government – Israel’s Jews are becoming more religious and more Zionist, the result of religious Jews having more kids than leftist, secular ones. But Israel is still, at 8.5 million, a smaller than average country. Maybe in 35 years, when the population hits 15 million and Europe has completely imploded, Israel can act as a major world power. But she is not there yet, so she has to make her way carefully amongst those nations that ARE presently major world powers.
Cruz & Rubio – no way! I’m with Babushka on that. And I agree with A.H. Today’s other article about Trump, “An Overthrow of the Government,” explains it all very well.
Few or none of the millions of people who have come to the polls for no other purpose than to vote for Trump would vote for anybody else, and that includes any combination of candidates which does not include Trump for president. In which case, no matter what else occurs, the Republicans will lose the election to Hillary Clinton and their party will hasten the process of its own stagnation and death.
You can count on all of the above, because people like me would prefer to see the defeat of the Republican Party if they get away with using evil tricks to deny the rights of the American people to nominate and elect the candidates of their choice.
And I want to remind every comment writer on this blogsite. This election is not about Israel and the Jewish nation. It is about the United States of America and the American nation.
Israel can be saved solely by organizing and empowering a Jewish nationalist and populist government and by getting out from under its bondage to the USA.
If any of you think otherwise, than you are all just faking the independence of what is supposed to be the independent Jewish state, and if so, it will be lost one day. Just as has happened so many times before in history.
Some of the above sounds cruel as hell. But nobody and no society evades its fate by ignoring it.
Arnold Harris, Outspeaker
They represent diametrically opposite interests.
The corporations that fund Rubio want government largesse.
Cruz wants to stop corporate welfare.
It will be easier to unify Hamas and Likud.
It sounds like it is in Rubio’s court to take a back seat. Will his ego let him do that? It is a ticket I can easily get behind.
I see no other option to defeat Trump than this. Also on a national matchup Cruz beats Clinton.