Official 2016 GOP thread: Is it really going to be Donald Trump?? (1 Viewer)

[TobiasFunke]

Lol @ wanting to make America great again = bigotry

What the #### is your problem with America right now?

The fact that about 100 million Americans aren't participating in the labor force.

Yeah, it's a real shame how people are happily retiring, staying in school longer and staying at home to raise children at increased rates these days.

Record numbers of people are on government assistance of some kind.

Again, this includes retiring baby boomers. It's demographics, not a change in social policy or a reflection on the economy

The ones who are working feature a significant number who are underemployed or making less than they were before the recession.

Real wages have been fairly stagnant, which isn't ideal, But it's not like it's tearing the country's economy apart- our per capita GDP is still by far the highest on earth. Welcome to capitalism. If you want the government to artificially distribute that wealth and boost employment/wages, Sanders is the candidate for you. Trump has proposed nothing in the way of a jobs program- he's not even gonna have Americans build that wall.

The average American family doesn't really have any assets and lives paycheck to paycheck

See above. Also, link?

Even though families have both parents working they are still barely able to tread water, let alone get ahead and accumulate wealth

See above. Also, link?

The economy is smoke and mirrors built on zero interest rates and money that the government prints nonstop

Yeah well, that's just like, your opinion, man

Is this real? I am going to stick to the first half of your responses.

We are still in the shadows of the second biggest economic downturn in American history and you think that after billions upon billions of household wealth was wiped out things are just fine and humming along?

It is fascinating to hear on one hand the left bemoan the transfer and consolidation of wealth in the hands of the rich and then simultaneously suggest that the average American is doing just fine now. Really?

How is that possible with the viewpoint espoused by so many in these threads.

I will tell you why people are "happily retiring, staying in school longer and raising a family at home."

Because they can't find a job. There wasn't some great epiphany springing forth out of a quasi economic depression where people said...you know...I can't find a job...so I am just going to retire and go RVing across the country or raise my kids instead of sending them to daycare.

People retired because they couldn't find jobs. Many have been permanently axed from their line of work. Only in TF's world do a bunch of workers near retirement age see their home values get crushed, lose their jobs and watch their retirement savings get hammered and then decide...nah...I didn't need that stuff anyway.

More people are staying in school longer and stretching their degree process out, going back to school to get higher education goals met, etc., because it is very simple. If you can't find a job...you might as well go to school and try to make your skill set more competitive. But even if you can't really make your skill set all that much more competitive...at the very least by going back to school you suspend your student loan payments until after you graduate.

And on top of that...the government will give you loans above and beyond your tuition so that you can then use that money to help pay the bills on the home front.

And yeah...after decades of feminism women just decided to go back home and be stay at home moms after the great recession? I know people who pay $1,500 a month or more for child care/pre school for one kid. Parents aren't staying home because they are all trying to be better parents. They are staying home because the jobs that they can find pay less than they were making before and after you factor in schlepping off to work for the man for 40 hours a week plus commute time and costs, that after taxes and paying for day care you begin to wonder why the hell are you working just to pay the day care.

Then you want to point to baby boomers leaving the workforce as another support data point? Explain to me why workforce participation for 55+ year olds is basically at an all time high? They just working side jobs so they can take the grand kids to Disneyland next weekend? Puhlease.

It is the twilight zone up in here.

Hey genius, you don't have to guess as to why people are leaving the workforce. The link I provided in my post that discusses the labor force participation rate has a graph that breaks down the data into "does not want to work," "wants to work but can't find work," "in school," and "working." If you spend five seconds looking at that graph you'll see that "does not want to work" has increased significantly during the Obama administration, and that "in school" has increased over time, while "can't find work" has been in a pretty steady decline since 2010 or so.

Or you can read any number of other articles that argue convincingly that the decrease in the labor force participation rate is due to demographic shifts, changes in how we go to school (lower dropout rates) and changes in the kind of work we do (more freelance work). Here's one in noted liberal rag Fortune Magazine pointing out that economists predicted the drop for these exact reasons way back in 2006, before the 2008 recession or Obama's candidacy. Or you can trust the analysis the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the same people who compile the numbers in the first place, or the Federal Reserve Board, both of which are summarized here.

Or you can do none of those things and instead go on a rambling fact and statistic-free rant with no links or hard evidence to support your claims.

I have a feeling I know which one you'll choose!

 

[SIDA!]

Lol @ wanting to make America great again = bigotry

What the #### is your problem with America right now?

The fact that about 100 million Americans aren't participating in the labor force.

Yeah, it's a real shame how people are happily retiring, staying in school longer and staying at home to raise children at increased rates these days.

Record numbers of people are on government assistance of some kind.

Again, this includes retiring baby boomers. It's demographics, not a change in social policy or a reflection on the economy

The ones who are working feature a significant number who are underemployed or making less than they were before the recession.

Real wages have been fairly stagnant, which isn't ideal, But it's not like it's tearing the country's economy apart- our per capita GDP is still by far the highest on earth. Welcome to capitalism. If you want the government to artificially distribute that wealth and boost employment/wages, Sanders is the candidate for you. Trump has proposed nothing in the way of a jobs program- he's not even gonna have Americans build that wall.

The average American family doesn't really have any assets and lives paycheck to paycheck

See above. Also, link?

Even though families have both parents working they are still barely able to tread water, let alone get ahead and accumulate wealth

See above. Also, link?

The economy is smoke and mirrors built on zero interest rates and money that the government prints nonstop

Yeah well, that's just like, your opinion, man

Is this real? I am going to stick to the first half of your responses.

We are still in the shadows of the second biggest economic downturn in American history and you think that after billions upon billions of household wealth was wiped out things are just fine and humming along?

It is fascinating to hear on one hand the left bemoan the transfer and consolidation of wealth in the hands of the rich and then simultaneously suggest that the average American is doing just fine now. Really?

How is that possible with the viewpoint espoused by so many in these threads.

I will tell you why people are "happily retiring, staying in school longer and raising a family at home."

Because they can't find a job. There wasn't some great epiphany springing forth out of a quasi economic depression where people said...you know...I can't find a job...so I am just going to retire and go RVing across the country or raise my kids instead of sending them to daycare.

People retired because they couldn't find jobs. Many have been permanently axed from their line of work. Only in TF's world do a bunch of workers near retirement age see their home values get crushed, lose their jobs and watch their retirement savings get hammered and then decide...nah...I didn't need that stuff anyway.

More people are staying in school longer and stretching their degree process out, going back to school to get higher education goals met, etc., because it is very simple. If you can't find a job...you might as well go to school and try to make your skill set more competitive. But even if you can't really make your skill set all that much more competitive...at the very least by going back to school you suspend your student loan payments until after you graduate.

And on top of that...the government will give you loans above and beyond your tuition so that you can then use that money to help pay the bills on the home front.

And yeah...after decades of feminism women just decided to go back home and be stay at home moms after the great recession? I know people who pay $1,500 a month or more for child care/pre school for one kid. Parents aren't staying home because they are all trying to be better parents. They are staying home because the jobs that they can find pay less than they were making before and after you factor in schlepping off to work for the man for 40 hours a week plus commute time and costs, that after taxes and paying for day care you begin to wonder why the hell are you working just to pay the day care.

Then you want to point to baby boomers leaving the workforce as another support data point? Explain to me why workforce participation for 55+ year olds is basically at an all time high? They just working side jobs so they can take the grand kids to Disneyland next weekend? Puhlease.

It is the twilight zone up in here.

If you spend five seconds looking at that graph you'll see that "does not want to work" has increased significantly during the Obama administration,

No ####!

 

[bakes]

Maybe natural born citizen means that you had to be delivered by natural childbirth, rather than by C section.

If that is the case, I can only imagine the look on poor Mrs Cruz's face when she looked down and saw this staring back at her from betwixt her legs...

I highly doubt she gave birth to a fully grown man.

And I highly doubt he will ever become one.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Lol @ wanting to make America great again = bigotry

What the #### is your problem with America right now?

The fact that about 100 million Americans aren't participating in the labor force.

Yeah, it's a real shame how people are happily retiring, staying in school longer and staying at home to raise children at increased rates these days.

Record numbers of people are on government assistance of some kind.

Again, this includes retiring baby boomers. It's demographics, not a change in social policy or a reflection on the economy

The ones who are working feature a significant number who are underemployed or making less than they were before the recession.

Real wages have been fairly stagnant, which isn't ideal, But it's not like it's tearing the country's economy apart- our per capita GDP is still by far the highest on earth. Welcome to capitalism. If you want the government to artificially distribute that wealth and boost employment/wages, Sanders is the candidate for you. Trump has proposed nothing in the way of a jobs program- he's not even gonna have Americans build that wall.

The average American family doesn't really have any assets and lives paycheck to paycheck

See above. Also, link?

Even though families have both parents working they are still barely able to tread water, let alone get ahead and accumulate wealth

See above. Also, link?

The economy is smoke and mirrors built on zero interest rates and money that the government prints nonstop

Yeah well, that's just like, your opinion, man

Is this real? I am going to stick to the first half of your responses.

We are still in the shadows of the second biggest economic downturn in American history and you think that after billions upon billions of household wealth was wiped out things are just fine and humming along?

It is fascinating to hear on one hand the left bemoan the transfer and consolidation of wealth in the hands of the rich and then simultaneously suggest that the average American is doing just fine now. Really?

How is that possible with the viewpoint espoused by so many in these threads.

I will tell you why people are "happily retiring, staying in school longer and raising a family at home."

Because they can't find a job. There wasn't some great epiphany springing forth out of a quasi economic depression where people said...you know...I can't find a job...so I am just going to retire and go RVing across the country or raise my kids instead of sending them to daycare.

People retired because they couldn't find jobs. Many have been permanently axed from their line of work. Only in TF's world do a bunch of workers near retirement age see their home values get crushed, lose their jobs and watch their retirement savings get hammered and then decide...nah...I didn't need that stuff anyway.

More people are staying in school longer and stretching their degree process out, going back to school to get higher education goals met, etc., because it is very simple. If you can't find a job...you might as well go to school and try to make your skill set more competitive. But even if you can't really make your skill set all that much more competitive...at the very least by going back to school you suspend your student loan payments until after you graduate.

And on top of that...the government will give you loans above and beyond your tuition so that you can then use that money to help pay the bills on the home front.

And yeah...after decades of feminism women just decided to go back home and be stay at home moms after the great recession? I know people who pay $1,500 a month or more for child care/pre school for one kid. Parents aren't staying home because they are all trying to be better parents. They are staying home because the jobs that they can find pay less than they were making before and after you factor in schlepping off to work for the man for 40 hours a week plus commute time and costs, that after taxes and paying for day care you begin to wonder why the hell are you working just to pay the day care.

Then you want to point to baby boomers leaving the workforce as another support data point? Explain to me why workforce participation for 55+ year olds is basically at an all time high? They just working side jobs so they can take the grand kids to Disneyland next weekend? Puhlease.

It is the twilight zone up in here.

If you spend five seconds looking at that graph you'll see that "does not want to work" has increased significantly during the Obama administration,

No ####!

"Does not want to work" is comprised of retired persons, homemakers, persons on disability, and the wealthy in addition to other unnamed categories, not just lazy people.

You would have seen that too if you bothered to look at the link as I suggested, or do any analysis of actual hard data. But we already know that you are incapable of such things, don't we? The next time you post actual relevant data to support your hysterical chicken-little routine will be the first time.

 

[Righetti]

So disappointed in Rubio. If he had an ounce of charisma and a hint of positivity he could run away from Cruz et al and truly be the non-Trump option but holy #### is he pandering hard to the base. I get why but it's so disingenuous.

as I said earlier.. Rubio is a robot

The more you hear Rubio, the more you feel like you are in a twilight zone episode. The world is crashing and Marco tells you that the sun is yellow, for all the talk of him being such a masterful politician it always shocks me with how out of touch he is with reality. The guy is a complete robot and I am now convinced that he was built by his creator (not that creator but some dude in Silicon Valley) for a social experiment to see if they could create the perfect candidate. He has the looks, the story, the hot wife, the beautiful family and has every single talking point at the tip of his tongue. The problem is like any robot he cannot show genuine emotion, and when he tries it looks forced. A robot also has a problem when you go off the expected subject. Ask him about banking regulation and goes off on Hillary, ask him about the auto industry and he goes to his Obama and Hillary stump speech ask him if he prefers ice cream or cake and he says that we can never let Hillary Rodham Clinton be president Plus tried to program some extra Christ-y stuff for this Iowa model and it fell a flat as the earth.

Those big ears are actually transistors to get the information back from Google Headquarters

Righetti should direct a commercial for a super-PAC going after Rubey the Robot

-QG

like Small Wonder

 

[Righetti]

So disappointed in Rubio. If he had an ounce of charisma and a hint of positivity he could run away from Cruz et al and truly be the non-Trump option but holy #### is he pandering hard to the base. I get why but it's so disingenuous.

as I said earlier.. Rubio is a robot

The more you hear Rubio, the more you feel like you are in a twilight zone episode. The world is crashing and Marco tells you that the sun is yellow, for all the talk of him being such a masterful politician it always shocks me with how out of touch he is with reality. The guy is a complete robot and I am now convinced that he was built by his creator (not that creator but some dude in Silicon Valley) for a social experiment to see if they could create the perfect candidate. He has the looks, the story, the hot wife, the beautiful family and has every single talking point at the tip of his tongue. The problem is like any robot he cannot show genuine emotion, and when he tries it looks forced. A robot also has a problem when you go off the expected subject. Ask him about banking regulation and goes off on Hillary, ask him about the auto industry and he goes to his Obama and Hillary stump speech ask him if he prefers ice cream or cake and he says that we can never let Hillary Rodham Clinton be president Plus tried to program some extra Christ-y stuff for this Iowa model and it fell a flat as the earth.

Those big ears are actually transistors to get the information back from Google Headquarters

Dazed Marco Rubio Wakes Up in Koch Compound to find Cold Metal Device Installed Behind Ear

bastards stole my idea

 

[MikeIke]

Kasich can do this still. NH is the state of beating expectations and he is primed to do this the best-he's polling well there. He takes that and the media that comes with the crown- as the up and comer. It forces Bush to drop out and all that Bush money moves fast to him. He takes Ohio and then starts to look like the sane one vs Trump and he eventually relies on a Cruz/Trump split - and starts getting more delegates and winning midwest states. There is a path.

Copycat

Cruz, Trump.

However, Kasich surprises and finishes second in NH. This surprise finish devastates the Jeb! campaign and allows the Republican establishment to fully back Kasich. Money starts flowing in. Kasich pulls off a surprise win in SC. Jeb! and Christie drop out of the race, giving their endorsement to Kasich. Kasich steamrolls his way to the nomination. Rubio gets the VP nod.

Sure, it's unlikely but it's the scenario I'm hoping for. I can't stand the idea of a President Trump OR Cruz.

 

[Reaper]

Megyn Kelly's hair What the hell happened there. Here is a word of advice, don't cut your hair short ever

Damn.

Trump definitely would have said this... lol

 

[Todem]

Cruz is a used car salesman. And Rubio is....ugh.

Look gents. I am disgusted with the democratic candidates. So the question becomes, if Clinton wins the ticket who can truly beat her?

Cruz? Hell no

Rubio? Hell no

Kasich? I think he is flying under the radar and may leap up fast. He is a moderate. He is the guy I can get behind.

Christie?

Bush?

Trump?

If gulp (god help us) Sanders wins the ticket?

Kasich - Again I am miffed how low he is flying under the radar! A moderate Republican. Let's go people wake up.

Trump?

Bush?

Christie?

Cruz is a used car salesman. President? God no.

Rubio is not presidential in so many ways.

Trump is looking like he is going to win the Republican nomination (let's see the votes and see if this is all media hype or true polling numbers that are reality). And if Bernie Sanders is on the other side......I am going to be at a loss for words.

I actually think Bush did a good job last night. But what do I know.

Kasich when he had chances did well and sounds even keeled and reasonable.

What the heck happened to moderates? Wait that is Bush, Kasich and Christie.

I am very dismayed with all of it and this will be a one term president in all likelihood.

We have to do better. We just have to. I am hoping Kasich gains some real traction here soon. But I am not too hopeful he really can. Trump is dominating the media.

But please....Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio...just go away. Your amateurs. Your not fit to President of the United States (Trump is not exactly great either people).

It's a real pickle.

 

[Righetti]

I thought Kasich did well last night. Will be interesting to see if he catches a little momentum with his poll numbers looking so good in NH.

we can all hope

 

[Righetti]

Megyn Kelly's hair What the hell happened there. Here is a word of advice, don't cut your hair short ever

Damn.

Trump definitely would have said this... lol

there are a few things where I trust Trump.. hot chicks is one of them

 

[QuizGuy66]

The worst for Cruz was when he started whining. Very un presidential.

Every time a candidate has whined (particularly when they complain they are not getting enough time) it looks terrible. I have no idea why they do this time and again.

-QG

I thought it was just Cruz trying to ape a Trump vibe... but he forget a key part of Trump, he's generally charismatic and likable.

Cruz would be better off in a Deek Cheney mold of being a cold, unfeeling hard ### who occasionally wins you over with a dry quip.

Any of these guys going for humor, save for Christie who can get a line off once in a while, is a disaster. Stick to policy and not your pre-written zingers

Yeah he was trying to play cute - but it didn't work well. See if there was a soft or more playful question then he coulda pulled that schtick out.

-QG

 

[Righetti]

said this earlier but kind of got lost in a longer post

what was the most shocking about this Cruz was how uncomfortable he was being the lead dog, he just seemed out of his element

Cruz
To make a boxing analogy there are brawlers, tactical dodgers, punchers and counter punchers. Trump is a puncher, Rubio is a dodger, Jeb is a punching bag and Cruz is a counter puncher and what that means is that without Trump throwing haymakers, Cruz is out of his element. He cannot get any traction because he does not know how to be the front runner. His shtick is that he is the anti establishment and he showed yesterday that he can't play from in front. Terrible night for Cruz

 

[Higgs]

Cruz saying he might have to walk off the stage was one of the worst tactical mistakes I've ever see a candidate make. I agree with others who say he was trying to be Trumplike and capitalize on the media hatred but it completely backfired on him. He came across looking so unlikeable.

And Kasich, I'm sorry, but that guy has to go. I can't stand him another minute. Those karate chop hands, pursed up lips, and terrible sense of timing.... Not a debate has gone by where he hasn't tried to interject himself into the conversation without his name having been invoked. Just go back to Ohio already.

Loved Rubio's performance. Too robotic, but brilliant and very eloquent. He needs to soften up and connect with people more. The good news is that can be learned quickly. I've seen people coached on this turn it around very effectively.

 

[SIDA!]

Cruz saying he might have to walk off the stage was one of the worst tactical mistakes I've ever see a candidate make. I agree with others who say he was trying to be Trumplike and capitalize on the media hatred but it completely backfired on him. He came across looking so unlikeable.

Beyond that...he had just spent the last 48 hours calling Trump a "scaredy cat" and saying he owed it to the voters to make his closing arguments to the people of Iowa.

So it is okay for him to complain about unfair moderators and take his ball and go home...but Trump can't?

 

[TripItUp]

Cruz saying he might have to walk off the stage was one of the worst tactical mistakes I've ever see a candidate make. I agree with others who say he was trying to be Trumplike and capitalize on the media hatred but it completely backfired on him. He came across looking so unlikeable.

he's done...worst debate performance by any of the leading candidates on either side.

if he can't win Christian heavy Iowa...his ### is done.

 

[RBM]

Cruz saying he might have to walk off the stage was one of the worst tactical mistakes I've ever see a candidate make. I agree with others who say he was trying to be Trumplike and capitalize on the media hatred but it completely backfired on him. He came across looking so unlikeable.

Beyond that...he had just spent the last 48 hours calling Trump a "scaredy cat" and saying he owed it to the voters to make his closing arguments to the people of Iowa.So it is okay for him to complain about unfair moderators and take his ball and go home...but Trump can't?

Pretty sure he was trying to be funny.

 

[timschochet]

He was trying to be funny. But the whole thing came off bad, as did his earlier tiff with Wallace.

He just wasn't very impressive last night. Of course it's difficult for me to be objective because I never think he's impressive. But last night was especially bad. But I have no idea how it will affect him at the polls. Over at Fox they seem to think Rubio will catch Cruz and it will be Rubio neck and neck with Trump Tuesday night. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

[Higgs]

Cruz saying he might have to walk off the stage was one of the worst tactical mistakes I've ever see a candidate make. I agree with others who say he was trying to be Trumplike and capitalize on the media hatred but it completely backfired on him. He came across looking so unlikeable.

Beyond that...he had just spent the last 48 hours calling Trump a "scaredy cat" and saying he owed it to the voters to make his closing arguments to the people of Iowa.So it is okay for him to complain about unfair moderators and take his ball and go home...but Trump can't?

Pretty sure he was trying to be funny.

is that true? I know a couple of jokes fell flat but I didn't think that was one of them. And Rubio even mocked it later and drew crowd applause.

 

[SIDA!]

Cruz saying he might have to walk off the stage was one of the worst tactical mistakes I've ever see a candidate make. I agree with others who say he was trying to be Trumplike and capitalize on the media hatred but it completely backfired on him. He came across looking so unlikeable.

Beyond that...he had just spent the last 48 hours calling Trump a "scaredy cat" and saying he owed it to the voters to make his closing arguments to the people of Iowa.So it is okay for him to complain about unfair moderators and take his ball and go home...but Trump can't?

Pretty sure he was trying to be funny.

I think you are correct. But it just rubbed me the wrong way based on what he had been saying. It just wasn't that funny to me.

 

[Higgs]

I just watched the Cruz comment again about leaving the stage. Yeah, it looks like he was joking. I misread that last night, probably because I was half asleep when I was watching it.

 

[Smack Tripper]

I just watched the Cruz comment again about leaving the stage. Yeah, it looks like he was joking. I misread that last night, probably because I was half asleep when I was watching it.

It's not your fault, that hump can't deliver a line

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

It was clearly a joke.

 

[RnR]

I just watched the Cruz comment again about leaving the stage. Yeah, it looks like he was joking. I misread that last night, probably because I was half asleep when I was watching it.

Then you also probably missed Rubio clearly pandering to the Iowa evangelicals and Kasich turning in a relatively strong performance (even his hand gestures were in check).

 

[RnR]

It was clearly a joke.

It was a joke, but only funny because most of America would've been happy if he had followed through.

 

[Smack Tripper]

For me, the best moment of the night is when Megyn Kelly said Backdoor.

I feel like she waxes from the bellybutton to the tailbone

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

The worst for Cruz was when he started whining. Very un presidential.

Especially when he gets booed by a GOP audience.

 

[RnR]

I'm gonna be honest here, I kinda dig the shorter hair on Megyn. Not that I disliked the longer hair.

 

[trogg78]

I'm gonna be honest here, I kinda dig the shorter hair on Megyn. Not that I disliked the longer hair.

I think she had extensions at the last debate. Short, long..she rocks.

 

[TripItUp]

He was trying to be funny. But the whole thing came off bad, as did his earlier tiff with Wallace.

He just wasn't very impressive last night. Of course it's difficult for me to be objective because I never think he's impressive. But last night was especially bad. But I have no idea how it will affect him at the polls. Over at Fox they seem to think Rubio will catch Cruz and it will be Rubio neck and neck with Trump Tuesday night. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

If Cruz does suffer a post-debate slide, it will be interesting to see where that lost support goes. Although the Fox analysts suggest that it will go to Rubio, I'm not so sure. There's a lot of folks who just cannot support Rubio (e.g., me), since he's an immigration dove and a national security/ foreign policy hawk. IMO, there's not that much daylight between Rubio and the "establishment" candidates (e.g., Jeb) on any of the major issues, with the only real difference being that he comes in a prettier package (he's young, Hispanic, a good orator, etc.). And I would note that polls in the past indicated that Trump is the second choice of Cruz's voters.

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/poll-trump-leads-when-it-comes-second-choice-cruz-top

I think Jeb, Carson and/or Paul all see a bounce...Cruz may have effectively knocked himself out, but who knows...the Caucus system is weird.

 

[HellToupee]

I heard 2 different Right to Rise attack commercials today and none were directed at Trump. They went after Rubio & Kasich

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

I heard 2 different Right to Rise attack commercials today and none were directed at Trump. They went after Rubio & Kasich

The Rubio attack I get.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Looks like Cruz might have made an unforced error in Iowa by sending out a mailer intended to shame voters before their neighbors:

He Said He Was An Undecided Iowan Until He He Received This Controversial Mailer From Ted Cruz....Tom Hinkeldy, a resident of Alta, Iowa, tweeted a photo (which was later deleted because it included his personal address) on Friday evening of a mailer Sen. Ted Cruz’s campaign sent addressed to his wife, Steffany. The mailer was a large card printed to look like a manila envelope on one side and was labeled in all capital letters, “ELECTION ALERT,” “VOTER VIOLATION,” “PUBLIC RECORD,” and “FURTHER ACTION NEEDED.”

On the other side, the mailer said in red letters at the top, “VOTING VIOLATION.” The text then reads:

You are receiving this election notice because of low expected voter turnout in your area. Your individual voting history as well as your neighbors’ are public record. Their scores are published below, and many of them will see your score as well. CAUCUS ON MONDAY TO IMPROVE YOUR SCORE and please encourage your neighbors to caucus as well. A follow-up notice may be issued following Monday’s caucuses.

The mailer then listed his and Steffany’s name, along with five of their neighbors.

Hinkeldy was annoyed by the mailer, and tweeted “Hey @tedcruz your brilliant public shaming campaign has inspired me to caucus on Monday…For @marcorubio.” He confirmed that he had been leaning towards Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and hadn’t yet completely made up his mind, but the mailer “took me over the edge finally.”

Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler confirmed to IJ Review that the mailer was theirs in a phone call Friday evening, saying that the targeting had been “very narrow, but the caucuses are important and we want people who haven’t voted before to vote.”

Another Iowan, Braddock Massey, tweeted a photo of his copy of the mailer: ...

...

http://journal.ijreview.com/2016/01/252498-said-undecided-iowan-received-controversial-mailer-ted-cruz/

Skeezy, nuts, dirty, out of control.

 

[Todem]

Like I said. A used car salesman.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Trump now calling Cruz a Canadian anchor baby

"I like Donald. He's welcome to say whatever he likes. I like and respect him,” Cruz said

What a nice polite thoroughly Canadian thing to say.

 

[3C's]

Trump now calling Cruz a Canadian anchor baby

"I like Donald. He's welcome to say whatever he likes. I like and respect him, eh” Cruz said

What a nice polite thoroughly Canadian thing to say.

fixed

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Cruz is so unlikeable that his jokes just don't play.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Looks like Cruz might have made an unforced error in Iowa by sending out a mailer intended to shame voters before their neighbors:

He Said He Was An Undecided Iowan Until He He Received This Controversial Mailer From Ted Cruz.

...Tom Hinkeldy, a resident of Alta, Iowa, tweeted a photo (which was later deleted because it included his personal address) on Friday evening of a mailer Sen. Ted Cruzs campaign sent addressed to his wife, Steffany. The mailer was a large card printed to look like a manila envelope on one side and was labeled in all capital letters, ELECTION ALERT, VOTER VIOLATION, PUBLIC RECORD, and FURTHER ACTION NEEDED.

On the other side, the mailer said in red letters at the top, VOTING VIOLATION. The text then reads:

You are receiving this election notice because of low expected voter turnout in your area. Your individual voting history as well as your neighbors are public record. Their scores are published below, and many of them will see your score as well. CAUCUS ON MONDAY TO IMPROVE YOUR SCORE and please encourage your neighbors to caucus as well. A follow-up notice may be issued following Mondays caucuses.

The mailer then listed his and Steffanys name, along with five of their neighbors.

Hinkeldy was annoyed by the mailer, and tweeted Hey @tedcruz your brilliant public shaming campaign has inspired me to caucus on MondayFor @marcorubio. He confirmed that he had been leaning towards Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and hadnt yet completely made up his mind, but the mailer took me over the edge finally.

Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler confirmed to IJ Review that the mailer was theirs in a phone call Friday evening, saying that the targeting had been very narrow, but the caucuses are important and we want people who havent voted before to vote.

Another Iowan, Braddock Massey, tweeted a photo of his copy of the mailer: ...

...

http://journal.ijreview.com/2016/01/252498-said-undecided-iowan-received-controversial-mailer-ted-cruz/Skeezy, nuts, dirty, out of control.

This has been done in past years by other campaigns - it is an incredibly stupid tactic.

-QG

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Hard to imagine a guy finishing up worse than Cruz.

At this point I won't be surprised to see him buy a full page ad in the Des Moines Register proclaiming "Corn Sucks!"

 

[QuizGuy66]

Trump 28

Cruz 23

Rubio 15

Schoolhouse Rock 10

Paul 5

Bridgegate 3

Jeb! 2

Demon Sheep Ad Lady 2

Huckster 2

Kasich 2

Ungoogleable Guy 2

-QG

 

[3C's]

Who Will Win the Republican Iowa Caucus?

Odds as of January 28 at Bovada

• Donald Trump -250

Ted Cruz +165
Marco Rubio +1500
Jeb Bush +7500
Ben Carson +7500
Chris Christie +10000
Rand Paul +10000
Rick Santorum +15000
John Kasich +15000
Carly Fiorina +20000

 

[QuizGuy66]

Hillary 45

Bernie 42

MO'M 3

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

Those are the numbers from the Des Moines Register Poll. MOE +/- 4%

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

Hard to imagine a guy finishing up worse than Cruz.

At this point I won't be surprised to see him buy a full page ad in the Des Moines Register proclaiming "Corn Sucks!"

Lot of corn allergy voters out there...

-QG

 

[3C's]

After Iowa do Sanitorium and Fiorina pull out? And if so, who do their tens of supporters go to?

 

[Higgs]

Big big news for Trump. I'm very surprised at the poll results. Best they possibly could have hoped for. Looks like Trump will win the nomination pretty easily.

 

[SIDA!]

<p>

Who Will Win the Republican Iowa Caucus?

Odds as of January 28 at Bovada

• Donald Trump -250
• Ted Cruz +165
• Marco Rubio +1500
• Jeb Bush +7500
• Ben Carson +7500
• Chris Christie +10000
• Rand Paul +10000
• Rick Santorum +15000
• John Kasich +15000
• Carly Fiorina +20000

Rubio at +1500 is intriguing.

 

[3C's]

<p>

Who Will Win the Republican Iowa Caucus?

Odds as of January 28 at Bovada

• Donald Trump -250
• Ted Cruz +165
• Marco Rubio +1500
• Jeb Bush +7500
• Ben Carson +7500
• Chris Christie +10000
• Rand Paul +10000
• Rick Santorum +15000
• John Kasich +15000
• Carly Fiorina +20000

Rubio at +1500 is intriguing.

Trump is gonna RNC him. (UFC reference/segue)

 

[SIDA!]

<p>

Who Will Win the Republican Iowa Caucus?

Odds as of January 28 at Bovada

• Donald Trump -250
• Ted Cruz +165
• Marco Rubio +1500
• Jeb Bush +7500
• Ben Carson +7500
• Chris Christie +10000
• Rand Paul +10000
• Rick Santorum +15000
• John Kasich +15000
• Carly Fiorina +20000

Rubio at +1500 is intriguing.

Trump is gonna RNC him. (UFC reference/segue)

Nice!

 

[QuizGuy66]

Trumps Fav/Unfav in Iowa is 50/47.

Among Republicans.

This is something that long players like Cruz and Rubio and Kasich are counting on. That when it comes down to 2 they'll be able to take him down.

The survivor that hangs in through Mid-March has a real shot and even if Trump wins the first 4 states and does well on Super Tuesday there is going to be somebody hanging in there to be around for the winner take all states. Those start with Ohio for the Kasich honks out there.

That said an Iowa loss is problematic for Cruz - he peaked a couple weeks early. Rubio's poised to win the expectations game there.

I think there is no way Trump is the last guy left when the winner-take-all states start. Establishment honks just won't stand for it.

-QG