I Endorse Ted Cruz's Non-Endorsement

The convention is over. I enjoyed Trump’s signature speech, and his acceptance of the nomination.

I was never a #NeverTrumper, and I never will.

I am voting for the Donald in November, rodeo clown antics be damned.

He has actually flexed some conservative muscle. I do not accept the conservative Cassandras who bewail the death of conservatism. They are acting more like Narcissus, just plain angry that their conservative did not win the nomination. I feel their pain (without the bottom lip-biting, though). Three of my conservative candidates did not earn the crown of nomination.

Does that diminish my choices or their campaigns? Not at all. The truth is, the party and its leadership were not listening to the dire concerns of the large swatch of citizens. The outrage with the Washington political class did not burst out all of a sudden, but simmered to its present boil following “a long train of abuses and usurpations.”

Bailouts, big wars with no wins in sight, plus insecure borders which benefited the well-connected few—all of it enraged people.

What bothered me so much then, and still rankles a little now, was how deeply the voting public dismissed and/or distrusted U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.

Ted Cruz was another one of the show-stopping convention speakers, with an astounding record.

He sacrificed the creature comforts for a federal legislator, calling out his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for not fighting enough, or for doing the bidding of wealthy donors instead of the widespread populace. He spoke the truth, charmed the crowds, fought to defund Obamacare while defending the Constitution.

As a candidate, he got too cozy with Trump in the early stages, convinced that “New York Values” would flame out and Cruz could gain the lead, then regain for the win. It was not to be. This raging, populist frustration would bat down sixteen incredible candidates, even he minor leaguers with more merit than any of the Democratic candidates.

Now to the Pledge.

Two of my conservative peers challenged me to look over the solemn oath, the promise which each Republican candidate made. Townhall’s very own Kurt Schlicter (a featured guest at my club the Beach Cities Republicans the same day as Trump’s acceptance speech) acknowledged his doubts about Cruz’s decision not to endorse Trump.

I respect that conflict. Republicans have to unite the party to win.

Marco Rubio was crystal clear in March:

“[T]he Democrats have two people left in the race. One of them is a socialist. America doesn't want to be a socialist country. If you want to be a socialist country, then move to a socialist country.

The other one is under FBI investigation … and anyone who lies to the families of victims who lost their lives in the service of our country can never be the commander- in-chief of the United States.”

Bam!

So, Cruz chooses not to endorse Donald Trump. Guess what? Lots of Republicans are not too thrilled with their top ticket nominee. U.S. Senate incumbents are supporting him but with little more fanfare than “Congrats, now go away.” Others are staying silence (or just plain staying away). No formal endorsements or announcements on social media do not signal “#NeverTrump” either. Cruz can vote for the Donald with boldly declaring that everyone else in America should. I know that I will.

“But Cruz promised!”

Granted, a pledge is a pledge. Easy for you and me to say as much. How would you feel, though, about a man who trashed and maligned your family? We can speculate, sure …

And what was the pledge? Cruz said he would “support the nominee”, which meant no third-party run. Here’s the clip where he affirms his support.

(Both photos courtesy of Gage Skidmore)

But not “endorsement”.

At one time, Trump had renounced his pledge. Why hasn’t anyone brought this little (hypocritical?) tidbit to light? In March, just before the Wisconsin primary, Trump had made light of Cruz’s endorsement, stating that he doesn’t need the senator’s support. That is a fact. A candidate who crushes a consummate conservative by double-digits in a deep red state like Indiana (two months after Wisconsin) does not need any one endorsement going forward.

Also, Cruz began back-pedaling his resolve to endorse Donald as nominees during the same Wisconsin tow hall. By then, Trump viciously and gratuitously maligned his wife and his father. “That goes beyond the pale,” Cruz declared plainly.

And he was right.

The 2016 RNC Convention was rolling along fine. Some expected names did not appear (Bush, McCain, Romney), and other, highly-prized and favored speakers marked the wild and enthusiastic crowds. Then came Cruz. He rallied his fellow Republicans to fight for liberty and vote their conscience.

What’s wrong with that?

The boos followed, but I was cheering. Cruz chose wisely. His non-endorsement did not spring from bitterness or spite, but a just consequence for Trump’s wicked attacks. Unlike most politicians, who run away from stern even upset crowds, he submitted before the Texas delegation and explained clearly why he had refused to endorse Trump:

“I addressed the convention because Donald asked me to … he didn’t ask me to endorse, and I told him three days ago I was not going to endorse him.”

There was a clear understanding up front.

“I am not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and who attack my father.”

Indeed. The lies were outrageous, unjustified, should not be rewarded with a “puppy dog” endorsement to follow. The oath to wife and family comes first.

Who cares how loud the boos were? Cruz retained integrity and dignity. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin mocked Cruz with “Delete his career.” Reminder: Palin the governor walked off the job without completing her first term: another pledge breaker!

Forget the critics. I endorse Ted Cruz’s decision not to endorse. Besides, Trump repeated that he didn’t need it, wouldn’t accept it—and then went back to attacking his father and wife—again!

Cruz’s decision is vindicated, and he awaits a glowing future.

Debbie Dooms Democrats (Priebus Runs Republicans Right)

There is nothing like watching the extravagant implosion of one’s enemies.

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is going up in smoke, Bern-ing away (yes, you read that right!). Democrats want her out. The Bernie Sanders supporters want her to pound sand. For all the trash-talk about a Republican clown car, the Democratic Party is a hideous car wreck on the side of the road. The news is spreading fast and everyone is rubber-necking as they drive by. A socialist Independent-turned-Democrat is turning the Democratic Party inside out, exposing its corrupt core. Sanders are called for her smoldering ouster, and the rank and file are lining up behind him.

Schultz, however, has been self-immolating for years. The powers that exist to prop up the DNC have worked overtime, and failed nonetheless. The lame-stream media has propped up Little Debbie all this time, but rigorously vigorously attacked RNC Chairman Reince Priebus every time he opened his mouth. And speaking of mouth, Schutlz should have shut hers a long time ago. She once told her colleagues to stop calling the Affordable Care Act “Obamacare.” Makes sense, since Obama never really cared about the American people or our healthcare in passing that terrible law.

She has frequently thrown firebombs at Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, too. When he signed into law the unprecedented Act 10 collective bargaining reforms, Schultz smirked that Walker had “awakened a sleeping giant.” She was thinking of Big Labor, but should have considered We the People. While Walker was campaigning for a successful second term, Schultz blurted out “Walker has given women the back of his hand.” Abusive and insensitive, Schultz later apologized, and likely regretted her hateful comments, which backfired on Democrats and fired up Republicans. Schultz cannot defend her pro-abortion remarks either. She kindled some heated debates with conservative stars like US Senator Rand Paul, a doctor with more insight into medicine than Schultz or anyone else in the Democratic Party.

She has deservedly taken a lot of flak for setting the stage for a Hillary Clinton coronation, too. Six DNC debates, mostly on weekends to diminish the viewing audience (and increasing Clinton’s weak chances), and the restless liberal masses are getting tired of Little Debbie’s Hillary pandering.

Of course, her biggest failure as chairman falls on her larger-than-appropriate presence in the national media. Shouldn’t she be assisting candidates down ticket to hold onto their seats? Come to think of it, as she faces a stiff challenge from her left from a well-funded outsider, she may well be out of two jobs: chairman and Congresswoman.

After perusing Debbie’s worst hits, the readership here and abroad should reflect on the statesman-like work of the current RNC chairman, whom Van Jones lamentably praised.

Priebus tried his frame at elected office once, and did not make it. Perhaps DWS should have refused a House seat when she became Chairman, too?

Unlike Schultz, Priebus stays behind-the-scenes as much as possible, a team-builder rather a self-promoter.

And he has done a masterful job.

Before the RNC, Priebus chaired the Badger State GOP, notably the year when Republicans swept the Wisconsin state legislature and the Governor’s office. Wisconsin has retained a blue hue since 1988, but the Republican red is taking over. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s win came about with help from Priebus, who learned how to align the Tea Party enthusiasm with the more established party machinery.

While Democrats endured massive loses in Washington and all over the country, the Republicans exposed their weak links and the need to grow elsewhere, though. The previous RNC Chairman, Michael Steele, was stirring up unconstructive storms of controversy. Republican operatives had been frequenting strip clubs. He shot his mouth off too often, and at the wrong people.

The Chairman is the coach, not one of the team-maters, but Steele fought on the field too much, and left too few victories behind. A winnable New York state House seat fell though GOP fingers that year, and donors were ticked off. Reince stepped up for the chairmanship, and after seven ballots, beating out the incumbent by one vote at the first ballot, Priebus took over.

The Wisconsin naive has presided over the storm internal-external politics of a party trying to hold onto the base while expanding its brand. Despite the terrible turnout of 2012, Priebus worked with the winners and developed new game plans.

Reaching out to minorities, improving the tech capacities of the party, he harnessed the social media audience to #StandWithTed during his 22 hour filibuster against Obamacare. He talked back to the media during interviews, and called them out for their heinous, brazen bias. When left-wing hot spots like MSNBC engaged in slimy racial attacks against Romney and his black grand-child, he cut off ties with the corporation until they apologized. Following the disaster of a debate which opened with “Name your greatest weakness”, Priebus cut off further debates with NBC altogether.
Finally, a chairman who fights rather than placates the media.

Mr Priebcus has remained upbeat and optimistic throughout the Election 2016 primary season. Despite the #NeverTrump crowds, Priebus reminds his frustrated peers that Trump is bringing new voters to the party. The illiberal media narrative falls apart, and Trump unraveled the ribbon. A fifty-state strategy looking beyond red and blue, Republicans are bringing a star-spangled restoration to a bitterly divided nation.

Whether he just happens to be in the right place at the right time, or has developed superior leadership skills—or both—RNC Chairman Reince Priebus has an accomplished record steering an American political party from utter failure to incredible success, and the unprecedented legacy of holding this powerful position during the administration of an opposing President.

Who can forget Election 2014? For the first time in decades, if ever, Republicans threw five Democratic US Senate incumbents out of office! Thirty-one governors, massive numbers in state offices all over the country, Priebus has a legacy that party operatives can only dream of.
One that Little Debbie will never know.