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And Now for Something Completely Different
Michael Hendricks
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The Case Against Trump and Cruz

Posted Sunday, March 20, 2016, at 10:29 PM

With the primary season about to come to a crawl as there is not a lot of delegates to hand out in April as compared to what we have seen in March and what is coming in June I thought I would delve into some of the politics.

Republicans in the remaining states have a very difficult choice to make in the coming months. There are three candidates left in the field. Only one of them, Donald Trump has a legitimate chance of getting enough delegates before the convention to avoid a brokered convention. Ted Cruz would have to win almost 75% of the remaining delegates to win the nomination and John Kasich cannot win the nomination before the convention.

So the race comes down to Trump and Cruz and both are potentially disastrous candidates for the Republican Party to having any chance of winning the presidency in November.

First, let us look at Donald Trump. He is nothing short of a failed businessman. The bulk of his money was handed down to him by his father. He has had to file bankruptcy several times and yet he wants to be the leader of United States. His xenophobic language at stop after stop has encouraged his supporters to start openly attacking protestors, deserved or not. He, himself, has endorsed this and even asked his supporters to go after protestors. His lack of understanding of the 1st Amendment Freedom of Speech should be enough cause for voters to not trust him with the constitution and yet they gravitate more to him because of his lack of knowledge.

He will not answer questions directed at him but instead will insult the person asking the question or mock him if they are handicapped. At every turn he has demanded that every one running for president disavow someone in their camp yet when he was asked to disavow the KKK and one of it's leaders he had to think about it because he did not know enough about them.

His answer to stopping illegal immigration is to build a wall and demand that Mexico pay for it. Of course this plan would not actually work because, I am sorry, but another country simply is not going to build something for another country just because Donald Trump says so.

He states that Islam hates us but refuses to say why or what part of Islam.

Let us not forget that he is (or was) good friends with the Clintons. They attended his fourth wedding to his current wife.

He seems to have no idea what policy is or even how to develop policy. When asked for his opinions or thoughts on certain policy issues such as healthcare he initially stated that the Affordable Care Law was a good law. Later he outlined his own healthcare plan which was widely criticized as not really doing anything to solve soaring health care costs.

Let us not forget that for years he demanded President Obama's birth certificate to the delight of birthers everywhere. Obama did, much to the chagrin of Trump. Despite that he has been relatively quiet on Ted Cruz who was born in Canada and whose parents were not Americans, which should automatically disqualify him for the presidency, but Trump does not seem to care.

Of course here is the thing. At some point as Trump gets closer to the Republican nomination he will begin to tone down his rhetoric and will start heading more to the center on his beliefs. Will the people that have voted for him to this point be comfortable with that?

On one final note, a lot of people say they like Trump because he does not hold back and says what others will not. They also state that he will kick the government in the butt (not quite that kind, but you get the jest). If politics has taught me one thing it is that saying one thing on the campaign road and doing something in office are often two very different sides of the coin.

Ted Cruz. What can I say about Raphael Cruz. Other than the point that he simply is not qualified to be president of the United States because he was born outside of the country to non Americans there is not much to say about him. He is the typical dirty politician that will say one thing one day and something completely different the next and will deny saying the first thing. He led a shutdown of the government in 2013 and then he and those that helped them (Sarah Palin included) tried to say that President Obama actually shut down the government when it was Congress' job to keep the government running.

He is so far to the right on every single issue that even independents who typically favor Republican candidates over Democratic ones prefer any candidate on the Democratic side over him.

In short, the two men leading the race for the Republican nomination could very well lead to it's downfall and even the loss of Congress in November.

Comments
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  • you may want to google: Eleanor Darragh

    -- Posted by Manuel on Mon, Mar 21, 2016, at 3:48 PM
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    So googled. The only settled law is that if a child is born to an American citizen outside of the United States but in a territory, protectorate, or military base. Cruz was born in none of these. The Constitution is quite clear on this. Even the laws that have been passed since are clear on this. He was born in Canada to an American woman thus having dual citizenship but because he was born in another country he is not eligible to be president.

    It is strange, though, how it was so clear that there was no way that President Obama was eligible to be president despite being born in Hawaii and Rafael Cruz is eligible and he was born in Canada.

    -- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Mon, Mar 21, 2016, at 4:12 PM
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    I would also google "failed" and "inane liberal twit" while you are at it.

    -- Posted by divorcedugly on Mon, Mar 21, 2016, at 4:48 PM

  • are you a fan of HUFFPOST POLITICS? If so, check article by Peter Van Buren, updated 01/08/16.

    -- Posted by Manuel on Mon, Mar 21, 2016, at 6:36 PM
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    Is that the best you can offer ugly? Insults? You must be a Trump fan, since that's all he knows to do.

    -- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Mon, Mar 21, 2016, at 7:07 PM
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    You and your ilk many have spend the last 7 years with the insane belief that President Obama was not an American and therefor not eligible to be president. Now you guys have a candidate who actually was not born in the United States and you expect us to say anything and just take it on face value.

    Interesting how the tables have turned.

    It is also very interesting that I spent the majority of this blog talking about why Trump and Cruz were disastrous for the Republican Party and the best you can come up "Yeah huh Rafael Cruz can be President".

    This is just kind of sad. You guys used to be on your game and now you just aren't trying.

    -- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Mon, Mar 21, 2016, at 7:12 PM

  • About two years ago I put an old Al Bundy for President sticker on my pickup, sometimes people will honk and give me the thumbs up and laugh. Now he's starting to look like a better candidate than both party's have. Vote early and vote often as they say in Chicago.

    -- Posted by Keda46 on Mon, Mar 21, 2016, at 7:49 PM
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    Yes because nothing says America like a fictional character being thought of as presidential.

    -- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Mon, Mar 21, 2016, at 10:00 PM

  • When I was in school we were taught that to be President you had to be born on American soil. Ted Cruz was not. By what I was taught in school he isn't eligible to be President. Full disclosure I was at MJH and MHS from 1980-1985.

    -- Posted by wallismarsh on Tue, Mar 22, 2016, at 6:08 AM

  • I also attended MHS. Wallis must have had different instructors than me. Michael, you did not address my question re HUFFOST POLITICS. I feel like, instead, you chose to join those who would play the insult game.

    -- Posted by Manuel on Tue, Mar 22, 2016, at 11:00 AM

  • Bonow - Briggs - Rasmussen

    -- Posted by wallismarsh on Tue, Mar 22, 2016, at 1:28 PM

  • When were you at MHS Manual?

    -- Posted by wallismarsh on Tue, Mar 22, 2016, at 1:55 PM

  • '62

    -- Posted by Manuel on Tue, Mar 22, 2016, at 3:18 PM

  • I live in Texas - where do you live Manual.

    Our case study was Barry Goldwater- Arizona was a territory when he was born - therefore he was a Natural Citizen.

    -- Posted by wallismarsh on Tue, Mar 22, 2016, at 5:29 PM
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    I miss Bonow. Never had him as a teacher but he was a great and funny man.

    -- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Tue, Mar 22, 2016, at 7:28 PM
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    By the way Manny exactly at what point did I insult you?

    But to your point let's go with the definition that you are apparently going with offered by Peter Van Buren, that would completely invalidate the argument of every person who has ever stated that President Obama still is not eligible to be President because they believe he was not born on American soil.

    Would you agree with that statement, Manuel?

    -- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Tue, Mar 22, 2016, at 7:37 PM
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    If you can't see where you have insulted Manuel then you are mentally ill. I have known this for some time but even you, the closest one to you, can't see it. It is called denial mini and you are in it. You are a sophomoric baby who insults and derides anyone who disagrees with you and you always have been. You make Trump look like chump change in the name calling ball baby act. My act is shtick while your act is not an act at all. Take your meds please.

    -- Posted by divorcedugly on Wed, Mar 23, 2016, at 9:17 AM
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    Pretty strange and standard for someone who does nothing but insult people without actually offering any thoughts on anything to scold someone else for insults. Classic trollism at it's finest ugly. The website wouldn't be the same without you. It would be far better of course, but it wouldn't be the same.

    -- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Wed, Mar 23, 2016, at 9:37 AM

  • Wallis: I live in Nebraska. I could cheat and look up instructors from my time as a Bison. I have not. The only teachers I remember for sure are: Warren Everts and Loy Teter. There may have been a Ms Ahern, but not sure. The Principal (?)/ Superintendant (?) was Lester (?), known at that time for his whistling abilities.

    Michael: I'm sorry you misinterpreted my response. I did not mean to imply that you insulted me. I meant to say that you appear to have no qualms about jumping in to wallow those who do the insults. BTW, I am not one of those who believe Mr Obama is not qualified to be President. I just detest most of his policies.

    -- Posted by Manuel on Wed, Mar 23, 2016, at 9:42 AM
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    He has no qualms jumping in or starting insults just as he has done again. Before anyone commented on his drivel he insulted everyone who knows what the definition of "failed" is. What "bulk" means. He insults Trump supporters by stating they support him due to his lack of knowledge. He shows zero knowledge of how Trump has clearly stated he will build a wall and zero knowledge of how it would be paid for. He has zero understanding of who ISIS is and what religion they obviously participate in and mocks those who in his mind foolishly believe ISIS to be Muslim because they say they are. Mini is simply put a tool. He childlessly mocks those who would disagree with him in his blog and then complains like a petulant manboy about anyone who challenges his inane ramblings. He is the definition of a narcissistic little kid who is the only one in the room who doesn't get what he in reality is. It is sad to see someone like this suffer from their delusions but yet entertaining at the same time. Can you imagine what his family goes through at get togethers??

    -- Posted by divorcedugly on Wed, Mar 23, 2016, at 1:25 PM
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    Manuel, I like that you apologized for that I apparently took what you said wrong, which in itself isn't actually an apology. I didn't misinterpret what you said, so no apology is needed for that.

    It is interesting that you would expect me to answer a question to the point that you would bring it up again but not answer a question directed to you. I didn't ask if you believed Obama to be American or not, I asked if you would agree to the statement that if you do subscribe to the definition put forth by Mr. Van Buren that it would invalidate the argument of everyone that believes that Obama was born outside this country and therefore not eligible to be President?

    -- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Wed, Mar 23, 2016, at 1:49 PM
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    Hey ugly when you actually decide to have an intelligent discussion instead of hiding behind personal attacks and making blanket statements, and putting words in the mouths of people they did not make, I would be happy to have a discussion with you.

    However, I don't expect that to happen. It seems every time I call you on your bs the only way you know how to respond is to attack me and my family. Again, the Donald Trump method of debate.

    -- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Wed, Mar 23, 2016, at 1:52 PM

  • I would say that if Obama was born in Kenya he might not be qualified to run for President. He was born in Hawaii therefore qualified. Raphael Cruz - the Canadian - may need some clarity on the issue.

    As a point of reference- I made the same argument when Obama was running in 2008 so I am being consistent.

    -- Posted by wallismarsh on Wed, Mar 23, 2016, at 1:55 PM

  • Michael, yes, it would invalidate that argument, which I did not subscribe to, anyway. I am asking one more time then I am through with the subject: do you agree with Mr Van Buren; a simple YES or NO will suffice.

    -- Posted by Manuel on Wed, Mar 23, 2016, at 3:24 PM

  • The Van Buren piece is flawed. The Panama Canal was US territory.

    The congress needs to state what natural born means. Raphael Cruz was also Canadian at Birth. McCain and Goldwater were born on US soil.

    -- Posted by wallismarsh on Wed, Mar 23, 2016, at 6:39 PM
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    No I actually do not agree with Mr. Van Buren. I think is fairly straight forward which means that if a person is not born in the United States, one of it's territories, protectorates, or military bases then they are not eligible to fun for the office of President, whether the mom was American or not.

    However, it is clear that clarity needs to be provided in the matter for everyone's understanding.

    The way that I understand the law, Mr. Cruz, while eligible to hold a congressional seat, is not eligible to be the President of the United States.

    -- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Fri, Mar 25, 2016, at 3:15 PM
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