Cruz/Rubio Stepping Up

I liked what Marco and Ted brought to last night’s well-run CNN Republican date. I did not like the shrill Gloria Borger’s warm-up commentary nor RNC chairman Reince Priebus’ mushy, yesterday’s party debate introduction. If you want a capsule look at why voters are stampeding away from both establishment parties, give a quick listen to RP.

As a Cato Institute Club 200 benefactor, a major advertiser/supporter of The American Conservative, and a long-time supporter of Rand Paul and his dad (please read End the Fed), I do not have a horse in the race. My many-decade support of The Swiss Way—a small government, states rights, non-intervention form of Federal Republic—prevents me from working up personal enthusiasm for any of the candidates left in the 2016 presidential election race. With that said, I will do all I can to prevent Hillary Clinton, a repugnant pathological liar and Marxist-tinged, big government, national security risk retread, from ascending to the White House.

Yesterday I posted that it was time for Rubio and Cruz to step up or step down. Well, last night, to my surprise, both stepped up and did a fine job. Marco stood toe to toe, slugging it out against Trump. Marco’s camp can be proud of him. But, Rubio was horrible on the immigration issue. Marco, an experience-free, junior lightweight is up against a grizzled, highly experienced, heavyweight. In boxing terminology, Marco is competing far out of his weight class. Can he win the day? Maybe, but the trend is not Rubio’s friend. Where does he get the delegates? To say Marco remains a long shot, despite support from the War Dogs, is being kind. The numbers just do not add up.

Ted Cruz, with full support from my highly favored Glenn Beck, is, like Marco, fighting from far behind. No win in Texas and Cruz is finished. The party elites are not behind Ted and that will not change. Where is the support Cruz needs to overcome the Donald Trump steamroller? Even after a solid performance last night, voters will be thinking Trump, not Cruz or Rubio.

As for Dr.Carson, oh my. And John Kasich? An experienced good guy who stayed above the fray last night and comported himself well. John would make a good VP selection.

Wrapping up, Donald, as he regularly trumpets was the only guy on the stage who has hired people. Trump told listeners, “Nobody up here has hired anybody.” Trump concluded by correctly proclaiming that he is drawing record-setting numbers, a lot of new people. The math continues to work for Mr. Trump.