T. Belman. Trumps success mirrors their failure. Trump resonates with the voters. They alienated the voters. Trump and Cruz are right on Muslims and they are wrong.
Members of the GOP foreign policy establishment are open to supporting Ted Cruz or even Hillary Clinton for president if that’s what it takes to prevent Donald Trump from becoming commander in chief.
In interviews with The Hill, prominent Republicans who signed a scathing open letter denouncing Trump said they aren’t wavering from their opposition to him.
“What’s happening is you have a lot of people who are desperate to get anybody in there other than Trump. … People are going to go for Cruz, because at the end of the day they think he’s considerably less bad than Trump,” said Eliot A. Cohen, a former Jeb Bush adviser who also served in the George W. Bush administration.
Cohen, along with Bryan McGrath, organized an open letter opposing Trump that was signed by more than 120 members of the Republican foreign policy establishment. The letter declared that Trump is unfit to be president because his views of American power are “wildly inconsistent and unmoored in principle.”
The Hill contacted 13 of the people on the letter and heard back from all but two of them.
Support among the group appears to be shifting to Cruz, especially now that the Texas senator has won endorsements from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
“Donald Trump is not a Republican. … He is a caricature of classless wealth. … He is a caricature of the ugly American,” said McGrath, the deputy director at the Center for American Seapower at the Hudson Institute who is now working with the Cruz campaign.
Still, some say the fact that more supporters of Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) haven’t joined Cruz shows how unenthusiastic many are about him.
“All the palatable choices are gone,” said a senior Republican congressional staffer who wished to remain unidentified in order to speak freely.
When Cruz put out his list of foreign policy advisers last week, only two of those named were from the Rubio campaign — Jim Talent and Eliot Abrams — and none were from the Bush campaign.
Recently, the Truman National Security Project, a left-leaning think tank, detailed several areas of foreign policy that Trump and Cruz had in common, such as wanting to impose a religious test on Muslim refugees.
“For someone who is a George H.W. Bush Republican, this is really an uncomfortable choice,” said Daniel Drezner, a professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy who signed the open letter and voted for Rubio in the Massachusetts primary.
Stephen Rodriguez, a former Bush adviser and managing partner at One Defense who is now supporting Cruz, called Trump “amoral,” a “fraud” and a “dangerous demagogue.”
“I don’t know what’s worse — having Trump say all those ridiculous things and being totally clueless, or having him say all those things and actually mean it?” said Rodriguez, who signed the letter.
“At the end of the day, he has done nothing to earn my vote. He doesn’t have the character or the values that would qualify him to be president of the United States and commander in chief, nor is he a conservative or a Republican,” said Roger Zakheim, a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, who advised Rubio and also signed the letter.
Trump did little to win over his detractors with his list of foreign policy advisers, which the billionaire businessman released this week.
The list included five new names: former Pentagon inspector general Joseph Schmitz; oil and energy consultant George Papadopoulos; BAU International University provost Walid Phares; former Army lieutenant general and consulting firm executive J. Keith Kellogg Jr.; and longtime energy executive Carter Page.
Drezner noted that Schmitz was accused of stonewalling congressional investigations during the George W. Bush administration and resigned, while reports in 2012 alleged there was a link between Phares and war crimes in Lebanon.
“Trump promised he was going to introduce, like, the classiest foreign policy team … let’s just say, this isn’t it,” Drezner said.
“To say the least, it’s a pretty underwhelming group of people,” Cohen added.
Trump said he is planning to release more names, but his critics in the foreign policy sphere aren’t expecting much.
“Anyone who decides to work for him, they’re sort of revealing themselves as probably not among the best of the GOP foreign policy thinkers, because it’s such a stigma,” Drezner said.
Some members of the Republican foreign policy establishment are “shell-shocked” by what has happened in the primary race, the GOP staffer said, and are just planning to stay on the sidelines going forward.
Some of them are hoping for a third-party candidate from the GOP.
“If indeed it comes down to Hillary versus Trump as the nominees … then I’m certainly interested in whether or not we’ll see a third party, but I can’t support Trump’s candidacy,” Zakheim said.
John Noonan, a former Jeb Bush adviser, said he would write in Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins for president if Trump is the GOP nominee and then vote Republican down the rest of the ballot.
“Cousins isn’t any less experienced than Trump, and at least Cousins has never bankrupted a casino,” he said. But, he added, “I’d like to see Cruz beat Trump or a third-party conservative come in, in that order.”
Several admit that if absolutely forced to choose between Trump and Clinton, they would pick the former secretary of State.
“I’ll never support Trump, period. If the only choices I’m offered is between Hillary and Trump, I’ll go for Hillary,” said Cohen, who said he’s hoping for a third possibility or a write-in.
One pointed to Clinton’s speech earlier this week at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, saying it was relatively well received and could have been delivered by Rubio.
McGrath said he would vote for Clinton if he “got a gun held to my head” and was forced to choose only between her and Trump. He added that in reality, however, he would write in a name.
But, he added, “on foreign and defense policy, I at least trust Hillary’s judgment.”
McGrath isn’t alone.
“If it’s between Trump and Clinton, I will vote for Clinton,” Drezner said.
“I think there are others who will make that determination, even if you don’t like Hillary Clinton, if you dislike her domestic agenda,” he added.
Max Boot, a Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow and former Rubio foreign policy adviser who also signed the letter, said he would choose Clinton over both Trump and Cruz.
“I would consider a conservative third party but would vote for Hillary over Trump — not a close call,” he said. “Cruz [versus] Clinton is a closer call but on foreign policy grounds I would probably vote for Hillary.”
babushka Said:
Wrong again Babsie
Great News For Trump – Poll Shows Majority Of Republicans To Unite Behind Him!
babushka Said:
It would be like criticizing Vanilla Pudding. The man is boring.
Has anyone even criticized Kasich yet? He has gone completely unscathed because no one takes him seriously. Since most voters would not recognize Kasich if he were sitting on their laps, he currently represents “None Of The Above”. How many conservatives would support a guy who is pro-amnesty/pro-Obamacare and who says that he would replicate Obama’s latest Supreme Court nomination? If Kasich were nominated, the GOP would implode.
Latest state poll more of the same Kasich wins in a Dem state and Trump and Cruze loose.
Michigan: Trump vs. Clinton SurveyUSA Clinton 49, Trump 38 Clinton +11
Michigan: Cruz vs. Clinton SurveyUSA Clinton 49, Cruz 39 Clinton +10
Michigan: Kasich vs. Clinton SurveyUSA Kasich 46, Clinton 41 Kasich +5
babushka Said:
I am sure your confused. Considering your utter lack of either English grammar or syntax.
I thoroughly enjoyed this comment, although I am unsure which language it is supposed to be.
The Trump campaign is an expression of anger. There is no intellectual or moral component. It is a masochistic temper tantrum by people who feel aggrieved, in many cases justifiably, but who choose to express their rage irrationally. It is the equivalent of a child feeling victimized but powerless and venting frustration by hitting his head against the wall.
The irony is that this is one time when an excellent solution is readily available. Ted Cruz is offering ethical representation to the white working class voters whose sense of victimization has led them to Trump. He is the one who has battled the prostitutes of Corporate America on Obamacare/amnesty/trade agreements, while Trump has funded those whores.
Alas, once someone has partaken of the Kool Aid all logic and reason evaporate more quickly than a loogie in the Sahara. The Trumplings’ arguments read like bad theology, a conglomeration of crazy myths and weird superstitions totally devoid of reality.
When Laura mentions Trump’s lack of electability, she is citing objective poll data. Evaluating that data requires the ability to reason, and reason is nonexistent among Trump supporters. We are witnessing The Return Of The Obamabots, a movie sequel that never should have been made.
@ babushka:
@ woolymammoth:
It’s sad how the intelligence level has deteriorated on the pundit after Yamit82 left.
http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-do-honeybees-love-hexagons-zack-patterson-and-andy-peterson
Laura Said:
they dont mind losing the general election, they will vote for or clandestinely aid hillary…. they dont want to lose their standing in the party which will be zero if Trump gets the nomination and wins the election. They can lose a general election and remain in power in the party but a general election win by Trump would end their careers and influence… they are all frantic only for that reason.
Laura Said:
LOL, nothing to do with rules… they made an agreement to prevent him from running as an independent and now that it is too late and he is much more successful than they imagined they are doing whatever they can to libel and demonize him… aside from the fact that they are changing the rules specifically made to deal with the current situation. The GOP has conducted itself like sleazy liars with a pretense and facade of respectability. Trump will not allow that to pass without reply, nor should he. They made the agreement with no intention of following through in spirit. They pulled together all their resources and bought media to attack trump, his character and now his wife. Their behavior is transparent.
Laura Said:
thanks for that post and all that educated information it contained
bernard ross Said:
The rules should not be changed for drumpf. You must get required number of delegates. If it was good enough for Ronald Reagan in 1976, its good enough for this malcontent, drumpf.
Laura Said:
is that the high information you were talking about?
Laura Said:
and yet your posts never contain info beyond calling names.
@ bernard ross:
I certainly can’t take you seriously since you’re voting for that creature. His following are stupid, low information voters.
Any woman who supports drumpf has no self-respect. Any male who supports drumpf is a misogynist. End of story. There is no logical reason to back this snake. His following are brainwashed cultists. That is the only explanation.
Laura Said:
and you expect to be taken seriously?
Laura Said:
no, what will lose the election is the GOP obsession to deny Trump the nomination. After making an agreement they now seek every avenue of betrayal and afterwards will expect fair treatment.
I appear to have made more accurate predictions of Trumps popularity and the GOP betrayal than the Trump demonizers here…. so I wonder who is really the idiot?
bernard ross Said:
Because idiot, he will lose the general election. That’s why there is a frantic need to get rid of the creature.
@ babushka:
Once again, as your are concerning, you are mistaken.
bernard ross Said:
Drumpf is a demon.
I would lose no sleep if drumpf were to fall to or at least be incapacitated by a major cardiac incident. That would be the best thing to happen for the GOP and for this country.
@ woolymammoth:
The great achievement of honeybees is it ability to live almost entirely with out the presents of the male of the species.
woolymammoth, you are correct.
Honeybees suck.
Boy, do they suck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QctdfDA_d30
@ woolymammoth:
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/rototiller
@ woolymammoth:
Honeybees do NOT suck nectar, we gather pollen. As for garden tools or tools of any type, I have no interest, as I prefer the wildest of flowers.
The first of the rats begins edging off the ship:
@ honeybee:
Rototiller, no, Bee. Seems a homopteran should be well acquainted with garden tools by now. Er you are perhaps an imposter, a grasshopper me thinks… is your stinger intact….if you know
bernard ross Said:
It is use for tilling the ground for small to median gardens
@ Laura:
laura, do not fret so, our beloved Babushka is of the male persuasion.
bernard ross Said:
looks like donald does not want to play by their rules. they should be careful as he might be able to do damage which they do not predict… I expect that he knows more than they think he knows and will be willing to drop it like a boom in a demolishment. Considering how he put them into such disarray in a scenario in which they are all experienced experts I will bet he has some very dirty tricks up his sleeve and like me has probably already planned ahead that they will betray their contract with him. He wont accept a betrayal justified with fine print…. I think he will destroy them in public… and he wont care because he does not need the job. I would suggest that they start to operate above board or be ready to be demolished in the public arena with dirty tricks.
babushka Said:
what is a robotiller?
@ babushka:
so you are going with the BS story that he had nothing to do with it?
I suppose you bought his story re Ben Carson too, that it was a mistake?
didnt he try the same on rubio’s voters too?
LOLROF… looks like your antennae has a problem when it comes to lying Ted. Trump doesnt allow bullshite to baffle his brains. Ted holds up his bible, pretending to be clean and has others do his dirty tricks… donald does not hide his dirty tricks…. donald showed that if you insult his wife he will drag you through the mud and beat you with no holds barred… I would do the same…. once you crossed my red lines I would be merciless and pleas to be gentlemanly, merciful and presidential would hold no water. Trump is showing us how he would operate when folks cross the red lines and that is how I want him to operate, not like BB and other BS artists.
Insult his wife and get a beating… sounds right to me.
The above tour de force of deceit demonstrates why I am taking a sabbatical from providing emergency psychiatric care to Trumplings, who lie with the effortless grace of a swan being mangled by a rototiller.
babushka Said:
Just yesterday I watched fox news at a local BK lounge, which is the only time I watch MSM news on a TV. It was clear to me that the female interviewer was incredibly biased and pushing this same canard as you. A pig or a bimbo who behaves as a pig or a bimbo cannot seek sympathy for being a female as a cover up for their pig and bimbo behavior while at the same time declaring for gender equality. Who cares about names that men get called? Why should those attempting to demonize Trump with lies be spared epithets like men get called?
I noticed that the Fox female journalist appeared to have a lot of angry blood coming out of her eyes. Cruz had his superpac insult Trumps wife while pretending he has nothing to do with it. Trump is no fool and attacked Cruz wife in retaliation. Trump does not care what folks think and will attack the perps with the dirty tactics they deserve. I want an attack dog to beat the honor killers out of the country, I want an attack dog to beat the fake protesters who break up the meetings, I want the attack dogs to beat up those who are beating up Jews,… just like the muslim terrorists I know that an attack dog is necessary to beat back those seeking to destroy. After he beats them bloody I will not complain or empathize with their fate.
BTW I posted an amusing link here a couple of days ago of a black woman saying she understands Trump because he talks like a “gangsta” rapper and she thinks he will do what he says. lIke her I dont care how my enemies feel about my attack dog who I want to set loose on the deserving. I would like that attack dog to beat up the UN as he says, I want him to beat up the EU, I want those defamers of Israel and the Jews who have caused so many deaths of Jews beaten bloody in the streets. I dont want a bush, hillary or cruz to be PC while fleecing me and letting enemies survive… I want a successful attack dog who will show no mercy to my enemies… and I know who my enemies are. I want an attack dog who will be cruel to the merciless and merciless to the cruel. I dont want more of the same.
Its amusing to watch all the GOP Trump demonizers grasp for their only remaining straw that Trump cant beat hillary but Cruz can or that Trump only has 40% of GOP but fail to mention the percentage of the others. When someone drops out their votes dont go to everyone but Trump. The bought media is frantically pushing the establishment of both parties against Trump in the same way they demonize Israel… I am surprised that folks here cannot see that.
Fox is anti Trump so I dont know why anyone would say “even Fox”.
babushka Said:
then there should be no need to worry as a fair proper process would knock him out… however, I think that you and the other Trump bashers, like the left, sense that he does in fact resonate with a majority of voters.
The problem is that the GOP establishment efforts to protect their envisioned feeding trough, seen to be dissappearing under Trump, will go to any lengths to libel and demonize Trump. They have some success with this tactic but that success will make it worse for them… in the end folks will be disgusted with the GOP and nothing they say will resonate with a majority of the electorate. For the GOP establishment this is Ok because a Trump victory in the GOP primary will destroy their future hold on the party… better for them to get a hillary win in which case they can return next time to again haunt and control the party… the bushes, cruzes, rubios will get another chance if the dems win.
So much for all that rubbish about cruz not being part of the GOP establishment because the bushes are all backing Cruz
Laura Said:
If that were true there would be no hysterical and frantic need to fix the GOP nomination away from Trump
babushka Said:
murdoch supports the open borders along with soros….
here is how the GOP establishment and Cruz plan to destroy the nomination of Trump:
Politricks…. it will be interesting to see how the GOP destroys itself from within in an attempt to force their will. Disgust with the GOP will grow, more muslim atrocities will occur and Cruz will not be able to reinvent himself using Trumps platforms like his feeble “patrol muslim neighborhoods” foolishness.
@ honeybee:
She’s not supporting Clinton. She’s merely showing that Trump will lose to her.
Listen to Mark Levin:
http://therightscoop.com/mark-levin-i-fear-were-going-to-get-blown-out-in-the-general-election/
Trump doesn’t have the popularity that you are being led to believe. They are just the noisiest. He only has 37% of republican voters and his unfavorability rating is higher than Hillary. He has a 70% unfavorability rating with women. There is no way he will win the general election. The GOP needs to nominate Cruz. Its not too late.
They all prefer the polished way the far left/Hilary screw the US and the West in general. Vive Hitler, Stalin and Mao!!! Their god must be great. 200 million of skeletons in 20-30 years. A Guinness Book World Record.
Learning can be a masochistic experience.
babushka Said:
OMG you’re supporting Clinton !!!!!!!!!!!
babushka Said:
who yawl supportin ??? Elmer Rudd, heh heh heh !!!!!!!!!!!!
babushka Said:
Dignity ??? After Bill and Hilary????
Old fashion repub prefer irreversible damages to the country than temporary damages!
Donald Trump
Twenty-five Years Ago
VIDEO Uncovered Trump Interview From Over 25 Years Ago Will Shock A Lot of People
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MOKi5YeNtRI
On Oprah W.
D. T. is guilty!
Even some of Murdoch’s propagandists on Fox are taking note of the obvious:
Wrong. Trump resonates with approximately forty percent of the GOP, specifically the Goober Pyle wing of the party. Many Republicans despise him, and that number will only increase as the Demented One continues his sick jihad against women. First Carly. Then Megyn. Now Heidi. Mister Small Hands has some severe psychological issues.
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/274119-poll-clinton-would-crush-trump-in-general-election
Here is your typical Trump voter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScgFIKXKFkc