Last Saturday Donald Trump attended a TEA Party convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was “the Donald,” as he told stories about construction and his ‘beautiful wall.’ But he didn’t forget that Ted Cruz has become his only real competition for the GOP presidential nomination.

Referring to the junior Senator from Texas: “You give a campaign contribution to Ted Cruz, you get whatever the heck you want,” Mr. Trump said.

He isn’t wrong. Cruz has been caught pandering to those listening to his angry and divisive speech.

Trump was aware that Cruz is the TEA Party leader, and when he received ‘boos’ for his remarks, he ‘doubled-down’ on his attack.

“He didn’t report his bank loans,” he said over the jeers. “Say whatever you want. He’s got bank loans from Goldman Sachs, he’s got bank loans from Citibank, and then he acts like Robin Hood.”

Trump’s participation in the gathering was a continuation of their exchanges during last Thursday’s faux-debate when the real estate mogul questioned Cruz’ citizenship.

The truth is that this is the strangest presidential campaign in my lifetime. For the first time one party has been completely involved with in-fighting, and has failed to offer a single solution to our nation’s problems; empty rhetoric has been the norm. Not one of them has spoken to the people; their egos have squashed whatever intellect they possess.

For Donald Trump it’s all about the polls; but will history repeat itself and prove that early polls seldom predict the final outcome of the primary season?

The Iowa Caucus will take place on February 1^st. As of today, the consensus of all polls gives Trump 27.8 percent, and Cruz 26.7 percent. Cruz’ support is based upon evangelicals who have historically decided the caucus.

The people of our nation have short memories; sometimes that is for the better, and sometimes it’s not. Republicans want us to forget the horrendous eight years of their most recent presidential offering, but we must not. A return to the policies of the Bush Administration would be disastrous for the working class. As for Iowa, few remember that in 2012 Rick Santorum was declared the winner, and in 2008 it was Mike Huckabee; both men are religious extremists. Today Santorum is polling at 1.2 percent, and Huckabee 2.5.

There are four events in February, ending with the South Carolina primary on the 27^th. When the voters of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina have been heard, the GOP’s future will likely be much more clear.

A note about history; no candidate who has won the first four events has failed to receive the party’s nomination.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey

Read ‘James Turnage’ on the free Amazon Kindle App