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Chris Stigall: Can You Point Me To The Republican Convention?

By Chris Stigall

I have no idea what to make of the state of things in this Republican race anymore. Frankly, I'm pretty depressed at what's beginning to happen. As we inch ever closer to the primaries, it seems folks are getting deeply and emotionally entrenched with their candidate of choice.

Cruz people think I've entertained Trump as "legitimate" for too long, thus helping him reach this place as the likely nominee.

Trump people accuse me of being pro Cruz. I've even been accused of taking money from Cruz or affiliated PACs. Seriously. A talk show host broadcasting to states that likely won't have an iota of impact in choosing the Republican nominee - I'm taking money to shill for Cruz?! Yep, it's gotten to this place.

I only wish I had the kind of influence over Iowa and New Hampshire I'm told I have by certain campaign loyalists. Guess I should take it as a compliment.

I'm told Cruz can't win because he's "hated." He can't "get deals done" in Washington. I see people like Bob Dole and Trent Lott endorsing Trump. I hear Trump say he knows how to "get deals done."

As a candidate, this is a new strategy for Trump. Taking a page from every critic of Cruz since he got to the Senate in 2012, Trump says he's the candidate that can get along with Washington politicians.

Beg your pardon? I didn't think ANYONE voting Republican wanted to hear those words. I thought Trump and Cruz and most of us were angry with the Boehner, McConnell, McCain, Ryan deal making and compromising that's handed our nation over to ruinous liberal policies?

Somehow, the words "get things done" and "deal making" has become a Trump rallying cry and a reason to shun Cruz.

Anybody care to ask what kind of deals? Deals with whom? And what compromises will be made on his part to get that deal done? Is there any issue that's non-negotiable?

I'm told that's a "Cruz-shill" line of questioning.

Now is the part where I do the obligatory Ted Cruz criticism so Trump supporter's heads don't explode.

Ted Cruz has enormous negatives. It's 100% true that Republican leaders and pundits in D.C. don't like him. Never have. Never will. It's 100% true that he has trouble coming off as anything but a wonkish, preachy debate champion. Your sister, neighbor, co-worker who's apolitical or Democrat hates his guts. I get it.

I'm not under any illusions that Cruz is more "electable" than Trump. The fact, if you believe polls, is neither of these men is well liked among Democrat, Independent, or even Republican voters, broadly.

I can't say I'm 100% sure either of them can overcome their negatives. I do believe Hillary Clinton is inherently beatable. Her negatives are huge, too. If it's her negatives versus Trump/Cruz negatives, I give the edge to the Republican base enthusiasm to turnout over Mrs. Clinton's less inspired voters.

Here's as honest as I can be.

I believe Cruz is the most consistently conservative candidate left in the race. I'm also told that measurement no longer matters.

I believe Trump has the ability to appeal more broadly to a larger swath of the electorate than Cruz. But I don't trust Trump won't cut deals with the very establishment that are now endorsing him.

Today, conservatism takes a back seat to what's being called Trump's "nationalism." There's a huge swath of voters, I presume Republican, who like Trump's unapologetic bravado about "making our country great again."

I like it too. I'd just like to ask how he's going to do it.

This is where I get depressed.

When you ask died-in-the-wool Trump supporters about policy or past positions – you're told to shut up. It doesn't matter. That was then, this is now. We have to win! Stop bothering them with policy discussions.
In fact, I'm told the word "conservative" is now off-putting and unwelcome. You either want to "make America great again," or you don't.

Well, I do. And I'll enthusiastically race to vote for Trump if he's the Republican nominee.

I guess I just hoped we could continue to vet all candidates until the primaries are over and the votes have been cast. But for some, it's already over.

Trump's the guy. Shut up if you disagree or you're a shill for Cruz.

No. I was actually a shill for Scott Walker - a conservative, three-time gubernatorial winner in a blue state. Everything I'd always thought a Republican voter would want.

Instead, he was first out of this race. And here we are. And I have no idea where here is.

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