Wednesday, April 06, 2016

Ted and Bernie Win Badgerland

It wasn't particularly close, either:

Cruz control
On the port side?

Bern notice
Thoughts? Yeah, I have a few:

  • Ted Cruz does his homework and he knows how to block and tackle. He could have split the vote with John Kasich and Trump would have been able to get another plurality victory, but Cruz was organized and got the key endorsements he needed in Wisconsin. Cruz may not be the perfect candidate, but he understands what it takes to win. Some of the snickering libertarians on my social media feed insist that Cruz can't win north of the Mason-Dixon line, but he seems to be doing that with regularity now.
  • Trump could have won Wisconsin, but he ran a lazy and frankly stupid campaign. First off, insulting Scott Walker was a completely boneheaded move, especially when the claims Trump made were easily debunked. People in Wisconsin are probably more immersed in politics than just about anyplace else in the country, given the drama that's taken place there over the last five years. Trump and his people should have known that and tailored their approach to fit the electorate. Instead, they went in with the usual bombast and got their asses handed to them. Didn't exactly break my heart to see that happen.
  • If anything, Bernie Sanders was more impressive than Cruz. I am continually told that Hillary is the candidate to beat and that she has broad support. Are we really sure about that? No matter how much institutional support she has, she's not a good candidate. The DNC might be able to drag her across the finish line against Sanders, but she's not making the sale.
  • I am told that Trump and Hillary will win New York and that the narrative will shift back to what it has been. We'll see. 

13 comments:

Gino said...

I wonder how many Hillary voters have actually listened to a speech of hers? My God, she hurts my ears.

Gino said...

Oh, Cruz cannot win North of mason-dixon in the general. Don't let a farm state primary fool you.

Mr. D said...

Oh, Cruz cannot win North of mason-dixon in the general. Don't let a farm state primary fool you.

Wisconsin is not a farm state, dude. It's a state that Trump should have won, given where Trump is supposed to be strong. But he didn't. If Scott Walker can win Wisconsin three times, Cruz will have a chance there in the general, should he get there. Remember who the candidates on the other side are likely to be this time around.

W.B. Picklesworth said...

I think the general is wide open because all of the candidates are deeply flawed and unlovely. Not to mention the fact that the electorate is feeling more volatile than usual. The latter might be oversold. But in conjunction with the former I think it means something.

jerrye92002 said...

Wouldn't it be delightful if Cruz could somehow come out of New York with some delegates? Or is it winner-take-all?

Gino said...

by the time Hillary and her media buddies are done with Cruz, he'll may not carry Alabama or Georgia.

the GOP needs to build the brand. they've been resistant to whats hitting them in the face, so this year is not their year either, unless they go with Trump. but it might be too late, now.

3john2 said...

Trump has been a god-send for Hillary, first by sucking all the oxygen out of many of the Republican campaigns that needed it to get their identity and points of difference established, and now his circus keeps most eyes focused away from what otherwise would be a compelling story - the bumpy road of the Clinton coronation route. I'd hazard that if even 25% of the morbid fascination focused on Trump were redirected at Her Highness the pot would be boiling underneath the super-delegates.

3john2 said...

Trump has been a god-send for Hillary, first by sucking all the oxygen out of many of the Republican campaigns that needed it to get their identity and points of difference established, and now his circus keeps most eyes focused away from what otherwise would be a compelling story - the bumpy road of the Clinton coronation route. I'd hazard that if even 25% of the morbid fascination focused on Trump were redirected at Her Highness the pot would be boiling underneath the super-delegates.

Mr. D said...

the GOP needs to build the brand. they've been resistant to whats hitting them in the face, so this year is not their year either, unless they go with Trump.

What should the GOP brand be?

Mr. D said...

by the time Hillary and her media buddies are done with Cruz, he'll may not carry Alabama or Georgia.

If they can't sell Hillary in Wisconsin, how will they sell her in Alabama? Seriously?

3john2 said...

But she's already practicing her Alabama accent!

jerrye92002 said...

Of the Republican choices, I much prefer a Cruz that seems to be all sharp corners but speaks well, rather than the "yuge" yammering Other that can't keep his trap shut.

Face it, the Democrats only stock in trade is to absolutely destroy whatever Republican gets the nod. Better not to give them any more ammunition than necessary and select somebody that could actually be good at the job.

Bike Bubba said...

If they can't sell Hillary in Wisconsin, how will they sell her in Alabama? Seriously?

Boiled and smoked with a wonderful sauce, maybe, at the Whistle Stop Café?

Sorry, couldn't resist. But I'm with Crankbait; Drumpf has been such a blessing to Hilliary, it's almost like the Combover talked the matter over with Slick before declaring and got his blessing (he did, FWIW).

Regarding the NY primary, it's only winner take all if the winner gets over 50%. Otherwise, it's complicated. So if Combover gets < 50%, the others get some delegates.