Bob Sparks
The Republican establishment faces a serious quandary. A difficult decision confronts those who vow that under no circumstances would they vote for Donald Trump.
With each passing week, Trump gets closer to presenting them with a Hobson’s choice. In a field that once hosted 17 presidential candidates, the choice seems to be either get behind him or increase the risk of losing to Hillary Clinton, a demonstrably flawed candidate. Or is it?
As Trump continued to win primaries with pluralities and Sen. Ted Cruz became the only other candidate to score occasional victories, the establishment has kept the Texas senator at arm’s length. Many in the establishment dislike Cruz as much as they do Trump, or more. They have not been able to bring themselves to join team TrusTED.
Oh sure, there is a breakthrough here and there. Utah Sen. Mike Lee became the first senator to endorse Cruz. Carly Fiorina announced her support earlier in March.
Sen. Lindsay Graham, one of the former members of the Gang of 17, actually held a fundraiser for Cruz during the recent American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) convention. In his speech to the group, Cruz likened Graham’s support to one of “God’s miracles.”
On Wednesday, Jeb Bush announced he was backing Cruz. Endorsements often do not matter, but this one could be different.
It is important to note that Bush is a professed conservative who actually governed like one. But, he held office before, so that enrolled him as a member of the establishment. His surname had much to do with that.
Bush’s endorsement is designed to carry the message to moderates that it’s OK to back Cruz. Bush describes Cruz as “a consistent, principled conservative who has demonstrated the ability to appeal to voters and win primary contests.” Jeb’s description is accurate, if not glowing.
Among the reasons Cruz is so disliked on the left is his consistency in hating Obamacare and growing debt. The GOP establishment disliked the tactics he used to carry out his fight. A warm and fuzzy feeling was not the result of Cruz saying Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lied to him (on the Senate floor, no less).
Bush’s endorsement illustrates the increased level of desperation as Trump continues to increase his delegate lead. Bush has presented, and accepted, a Hobson’s choice of his own. Get behind Cruz or else you get Trump.
If Ohio Gov. John Kasich had even a remote chance of winning the nomination, there is little doubt Bush would have lent him his support. Kasich is still in the race either hoping to emerge from the scrum of a contested convention, or to be on Trump’s list for running mates.
With his deep ties to Texas, Bush knows Cruz is far from a beloved figure back home. However, when it comes down to Trump or Cruz, which of the two candidates accused President George W. Bush of being asleep at the wheel on 9/11?
Who said that Jeb was “turning to mommy” as former First Lady Barbara Bush campaigned for her son? Cruz, on the other hand, did not personally attack the former governor.
In the coming days, more conservatives and establishment figures are likely to come Cruz’s way, including some of his Senate colleagues. If McConnell is one of them, consider it another one of “God’s miracles.” If that happens, could there be a better measure of the desperation?
As primaries and caucuses in Wisconsin and the northeastern states loom, the specter of Trump sweeping through these states is likely to cause an expansion on the Cruz bandwagon. Cruz is said to be in discussions with Marco Rubio about gaining support from the Florida senator.
All of this may be too late. Polls show that Trump’s supporters are not about to abandon him. Kasich shows no inclination to leave the race and let Cruz take on Trump one-on-one.
The desired results from high-profile endorsements, like the one given by Bush, are to influence the still large numbers of undecided voters. There is still a choice.
Who would Hobson support?
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Bob Sparks is a business and political consultant based in Tallahassee. Column courtesy of ContextFlorida.
