I previously posted it was highly unlikely Donald Trump would get a second chance to put this contest away after a triumvirate of gaffes and miscues over a month ago — specifically his abortion debacle, where he took three positions within twenty four hours, retweeted an unflattering Heidi Cruz photo, and suggested that using nuclear weapons in smaller theater engagements should not be ruled out.
But Trump has survived. I was wrong about Trump — again.
Now, Ted Cruz and John Kasich — with their desperate Indiana gambit — have ham-handedly provided Trump yet another PR sledge hammer to drive home his rationale that the political system is “rigged” and that the politicians are corrupt.
Why would a Kasich voter in Indiana vote for the ideologically rigid Ted Cruz? Cruz says it’s ostensibly about saving the nation from Hillary, but it’s really about saving himself. Even at the expense of his credibility.
Cruz’s saccharine, phony bromides reek of disingenuous Washington duplicity, and the fact he he even tried to pull this off is practically disqualifying in and of itself. And his event optics? They have visually devolved into a handful of unhappy-looking supporters holding signs while Trump rallies feature thousands having fun and feeding off the candidate’s sometimes off the rails energy.
Kasich? His act is wearing unbearably thin, and he has no message — none. The tired photo ops eating local fare, complaining about reporter questions, and his gruff personality increasingly on display is depressing and has no news value. None.
Cruz can still pull this out in an organizational context, and because he retains a basic, tight message appealing to traditional conservatives. But his deal with Kasich just proved Trump’s point that Cruz isn’t the outsider he pretends to be.