Ted Cruz is right on this one
Love him or hate him, Ted Cruz was right when he challenged the MSNBC reporter. They subjectively affect election outcomes. The Donald Trump phenomenon is probative.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence endorsed Ted Cruz a few days ago.
Indianapolis (CNN)Indiana Gov. Mike Pence endorsed Ted Cruz Friday, just days before a primary that could make or break the Texas senator’s chances of halting Donald Trump’s march to the Republican presidential nomination.
But Pence was quick to praise Trump, too, and encouraged Hoosier voters to “make up their own minds.”
“I’m not against anybody, but I will be voting for Ted Cruz in the Republican primary,” Pence said in an interview with WIBC’s Greg Garrison. He praised Cruz’s “knowledge of the Constitution” and his willingness to “take on the leadership” of his own party.
Mike Spence is ideologically in lockstep with Ted Cruz. Donald Trump irrespective of Mike Spence’s endorsement is likely to win the Republican nomination for President. It is reasonable that Pence did not try to alienate Donald Trump. After all, as Governor, why put Indiana at a disadvantage with the possible new president.
Recently, MSNBC reporter Hallie Jackson interviewed Ted Cruz and Mike Spence.
“You are standing side by side here with the Senator today,” Hallie Jackson said. “You are out campaigning for him. Yet, in your initial backing of him, you commended Donald Trump for what he’s brought to the conversation and even in your op-ed, you said you liked and respect all these three candidates and will support the nominee. Are you hedging your bets?”
Even as the Governor is answering, Hallie Jackson was insistent on laying the context that Donald Trump is the nominee as she asked if the governor will support Trump.
The formulation of the question intentionally marginalized the endorsement. It is the reporter giving context as opposed to attempting to get the context from the subject. Ted Cruz retort was exactly right.
“So very popular, very well-respected, very successful conservative Governor of Indiana endorsed me, is barnstorming the state campaigning with me. Yet, the first question you ask him is ‘So, tell me about Donald Trump.’ How about, ‘Governor, why did you endorse Ted Cruz. You could have endorsed any of the candidates.’ I mean that’s why people …”
Hallie Jackson tried to interject saying it was the Governor who brought up Donald Trump. Cruz would have none of it.
“He didn’t bring up Donald Trump,” Cruz said. “You did!”