Good optics as a Republican means avoiding gaffes and behaving like a reasonably "normal person". That means not saying unnecessarily incendiary comments about random topics. This is sadly what people like Trump, Cruz and Masters struggle with. They have good policy but saying certain things hurts you electorally.
In terms of amnesty, the Tillis Sinema bill in this lameduck session must be stopped. Based on what Senators Cornyn, Graham, Rubio and Cotton have said about it, the bill should likely fail.
In terms of 2016, of course we don't really know for certain, my opinion is that I think Cruz and Kasich both would have both lost for different reasons.
Cruz and his religious conservative rhetoric alienates the secular voters in the midwest necessary to win states like Wisconsin and Ohio.
Kasich on the other hand massively depresses the Republican base. Kasich was a bigger rino than McCain and Romney. Kasich would win Ohio but he might have even lost Florida. Forget about Kasich winning Wisconsin or Iowa.
We know Trump won 2016 and I think Rubio would have had a shot but I still think Cruz and Kasich would have struggled heavily even against Hillary.
In terms of amnesty, the Tillis Sinema bill in this lameduck session must be stopped. Based on what Senators Cornyn, Graham, Rubio and Cotton have said about it, the bill should likely fail.
Never trust such people.
Cruz and his religious conservative rhetoric alienates the secular voters in the midwest necessary to win states like Wisconsin and Ohio.
But George W. Bush also had religious conservative rhetoric. I think it is specific policies that alienate people, not rhetoric per se, at least on this issue. And I don't think Cruz said anything that would alienate as many people as "grab 'em by the pussy" or birtherism.
Which is not to say that Cruz is the best candidate. Just saying that we should have the proper diagnosis.
Kasich on the other hand massively depresses the Republican base. Kasich was a bigger rino than McCain and Romney. Kasich would win Ohio but he might have even lost Florida. Forget about Kasich winning Wisconsin or Iowa.
He wasn't as big of a RINO back then, AFAIK. He had a union-busting proposal which failed. In terms of pure policy adherence to Republican dogma, Trump was probably the bigger "RINO". (But a lot of Republican dogma is simply wrong.)
Good optics as a Republican means avoiding gaffes and behaving like a reasonably "normal person". That means not saying unnecessarily incendiary comments about random topics. This is sadly what people like Trump, Cruz and Masters struggle with. They have good policy but saying certain things hurts you electorally.
In terms of amnesty, the Tillis Sinema bill in this lameduck session must be stopped. Based on what Senators Cornyn, Graham, Rubio and Cotton have said about it, the bill should likely fail.
In terms of 2016, of course we don't really know for certain, my opinion is that I think Cruz and Kasich both would have both lost for different reasons.
Cruz and his religious conservative rhetoric alienates the secular voters in the midwest necessary to win states like Wisconsin and Ohio.
Kasich on the other hand massively depresses the Republican base. Kasich was a bigger rino than McCain and Romney. Kasich would win Ohio but he might have even lost Florida. Forget about Kasich winning Wisconsin or Iowa.
We know Trump won 2016 and I think Rubio would have had a shot but I still think Cruz and Kasich would have struggled heavily even against Hillary.
Never trust such people.
But George W. Bush also had religious conservative rhetoric. I think it is specific policies that alienate people, not rhetoric per se, at least on this issue. And I don't think Cruz said anything that would alienate as many people as "grab 'em by the pussy" or birtherism.
Which is not to say that Cruz is the best candidate. Just saying that we should have the proper diagnosis.
He wasn't as big of a RINO back then, AFAIK. He had a union-busting proposal which failed. In terms of pure policy adherence to Republican dogma, Trump was probably the bigger "RINO". (But a lot of Republican dogma is simply wrong.)