How Trump Got Outfoxed by Cruz in Louisiana

[FBaggins]

For a man who prides himself on his ability to spot a good deal, Republican frontrunner Donald Trump appears to have missed out on a huge one in Louisiana. Despite winning the most votes of any GOP candidate running in the Bayou State, the “author” of The Art of the Deal is likely to bring fewer Louisiana delegates to the Republican nominating convention in Ohio this summer than Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who finished a few percentage points behind him.

Trump’s immediate reaction to the news that he won’t have the majority of the Louisiana delegation at the convention has been predictable. On Sunday, he protested that the rules are unfair, and promised a lawsuit.

...snip...

Except, it’s really not clear that Trump is suffering from any actionable wrong. The real problem seems to be his campaign’s ignorance of how the political game of delegate allocation is played in the various states.

...snip...

What appears to have happened is that the Ted Cruz campaign recognized the opportunity and seized it, working to secure the support of the uncommitted delegates. Trump, the dealmaker, seems to have missed his chance.

https://beta.finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-got-outfoxed-cruz-louisiana-121500153.html

[21st Century Poet]

1. The Democratic Party should start getting ready to fight Cruz.

I think, at this point, the Democratic Party should start getting ready to fight Cruz not Trump. I get the sense that Trump is sinking. He might get to the convention with more delegates than Cruz but he won't have 1,237 and he won't survive beyond the first ballot because the delegates tied to him will desert him at the first opportunity because they don't really like him and Cruz has better organisational skills.

[exboyfil]

2. You are probably right

I think Cruz will take either Kasich (helps more) or Rubio as V.P., and their combined total may surpass Trump's total. Without a majority Trump really does not have a leg to stand on.

I think a White Knight would be a disaster for the Republicans. They will have two revolutions instead of one on their hands. While Cruz is not personally liked, he really checks all the Republican boxes, he has been in Republican administrations, and he is a sitting Republican Senator from an important state.

Cruz is also young and he will continue to run for President unless he is caught in bed with a live boy or a dead woman.

You can't have Trump at the top of the Republican ticket if you are a Republican. Take your beating this election cycle.

[FBaggins]

3. It could be almost anyone at this point

If there were no Trump to avoid the Republican establishment would go almost as far to block Cruz if he failed to get the required number of delegates.

If it goes to the convention... it could be just about anyone.


Hmmm... maybe I'll throw my hat in the ring.