Cruzin with Cruz

By:  Dale Weckbacher

1 Samuel 9:2

And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.

NKJV

1 Samuel 16:11

And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all the young men here?" Then he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep."

And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here."

NKJV

The best leader is not necessarily the tallest or the strongest.  This was especially true with the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David.  Saul was the people’s choice due to his tall stature and handsome looks whereas David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons and a shepherd was God’s choice.  The difference is that we as people tend to look only on the surface or someone’s appearance whereas God looks at the heart. 

In my opinion, the GOP nomination for President of the United States has come down to either Ted Cruz of Donald Trump.  Donald Trump has been able to establish the narrative and maintain a comfortable lead in the national polls.  (1) (2)  However, the race for the Iowa caucus shows a neck and neck race between Cruz and Trump.  (3)  There is also some concern that absent a solid ground organization in the Trump campaign, many professing support for Trump may not turn out at the polls or caucuses to vote for him.  (4)  The truth of the matter is that at this point, everything is based on polling data but that is about to change as voters begin voting and making their voices heard. 

With the race coming down to a choice between Cruz and Trump, I currently favor Cruz because,

1)      Cruz is not the most forceful or charismatic candidate but voting for the next leader of the United States should not be solely based on charisma or flamboyance.  Instead voting for President should be approached as hiring someone to do a job.  Whereas Trump has demonstrated success in the business and media world, Cruz is a rogue insider with a more intimate knowledge of what is wrong with government and has demonstrated an ability and willingness to stand up against the establishment, or Washington cartel as he puts it. 

2)      As an evangelical Christian Cruz shares the same Christian values as myself and other Christians and can energize the evangelical GOP base that has not been showing up to vote.  (5)  In a close election as this election may be, turnout is critical.  Even though Trump has been able to excite the public this election cycle, it is yet to be seen if he is able to turn out the vote. 

3)      As a Harvard debate champion, Cruz has a talent for winning the debate over issues.  (6)  Politics is about convincing a majority of people to support your policies.  Whereas flamboyant bombastic speech may excite some, it also causes others to dig in their heels.  I believe as a debate champion, Cruz will be better equipped to use the bully pulpit of the Presidency to convince reluctant leaders in the House and Senate over to his side, similar to how Ronald Reagan was able to convince Democrats in both the Senate and House to adopt his economic and national security policies. 

However, let me make this perfectly clear, if Ted Cruz does not win the GOP nomination for President of the United States, I will support the eventual nominee, which I believe would be Donald Trump.  This is because the United States as we know it will not survive a Hillary Clinton Presidency which will be a third and possibly forth Obama term. 

This primary season I have decided to cruz with Cruz just as I support my favorite sports team when they are competing in the playoffs with the understanding that should my team be eliminated, I will remain loyal to the conference of my team and support them in the big game.  I urge everyone else to support their favorite candidate in this primary season but to also remain loyal to the eventual nominee so our team can win the big game, the November election, and the White House. 

1. Whalen, William. It's Down to Trump vs. Cruz Plus Four More Things We Learned at 2016's First GOP Debate. www.foxnews.com. [Online] Fox News, January 16, 2016. [Cited: 17 2016, January.] http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/01/15/its-down-to-trump-vs-cruz-plus-four-more-things-learned-at-2016s-first-gop-debate.html.

2. Condon, Stephanie. Donald Trump Maintains Strong Lead Among GOP Voters Nationwide. www.cbsnews.com. [Online] CBS News, January 5, 2016. [Cited: January 17, 2016.] www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-maintains-strong-lead-among-gop-voters-nationwide/.

3. Ward, Mike. New Poll: Trump, Cruz Neck-And-Neck in Iowa. m.chron.com. [Online] Houston Chronicle, January 13, 2016. [Cited: January 17, 2016.] m.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/New-poll-Trump-Cruz-neck-and-neck-in-Iowa-6755714.php.

4. Straker, Ed. Serious Problems With Trump's Iowa Grounmd Game. www.americanthinker.com. [Online] The American Thinker, January 14, 2016. [Cited: January 17, 2016.] www.americanthinker.com/blog/2016/01/serious_problems_with_trumps_iowa_ground_game.html.

5. Gabriel, Trip. Ted Cruz's Diligent Courting of Evangelicals pays Off in Iowa. mobile.nytimes.com. [Online] The New York Times, January 10, 2016. [Cited: January 17, 2016.] mobile.nytimes.com/2016/01/11/us/politics/ted-cruz-rises-in-iowa-on-tide-of-evangelical-support.html?referer=&_r=0.

6. Zimmerman, Sacha. I Watched Ted Cruz Debate in College Don't Count Him Out. www.nationaljournal.com. [Online] National Journal, August 6, 2015. [Cited: January 17, 2016.] www.nationaljournal.com/s/70470/i-watched-ted-cruz-debate-college-dont-count-him-out.