At the outset of the 2016 cycle, there was a great deal of hope among Republicans for their chances against Hillary Clinton. The Democrats had significant problems in the wake of eight years that had left voters dissatisfied with the direction of the country. The candidates they presented to primary voters included a number of accomplished governors, some inspiring young Senate talents, and a more ethnically and ideologically diverse field than the party has had in some time. For a number of reasons, this field failed to connect with the primary voters. The decline in trust of elites of all varieties allowed anyone who had held office to be painted as an insider. As candidates who must balance the will of donors and the populace, they lacked the fierceness of Donald Trump’s gut level appeals for dramatic change. His ability to command free media, to escape real attack until it was too late, and to bring into the primary disaffected voters who typically don’t participate in the selection process rendered many of the ideological debates moot.
As the conservative candidate with the best campaign operation, Ted Cruz ended up as his last real foe – but his inability to expand beyond his conservative wing left more moderate and secular voters turning to Trump. The speed at which he took over the Republican Party was impressive, particularly given how little money he had to spend, how easy it was for him to manipulate the media, and how he was able to do it all while going to sleep every night comfortably ensconced in Trump Tower. There would be no slumming it at Iowa or New Hampshire motels for this golden child.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member