What I might say if I were Ted Cruz after Indiana’s loss

Joe NewbyMay 4, 2016

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Cruz-VVS Trust me, there’s nothing worse than losing an election — especially after putting one’s heart and soul into it the way Ted Cruz has.

Cruz gave a classy speech Tuesday night after losing to Donald Trump in Indiana. Personally, I’m not sure I would have been as gracious.

I’m reminded of what Davy Crockett said after losing his last congressional election. Here’s what was reported in the April 9, 1836 edition of the Niles Weekly Register, published in Baltimore, Maryland:

“A gentleman from Nacogdoches, in Texas, informs us, that, whilst there, he dined in public with col. Crockett, who had just arrived from Tennessee. The old bear-hunter, on being toasted, made a speech to the Texians, replete with his usual dry humor. He began nearly in this style: “I am told, gentlemen, that, when a stranger, like myself, arrives among you, the first inquiry is – what brought you here? To satisfy your curiosity at once to myself, I will tell you all about it. I was, for some years, a member of congress. In my last canvass, I told the people of my district, that, if they saw fit to re-elect me, I would serve them as faithfully as I had done; but, if not, they might go to h__, and I would go to Texas. I was beaten, gentlemen, and here I am.” The roar of applause was like a thunder-burst. [Louisville Journal.”

Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?

Yes

crockett hell 2

Anyone familiar with history knows that Crockett lost his life fighting for Texas’ independence at the Alamo on March 6, 1836.

Of course, Cruz would never tell people to go to hell the way Crockett did, but I don’t think anyone would blame him if he did.

He was called a traitor, an illegal alien, his father was falsely implicated in the murder of John F. Kennedy and some still think he’s the Zodiac killer, his wife was attacked and he was accused of having affairs with up to five women. Trump also repeatedly threatened to sue Cruz for being born in Canada.

Political campaigns are rough and tumble — I get that. But this campaign has seen some of the most egregious attacks one can imagine. And he weathered them all with class.

It now appears that Donald Trump has a clear path to the GOP nomination, but at what cost? The conservative base is divided worse than it has ever been, thanks to Trump and his supporters. He has a lot of work ahead of him if he really plans to beat Hillary Clinton in November.

And make no mistake, Trump will need every conservative vote he can get to win.

No, Cruz didn’t tell anyone to go to hell. But he sure had every reason to.