Discussion: Des Moines Register Declares: 'Rough Night For Cruz'

Discussion for article #245285

A bit of an editorial reach, doncha think? It certainly doesn’t reflect the consensus of commentators (see NYT roundup + Josh’s post), who generally intimate that Cruz’s night was mixed while Rubio was the bigger under-performer.

I’m surprised that the Register would run such banner on its front page. It gives the impression that the paper is dumping its objectivity to spin for the guy its editorial board endorsed.

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The thing is, rough night in Iowa for Cruz likely benefits the guy who wasn’t even there.

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As usual, Trump is the focus even when he is not there at all.

He is gonna be the nominee. Apparently he wins even when he tries to lose.

This primary season is like an out-of-control live version of “The Producers”.

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During the debate, Cruz attempted to mock Trump by imitating the real estate mogul’s attack style, calling his rivals on the stage “stupid, fat, and ugly.”

This is the punch line to the joke where Ted Cruz goes to his doctor, and asks for a second and third opinion.

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Wait, Cruz wasn’t joking about the “mean question”?

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Dear GOP field (especially you, Cruz) – Always remember the first rule of The Party of No: Republicans trying to do comedy is NEVER successful.

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Does this mean they didn’t find him likable?

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Bullshit running out eh Ted ?

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OR, in other words…great night for trump…

HA!

I think I’ve consumed too much popcorn!

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Morning Joe (I watch so you don’t have to) declared Cruz as having a rough night and the big loser of this debate as well.

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Hmm…from my own personal perspective, I would tend to agree with that headline. So does the WaPo Morning Plum Line.

Cruz screwed up in a big way when he started whining about everyone attacking him, and then threatened to leave the stage if the moderators kept being mean to him. That little interaction was meant with roomful of boos. And he never recovered from it.

I do think Rubio had an off night, but he didn’t do anything to really hurt him…he just didn’t help himself pull ahead. He was basically trying to shove his stump speech, particularly concerning ISIS is on our doorstep, the past 7 years have been the worst evah, and a few God is our Lord and Savior lines. When Bush went after him it was surprisingly flat footed in his response, given how he has handled Bush in the past. And it certainly wasn’t because Bush was showing a surprisingly level of technique this time.

The real issue, again IMO, was that without Trump there, nobody knew how to try and grapple with being the front runner. Cruz took a few stabs at it, but missed. Rubio seemed more or less content to stay where he was…and so did everyone else. Which is probably the only thing that saved Cruz from having a complete disaster of a night. If Rubio…or anyone else…had made a concerted effort to take over the debate after Cruz’s failure, I think they could have. But , nobody even tried.

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Vox’s Prokop thinks Cruz lost the debate as well.

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It seems like everyone, except for hard core Tea Partiers, can’t stand Cruz and will do everything they can to make sure he doesn’t win.

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Spot on. The very thought of having to watch that little weasel**emphasized text*, oops, Ted Cruz, everyday until the general election is horrifying.

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That is what opposing Ethanol subsidies does to you.

Can’t stand the guy (Cruz). But I took it as a jab at Trump and his reason for not being on stage. The line would have been more effective if delivered properly. But as someone said, Republicans can’t do comedy. Go Bernie !!

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No way, Ted, has an unlimited capacity for BS

With Trump absent, but still managing to loom over the proceedings, it was like the family of a vicious domestic abuser continuing to obediently cringe silently in the living room while the abuser takes a nonchalant break, mid-beating, to take a piss and grab another beer.

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Media to Donald Trump (ala Brokeback Mountain): "I wish I knew how to quit you."

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