Serving The Cross

Who will defend it better in the next four or eight years: Cruz or Trump?

 

I understand the disappointment. I fully share the feeling. 

But it seems to me that there should not be an excessive focus on what happens in one day, or on one occasion.

Cruz has made a big mistake. I also will very frankly concede to you that I prefer Trump’s stance on NAFTA and globalisation in general. Trump is, by far, the better communicator, and the better man at political incorrectness. I will even admit that Cruz has a bit of a professorial, headmaster stance about him that does not make him likable in the way the Gipper or Dubya were likable. He is a harder sell than the ebullient, spontaneous, pleasantly shameless Trump. I get that.  

But I think you should honestly look at the person as a whole, and decide whether one mistake – bad as it is – really makes Cruz a worse candidate than Trump. 

Trump has already signaled he will not fight for the overturning of Obergefell. This already tells you a lot about the spirit with which he would go seeking for the next Supreme Court judge. Trump has flipped so many times that when he starts to flop no one will be able to say, in conscience, that he would never have thought it would happen. 

I trust Trump will act very decidedly concerning the two or three mainstays of his promises to the electorate: the fight against illegal immigration, the push for the revision of trade agreements, very probably the killing of Obamacare. But will he be a crusader? No. When Obergefell came Trump immediately threw in the towel, Cruz did not. 

In my eyes, this counts for more than the blunder about the events in Chicago. 

You can say that Cruz’ stance shows a fundamental lack of integrity. One wonders what you must think of Trump, then. There is no going around the matter that candidates will disappoint us at some point. Even Reagan. Even Thatcher. Everyone.  I am a great admirer of Alcide De Gasperi (the Italian post-war Primo Ministro) but find a couple of things he made, or allowed others to make, unconscionable and without justification. I still like him a lot, mind. I do not throw an entire man away for that. But yes, even the greatest will disappoint you.  

Cruz did not resist the temptation to attack Trump in any way he could. A very stupid thing to do. But I put this in the context of a difficult – and contingent – situation, and do not see in this a reflection of a fundamental lack of integrity. People can’t fake integrity so consistently for so long. If you ask me, Cruz saw a tactical move where others, including myself, see far more general principles at stake.

No, I do not think Cruz would kowtow to leftist violence once President. Not in the least. It is not consistent with his past to think that he would do so. This (irresponsible) move was, I think, motivated by the simple desire to gain points against Trump, a stupid tactical move in the heat of the battle, and a battle now becoming more difficult every day.

Bad, I know. There should be other ways. He should have reflected about what happens to him after Tuesday, how such statements reflect on him as a person. He probably focused exclusively on the fact that there is an “after Tuesday” in the first place. Again, a mistake. But don’t put him on the cross. If you do it with him, how many reasons more should you find for Trump?

Trump was (heck: still is!) against the Iraq war. He is a former supporter of Hillary, Kerry and Romney. He has no intention of fighting for the overturning of Obergefell. He is pro-life since the Presidency first appeared on his mind. Does this not count more than a stupid statement, a few days after a very important vote, that could factually decide the race? 

Let me tell you once again: Cruz made a big mistake. I am still angry. But I refuse to be taken in the “tunnel vision” of only focusing on one episode, or a couple of days, without looking further down the road. This is, in fact, the very mistake Cruz made.

I am very much afraid Cruz will be punished today (it is already Tuesday here) for his appalling lack of judgment. In a way, he deserves the slap. But then if the slap means not being able to fight for Christian values, probably we don’t deserve to punish ourselves by punishing him in this way. Write an email to his campaign and say that you are appalled and expect better from him; but that he still has enough capital to deserve your vote this time. Send the message. Don’t kill the recipient.  

Those among my readers who will vote on this day for the primaries in Ohio, Florida, Michigan and elsewhere are kindly invited to soar above the disappointment of one stupid statement and vote for the candidate who, as a whole, promises to be the consistently better fighter for Christian values. (“Consistently” does not mean “always”. It means “during the four or eight years of his mandate”). Think of the Cross and think who would, over four or eight years, serve it better: Cruz or Trump? 

Please also consider that once Trump wins the nomination he will get all “presidential”, and will start distributing reassurances right and left that this particular devil isn’t as bad as he is painted. Then I will ask you a question or two about integrity.  

If it is so easy to ditch Cruz, think how many times Trump will disappoint you.

M