An Open Letter to Donald Trump & Friends

July 21, 2016 by Eowyn 14 Comments

Public Domain

Dear Friends:

You missed the Big Dance on Wednesday. The chance to “unify” the party. Grasp the art of subtlety. Show some class. Do something other than pitch a collective fit because you didn’t get your way.

At least you’re consistent.

So Ted Cruz didn’t utter the “e word” for Donald Trump during his speech in Cleveland. Big freakin’ deal. Did you really expect a passionate, principled conservative to suddenly jettison his passion and principles for the sake of political convenience?

Get real.

No, the Texas senator didn’t accuse Trump’s dad of helping Lee Harvey Oswald shortly after the Kennedy assassination. Drag Trump through National Enquirer mud. Fire up another venomous hashtag campaign. Brutally savage his family. Launch vile, vicious personal attacks like black flies dive-bombing a summer picnic.

In short, Ted Cruz wasn’t Donald Trump.  Thank God.

By the way friends, did you miss the content of Cruz’s speech? Were you so fixated on hearing a single word that you missed what was easily the best, most substantive convention speech thus far?

For those who are “blasting” Cruz for not “endorsing” Trump, get a grip. Give a listen to New Gingrich’s comments following the senator’s address. In case you missed the substance, Gingrich points it out for you. Too bad you’re too busy swinging the “unity” sledgehammer to catch that subtlety. Pity.

While we’re on the subject, kindly spare me the sanctimonious “pledge breaking” caterwauling. Herr Trump beat everyone to the punch on that one.

Meanwhile, some of us are old enough to remember the 1976 Republican convention when Ronald Reagan very nearly snatched the nomination from incumbent Gerald Ford. Trying to draw comparisons between then and now, some allege that Reagan “endorsed” Ford during his August 19 speech. Except for one thing. It never happened. But thanks again for demonstrating the difference between a three year-old and a Trump supporter: You can reason with a three year-old.

Speaking of which, I remember that convention. I remember that speech. I remember Gerald Ford. And Donald, darlin’, You Are No Gerald Ford. Heck, you’re barely a “Republican.” Whatever that means. No one seems to know anymore. (Remember how 1976 panned out for Gerry?)

Sanctimonious caterwauling and Trumper Tantrums aside, something remarkable was on display at Quicken Loan Arena on Wednesday night. In a political landscape too often littered with caving, rudderless compromise and spineless jellyfish, courage and integrity took center stage.

For those who paid attention, Ted Cruz did exactly what he’s been doing for years: Stare down the political establishment. Stick to his guns. Refuse to kneel before the altar of political expediency. Instead, he encouraged constitutional conservatives to turn out in November and vote their conscience. (Translation for Branch Trumpidians: turn out in November and vote your conscience.)

No, Ted Cruz did not do the easy thing on Wednesday night. But he did the right thing. Going toe-to-toe with the haters, he refused to back down and dump his core convictions, stooping to the level of “endorsing” a New York carnival barker. In so doing, Cruz emerged as the undisputed leader of the modern conservative movement.

Ted, ya done good.