For the first time in this presidential primary season, businessman Donald Trump was put on his heels during a debate. Previously, Trump had been able to evade damage from any attacks during debates. Former Gov. Jeb Bush attempted to call Trump out numerous times but never seemed to be able to land a powerful punch in the debates. Both Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas., and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., took Trump to task in the debate Thursday, and their attacks should only increase as more primaries are held. Nominating Trump as the Republican nominee would set back the conservative movement for the next 10 years. True conservatives should embrace Cruz and Rubio’s attempts to expose Trump as the narcissistic, self-serving individual he is and hope that one of those two ultimately becomes the nominee.
At times during the debate, it looked as if Cruz and Rubio made a pact to go after Trump. While they both attacked Trump, each of them approached their attacks in a different way. Their strategies differed, but both senators found a way to get under Trump’s skin and this should be welcomed. These attacks are well deserved and much needed. So far, few candidates have been willing to stand up to Trump, which has allowed him to skate through the nomination process.
After months of embracing and siding with Trump, Cruz finally realized that he needed to attack Trump if he wants to stay in the race. Cruz’s approach in calling out Donald for his numerous liberal positions and history of donating to Democratic politicians was articulate and intelligent. Unlike when Bush attacked Trump, Cruz held his own and did not back down to Trump’s insults and nonsensical word salad. In any other election against any other candidate these attacks would normally be effective but Trump represents a different kind of candidate.
Instead, Trump has become a dominating force in the primary season largely based on his personality and ability to make outlandish statements. His supporters see his business expertise and brash personality as refreshing in a time when nothing in Washington seems to work. His supporters believe his business success would enable him to bring “greatness” back to America. To take Trump down, candidates must turn his business experience against him and explain to voters why his numerous failed businesses represent how he would run the country.
This is why Rubio’s attacks on Trump in the debate Thursday will ultimately prove to be more fruitful. Rubio eviscerated Trump on not only policies but also on his business experience. Pointing out that Trump has numerous failed business endeavors and a history of mistreating his workers dispels this idea that his business acumen would be beneficial to our country. One of his business endeavors, Trump University, was a complete scam that preyed upon naïve participants who doled out thousands of dollars for a useless and unaccredited degree. In another example, Rubio pointed to Trump’s hiring of illegal workers to build Trump Towers in New York City. The irony shows no bounds that the candidate promising to “Make America Great Again” and bring back all the “jobs” built his own empire on the hands of illegal workers. These are just a few examples of Trump’s failed and exploitative business endeavors. For more examples feel free to Google Trump Steaks, Trump Vodka, or the Trump Casino in Atlantic City.
Trump’s campaign has resonated with a large percentage of Republican primary voters based on the fact that he will look out for the “little guy” again. The bottom line is that he won’t. Nowhere in his business experience has he exhibited this trait. Trump acts as if he is looking out for the “little guy” and blue-collar workers but in every walk of life he has thrown these people aside and looked out for himself. Trump first and foremost cares about Trump and his previous history of exploiting labor and scamming Americans should cause concern for all voters.
Cruz and Rubio’s attacks have seemed to resonate with Trump as he has started to focus his infamous tweets and campaign speeches on attacking them. Trump has acted like a bully the whole campaign cycle; taking any chance he gets to put down anyone that disagrees with him. The only way to fight back against him is to use his own tactics. Trump needs to be exposed as the greedy, exploitative businessman that he is. This election is too important to allow a bigoted, self-indulging, big government liberal to win the Republican nomination. I’m glad and excited that Rubio and Cruz are finally going after Trump and can only hope that these attacks will be able to halt his candidacy.
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