Are Endorsements Now a Negative?

Why did Ted Cruz pick Carly Fiorina as a running mate? After all, she’s like Ted in a skirt, not a balance. If anything, she will further alienate the blue collar vote that Trump has brought into the process. And while she was relatively popular in September, when she was unknown (32.8% favorable, 30.5 unfavorable), she dropped precipitously until quitting in February (25.2% favorable, 42.7% unfavorable).

The real reason for Cruz “major announcement” was to try to move media attention away from Donald Trump’s shocking landslide victories on April 19th and 26th. He saw that Marco Rubio’s big win in Minnesota was wiped off the front pages when Trump was endorsed by Chris Christie, the next day.

Of course, Carly is a woman, so she could be seen as countering Hillary Clinton. But we’ve already had two women vice presidential candidates—Geraldine Ferraro and Sarah Palin. And if anything, Carly’s strident style is even more grating than Hillary. Or, as Forbes said, “The real Carly, having been revealed, will steadily fade along with her chances to win, place, or even show.”

It’s not the only odd choice this year. The oddest was when the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) endorsed Trump, and Trump didn’t feel that it was his job to condemn any supporter.

Seeing the negative effect they had, the KKK then sent a check for $20,000 to Hillary.

Another odd Hillary nod came from Charles Koch—yes, the big money behind the GOP.

Billionaire businessman Charles Koch said Sunday that it is possible another Clinton in the White House could be better than having a Republican president…

Koch said Clinton was in some ways better than George W. Bush. As far as the growth of government, the increase in spending, it was 2-1/2 times under Bush that it was under Clinton, he said.

Then, there’s Bill Clinton, himself. He’s made plenty of blunders this year.

“No one is doing more damage to Hillary’s campaign than her husband,” wrote Michelle Goldberg on April 7 at the liberal Slate.

Of course, the GOP has had their problems with endorsements, too. Lindsay Graham got laughs saying if Cruz were killed in the Senate chambers, he couldn’t be convicted, but he’s now a reluctant (and half-hearted) Cruz supporter.

Sen. Lindsey Graham says Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz is “not my favorite.” Ben Carson says there are “better people” than Donald Trump to serve as commander in chief. . .

Bush found a way to throw his support behind Cruz without ever actually having to hang out with the Texas senator. . .a brief, 219-word statement posted on Facebook.

John Cornyn, senior Republican senator from Texas, has refused to endorse Cruz.

Sen. John Cornyn says that while he has a “good working relationship” with Sen. Ted Cruz. . .but they’ve had “differences on tactics” or how to accomplish goals, he told KERA. . .

“I think he’s taken the more immediate shorter-term view of things,” Cornyn continued. “Clearly, he didn’t come here to remain in the Senate. He came here to run for president. I think that perhaps explains the difference in tactics.”

But few are as outspoken as Rep. Peter King, according to the Washington Times.

“In case anybody is confused, I am not endorsing Ted Cruz, I hate Ted Cruz, and I think I’ll take cyanide if he ever got the nomination.”

Cruz also has trouble with conservative media, especially Sean Hannity.

“Why do you do this?” Hannity said, raising his voice. “Every single time I — no, you gotta stop. Every time I have you on the air and I ask a legitimate question, you try to throw this in my face. I’m getting sick of it. I’ve had you on more than any other candidate on radio and TV. So if I ask you, senator, a legitimate question to explain to the audience, why don’t you just answer it?”

Of course, Trump has had issues with the media, too. Most notably, with Megyn Kelly, of Fox News, who asked him harsh questions at an early debate, while being gentle with other candidates. Trump declared war, including robbing Fox of ratings by refusing to show up for a later debate. The two went back and forth, but recently, Kelly visited Trump Tower, to ask Trump if he would please, please let her interview him next month. Both said that the meeting was very cordial, and chances are, in the heat of May’s late primaries, the interview will be cordial, too.

Meanwhile, Cruz has had a vocal supporter in Glenn Beck, but his support could also become a problem.

“I’m taking a very big risk here and gambling on it, but this is how much I believe in Ted Cruz,” he said on the day of his announcement.

“And if Donald Trump wins, it’s going to be a snowball to hell,” he added.

But come this summer, it’s Beck who could face judgment. The radio talker faces a defamation lawsuit—because he doubled and tripled down on charges that a victim of a terrorist attack was actually the real terrorist.

So, there have been some awkward and even harmful endorsements this year. Is this year different? Liberty.me says yes.

I have come to realize that an endorsement, any endorsement, is a net negative. That more people will be turned away from a candidate no matter who is endorsing them. When and why did this come to pass?. . .

I’m of the opinion it is the plethora of information available about all of the candidates. I think people are far more comfortable choosing a candidate on their own, simply because they know that much more about them.

And, of course, this year, more than any other, people don’t want to be told what to do.