Curmudgeonly Cartoons: Evangelical Endorses Lucifer?

According to Christian Broadcast News, Mike Pence’s endorsement of Ted Cruz on Friday “makes perfect sense.”

First of all, Pence and Cruz are both solid constitutional conservatives. Do they have a few differences? Sure, but those are on the margins. Pence’s views line up nicely with how Cruz sees the world. As two born-again evangelicals, they see the world through a biblical prism. Their worldviews are identical in nature. 

Secondly, if Pence is looking at a future presidential run, he can’t afford to tick off the conservative grassroots of the Republican Party. A Trump endorsement would taint him in the future and potentially kill any chance of a future presidential run.

I can’t remember a more tepid, watered-down endorsement.  Perhaps that’s because, according to Eliana Johnson of National Review, he’s in a tough reelection battle against former Indiana house speaker John Gregg, the same man he defeated by just 2.9 points when he was elected to the governorship four years ago. Since then, circumstances have changed. Once a widely popular governor whom conservatives twice encouraged to run for president, first in 2012 and then in 2016, Pence has seen his approval ratings fall sharply—by about 15 percentage points—since he signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act a year ago; fumbled his way through public appearances defending that decision; and tightened restrictions on abortion in the state. He has taken a hit with women and business interests.

Poor Governor Pence.  You can’t blame him for being queasy.  He came under intense pressure from conservative donors, politicians, and media figures—many of them close personal friends—to back Cruz.  Had he sat on the fence, the growing chorus of allegations that he was putting his own career ahead of what many see as the fight for the survival of the Republican Party would endanger his reelection bid.

In an election year unlike any I can remember, endorsements just haven’t meant much and the question remains—will his make enough of a difference to stop Trump's march to the 1237 delegates needed for nomination or will it be the shot in the arm Cruz needs to survive?  In a few days we’ll have the answer.

New Poll Shows #TedCruz CLOBBERING #Trump By Double Digits in Indianahttps://t.co/JYz2HEwbPE

— Mike aka Proof (@ProofBlog) April 30, 2016

“Well Ya See, Norm, It’s Like This…”

He didn’t even campaign in Arizona.  According to polling results (92.4% reporting) he garnered a paltry 62,444 votes. Rubio had a better showing and he dropped out of the race the week before.

The mailman’s son topped Donald Trump in Utah.  With 85.4% reporting, Kasich grabbed 29,015 votes compared to Trump’s 23,984 votes.  Cruz blistered them both with a commanding 69.2% of the votes.

Kasich’s decision to stay in a race in which he has so far failed to make a mark outside his home state of Ohio led National Review editor Rich Lowry to say, “Kasich is playing a selfish and delusional role.” 

Cliff Clavin Call Cheers https://t.co/OPXATCHk6m #JohnKasich

— PoliticalClownParade (@Carry_That_Load) March 23, 2016

In Ohio, Kasich campaigned with Mitt Romney, who urged voters to cast their ballots for the governor as part of a Stop Trump strategy.  A week later, he abandoned Kasich in Utah’s contest making robocalls on behalf of Cruz declaring that a vote for Kasich was a vote for Trump.

Of course Romney’s disgraceful tactic is a moot point at this juncture since Kasich has already been mathematically eliminated.

Kasich has turned his attention to Wisconsin which will award 42 delegates using a hybrid system that is neither winner-take-all nor proportional. 

I'm not a "Never" guy, but #NeverKasich looks better by the day.

— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) March 22, 2016

An enterprising journo should ask the Kasichverse how they actually expect ever to get to 1,237 if Cruz is the one picking the delegates.

— Carthago delenda est (@JayCostTWS) March 22, 2016

.#johnkasich: "I will not take the low road to the highest office in the land." Translation: I have no chance at all. #TrumpTrain #Trump2016

— Lee Jackson (@Stonewall_77) March 16, 2016

“Ya know Normie, I’ll talk it up down at the old Post Office. Before you know it this place will be wall to wall with letter carriers. You think I’m entertaining…multiply me by 100.”

Nope. No thanks.  Let's just return to sender.