State subsidized (via government subscriptions) Politico needs to use some of those funds to purchase a more highly caffeinated brand of office coffee. If writer James Hohmann had been more alert he might not have missed the truly significant information buried in his story which completely undermines the headline: Insiders pump the brakes on Cruz. The buried blockbuster can be found deep into the story after many paragraphs of unrelenting Cruz bashing by a "bipartisan" group: "Nearly two-thirds of Iowa Republican insiders believe Cruz can win the caucuses."
So when that "bipartisan" group is narrowed down to just Republicans (why consult Democrats on Republican primaries?), the real facts completely undermines the subtitle (and theme) of the article: "Republicans in Iowa and New Hampshire don’t think the polarizing Texan can win." Oh man, Hohmann, don't you even read your own article? It turns out that far from being unelectable in the early primary states, this is absolutely terrific news for Cruz. Before we get to the standout quote in this entire article, let us first sample some of the Politico standard fare Cruz bashing:
This week’s survey of The POLITICO Caucus — a bipartisan group of key activists, operatives and thought leaders in New Hampshire and Iowa — reveals grave concerns about Cruz’s electability. And after eight years in the wilderness, most Republicans want a nominee who can win.
Yeah, a "bipartisan group" which means it also includes Democrats. No bias on their part? Perhaps not in state subsidized Politico's opinion. Okay, we return now to the Cruz bashing which will be completely contradicted deep, deep into the story:
Not one of the 100 respondents believes that Cruz would win the Iowa caucuses or New Hampshire primary if they took place this week, though there is widespread agreement that he is much better positioned in the Hawkeye State than the Granite State. And nine out of 10 Republican insiders in the early states believe Ted Cruz couldn’t carry their state — both Iowa and New Hampshire are swing states, though relatively small electoral-vote prizes — against Hillary Clinton in the general.
"Not one of the 100 respondents believes that Cruz would win the Iowa caucuses?" After you switch to a more highly caffeinated coffee to make you aware of what you later write, Hohmann, you might want to hit a highly fortified bottle of bourbon to make yourself forget how laughably you completely contradict yourself. But for now a merciful respite from the well deserved mocking that is to come:
“His fighter mentality will play well with conservative activists and those who listen to talk radio,” said an Iowa Republican, “but it’s not like he has scored any real accomplishment on rolling back the Affordable Care Act.”
“Ted Cruz has a legislative record that has no positive accomplishments,” said another. “He will be in a field with many people that can point to positive accomplishments, either as governors or senators.”
“He is the reason Democrats can call Republicans ‘the Party of No,’” said a third Republican.
“He has become a poster child for congressional dysfunction,” said a fourth.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Have you gotten it out of your system, Hohmann, because now comes your own money quote that completely upends your Cruz bashing theme:
Nearly two-thirds of Iowa Republican insiders believe Cruz can win the caucuses, compared to just 14 percent of New Hampshire Republicans who said Cruz could win the New Hampshire primary.
Don't be shy, Hohmann. Let us highlight your quote and proclaim the great news for Cruz unto all the land:
Nearly two-thirds of Iowa Republican insiders believe Cruz can win the caucuses.
But, but wait, the naysayers among you might say. It also shows that only 14 percent think Cruz can win in New Hampshire. The reality is that primaries don't happen in a vacuum. Several of the conservatives candidates could easily drop out after bombing in Iowa. If Cruz is the winner there as two-thirds of the Republican insiders cited by Hohmann believe is possible, then guess where many/most of their New Hampshire supporters will turn? Also winning in Iowa would bring a big infusion of Cruz campaign contributions.
So there it is. Despite the artificial theme hammered by Hohmann, his own quote completely contradicts it. Hey, time for an encore for the real big news of this article:
Nearly two-thirds of Iowa Republican insiders believe Cruz can win the caucuses.
