2016 May 3^rd

And now we wait to see just how badly Senator Cruz’ efforts to win Indiana have failed. It certainly hasn’t been for want of trying. At a recent rally the Senator was so focused on what he was saying that he did not notice his running mate, Carly Fiorina, falling off the stage. Then, energized by a group of protesters who waved banners telling him to get out of the race, he decided to “reason with them.” That didn’t work even though he kept his efforts going for some time. The protesters were not converted; indeed, they never paused in their calls for him to get out of the race.

The Senator’s appeal seems to slide to a halt once his audience no longer consists of fervent evangelicals. There are just not enough of those folks in Indiana to support a fervent Bible salesman, let alone a politician who at his most charming isn’t very charming at all. He is also plagued with a speaking style filled with pauses following nearly every phrase that is not at all pleasant to hear. As a final problem, as if he needed more, his antagonist, Donald Trump, has pulled in sports figures from Notre Dame’s legendary football coach, Lou Holtz, to Indiana’s legendary basketball coach, Bobby Knight. Once you make it to “legendary” status, some might wonder about your judgment when recommending Presidential candidates. (I’m not being ageist here because I’m more than a decade older than either of these guys…but then I’m not legendary…except of course to my wife.)

Why is no one paying any attention to Governor Kasich? In all of the polls Kasich is the only Republican candidate who can beat Hillary Clinton.so why is he ignored? OK, so he’s seen as part of the “establishment” so what? Are these Republicans so eager to avoid an insider that they will cheerfully nominate a sure loser? Part of Kasich’s problem may be that he just isn’t seen as likeable. He is certainly competent; he balances budgets, but beyond that what is his claim to fame? There doesn’t seem to be any levity at all in the man. That lack can be a killer. Kasich seems to be all policy all the time.

The Indiana primary results are now in enough to declare Trump the clear winner, Cruz a very bad second and Kasich should have stayed home! Trump and Cruz are about to speak as I write this. Trump will surely crow and Cruz might withdraw.

On the Democratic side, the race is too close to call. Sanders is ahead but not by nearly enough to give him the win.