EJ MONTINI

Montini: 7 reasons why I'd pick Trump over Cruz

EJ Montini
opinion columnist

A reader who said that he is wavering between Donald Trump or Ted Cruz dared me to answer this question:

“Pretend when the election rolls around you can’t vote for a Democrat. (All the sharp objects, sleeping pills and weapons – if any – have been removed from your home, so you can't do yourself any harm.) And the only two Republicans you can vote for are Trump or Cruz. (Come on. Kasich can’t win.) Which one would you pick?

“P.S. You can’t move to Canada or Italy or wherever you’d run to. You HAVE to pick. Which one, Trump or Cruz, and why?”

Okay. Here goes:

Trump.

For seven reasons.

1. Trump doesn’t hide his blowhard extremism about the border, women, health care, torture, refugees and just about everything else.

Cruz holds many of the same views, but disguises them with a sly, soft, slightly condescending tone.

2, Trump makes promises he can’t keep, and seems to know it.

Cruz makes promises he can’t keep, and doesn’t seem to know it.

3. Trump does not appear to believe half (or more) of what he says.

Cruz seems to believe everything he says.

4, Trump will make deals with the opposition (as in Democrats...and Republicans.) It’s what he does.

Cruz won’t make deals. He never has.

5, Trump is hated by the Republican establishment.

Cruz is hated even more.

6. Trump would be an international embarrassment.

Cruz would be a national disaster.

7 Trump doesn’t need anyone else’s money.

Cruz does.