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Ted Cruz Attacks Trump In A Big TV Ad

by Joseph D. Lyons

Ted Cruz's brand new Trump-bashing political ad is already playing in Iowa, antagonizing Donald Trump using his very own words. Not a first in political campaigns, obviously. There was Mitt Romney's 47 percent remark in 2012 that didn't go over well with, well, about half the country. Obama's "You didn't build that" played on repeat for a while, too, and still goes over big with the Palin-Trump crowd. Trump could be an easy target for lots of similar ads.

Well, this time around, right before the Iowa caucuses, Trump has been hit hard by Ted Cruz. The Cruz campaign attacked his fellow Republican for — what else — his "New York values." They're not in line with the hardworking, honest, country folk who make up the first-in-the-nation caucus. Why? Well, Trump is from New York. That, and he called Iowans stupid. Big oops.

The ad starts with a Meet the Press clip, "I lived in New York City and Manhattan all my life, so my views are little different than if I lived in Iowa." Then, it goes on to show clips of Trump standing up for abortion rights, which could play big in Cruz's attempts to get more of the evangelical vote. The big kicker? "How stupid are the people of Iowa?" Trump asks stumping, and asking rhetorically.

The comment came about when Trump asked supporters why Iowa would back another candidate, Ben Carson, instead of him. At the time, Carson was ahead in the polls and Trump questioned the veracity of the story the famed doctor told about nearly stabbing a classmate with a knife — a sort of self-described wake-up moment that set him on the path to become a neurosurgeon. Trump wasn't buying it. "How stupid are the people of the country to believe this crap?" he said, after singling out Iowans.

The whole advertisement is full of quotes taken out of context, but some people will fall for it — and Trump could fill a days-long blooper reel of unfortunate quotes. He doesn't censor himself at stump speeches, during TV interviews, on the debate stage, or even most famously on Twitter. Someone looking to take down Trump could focus on the things he's said about many groups of people or issues that would make you wonder about his suitability as the next commander-in-chief.

1. His Mexican Immigrant Rant

When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending the best. They're not sending you, they're sending people that have lots of problems and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bring crime. They're rapists... And some, I assume, are good people.

Leave off that last sentence, and the ad writes itself. Not a good way to win any state with a decent-sized Latino population.

2. A Sexism Mash-Up

— All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me — consciously or unconsciously. That's to be expected.

— I've said if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her.

— You know, it really doesn't matter what the media write as long as you've got a young, and beautiful, piece of ass.

— I think the only difference between me and the other candidates is that I'm more honest and my women are more beautiful.

Splice together his creepy sexist comments and you'd have a short film — or at least a five-party political ad. Would any woman vote for someone who speaks like this? The ad could help recruit a couple million feminists in addition to losing Trump the election.

3. But It Gets Worse: Haterade On Women

You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.

The only thing worse than Trump's creepy grandpa sexism is when he goes beyond the pale. Whether it comes to rape or women's bodies, Trump has never said the right thing.

4. He's Traditionally Against His Gay Friends

I have so many fabulous friends who happen to be gay, but I am a traditionalist.

So where is Donald on this? All over the place and trying to muddy the waters, but "I have so many fabulous friends who happen to be gay" would come off as pretty fabulous for anyone (namely Cruz again) going after the evangelical Christian vote.

5. The "Don't Vote For Me" Ad

One of they key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace. Good people don't go into government.

Well, he said it. Do we have to let him prove it to?

At this point Trump could guard his tongue, but it's really too late. Any number of Trump-isms could be woven into countless effective attack ads. Fingers crossed he doesn't make it that far? Unfortunately, it's looking more and more likely.