The Republican establishment would like nothing better than for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to be the party nominee and then lose to likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, conservative talk radio host
Rush Limbaugh said Monday.
The reason, Limbaugh believes, is that GOP leaders want to drive social conservatives out of the party for good. A Cruz defeat, they think, would do just that.
The establishment believes Republicans will lose to Clinton whether they nominate Cruz or businessman Donald Trump, he said.
"Therefore, the way they're thinking is it's better to lose with Cruz, 'cause that would say forever, 'No conservative should ever get the nomination and lose in a landslide,'" Limbaugh told his radio audience. "'And take the social issues with you, by the way,' they'll say."
Republican big wigs figure there is only one Donald Trump, but there are plenty of other tea party-types to come in behind Cruz, so it's best to let him carry the GOP banner in hopes he will lose in a landslide, Limbaugh said.
"Then the establishment will be able to say, 'See? You conservatives, get the hell out. Just leave us alone. … Goldwater, Cruz, we lose in landslides!" Limbaugh said the establishment will say, "You know, you constantly tell us that our Northeastern liberal candidates like [Mitt] Romney and so forth lose? Well, so do you. Get the hell out!"
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.