Tell This Trump Critic Why He's Wrong

For a candidate posing as a strong leader, Donald Trump sure whines a lot. When Trump realized his media-driven campaign of personality was falling short in the critical goal of winning loyal delegates, and the Ted Cruz campaign was out-working and out-organizing him, Trump began railing against “voterless elections” and a “rigged, crooked system.” It’s a dishonest tactic, but so far, he’s getting away with it. Worse, his campaign is engaging in intimidation and veiled, and not so veiled, threats of violence if things don’t go his way at the convention. It’s an ugly spectacle, made worse by the fact Trump’s supporters don’t seem to mind.

Things turned sour for Trump starting in Colorado. Trump charges “party bosses” awarded all the state’s delegates to Ted Cruz. The allegation is as absurd as it is false. On March 1, over 65,000 Coloradans gathered in homes, schools and churches, and cast votes for delegates to continue on to county and congressional district assemblies and the State Assembly. These were public gatherings, open to all Republicans who desired to participate. Grassroots supporters of Ted Cruz organized, voiced their support for Cruz, and won their neighbors’ votes to go as delegates to the National Convention. There is no way any “party boss” could control the outcome of the tens of thousands of votes that were cast in the process starting with the caucus and culminating with the state assembly on April 9.

That didn’t stop Trump from spewing his usual fiction, tweeting: “How is it possible that the people of the great State of Colorado never got to vote in the Republican Primary? Great anger — totally unfair!” He added: “The people of Colorado had their vote taken away from them by the phony politicians. Biggest story in politics. This will not be allowed!”

National media mostly relayed Trump’s complaints uncritically, leading his supporters to lash out because they believe their candidate was wronged. Colorado Republican leaders received threats and ugly messages. Trump henchman Roger Stone posted a threatening video saying the campaign would publicize the hotels and room numbers of delegates committed to Cruz. Trump coyly says he hopes there won’t be any violence, but he understands why people are so angry. Pouring gas on the flames is not presidential behavior. But many Trump backers eat it up.

More