Between Trump and Cruz, Who Is the Worst?

This Saturday, Ted Cruz got one step closer to Donald Trump. To date, Trump has amassed 382 delegates, and Cruz has won 300. But the polls remain favorable for Trump. For example, he dominates the key state of Florida to the point where certain people wonder if Rubio can survive a defeat in this state, where he is currently senator.*

In many cases, Cruz’s positions are more extreme than those of Trump. For example, Cruz is more belligerent than Trump. Also, Cruz would grant tax reductions to private enterprises and the rich that remind us of the darkest days of the 19th century, when citizens of industrial countries started to massively revolt against social injustice and the abuse of large companies. Without a doubt, if wealth continues to be concentrated as massively in the same hands, citizens will revolt like in the past, with the same causes having the same effects. When exactly? Your prediction is as good as mine, but the implementation of Cruz’s program would very possibly accentuate the social discontent, which he and Trump count on to attain the presidency.

Political Mediocrity

The most striking thing in this stadium of primary elections in the U.S. is the extraordinary political mediocrity of the leading candidates’ discourse. Recently, Trump reached an all-time low of unheard of vulgarity with his remarks on the size of his penis. However, the majority of candidates possess diplomas from esteemed universities. Why have none of them been able to advance traditional arguments? Why do the candidates show such a rudimentary understanding of the subjects they discuss?

… On the Economy

Is Trump capable of elaborating on any sections of the Trans-Pacific Partnership treaty that he denounces? If this is the case, he has not done so, nor have any of the other Republican candidates. Does Cruz have the slightest historical, economic or philosophical background on the tax changes he proposes? In theory, he should. None of the other candidates have been capable of engaging in debate on these three subjects, subjects where it would nevertheless have been easy to make Cruz stumble. The only one who comes slightly close to thinking critically about the economy is Rubio, who, because of his family’s past, knows the concrete consequences of fiscal measures proposed by many candidates.

… On International Relations

And what about foreign policy? Rand Paul is one of those who best understand the stakes of foreign policy. But he withdrew from the race. The others seem incapable of the slightest thought beyond the usual realm of international problems. Still, Trump has dared to denounce the second war in Iraq all the same. It was hard to ignore how poor Jeb Bush was upset by these attacks, and his reaction was nevertheless obvious. He gave the impression that for the first time in his life, he was being forced to listen to someone explaining the catastrophic consequences of the war in Iraq.

A Lack of Culture

The lack of political, economic or historical culture is the scariest part of this Republican race for the presidency. By not arguing about content, the candidates have advanced themselves. Trump is stronger than the others in this area. All the candidates possess excellent educational degrees. Nevertheless, the level of debate often fails to exceed that of a sixth grade student. The media lock the candidates into a format that barely lends itself to any thorough discussion. But given all of the candidates’ platforms, we expected better. In fact, we wonder how people who are educated in social science can endorse so many Republican positions that have become caricatures of themselves.

Follow the Money

Do Republican candidates really believe what they say? Have they been so badly trained despite their sparkling diplomas? Have they been victims of an extremist ideology? Are they simply opportunists? Have they sold out to certain groups? Those who have studied theories on the operation of political parties can choose their favorite school of analysis. Personally, in this case, I am more inclined to follow the main sources of the candidates’ funding to explain their positions or their silences. To revisit the title of this article, “Between Trump and Cruz, Who Is the Worst?” — certain very conservative people will say it’s Trump. The others will be wary of Cruz. But neither Trump nor Cruz is the worst. The worst outcome is that in which one would become the other’s vice president.

*Editor’s note: Marco Rubio was defeated in the Florida primary and suspended his presidential campaign on March 15.