As voting drew near in Indiana, Ted Cruz laid out what Tuesday would determine: “Who are we as a nation.”
"In 51 hours, it will be over," Cruz said Sunday. "In 51 hours, this plague of politicians will leave the Hoosier State and in 51 hours, Indiana will have spoken to the country, who are we as a nation.”
Democrats would disagree, and they will get a chance to demonstrate that disagreement soon. But for Republicans, the answer is as concise and recognizable as the name of the man who is now virtually assured of capturing the Republican nomination.
Donald Trump is remaking -– and now is owning -- the Republican Party along populist, often angry contours. His latest win was perhaps his most impressive, and it convinced his main rival –- Cruz –- to end his bid, despite vows to contest the nomination to Cleveland.
“I’ve never been through anything like this,” Trump said in accepting victory Tuesday night, speaking for more than himself.
“It’s a beautiful thing to behold,” he added.
Donald Trump Calls Cruz 'Tough, Smart Guy' After He Drops Out Indiana GOP Primary: Donald Trump Projected to Win Live Republican Primary Exit Poll AnalysisThat’s not clear. There are signs of weariness and division everywhere, even as Trump vanquishes the man who was his main opponent and sets new voting records for the GOP primary. (Republicans can take some small solace, perhaps, in noting that their nomination race is effectively over before the Democrats can say the same.)
Trump can effectively stumble past the finish line of voting and still secure a majority of delegates, a reality that is settling in among Republican regulars. Barring electoral calamity, he will be the Republican nominee.
This finish, though, is as ugly as the campaign that brought it about. That’s not even counting a bizarre final day of campaigning in Indiana where Trump absurdly suggested that Cruz’s father was connected to the JFK assassination, and Cruz unloaded with insults he’s largely held back.
Even in the Indiana romp, four in 10 Republican voters said they may not vote for Trump in November, according to exit polls. Cruz’s decision to exit the race leaves John Kasich standing, and never-Trump forces haven’t laid down arms, at least yet.
But the remarkable journey that started on a long-ago escalator ride continues. Trump has bent the Republican Party, through a combination of non-stop talking, tweeting and, in his own way, listening.
Trump heard what Republican voters wanted before they knew they wanted it. He introduced issues –- the Muslim ban, the wall that Mexico would supposedly pay for -- that primary voters didn’t know were options.
In opposing free-trade deals and foreign entanglements, Trump is moving the GOP in a new policy direction. But it’s hard to argue that he’s going against where its voters want it go.
Months ago, when Trump was mainly aiming his insults at Republicans not named Cruz, Cruz declared, “I’m a big fan of Donald Trump.”
That’s not necessarily an applicable sentiment for the senator, clearly, even as he bows out. The nation is obviously not there right now.
But as the Trump journey continues, those who have underestimated Trump continue to litter a messy political landscape.