You can dis the minorities, but don’t mess with Ted!

On Saturday night while speaking at an event in South Carolina, Donald Trump turned his criticism on Ted Cruz. He denounced Cruz for criticizing New Yorkers and their values. And he lampooned Cruz for failing to declare a 2012 loan from Goldman Sachs.

One can safely assume two things about Trump’s audience: first, they are largely Christian; and second, since they are at a Trump event, they were by and large not offended by all his previous affronts to various and sundry groups.  But this — criticism directed at Ted Cruz — was apparently one step too far. And so many in the crowd responded by angrily booing Trump. Kind of makes me think of a new twist on an old poem. With apologies to Pastor Martin Niemoller:

First he denounced illegal immigrants, and I did not speak out — Because I was not an illegal immigrant.

Then he denounced high profile career women, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a high profile career woman.

Then he denounced handicapped people, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a handicapped person.

Then he denounced Muslims, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Muslim.

Along the way he was also denouncing mainstream candidates for the GOP nomination for being “low energy” and having low poll numbers and being physically unattractive, and I did not speak out — Because I was not supporting a mainstream candidate.

Then he denounced Ted Cruz … and all hell broke loose.