Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

As many of you know, I was a supporter of Ted Cruz. I'm sure I voted for him in his Senate bid in 2012. But during the present presidential campaign, I got to know him better, and I didn't like what I saw. Cruz is a religious fanatic; his wife Heidi is in bed with Wall Street; he lies about his rivals (e.g., Ben Carson); and he's smug to the point of insufferability. Now I understand why Cruz is so hated in Washington, even (especially?) by members of his own party. Many prominent Republicans have concluded, as I did yesterday after Cruz's speech, that he has no future in the Republican Party. I'm tempted to add "at the national level," but I honestly believe that he will have serious primary opposition in 2018 when he runs for re-election. Texas has many solid conservatives who can beat him. Can you say "Rick Perry"?

Oops.

Flying in a Blue Dream (1989).

Roger Ailes is out. I predict that Bill O'Reilly will replace him.

Don't underestimate the strategic brilliance of Donald Trump, who played Ted Cruz like a violin yesterday. (Cruz still doesn't understand what happened to him.) I have said all along, and I continue to believe, that Trump is five steps ahead of everyone else. I can't wait for him to start playing with Hillary Clinton. He will defeat her handily in November. See here for another person's take.

Here.

Here.

To the Editor:

Re “How Melania Trump Sent Speech Veering Off Course” (front page, July 20):

What is worse? (A) Melania Trump’s blatant plagiarism or (B) pretending that the Trumps share the same moral values as the Obamas. I choose B.

JUDITH E. GANZ

Oakland, Calif.

Note from KBJ: What is worse? (A) Saying that you value hard work but not meaning it (Michelle Obama) or (B) saying that you value hard work and meaning it (Melania Trump). I choose A.

Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond (1986, 1989, 1990) has some interesting comments about cycling.

Ted Cruz destroyed his political future tonight. What a fool.