Speakers stump for Cruz and Trump

If the more than a dozen people who spoke on Tuesday night in Cody are any indication, Park County Republicans may be torn between businessman Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz as their pick for president.

While a couple people also made a case for Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the majority of the roughly 15 attendees who spoke at Tuesday night’s Park County Republican Party caucuses favored Trump and Cruz.

A common theme was anger with Washington politicians.

“I hope the Republican establishment listens to the people, because we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore,” said Jim Guelde of Meeteetse, who voiced support for Trump or Cruz.

Whether the speakers’ preferences were a representation of the more than 100 people in attendance is unknown, as no poll or vote was taken (see related story).

Park County Republican Party Chairman Colin Simpson said it was the best caucus turnout he’s seen.

“I think it’s reflective of the times we’re living in and what’s going on in our country,” Simpson said.

Stu Alan of Cody said America “is taking it in the shorts every day” — being laughed at by Mexico, Russia and China, dominated by attorneys who care only about their selves and ripped off by large banks and insurance companies.

Alan is backing Trump, having even set up a semi-truck as a campaign sign for the business mogul on Cody’s main drag. He said Trump will put America “back in the driver’s seat.”

“He is a fighter. He might say some off-the-wall things, but he gets things done. And that’s what we need,” Alan said.

Tom Zerucha of Powell pitched Trump’s status as an outsider, worrying Cruz is too closely tied to the GOP.

“I know that Donald Trump is going to stick it to Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan and he will make America great again,” Zerucha said.

In contrast, Camara Clifton of Powell similarly cited a willingness to stand up to McConnell and other establishment figures in making her case for Cruz.

“The reason that they don’t like him (in Washington) is because he is not one of them, he is one of us,” Clifton said. “And if you want somebody to go and save this country, I surely beg you — I don’t encourage you, I’m past that — I surely beg you to cast your vote for the only conservative in this race and that would be Ted Cruz.”

Richard George, the county party’s state committeeman, similarly made a conservative case for Cruz, saying Trump “falls short of the mark” on values.

“I don’t believe that any one man can make America great again, but I believe that a man who will repent and confess his sins before God has better rights to lead this country than a man who says he doesn’t have any reason to repent,” George said, referring to statements Trump has made about not needing forgiveness.

Others argued to focus on results.

Todd Bray of Cody compared the election to needing to remove a bunch of rabid raccoons from a basement, then being unable to find anyone willing to deal with the problem except “Joe Bob Jr.,” who’s been married three times, never asked for forgiveness and doesn’t talk right.

“You want the coons out of your basement and so you go get Joe Bob with all his negatives and you say, ‘I gotta get the coons out of my basement,’” Bray said, adding, “There are a bunch of people sick and tired, not just of Obama.”

A couple people also lobbied for Kasich, pitching his experience in Congress and as a governor.

“In many ways John Kasich is the grown-up in the room,” said Gloria Hedderman of Powell. “He is not bigoted and he doesn’t resort to dirty campaigns.”

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio went unmentioned in Tuesday’s speeches.

Editor's note: This story corrects George's title in the county Republican party.