Tuesday’s speeches were defining moments

We can’t ignore it … 

A 32-minute speech? … It was only Iowa.

OK, Sen. Ted Cruz won the Iowa Republican caucuses, jumping over the Donald, while, to little surprise, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio far outdistanced the pack of establishment-dubbed Republican governors. 

All the experts say there is still a long way to go; that New Hampshire will be different; and the South different still. So don’t jump to conclusions.

Nonetheless, the speeches of the top three Republicans were as telling as all of the speeches they’ve made heretofore and clearly define the Republicans’ top three:

“To God be the glory,” Cruz began, stroking his evangelical benefactors. At the same time, you could not ignore that he projected a combativeness that has tapped the vein of frustrated Americans. He appeared to relish rebuking his list of bad guys — the media, the Washington Establishment and the lobbyists.

“Tonight,” he said, “is a victory for millions of Americans who have shouldered the burden of seven years of Washington deals run amok. Tonight is a victory for every American who has watched in dismay as career politicians from both parties refused to listen and failed to keep their commitments to the American people.”

Remember, it was only Iowa.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, actually seemed humbled, an energy notch lower. But still a great spinner. “I love you people. I love you people. I absolutely love the people of Iowa. Unbelievable. Unbelievable … I was told by everybody you could never finish even in the top 10. But I have friends in Iowa. I know a lot of people in Iowa. I think they really like me …”

And then there was Marco Rubio. In 12 minutes, he delivered what sounded to be his nomination acceptance speech, an ode whose tone pinched emotions and carried a Kennedy-esque call to all, not just Republicans.

 “In America, there are only two ways forward for us now: We can be greater than we’ve been, or we can be a nation in decline … Now the moment has arrived for this generation of Americans to rise up to the calling of our heritage. Now the time has come for us to take our place and do what we must … When our work is done, here is what history will say of this generation … We rose up to the challenge of our time.”

If history is a guide of how voters will go, you can detect in these three speeches a likely outcome for the Republicans.

Oh, the Democrats. Bernie Sanders, socialist, reinforced what everyone already knew. Hillary Clinton’s coronation as the Democrat nominee won’t be regal. 

That is, if it happens at all.