As the Iowa Caucuses loom, many Republicans are now confronted with an unlikely duo vying for their support: either businessman Donald Trump or Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

I would not place big bets on Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a former conspirator on the “gang of eight” who pushed for expanded amnesty and immigration. “Establishment Republicans” now appear to be abandoning that losing hand and moving toward Trump, believing they can “work” with him. Former Senator Bob Dole says “no one likes” Cruz, and that he would lose in November if nominated.

Really? A box of rocks has a better chance against a documented liar, who compromised national security via private email, hid the truth when all hell broke loose in Benghazi, supported an insane nuclear deal with Iran, and headed up efforts against “bimbo eruptions” surrounding Bill.

And Cruz would have no chance against an avowed Socialist who could take the Democratic nomination should Hillary be indicted?

If the GOP cannot win this one, it will only be because they choose another loser to join Bob Dole — and that could very well be Trump.

To his credit, Trump has no need for donors and can speak his mind — his crude comments on Mexican and Muslim immigration and our economic malaise has mirrored the anger of millions of Americans; is there not a way to adhere to our national standards and protect our home? At least Cruz gave a specific constitutional answer of placing a moratorium on those nations controlled by radical Islamists.

Trump calls for the “art of the deal,” economic growth, and gives hope for the millions of Americans who are unemployed or underemployed. He is a good populist and fans our disgust without a teleprompter.

He has also picked up the art of politics, questioning Cruz’s birthright.

But the conservative base, four million of whom did not turn out for Romney, yearns not for another dealmaker — an honest, moral and transparent leader, one who follows the Constitution and the rule of law despite the party label.

Trump’s history is … conflicted. He has supported abortion, given huge amounts of money to liberals (even $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation), initially supported ObamaCare saying it did not go far enough, and is maddeningly vague on specifics for the future.

At least Cruz attempted to cut off ObamaCare through the power of the purse, fighting Republican “leaders,” and fought to force the administration to submit to the will of the people through the budgetary process — a specific and constitutionally recognized path to right a wrong. Cruz proposes a simplified tax plan that kills the IRS, supports a strong military and our individual right to bear arms for ourselves and our families, and blasts the “Washington cartel” where crony capitalism plagues us all, Democrat and Republican.

An example? Iowa Republican Governor Terry Branstad tells voters to check the ballot for Trump (who supports an increase in ethanol production) to the delight of agribusiness. Branstad claims big oil is behind Cruz, but understandably never mentions his son is employed by the ethanol industry.

Cruz says phase out ethanol standards over five years. Ethanol production may be a good deal for several hundred large Iowa corn farmers, but not so much for you and me. “King Corn” is not only an unconstitutional assault of the free market, it doesn’t make good sense; ask your mechanic or food producer. Ethanol is bad for both engines and the pocketbook. Some economists say committing 40% of our corn production adds more than $2,000 to the annual food bill of the average family.

Even environmentalists now say ethanol is bad.

Conservatives are tired of “dealmaking” and personal attacks instead of supporting sound policy. We want a principled standard bearer who at least tries to be conservative.

And remember — Bob Dole also prophesied Ronald Reagan would destroy the GOP.