Donald Trump called Ted Cruz "unqualified" to be president.  No, it wasn't because, like John McCain, Cruz was an American citizen born outside the U.S., as the tinfoil hat crowd insists disqualifies Cruz.  Instead, it was because Trump alleges that Cruz acts like a "maniac" in the U.S. Senate in his often one-man effort to fight the GOP establishment.

It's bad enough to have one sort-of conservative candidate criticizing another conservative candidate.  But for one to call the other flatly "unqualified" to be president is only doing the work of the Democrats and the establishment GOP.  What happened to Donald Trump's claim that he was considering Cruz for VP?  If he is now saying Cruz is unqualified, how can he possibly consider Cruz for VP in the future?

By his incendiary language, Trump is in danger of alienating the conservative base.  Talk show host Mark Levin, who has been friendly toward Trump and invited him on his show numerous times, issued this statement on Facebook:

So, Trump thinks Cruz is a maniac for taking on McConnell and the GOP establishment? Does that make all conservatives who support Cruz against McConnell, et al, maniacs? And he thinks Cruz is owned by the oil companies because he opposes taxpayer-subsidized ethanol, like most conservatives? Defending the GOP ruling class and lurching left are dumb tactics.

Have a look at some of the comments on Levin's page.  Keep in mind that most of these are not from Democrats, or establishment Republicans, but solid conservative listeners of Levin:

Nick Rybitski have to say I'm disappointed in Trump

Sherry Homen Will Trump burn down the house on his way out??

John Lee IF Cruz is a maniac for going against McConnell and the GOP, then maybe that's something Trump wouldn't be willing to do. If that's the case, Trump would lose my vote.

Frank Barnes Trump calling someone a maniac is so rich!! Trump really is a legend in his own mind!

Cheryl Jefferies Did it ever dawn on Trump that, if he is the nominee, he's going to need every single vote of the GOP base that he can get? And, he just lost me for good.

L Charles Mahe Trump showing his true colors. A establishment Rhino.

Cruz has been smart not to criticize Trump, because he knows they both have an overlapping base of support.  Trump doesn't seem to realize the same thing.  By taking Cruz on with such harsh rhetoric (can he really reconcile with Cruz after calling him unqualified?), Trump may be shooting himself in the foot.  If conservative opinion leaders like Mark Levin and others who were formerly friendly to Trump turn on him, he will be in real trouble.  Personally, I think it is sad that someone who claims to be conservative attacks another conservative so viciously.

(By the way, you may ask, what was Cruz's contribution to all this?  In a private meeting, he said he had better judgment than Trump.  That's all.  After that, Trump let loose, attacking Cruz's religion and now even his qualifications to be president.)

This article was written by Ed Straker, senior writer of NewsMachete.com, the conservative news site.