Posted on 11/28/2015 8:14:23 AM PST by conservativejoy
There's no doubt that we have an incredibly impressive group of GOP candidates competing for the 2016 presidential nomination. Several of the candidates bring their strong executive experience to the table while others are flexing their savvy business credentials. Of course, we certainly can't forget about the brilliant brain surgeon who separated Siamese twins. This may be the MOST dynamic and talented group of Republican candidates in modern history (while the Democrats only have to offer voters an unabashed Socialist, and a corrupt elitist who is under criminal investigation).
Yet, many believe the most underestimated candidate in the GOP field may be Senator Ted Cruz. In fact, here are five reasons why he may very well be the just right guy at the right time
1. Cruz Is A Passionate Constitutionalist.
While President Obama spent his younger years being mentored by card carrying communists (i.e. Frank Marshall Davis), domestic terrorists (i.e. Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn), and America hating preachers (i.e. Jeremiah Wright), Ted Cruz was spending his youth memorizing precepts of our U.S. Constitution and marinating in free market principles.
At the tender age of fourteen, Cruz got involved with the Free Enterprise Education Center in Texas, and began standing in front of hundreds of business people to talk about free market economics (yes, at the age of 14!). As a sophomore in high school, he also became involved in a program called the Constitutional Corroborators. This program consisted of five high school students who spent hundreds of hours studying the Constitution. When he wasn't memorizing the Bill of Rights, Cruz was reading the Federalist Papers, the Anti Federalist Papers, and the Debates on Ratification. He actually used the money he saved from his speeches (at Rotary, Kiwanis, Exchange clubs and the Chamber of Commerce) to help pay for some of the costs in his first year at Princeton University.
The son of a Cuban immigrant (his father escaped the tyranny of communism), Cruz has been fighting to defend our U.S. Constitution ever since his youth. He has consistently stood for our founding documents, free market principles, and our God given liberties: in speeches he presented as a high school student, on his college debate team, in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, and on floor of the U.S. Senate. He's certainly got the scars and the track record to prove it. To some, this may seem nerdy and archaic. But to those who cherish liberty, it's incredibly refreshing.
There's no doubt that Cruz is a rock solid Conservative. In fact, Heritage Action just recently gave him nearly a 'perfect score' on their Presidential Platform Review, explaining that:
*Cruz advocates pro- growth policies, especially with regard to energy.
*Cruz has fought to eliminate government imposed barriers to opportunity.
*Cruz promotes a robust civil society.
*Cruz places a high priority on fighting the expansion of government.
*Cruz has been willing to pay a political price for taking on government favoritism.
*Cruz places a high priority on defending the nation's security interests.
At a time when we have: 95 million people out of full time work; government regulations that are completely out of control; a government that has become too bloated for its own good; politicians that no longer work for the people who elected them, and national security that is seriously compromised, Cruz is looking like a very formidable candidate right now.
2. Cruz Is Absolutely Brilliant.
As a child of two mathematicians, schoolwork always came easily for Cruz. Not to mention the fact that he has an "audio graphic memory" where he can remember practically every conversation exactly the way it happened, as we saw on full display in CNBC GOP debate.
PolitiChicks.comWhile a student at Princeton University, Cruz became a member of the debate team. In fact, he and his friend, David Panton, not only competed, but they won dozens of debate tournaments. Cruz and Panton also won "Team of the Year," which is awarded only to the top debate team in the entire country.
Cruz also won "Speaker of the Year" at Princeton University.
Huffington Post editorial director Howard Fineman stated that Cruz's professors were all in awe of his intellect:
"At Harvard Law School, he was , the professors were in awe of his intellect. Even if they disagreed with him, which they did vehemently, these people knew that , this guy was trained under the Federalist Society second-generation Republican wave. In other words, not the Reagan years, but these years."
Even Liberal Harvard Law professor, Alan Dershowitz said that, "Ted Cruz was among the smartest students he ever taught." Dershowitz also said that he and Cruz would debate while the rest of his class would watch them.
We can just imagine what Cruz can accomplish when he brings his brilliance, 'audio graphic' memory, and dynamic speaking skills to the Oval Office in 2017.
3. Cruz Has An Extraordinary Resume. *Graduated valedictorian in 1988 from Second Baptist High School *Graduated cum laude from Princeton University in 1992 *Graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1995 *1992 U.S. National Debate Champion representing Princeton *1995 World Debating Championship semi-finalist representing Harvard *Served a law clerk to Chief Justice William Rehnquist, making him the first Hispanic ever to clerk for a Chief Justice of the United States *Solicitor General of Texas from 2003 – May 2008, Cruz was the first Hispanic Solicitor General in Texas, the youngest Solicitor General in the entire country, and had the longest tenurein Texas history. *Partner at the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, where he led the firm’s U.S. Supreme Court and national appellate litigation practice. *Cruz has authored 80+ SCOTUS briefs and presented 40+ oral arguments before The Court *Described as a ‘superb‘ constitutional lawyer, the man’s considerable skills and laser-like focus were on display at the GOP debate. *In the landmark case of District of Columbia v. Heller, Cruz assembled a coalition of 31 states in defense of the principle that the 2nd Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms. *Cruz presented oral argument for the amici states in the companion case to Heller before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. *In addition to his victory in Heller, Cruz has successfully defended the Ten Commandments monument on the Texas State Capitol grounds, the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools and the majority of the 2003 Texas redistricting plan. *Cruz also successfully defended, in Medellin v. Texas, the State of Texas against an attempt by the International Court of Justice to re-open the criminal convictions of 51 murderers on death row throughout the United States.
*Director of the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Commission
*Domestic Policy Advisor to U.S. President George W. Bush on the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign.
*Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, where he taught U.S. Supreme Court litigation.
*Ted Cruz is currently junior US Senator from Texas. In order to win the 2012 Republican nomination for the Senate seat vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison, Cruz had to defeat Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst heavily favored/backed by the DC old guard GOP in the Republican primary runoff. In the event, TEA Party favorite Cruz crushed Dewhurst, 57-43% 
he then beat Democrat Paul Sadler in the general election by a similar margin, 56-41. Cruz is also endorsed by the Tea Party Movement and the Republican Liberty Caucus.
*AWARDS: "America's Leading Lawyers for Business," Chambers USA (2009 & 2010) "50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America,†National Law Journal (2008) "25 Greatest Texas Lawyers of the Past Quarter Century," Texas Lawyer (2010) "20 Young Hispanic Americans on the Rise," Newsweek (1999) Traphagen Distinguished Alumnus, Harvard Law School
Some may argue that, like Obama, Senator Cruz lacks the executive experience to be a successful president. However, it's not President Obama's lack of executive experience that has done great damage to the U.S., it's his radical leftist ideology. Not only is Senator Cruz dedicated to upholding the rule of law and preserving the Constitution, he has an incredibly impressive resume that demonstrates his ability to lead this country.
4. Cruz Is A Principled Fighter.
Throughout his career, Cruz has been a passionate fighter for religious liberty, the Second Amendment, limited government, and economic freedom. During Ted's service as Solicitor General, Texas achieved an unprecedented series of landmark national victories, including successfully defending:
*U.S. sovereignty against the UN and the World Court in Medellin v. Texas;
*The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms *The constitutionality of the Texas Ten Commandments monument;
*The constitutionality of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance;
*The constitutionality of the Texas Sexually Violent Predator Civil Commitment law; and
*The Texas congressional redistricting plan.
As U.S. Senator, Cruz has also led battle after battle to uphold the rule of law and protect the Bill of Rights.
There are those who would argue that he Cruz is 'too divisive' to win many voters in the general election. It may be true that he is not likely to win a popularity contest in Washington, D.C. But that's exactly what the grassroots LOVE about him.
As U.S. Senator, Cruz says he has tried to do two things: tell the truth, and do exactly what he said he would do. After all, we should expect that from every elected official.
The Texas Senator has also shined some light on the shady backroom deals in Congress (between Republicans, Democrats, and Lobbyists who keep them in office). As a result, more Americans have gotten an inside glimpse of what is broken in our nation's capital.
In his book, A Time for Truth, Cruz writes:
"Telling the truth in Washington, D.C. is a radical act. And it earns you the enmity of career politicians in both parties. When you tell the truth about Washington you expose the fact that elected officials are misleading the voters who elect them you pay a price."
And Cruz certainly has. The first method of punishment he incurred was the public flogging (especially from Republican leadership). The second method of punishment was the stripping of his campaign money. Luckily for him, he still had plenty of contributions coming in (from all around the country) from the grassroots. Cutting off his campaign money wasn't going to deter him from speaking the truth.
Cruz also writes:
"Folks in our nation's capital perpetually grow the size and power of the government because that's the easiest thing to do. Fighting for principle, fighting against a powerful media, and even sometimes against popular big spending proposals well, that's a lot harder. Far too much decision making revolves around lobbyists and the entrenched political powers, which means that the only way to enact meaningful change is to fundamentally change the rules."
Outside the Beltway, it is obvious to everybody that Washington is broken, and that it's not committed to solving real problems we face. No matter what politicians say on their campaign trail, it seems that once they get to Washington they almost always forget the people who elect them. All across America, you hear the same thing, from Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians: our elected officials aren't listening to us.
Cruz further explains:
"The biggest divide in politics is not between the Tea Party and the establishment. It is not even between Republicans and Democrats. The biggest divide is between career politicians in both parties and the American People.
There is a fundamental corruption in Washington those in power get fatter and happier while the rest of America suffers as a consequence of their policies. I've seen it firsthand. The counties surrounding the nation's capital where most legislators and lobbyists live are soaring in median income, while the median income for American families has stagnated nationwide. Indeed, five of the six wealthiest counties in the entire country are suburbs of Washington."
Cruz is genuinely fighting for the people who elected him, and that’s actually great for America.
5. Cruz's Fundraising Is Historical.
Cruz has certainly been applying some of his intellect to his campaign strategy. Carefully studying previous presidential campaigns (including Obama's) he is using keen insight to determine which campaign strategies work best and which ones fail miserably. He also flies commercial airlines to events in order to save cash.
As the Washington Post points out, "Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton get all the headlines. Marco Rubio and Bernie Sanders get all the buzz. But Ted Cruz is running the best campaign of the any of the 19 people seeking the presidency."
Cruz has been a fundraising phenomenon. He has cash coming in from 58% of the U.S. zip codes at an average of $73 per contribution. Over 360,000 contributions have been made at https://www.tedcruz.org. His campaign has more cash on hand ($13.8 million) than any other Republican in the field, including Jeb Bush. In fact, some financial experts claim that he is running his campaign much like a Fortune 500 company.
The way he is running his campaign just may be a glimpse of how 'President Cruz' will run the United States. And this feisty Texas Senator may very well have a good shot at winning.
And summarizing from the Dallas Observer: "THIS IS NOT A DRILL. TED CRUZ IS WELL POSITIONED IN THE GOP PRESIDENTIAL RACE."
He’s got my vote.
I know he won’t betray conservatism nor will I.
Perhaps he is. He can certainly win the nomination, but he is utterly unelectable. Doesn’t mean don’t nominate him, just means expect Hildabeast in the WH.
4. Cruz Is A Principled Fighter.
But, for all those rock solid principles, he just cannot come out and tell what his plans are for the illegals already here, other than a conversation about the situation. In the past, he has called for legalization. Has not changed that.
That's not a loaded question, I'm just askin’.
Haven’t you heard? Every Republican is utterly unelectable.
Doesn’t mean I want another Dole or McCain as the nominee. Or Romney or Bish for that matter.
Spoken like a true liberal Progressive.
With great respect, appreciation and admiration for Donald Trump.
Ted would have it no other way as one of the primary functions of a leader is to “set the example”... CRUZ 2016!
He’s only down a point in the polls against Hillary.
I like Trump and will vote for him in the generals if he wins.
However, I just looked at the video for the first time and even though the reporter is a liberal piece of garbage, he MADE FUN of his neurological disease.
That usually doesn’t get votes.
And if he doesn’t get the republican nod, he will run as third party, and THAT will put hillary in the WH
There is no fertile ground in which to plant Cruz until Trump has plowed and fertilized the field. This is why I hope that we get a Trump/Cruz ticket and Trump steps away after one term.
Only Trump can snap America out of the trance that it is in. We need someone who can fight college-girl Alinsky tactics with tactical-nuke Alinsky tactics. People of both sides will hear his message. Cruz only preaches to the choir. He will make you feel good about taking the moral high road as this nation crashes and burns.
America, the time for debate team is over. It is time for Josey Wales:
“Now remember, things look bad and it looks like you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. ‘Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That’s just the way it is.”
Yes, Cruz can beat Hillary. He is the candidate most able to eviscerate her in a debate. He knows how to hit hard on policy. And, yes, the polls show that he can beat Hillary, too.
>>However, I just looked at the video for the first time and even though the reporter is a liberal piece of garbage, he MADE FUN of his neurological disease.
Does Rubio have the same neurological disease, because he did the same thing over Rubio’s sweating.
I am a Cruz supporter. However I have no illusions about the American electorate, which for decades has been prejudiced by anti-Christians in media, education and government. “Obama” - need I say more. Conservative Christians should naturally flock to Ted but I don’t know that he will have much appeal beyond us.
>>He is the candidate most able to eviscerate her in a debate.
When did we last have a debate between two Presidential candidates? All we ever get are media-moderated gotcha-fests.
CRUZ has grassroots leadership on the county level in every state. He is prepared to go the distance.
Then we’ll lose but I won’t sell my soul for political expediency.
He tells what will happen to those illegals on public assistance and those who have committed other crimes, DEPORTATION. He spells it out in his immigration plan. Once jobs dry up and incentives are removed, many will self deport.
He said then the American people can decide what they want done with the rest. These are the ones Trump wants to deport then expedite back into the country.
“... he is utterly unelectable ...”
So tired of hearing that DU/KOS crap. Cruz is totally electable. Emphatically electable.
I just don’t understand why people say he can’t win in the general election. Recent polls showed all gop listed including Cruz winning the general. Of course the DC cartel and MSM promote it but I just don’t buy it.
If Cruz is the nominee, expect to be pleasantly surprised. Cruz can beat Hillary and do so handily.
I worry that Trump’s not being very substantive on some issues would be glaringly obvious in the general. Hillary is a professional liar who is wrong on the issues, but she has had years to polish her campaign rhetoric. Trump has ridden his popularity in the debates so far, but there is still a large part of the electorate that is undecided. I’m not sure he can persuade them, or he would have done so already.
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