Posted on 03/31/2015 1:58:33 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Ted Cruz, a Republican junior senator from Texas, announced last week he would be running for the presidency of the U.S. before even forming an exploratory committee, which is a common first step in a campaign. Cruz has drawn the ire of several Republicans and Democrats alike on Capitol Hill due to his strident style, brash confidence and uncompromising political views — despite the fact he is still in his first term.
With his announcement, Cruz has immediately differentiated himself from any other Republican candidate in a very deep field. Other major candidates such as Scott Walker, Marco Rubio, Rick Perry, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie and Rand Paul are moderates in comparison. On the other hand, the other evangelical, “far-right” candidates such as Mike Huckabee, Ben Carson and Rick Santorum lack Cruz’s political ability.
This is a primary reason why the Republican Party should nominate Senator Cruz. He is a polarizing figure, which the party has tried to avoid over the last two elections, instead choosing John McCain and Mitt Romney. However, this is the last chance for the Republican Party to prove it still stands for social and fiscal conservatism, while also nominating a candidate who can motivate large swaths of people to get out and vote on election day.
Cruz has been likened to two prominent conservative politicians — Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater. Reagan won two landslide elections campaigning on a return to fiscal conservatism, while Goldwater was dominated by Lyndon Johnson, a champion of welfare and fiscal liberalism.
Like Reagan, Cruz has an incredible ability to articulate his vision for the country — this was on clear display during his announcement speech, when he spoke for approximately 30 minutes without a teleprompter.
Many liberals have been impressed by Cruz’s political abilities. James Carville, a longtime Bill Clinton strategist and Fox News Contributor, claimed Cruz was one of the most “talented and fearless Republican politicians” he had seen in his career.
On the other hand, it can also be argued there are simply too many people who dislike Ted Cruz for him to have a successful general election campaign. Even John McCain, fellow Republican, Arizona senator and 2008 presidential nominee, has called Cruz a “wacko bird.”
This is similar to the situation Goldwater faced — many members of his own party doubted he could be elected due to his ideology, and even expressed dislike for the man. Goldwater claimed in his acceptance speech that “extremism in defense of liberty is no vice,” which is eerily similar to many of the comments Ted Cruz has made over his brief time in the public eye. Goldwater was also painted as “mentally unfit” to be president in the mainstream media. Cruz has also received this sort of treatment from the liberal media, who have consistently insulted him during the past week.
However, this showing in the media might be a good sign for Cruz in the long run. If the liberal media is trying so hard to run him down, we should ask why. Probably because they know he stands a chance against a candidate like Hillary Clinton in the general election. In fact, Cruz himself has handled the media scrutiny quite well. Rather than backing down on any of his positions or statements, he has doubled down on them and acknowledged the media’s bias against him.
Assuming he is nominated, a Ted Cruz-Hillary Clinton (the presumptive Democratic nominee) general election would be fascinating to watch. Clinton, with her wealth of experience, going against Cruz, a one-term senator with a grassroots following, is something to watch in of itself. But when you consider Cruz’s ability as a speaker and debater placed in contrast with Clinton’s wooden, grating style, Cruz certainly has an advantage.
While a large number of people state they dislike Cruz now, it is mostly because the media has portrayed him as ignorant, arrogant and petulant. As soon as Cruz’s profile is elevated nationally, many will realize the media’s portrayal of him is off base. Even Alan Dershowitz, a liberal Harvard law professor, has acknowledged Cruz is the “smartest student he ever taught.” As Cruz articulates his beliefs and goals during the course of the long campaign, in his trademark unapologetic fashion, it is likely more people will come to like him, as opposed to the other way around. In other words, there’s no way he can go but up after months of media attacks, and to be honest, people can’t help but like a guy who seems to truly believe what he says, especially in today’s political world.
Moderate Republicans should be excited about Cruz because he is a talented politician, which is what it would take to beat the Clinton political machine in a national election. Conservative Republicans should be excited about Cruz because he is the only mainstream candidate thus far who can articulate their values and goals for the country in a believable way.
Cruz has a chance to not only articulate a conservative message in a way which appeals to the masses, but also to win in a general election. Republican leadership (and primary voters) must make a bold choice to satisfy the evangelical party base, yet not sacrifice talent and electability. In other words, they must hope he is more Reagan than Goldwater. Cruz possesses a rare political ability and unapologetically-held views, and therefore should receive the nomination.
Inside Ted Cruz's Doomed Attempt to Start a Young Conservative Revolution
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3274292/posts
Correction: Republicans BETTER nominate Cruz or all hell is going to break loose.
Business as usual ain’t gonna cut it. Not this time.
What the hell does White hsve to do with it?
/s
Republican primary voters should decide the nominee,
not some blogosphere.
He’s just supporting his candidate, like we all should. I’m glad a man that young is so clear-headed, aren’t you?
We should have nominated him yesterday. Let Rubio be VP. Cruz can keep a leash on him. Rubio can help with the women and hispanic vote.
Every LIVING individual has the right to push for any candidate and vote for him/her. But that does not apply to Chicago voters.
If Hillary Clinton has a “wealth of experience”, it’s the sort of experience we are better off without. (The senior executives of Kodak, Countryside and GM have lots of experience, too....but do you want to trust a going concern to people that drove their companies to extinction?) (GM died and was Frankensteined by Bammy)
2 Hispanics on one ticket? Might be too much.
I get mocked for this, but don’t be surprised to eventually see the Cruz and Paul camps intermarry.
Umm, Ted is a Hispanic, just like Marco Rubio.
Might be right. How about Mia Love. I think she’s better.
Really? Illegal aliens? Felons?
Cruz or I stay home and my money too.
No, only US citizens should be allowed to vote.
But that is not the system we follow anymore. Here in WA state, you can register without proof of citizenship, no voter ID required to vote, and 100% voting in all elections is by mail.
Different as night and day.
Notice that Ted isn’t running as a Hispanic?
When I first saw this thread heading, my lying racist eyes didn’t notice the colon (:) after White, so it read somewhat different.
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