U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz wraps up the Faith and Freedom Coalition Dinner on Sept. 19.
(Charlie Coffey/Iowa State Daily)
Posted on 10/13/2015 7:36:57 AM PDT by Isara
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz wraps up the Faith and Freedom Coalition Dinner on Sept. 19. (Charlie Coffey/Iowa State Daily) |
Since arriving in the Senate, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz has sparred not only with Democrats, but members of his own party.
During a fiery floor speech earlier this month, he criticized Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker John Boehner for helping Democrats more than their fellow Republicans. Cruz called it a “surrender” to President Obama.
Fellow presidential candidate Rand Paul lashed out against Cruz, saying Cruz’s attacks were “personal” and that he was “done for” in the Senate.
This isn’t the first time Cruz has stood up against his own party.
Cruz has worked tirelessly throughout his reign as senator to defund the Department of Education, Planned Parenthood, the Affordable Care Act and other budget issues, while his own colleagues call him a “bully” and “chaotic.”
His methods may not always be agreed upon, but Cruz has been consistent - something that is likely helping him gain voters now that he is running for president.
 U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz signs a photo of himself for a supporter at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition Dinner on Sept. 19. (Charlie Coffey/Iowa State Daily) |
“He’s honest, he stands up to leadership and those are qualities that I really admire,” said state Rep. Ralph Watts, a Republican from Adel who has endorsed Cruz.
But Cruz has to be more than just a national leader to gain votes. Kelly Shaw, lecturer in political science, said he has to be a little more involved with voters if he wants to win the Iowa Caucus in February.
“We are a small state, but we are first in the nation for caucusgoers," Shaw said. "Right now, Cruz is just an interested bystander. We don’t see as much of him as we do [other candidates].”
Shaw said candidates won’t last long in Iowa if they aren’t organized. Caucusgoers tend to be more ideologically driven, which could help Cruz.
“There’s a big difference between running for president and actually being president,” Shaw said.
And if the Republican presidential hopeful is in disagreement with his own party while running, how will it work out for him if he wins the election?
Shaw said the Senate has a history of being more independent, so Cruz’s opposition might not have an outlasting effect in the Senate.
“The rules are meant to be collegial,” Shaw said. “It’s less partisan.”
State Rep. Larry Sheets, R-Moulton, describes Cruz as bright, intelligent and an experienced debater — qualities he thinks make a great leader.
 Bruce Rastetter conducts at question and answer session with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz about agricultural issues facing the world today. The session was a part of the 2015 Ag Summit that took place in Des Moines on March 7. (Charlie Coffey/Iowa State Daily) |
“I think it’s a great idea for him to stand up to [other members],” Sheets said. “There are a large number of people that they are supposed to represent, and [citizens] don’t think they’re getting the proper representation.”
Watts thinks Cruz’s understanding of the Constitution makes for ideal ground work and should make him easy to work with.
 |
| U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz wraps up the Faith and Freedom Coalition Dinner on Sept. 19. (Charlie Coffey/Iowa State Daily) |
Cruz’s ability to stand up for his beliefs, even if it costs him personal relationships with his fellow Republicans, is something not only Watts finds admirable, but other Iowa conservatives as well.
State Sen. Bill Anderson, R-Pierson, endorsed Cruz early in his campaign and promoted a picnic rally for him during the summer.
“He is a bold leader with a vision for the future,” Anderson said during the picnic. “Now is a time for truth, and Sen. Cruz is courageous enough to be honest with the American people about the real challenges facing our country.”
For Sheets, Cruz’s courage is his “toughness,” which makes Sheets hopeful for the future of the United States.
“For [students], I feel like you’re getting the shaft," Sheets said. "You’ll be a half million in debt, and we need someone who’s tough to deal with that."
But Sheets does have just one tip for the candidate.
“I kind of wish he’d smile more."
Cruz gains support by opposing Establishment Elements Inside own party
Nobody is “done for” in the Senate, until they are either repudiated by the voters at the polls, or they may resign from the job.
Ted Cruz will continue to be the crusading “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”, portrayed so well by Jimmy Stewart so long ago.
Not so much for opposing his own party as standing up for the voters. The party put themselves in opposition.
!Yeb Hill 2016 Whats the difference!
Rand proves that he only talks a good game. As soon as he placed himself in McConnell's camp he was done for as a serious candidate. Surprising that he didn't know that, but I suppose politics creates a kind of bubble and its hard to see the world the way it looks from outside the bubble.
Cruz gains support by opposing own party speaking the truth
You should get the HTML award for FReeper post formatting.
Music to my ears.
Every other candidate talks about solutions that involve the use of more and bigger government, from immigration (walls, mass deportation) to health care, except that it is more-and-bigger-government done their way. Those candidates are asking me to vote for them because they propose "better lives through better government."
Cruz is the ONLY ONE who is basically saying, "Better lives through less government."
I will only vote for a candidate who embraces the concept that the only way to achieve moral prosperity in America is to eradicate unconstitutional government. That candidate is Ted Cruz.
I agree with you—100%.
IMHO, Senator Cruz is the only conservative candidate in the race.
Thank you!
Cruze is gaining support because he actually listens to the people and tries to do what is right for them, which is usually not what the GOP wants.
Ted Cruz 2016, because I don't want second best!
He’s supporting his party — he’s opposing the Establishment members who ignore the party and sell out to the other side.
He’s supporting his party — he’s opposing the Establishment members who ignore the party and sell out to the other side.
The behavior of many in our party having been less than exemplary these many years, It’s about time SOMEONE did!
Excellent point. Bares repeating ;-) The party is not the chamber of commerce or McCain, McConnell and Boehner. It is us, the little people.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.