Posted on 01/22/2016 1:38:03 PM PST by justlittleoleme
Senator Ted Cruz was in Iowa for the Ronald Reagan Dinner and delivered a slam dunk speech. I was going to highlight a point or two, but the whole speech is so spot-on I'll just give you the video and the entire transcript. (Note, it's a rush transcript so there may be an error or two.)
--- Cruz:
We need to unify and let me tell you, growth and freedom are principles and ideals that should unify the entire Republican caucus. They are principles and ideals, that unify the evangelical community. With the liberty movement. With the business community. Growth and freedom are principles that bring together Main Street, and the Tea Party. If you look at the last four elections, three of the four were disastrous for Republicans. We got clobbered. In all three of those, the prevailing wisdom in Washington -- if you took everything -- every Washington strategist and dump them in the ocean, you would call it a good start.
The Washington strategist said keep your head down, don't rock the boat, the economy is not going great for President Obama so keep your head down and we will win. Shock of all shocks, we got our butts cleaned. There was one election that was different in 2010. It was a positive, optimistic campaign. It was a grassroots campaign saying we stand for growth and freedom. We stand on ambiguously -- unambiguously against Obamacare. In 2010, Republicans won a tidal wave victory, taking control of the House, taking up seats in the Senate. What did all the strategists say in 2014? Let's go back to the model of 2006, 2008, 2012.
Just keep your head down and we will win races. That is not how you win races. By the way it is driven I the old -- by an old Nixonian adage -- What complete poppycock. That is based on the oh so clever idea that if your opponent is here, that you want to be just to the right so you could capture every marginal voter. The problem is if you do that, you destroy every single reason anyone has to come up and vote.
The model I turn to over and over again is the model of Ronald Reagan. Does anyone remember in 1980 Ronald Reagan if he ever stood and said, "I am almost exactly like Jimmy Carter? Except a little more conservative." No. Ronald Reagan stood up with a smile and drew a line and he said President Carter and I have a different visions of this country and our future. If you believe in freedom, in standing on your own feet, if you believe if government is not the solution, government is the problem, and stand with me and that is how we saw an epic transformation.
Just the GOPe, right?
No, just the sane Republicans.
BTTT
It was a great speech and was at a time when “conservatives” supported Cruz.
Now look at how everyone here has turned on him because their master Donald Trump told them to.
Sad. Trumps supporters are the same as 0bama supporters.
Yes, Ted is a great fan of Ronald Regan! Ted is a great speaker! Ted doesn’t need a teleprompter! We should all vote for Ted! He can be TrusTED! Yah!
I believe conservatives do still support Cruz, and I hope more come around.
How dare you.
These are the kind of statements that turn us off about Cruz. Are there any instances where Trump supporters have said "Cruz supporters are the same as Obama supporters"? (we might've said it about Jeb on occasion)
Hey congratulations! I knew you would come around eventually. Welcome about the CruzCrew! ;)
The speech didn’t come up for me. I will try again.
But I have a question for both Cruz and Trump. Isn’t it obvious to most intelligent people that Hillary is not sane? A mentally healthy person couldn’t say the things she says and just go the next thing with a smile. She really believes what she says. It is creepy to say the least. This should be part of the narrative. So many years of wicked behavior has taken a toll on her. She is crazy. But ppl. Are talking about her as if she is just a liar.
We need Ted Cruz 2016.....
This should get you there:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDJj7dYqGg4
“These are the kind of statements that turn us off about Cruz.’
Why, I said it. Not Cruz.
Yes! It is so liberating! Now I don’t have to worry if Trump is going to peak at 40%! I know that Ted Cruz will be able to pull this off and save the Republic from being made great again!
Oh, it is not what he says that is important; you must carefully look at what he has actually done.
TX
Please spread your new found hope in Cruz far and wide for all to see. You can make a difference. :-)
Now look at how everyone here has turned on him because their master Donald Trump told them to.
Sad. Trumps supporters are the same as 0bama supporters.
Sad and so true, and for a progressive. At least Bambi had guiding principles.
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.