Posted on 10/03/2015 9:31:25 AM PDT by Isara
As a Libertarian leaning Republican (in Iowa no less), Im used to my options for Presidential candidates being limited. Im also used to my choice turning me into an outcast among peers. What Im about to write may ruffle some feathers among friends, but lets face it, as the Iowa Liberty movement has grown, weve ruffled our share of feathers in the ranks of the establishment, so forgive me if I shake the tree of Liberty for a moment.
Lets get this straight right out of the gate, there will only ever be one Dr. Ron Paul. The former Texas Congressman is the undisputed contemporary Godfather of Liberty, and he not only cured my apathy in 2008, but he also taught me the principles that led me to my support of Senator Ted Cruz for President.
Through his 2008 and 2012 Presidential campaigns, Dr. Paul managed to build a network of philosophical protégés second to no one in modern politics. Through each and every segment of his speeches and debate performances, he was able to weave consistently through the myriad of complex issues facing our world today.
In May of 2012, nearly two years after the Tea Party had gone to Washington, our movement was looking to build on that momentum, and our standard bearer was still working the campaign trails in search of victories for the cause of Liberty. This was when Dr. Paul made his endorsement of a former Solicitor General from the State of Texas for the office of U.S. Senate against the sitting Lieutenant Governor. Ron Paul endorsed Ted Cruz.
It was on that day, that the Liberty movement began to coalesce around the possibility of a big-time November win. Dr. Paul wasnt the only Liberty stalwart to endorse Cruz over the heavily favored David Dewhurst in that bitter primary race. Congressman Justin Amash (R-MI), Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), FreedomWorks, and Gun Owners of America all circled the wagons in favor of Cruz.
As an observer, one of the things I like most about Senator Cruzs approach is that of any candidate for President, he has the best understanding of the separation of powers established by our Constitution.. While advocating for policies, he respects both the limits of executive action from the office he hopes to occupy and the crucial role and oversight from Congress.
Cruz has done more to protect the liberties guaranteed by our Constitution than anyone in the 2016 race from defending First Amendment rights to free speech and religion and Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms, to defending U.S. sovereignty against the U.N. as Solicitor General of Texas. He has spent countless hours on the Senate floor joining filibusters to stop illegal drone use against American citizens and illegal searches and seizure of cell phone records, and initiated his own 21-hour filibuster in a courageous effort to defund Obamacare.
What is also refreshing, more as an American than as a member of a single voting bloc, is the fact that he has been overwhelmingly gracious to each one of his competitors as they have entered the race. That will be an invaluable asset moving forward in this campaign. The liberty movement needs to be attracting voters and supporters of other candidates, not turning them off with junior high insults, and feigned intellectual superiority.
I have had the opportunity to meet with Senator Cruz in a small-group roundtable setting on a couple of different occasions. Heres what stood out most to me. First, this guy really wants the support of the Liberty movement, by name, and has verbalized that request. Second, he refuses to pander. As I sat in a room of people waiting for him to lie to them about any range of issues to win their support, he chose disagreement when necessary, with an explanation his point of view.
As a Libertarian-Republican, my standard is the U.S. Constitution. Senator Cruz meets that standard by every measure. As with any honest voter-candidate relationship, there will be disagreements. But Senator Cruz has an impeccable record of saying that he stands with the Constitution and proving it in action, in votes, and most importantly in pushing back against establishment politicians in Washington, rather than cozying up to score points.
Finally, trust. Hopefully, youll agree that we cant back a candidate that we dont trust. Part of that trust is the team that he has built around him. Several of the people who are working with Senator Cruzs Presidential campaign in Iowa, I was lucky enough to have working with me on my State Senate bid last year. They are not yes-men, rather individuals with strong convictions.
Religious Liberty
Second Amendment
U.S. Sovereignty
Government Overreach
Ted Cruz has a strong pro 10th amendment streak which is attractive to libertarians as well as his anti regulatory, anti subsidy and anti tax stances.
It helps that he’s far more restrained about war than the neocons.
Lets get this straight right out of the gate, there will only ever be one Dr. Ron Paul. The former Texas Congressman is the undisputed contemporary Godfather of LibertyYeah. Don Black still thinks so too.
Without the fruityness.
If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it. If we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for War.George Washington cannot be construed as a so-called neocon for having an eye towards preserving the peace of the USA and its allies thus. And I see Cruz being hawkish about Iran at least.
Thank God.
Ted Cruz loves and respects the Constitution; that is why I support him.
He’s about choosing the right wars and the right allies.
Unfortunately we’ll have to be a lot more hawkish toward Iran from now on.
Here is another one for the Cruz campaign.
THE ENEMY OF THE STATE : The Washington Cartel
Great post!
YEAH BUT HE'S A FRICKIN' KOOK, A NUTCASE! < /Rabid FReepers >
Ted Cruz has the values I like and he has the will and the skill to fight for them.
He’s my choice to be the next President, without reservation.
Thank you — excellent points. Waht other candidate has such a record?
Ron Paul and his Birchite “palaeos” would never support Ted Cruz because Cruz is pro-Israel. Paul and his followers hate Israel above everything else and blame it for all the evil in the world.
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