What say you, too?
Just thought I would ping you for this thread as well since you posted on the other one.
Have a good one today - to those on this post - and to the others in the first post!
Short version:
1. The Senator is a Constitutional conservative. We need to reign in the burgeoning cult of personality surrounding our Presidency. While Mr. Trump has many fine plans, he has shown no clear idea of what he can LEGALLY do to implement those plans. Jeb is a supporter of the Department of Education which tells me all I need to know about his views on the role of the Federal government.
2.Foreign Policy & defense: This is actually the Constitutionally mandated job of the Presidency that most concerns me. Cruz has shown unwavering support for Israel, has promised to tear up the Iran deal, and during Senate hearings has consistently cut through the BS talking points of DoD officials. Bush took how many days to decide if he would have gone to war in Iraq? Trump certainly has more international contacts than anyone else in the field— but those are business contacts. Also, while his “to hell with political correctness” style is wonderfully refreshing in domestic politics, I'd rather he not piss off the few remaining allies Obama has left us.
3. Foreign policy & Immigration: Trump is finally putting substance behind his talking points. Cruz has had the substance there this whole time and as a former Texas Solicitor General, knows this battlefield personally. The two have very similar ideas on immigration so if I was a single issue voter, it might be harder to decide. However, Trumps assertion that he will make Mexico pay for the wall through tariffs is problematic. The President has no authority to institute tariffs. Furthermore, the money to build the wall is available, if only Congress would do its damn job and pass specific funding bills instead of omnibus crap filled with pork. I do NOT want a President fixing our invasion nightmare with executive fiat. As for Bush on immigration... do I really need to spell it out?
4. Religious Liberty: Cruz is the hands down, no near rival, best candidate on matters of religious liberty. He is a God-fearing Christian and a superb lawyer. He will dance rings around any court trying to enforce the Civil Rights Act over the 1st Amendment. And, again, Constitutional expert that he is, Cruz knows exactly how to avert the dismantling of our three-branch republic by the power-hungry SCOTUS. Jeb is far too quiet on this matter and Trump seems more focused on economic issues.
5. Trade and the economy. Negotiating treaties and administering the federal officials who are charged with enacting laws are the only Constitutionally mandated powers the US President has. Trump may well be right nthat we need to be more protectionist in our trade—free trade only works when the other side is a full participant and has a similarly constituted work force and tax structure— but, again, I am tired of Executive orders. Cruz is often derided—unfairly I might add given that McConnell LIED to him in order to secure his support— for supporting TPA. I sincerely hope that this debacle will change his mind about any further authorizations. We need to return to trade treaties ratified by the Senate—elected representatives of the people. I am not convinced that Trump, accustomed as he is to being in charge, will willingly give up the excessive trade authority of the TPA. Furthermore, it is not the role of the President to create jobs—something that both Bush and Trump promise to do. That's pandering to the “gimme” crowd and I won't stand for it from a Republican.
6. Right to life: Cruz and Bush both beat Trump in this category based on their current and past statements.
7. Tax policy: Cruz proposes abolishing the IRS. Trumps tax scheme is certainly far more palatable than Bush's, but would still require the obnoxious bloated bureaucracy of the IRS to administer. Also, again, every one of these candidates, including Cruz this time, likes to talk about tax policy, but tax code is set by Congress. Presidents to appoint those who administer Fiscal policy. Budgetary policy is the purview of the Congress. It's time more Americans learned/remembered this.
8. Education: Jeb supports Common Core. He is therefore a non-starter in my book. Cruz wants to abolish Federal involvement in education entirely. I honestly have no idea where Trump stands on the issue.
Again this is just a synopsis of my talking points regarding my support for Cruz. Once I complete the longer versions and post them, I shall happily provide links to any who are interested.
5.