Posted on 03/04/2016 11:31:55 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Tonight was the night when I could clearly see Ted Cruz as President of the United States. He made the right moral judgment — dealing with Donald Trump was far more important than jockeying for position with Marco Rubio or John Kasich. He made the case against Trump in the right way — he was civil even as he eviscerated Trump again and again. And he connected with the audience not just with his command of the facts, but also by making his case in an effective, human way. When he asked the audience how many had been waiters or waitresses, I had to smile. Both my wife and I spent more than our fair share of time bringing ice tea to thirsty customers, and the notion that waiting tables — even for a season – is a job Americans won’t do is absurd.
But I can’t praise Cruz without also praising Marco Rubio. Their nonaggression pact was clear. It is an extraordinarily difficult thing for political rivals to choose not to attack each other, but both Rubio and Cruz made the right decision. They both kept their eye on the ball, and in so doing kept hope alive in the quest to save the conservative movement and stop Trump.
Regarding Kasich, his performance was cheap and cowardly. Anyone can look statesmanlike when they opt out of a necessary fight. By choosing to cast himself as above the fray, he created a false moral equivalence between Trump, Rubio, and Cruz, and he transparently curried favor with viewers weary of conflict. With every passing moment, he is staining his legacy and his reputation. At a crucial moment, Kasich chose to be — first and foremost – for Kasich. Shame on him.
Finally, there is much more to be said about this, but words cannot express the contempt I felt for Trump’s insistence that the military would follow his unlawful orders to murder women and children. There are men who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice rather than kill the innocent, yet he pretends our warriors would simply salute and follow orders when told to kill women and children for the sole purpose of punishing terrorists. Trump is sadly mistaken. If he won the White House and tried to implement his “policy,” the military would refuse to comply — because it has honor, because it respects the law, and because it knows the lessons of history. No order can justify an atrocity.
BAIER: Senator Cruz, your closing statement?
CRUZ: "I want to talk to every soldier and sailor and airman and Marine. I want to talk to every mom and dad and sister and brother and son and daughter of someone fighting for this country. For seven years, you've had a commander-in-chief that doesn't believe in you, that sends you into combat with rules of engagement that tie your arms behind your back. That is wrong. It is immoral. And in January 2017, it will end.
I want to also talk to all the police officers and firefighters and first responders who have been left behind with this president. Starting in January 2017, I will have your back."
How many of them were waiters?
We looked at each and we laughed so hard.
Maybe 10% of the audience.
Cruz left the others trailing in the dust. This is a well written article.
“Me too” Cruz
Watch Senator Ted Cruz Republican Debate
https://youtu.be/rdXjbRu0Pcc
I wonder if the National Review wrote this article before the debate? They’ll say Trump lost no matter what.
Yes he won the debate in the eyes of the ivy league american elitist snobs! great job Ted! Too bad the voters think you suck
“Do you really want these bratty kids in THAT position of power?”
I had to laugh at that.....
"Hide the football, President Trump's in another bad mood"
Very articulate way of saying what Trump’s been saying for months.
Ted Cruz last night just solidified my support of him and solidified my opposition to someone like Trump or Rubio being the nominee.
That being said, I still think Trump is taking the nomination going away. There is too much emotional attachment to him from the GOP voters. But I still have some hope that Cruz and start to rack up some wins as we get into the closed primary states.
Cruz had a good night though not a great one.
Rubio was terrible, whatever the opposite of gravitas is, he was full of it.
National Review applauds the “non agression pact” of the establishment candidates.
Wow, that should be breaking news.
Funny how Cruz never mentioned the military until Trump brought the issue to the forefront. COPYCAT CRUZ will never enter the White Hose. He is not a natural born citizen.
Funny I saw Mr Haney. :-)
No matter what the thread is, there are going to be disparaging groupies. I think the best word is ‘incorrigible’.
Limbaugh today: Cruz 86 IQ points above the field.
He also ate his own booger on TV. Yes, quite a night for the Grand Old Party.
And he ate a booger in front of 16.9M viewers on live TV.
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.