Posted on 03/10/2016 8:33:32 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Thursday night's GOP debate at the University of Miami marked a major turning point for candidates as they look to gain not just the attention of nationwide voters but viewers in the Sunshine State. With the Florida GOP Primary less than a week away, the event was a proving ground of sorts as candidates seek to emerge victorious in an important winner take all state that boasts the most delegates to be awarded that day. It was at this debate that Ted Cruz firmly emerged as the Republicans' last hope for an establishment candidate to legitimately challenge frontrunner Donald Trump. Ted Cruz's closing statements were inspired, surprisingly lighthearted and comical, and may very well help him to win Florida and the many primaries and caucuses occurring on Super Tuesday 3.
Cruz and Trump were no strangers to the war of words they'd perpetuated onstage in Miami. The previous debate, Trump had taken to calling the Texas senator "Lyen [sic] Ted" and has been consistently mocking him since. Cruz's response has been to treat the Donald like the child he appears to be when engaging in rather infantile verbal attacks with no bearing on political views or voting records. The candidate was once again able to narrowly sidestep any mudslinging in favor of seriously stumping for himself. Cruz appeared to insinuate that the very future of the Republican party is dependent on the GOP rallying behind him, which certainly shone through in his final remarks.
To be fair, the Thursday night event appeared far more subdued than previous debates. Cruz, for his part, was especially emotional when it came to giving his final statements in what will be the last GOP debate of the primary season. He was also able to make a subtle jab against Trump, in what appeared to be the most comical moment of the night. Cruz said:
What an incredible nation we have that the son of a bartender and the son of a mailman and the son of a dishwasher and a successful businessman can all stand on this stage competing and asking for your support. In just a few months one of us is going to stand on the debate stage against Hillary Clinton. And the choice that we're making is who will best defend our values, who will best defend your values, and fight for you.
I have to tell you I cannot wait to stand on that stage with Hillary Clinton and say, 'Madame Secretary, you are asking for a third time of a failed administration. You are asking for millions more to remain in stagnant jobs. For millions more steel workers to be out of work, for wages to remain low, for young people not to have a future. We can do better. We can instead repeal Obamacare, abolish the IRS, unleash millions of jobs, defend the Bill of Rights, defend the second amendment and religious liberty, and stand with our cops and our firefighters and our soldiers and we can keep America safe.' That's the choice I will put to her this fall.
Cruz is already looking ahead towards a future in which he is leading the Republican party against a presumed Democratic nominee: Hillary Clinton. As he swiftly and emphatically detailed his policies and challenged Clinton in his closing statements, audience fervor mounted and Cruz appeared to be riding high on his last chance at addressing the American public in a debate setting. His overarching success remains to be seen. Even if Cruz fails to nab the nomination, the theatrics behind his closing statement certainly show that he's been enjoying himself on the campaign trail.
Fiction.
I thought Cruz was good tonight ... closing statement was really good, glad to see him doing so well because assuming he isn’t sold out (frankly I don’t see how anyone could NOT be sold out if they have to accept serious money) ... but assuming he’s not sold out ... we need him. I hope he’s president in 8 years, for 8 years.
I caught that. haha
If he had said "the son of a successful businessman," it would have humorously made an important point about Trump's resume.
the canadian made a joke? obama said today that cruz was born in calgary and running for president of usa.
Cruz says too much. He was interviewed on CNN after the debate and he finished a long comment by saying “I’m focused on the steelworker, the single mom and (two other groups I forget).
I said to my wife how can you be “focused” on steelworkers and single moms in the same breath? Are those related in any way? He gets into a lot of rhetoric that is rather meaningless.
..pretty much a stalemate tonight. Except Rubio is done...
I’d like to know what’s so damn funny about ANOTHER bought and paid for stooge? The smell coming off those surrounding him is getting mighty bad.
It’s ALL a damn game to these power/money hungry pols.
Btw, doesn’t Ted have a job he’s supposed to be doing? I’m trying to catch up here tonight and wondering about 2 things...has he denounced crazy Beck yet??? And, has he mentioned the 300K new muzzies that are on their way over, paid for courtesy of that brainchild Paul Ryan! Oh how they are all lining up for Cruz, the conga line of liars and cheats. Sickening
Though I hate how much money is needed to run a successful campaign I don’t think the contributors have that much influence. I think they have access, but that doesn’t necessarily mean influence. That’s one of the biggest reasons you vote for a principled candidate. That goes at all levels.
Note: Trump did not say he wouldn’t accept contributions in the general election if he is nominated. Will that mean he’s being bought? -— I don’t think so.
“last hope for an establishment candidate”
It’s tough giving a quick answer when you’re trying your da#%edest to get all of Trump’s positions in with one sentence.
PrinciplTED, naturally.
Direct Youtube link to Cruz’s statement that drew smiles from the crowd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbxBzC5XIjs
Can’t really agree totally nor disagree totally with you on that one.
He also talked about the 45% tariff affecting people buying diapers at Wal Mart. He must have realized his error with his comments about Trump supporters.
And Trump is in it for what? Maybe just glory. He’s an old man now, and will never reach the true heights of the business world. This is his way to climb to the top. To give him credit, he has correctly read the mood of the voters he is appealing to. If he wins, I hope they are not disappointed. Further, I hope that those he has defeated will not turn to the Democrats. It is a chilling to think that there are those who Would actually prefer someone like Hilary Clinton. They speak of Trump as Hitler. She is really that mixture of fanatic and opportunist that he was.
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