George Will: In Ted Cruz, a candidate as good as it gets

The Washington Post ^ | June 15, 2011 | George Will

[EveningStar]

For a conservative Texan seeking national office, it could hardly get better than this: In a recent 48-hour span, Ted Cruz, a candidate for next year’s Republican Senate nomination for the seat being vacated by Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison, was endorsed by the Club for Growth PAC, FreedomWorks PAC, talk-radio host Mark Levin and Erick Erickson of RedState.com. And Cruz’s most conservative potential rival for the nomination decided to seek a House seat instead.

[Sonny M]

Who is George Will referring to when he says Cruz’ most conservative rival will seek a house seat instead? It’s comments like that which destroy Will’s credibility, since Michael Williams is still very much in the hunt.

I believe Michael Williams has declared he is going for the house.

I know Jim DeMint was excited about the idea of Michael Williams going to the senate, and he had talked to Perry about appointing him when Hutchinson stated she would resign (she never did obviously, and she turned out to be a BS Liar).

Since Williams is going for the house, that leaves Ted Cruz, I know Robert Paul (Ron Pauls son) had expressed interest, but recently stated he was leaning against it. Personally, I think Robert Paul is going to make a run for governor.

[BfloGuy]

I really like most of what Will says and I'm a staunch conservative. What am I missing?

Oh, didn't you hear?

It's like this. If a conservative pundit says something you disagree with, you must: a) call him a RINO (repeatedly) and b) flame him every time one of his articles is posted. [See Krauthammer, Charles]

[AuH2ORepublican]

“This Texan is campaigning for Michael Williams.”

---

I was in Michael Williams’s corner, too, until he switched to the U.S. House race in a new district based in Arlington (where he’s lived since returning to Texas after serving in the Reagan Administration). I now support Williams for Congress and Ted Cruz for the Senate. If you like Williams, I’m sure you’ll like Cruz as well—they’re both solid conservatives and have the courage of their convictions.

[EveningStar]

This article has nothing to do with Saint Sarah.

And George Will frequently criticizes Obama.

[swain_forkbeard]

Q. “I really like most of what Will says and I’m a staunch conservative. What am I missing?”

A.George Will is a Beltway Insider and “House Republican” for the liberal media.

You’re missing the cogency of the ad hominem argument. Besides, Will’s command of facts and penchant for basing his arguments on them, wherever that might lead, will always put off those who prefer doctrinaire conclusions.

[Le Chien Rouge]

I hadn’t heard for certain that Williams decided to run for a house seat rather than the senate.

If Cruz gets the GOP nod, he’s got my vote.

[Dogbert41]

No, but it is a Will article and that was the last straw for me.

[A'elian' nation]

“that great British expression “too clever by half.”

The Brits call it Chalaque ( Smart Alec ), and that was Obama’s code name given him by Scotland Yard when he was over in Ireland recently.

Too clever by half or too smart for your own good - would define Obama provided you think he has any smarts to begin with.

[Don Corleone]

I might consider Will’s opinion on pitchers and shortstops. All else...not so much.

[EveningStar]

George Will (or another) doesn’t agree 100% with me - therefore he’s a RINO, elitist, Beltway Insider, Establishment Republican, liberal ...

Thanks for clearing things up.

[Clintonfatigued]

Ted Cruz seems to have a lot of promise. If Michael Williams drops out of the Senate race and Dan Patrick decides not to run, conservatives have their man.

[NotTallTex]

It’s like this. If a conservative pundit says something you disagree with, you must: a) call him a RINO (repeatedly) and b) flame him every time one of his articles is posted. [See Krauthammer, Charles]

I agree. Although I don’t always agree with Will, I don’t feel compelled to be like liberals and call people names on the few times I don’t agree. That’s how we got Obama. The liberals didn’t agree with Hillary on one item-she voted for the Iraq War, so she was toast to the hardcore left.

I find Will and Krauthamer to be the most intelligent of conservative commentators and both offer consistent and compelling critiques of Obama. I don’t know of anyone I agree with 100%, do you?

[BfloGuy]

I don’t know of anyone I agree with 100%, do you?

Of course, not. That's why I get so annoyed at the knee-jerk reactions to Will and Krauthammer. Some people here are limiting their reading to Townhall.com and WND just to prevent themselves from having to read an opinion that they may not like.

It's not a good sign for conservatism.