Report: Ted Cruz could ride Tea Party support to White House [birther trolls stay out! JimRob]

Washington Examiner ^ | NOVEMBER 1, 2013 AT 11:21 AM | PAUL BEDARD

[SoConPubbie]

The friendly fire directed at Sen. Ted Cruz from establishment Republicans is giving the Texan first-in-line status among Tea Party supporters and building a base for him to run for president, according to a new analysis from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.

“To the establishment, Cruz is the embodiment of all the forces conspiring to threaten the GOP's long-term viability. And, on a personal level, they also just can't stand Cruz: He drives them crazy,” wrote Kyle Kondik in Center Director Larry Sabato's popular Crystal Ball.

But, added Kondik, the “venom” directed at Cruz, whose effort to defund Obamacare led to a 16-day government shutdown, makes him an oversized hero to Tea Party supporters.

“Not pleasing the establishment is music to the ears of Tea Party activists, and if anything the shutdown has endeared Cruz even more to them. Assuming Cruz mounts a presidential bid in 2016 — he’s headed to South Carolina next week after his Iowa appearance last Friday (hint, hint) — the Tea Party could be a potent base,” he said.

Kondik took note of the Twitter sneers GOP old bulls fired off as Cruz spoke to Iowa Republicans a week ago. “[Mike] Murphy (@murphymike), an alum from John McCain’s rogue 2000 presidential campaign and a "Meet the Press" regular, was one of the establishment Republicans tweeting snark about Cruz during his speech,” he noted.

Murphy tweeted: “Sounds like we got trouble in River City… Good citizens, make your check payable to Cruz Against Soviet Healthcare. Or just ‘CASH’”

And that’s nothing new, said Kondik: “Ever since he’s been elected, we here at the Crystal Ball have heard groaning from Democrats and Republicans alike about how much they dislike Cruz.”

But could Cruz win the nomination in what’s expected to be a crowded field? A big hurdle might be GOP endorsements, typically from the establishment and to establishment candidates like Mitt Romney.

“At this point, it’s hard to imagine Cruz winning much support from party elites, so he’d have to depend on the Tea Party grassroots,” said Kondik, who noted that both parties have detoured with non-establishment candidates in the past and lost — the Republicans in 1964 with Barry Goldwater and Democrats in 1972 with George McGovern.

His bottom line: “Ted Cruz is riding high in some Republican/Tea Party circles precisely because he aggravates many high-ranking members of his own party. But his icy relationship with those party leaders might cause him problems if and when he decides to run for president.”Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com.

[Tennessee Conservative]

I didn’t know that! I have a friend in Wisconsin and she loves him. I need to look up what he says about amnesty. I do like what he has done in Wisconsin.

[Guenevere]

It was reported recently that he said this-(for amnesty) in an interview with Politico...(there is a link to this interview) ..

..but now, because people have started responding to his stance or position, he is either backing away or modifying his original response.

Either way, when I read what he said originally....and read what he is saying now....is sounds like obfuscation....he is squishy in his answer.

That is disappointing to me....I thought he had strong, uncompromised standards initially....

..and we can't afford...our Republic can't afford....to waste one minute on someone who is wishy, washy....

...We have to come out of the chute unified behind someone who does not compromise his principles.

[Jack Black]

You assume he was born in Kenya, I guess. If he was born in Hawaii he got citizenship at birth, TWICE over, once as a result of being born in the USA and once from his mom who as an American in.America was certainly able to pass on her citizenship.

Or else a lot of children.of teen moms would need naturalization.

[Jack Black]

You assume he was born in Kenya, I guess. If he was born in Hawaii he got citizenship at birth, TWICE over, once as a result of being born in the USA and once from his mom who as an American in.America was certainly able to pass on her citizenship.

Or else a lot of children.of teen moms would need naturalization.

They don’t. And neither did Obama. Unless you believe he was born in Kenya, THEN those rules apply. They don’t apply to some 17 year old chick who gets knocked up by a smooth talking black exchange student in Hawaii.

[Jack Black]

You assume he was born in Kenya, I guess. If he was born in Hawaii he got citizenship at birth, TWICE over, once as a result of being born in the USA and once from his mom who as an American in.America was certainly able to pass on her citizenship.

Or else a lot of children.of teen moms would need naturalization.

They don’t. And neither did Obama. Unless you believe he was born in Kenya, THEN those rules apply. They don’t apply to some 17 year old chick who gets knocked up by a smooth talking black exchange student in Hawaii.

[Beagle8U]

I know that, I was just listing the reasons why the running mate shouldn’t be chosen by anyone until after the nomination.

When McCrazy picked Palin early the RATS went into ‘search and destroy’ mode and ripped her to bits before there was time to react.

[Jack Black]

You assume he was born in Kenya, I guess. If he was born in Hawaii he got citizenship at birth, TWICE over, once as a result of being born in the USA and once from his mom who as an American in.America was certainly able to pass on her citizenship.

Or else a lot of children.of teen moms would need naturalization.

They don’t. And neither did Obama. Unless you believe he was born in Kenya, THEN those rules apply. They don’t apply to some 17 year old chick who gets knocked up by a smooth talking black exchange student in Hawaii.

[CelesteChristi]

You’re not reading all the words. Birthplace has nothing to do with this. The fact that one parent was a foreigner changes how citizenship is conferred. The actual statue in place at the time of his birth is on this thread. Try reading it - all of it - in full.

[Jack Black]

You are delusional..

There are millions of people who were born to TWO foreign citizens ON US SOIL ... and guess what They are citizens. AkA anchor babies.

You are claiming that Obama’s mom’s travel status has something to do with his citizenship. It does not, not if he was born in Hawaii. Even if his mom was Kenyan he would still be a citizen if he was born in Hawaii.

The law which is in the thread is for foreign birth, not born on US Soil.

Get it? American birth certificate equals American citizenship.

[trisham]

Lyndon Johnson was a socialist.

[BeauBo]

Generally, you can’t get to clerk for a Supreme Court Justice as Ted Cruz did by being bright - you have to be brilliant. So he brings that - probably among the brightest handful of previous Presidents in terms of IQ.

He seems to have solid principles, based on clear understanding, with the backbone to fight for them - which is enormous.

He is wired into the current Federal legislative process/personalities, as well as judicial considerations. We could expect epic Supreme Court nominations from Ted Cruz, which is also huge in the long run.

But as others have pointed out, not so much managerial/executive experience. Picking and managing great people is something that contributed mightily to Washington’s and Reagan’s successes. Not to say he won’t be good at it, just that it is not clearly proven. Also, like most candidates, little proven foreign policy expertise.

So those are potential governing considerations for a VP. A strong Chief of Staff could go a long way on the managerial side.

Electoral considerations historically trump governing considerations when picking a VP though, so maybe they will focus on a region of the country (e.g. upper midwest swing states like Ohio/Penn) or demographic slice (e.g. women). Popular Govenors are historically the most likely candidates for VP, to bring their state/region to the ticket.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Actually I believe Palin is all set to run in 2016 if she so chooses.

Just saying.

[CelesteChristi]

The statute in place at the time of Obama’s birth is available to you on this thread. Comprehension of the law is something you’ll have to work on yourself. I can read and understand what I’m reading. I feel for you that you cannot. At this point I’ve done all I can for you. Good luck.

[caww]

I thought Jim especially stated “birthers stay out”??????

It was disappointing coming to the thread and seeing this continue to be an issue on FR.

[caww]

I’m fully in for Cruz at this point and frankly can’t see any down the pike I’d prefer....he’s made his intentions known. We need to get him on track quick as the democrats are already prepping Chris Christy to run as ‘our’ representative like they did Romney...

[caww]

I don’t want to see any re-runs in this election.....

[caww]

Christy is the ‘demorats choice’ for us...like Romney..he’ll sell out when push comes to shove and usher in the demorat runner like McCain did.

[caww]

” I think we have good reasons to believe that 2016 will be different than the past......”

Not if the Republicans are still playing by the old boy rules...it will not work. They’ll throw in a full deck and waste alot of time just getting it down to two.

This time they have to be careful not to soak up so much time with a fist of candidates...keep it simple.

[caww]

[2CAVTrooper]

“I think its a given that Ted Cruz is the best conservative candidate ... now who should run with him on the ticket? Mike Lee?”

That’s a good choice.