Ted Cruz's Ego Trip Carries a High Cost (obvious dem talking point has been issued)

The Washington Post ^ | February 14th | Dana Milbank

[Reddy]

Very few Americans know how close the country came to catastrophe this week.

The final tally shows that the Senate voted by a wide margin Wednesday, 67 to 31, to break Sen. Ted Cruz’s filibuster of an increase in the debt limit, thus avoiding a default on the United States’ full faith and credit.

But 15 minutes after the voting should have ended, Senate Leader Mitch McConnell had apparently secured only two of the five Republican votes he needed to join all 55 members of the Democratic caucus to pass the measure. He raised three fingers in the air and worked his way among his members but was met with folded arms and shakes of the head. Looking queasy, he patted his thigh nervously and drummed his fingers. In the hubbub, Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) knocked a full glass of water and coaster from McConnell’s desk to the floor.

Democrats, watching the spectacle, took the extraordinary step of ordering the Senate clerk not to read aloud the ongoing vote tally to avoid setting off a market panic; because the House had already left on a two-week recess, a failure of this vote would have left little chance of avoiding default on Feb. 27, when the Treasury was to run out of funds.

Watching the chaos from the side of the chamber was the man who caused it: Cruz, his hands in his pants pockets and a satisfied grin on his face. The Texas Republican strolled to the clerk’s table to check on the vote count and was met with a look of disgust from Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). And the feeling was widespread: Moments after Cruz walked into the Republican cloakroom, four senators emerged and changed their votes to “aye.”...

Cruz’s ego trip had come at a high cost.

[Right Wing Assault]

It’s a good thing obama doesn’t have a big ego! Then we’d have real problems.

[I am Richard Brandon]

The Greatest Danger is from the Liberals and RINOs who are determined to take the whole country down the road to the Detroit destination.

[Petrosius]

… a failure of this vote would have left little chance of avoiding default …

When are the Republicans going to call the Democrats out on this lie? Even without an increase in the debt ceiling there is enough income for the Federal Government to service its debt. What would have to happen is that other spending would have to be reduced to match income.

Since paying our debts is Constitutionally mandated the President would be required to pay these first, then, absent any adjustments to the budget by Congress, would have to prioritize the remaining spending. This is no different than what every family must do from time to time: pay the mortgage first and then turn to the kids and say, "sorry, I know that I promised but you cannot go to summer camp this year".

[RedMDer]

We need your help to keep the lights on.
FR is funded solely by contributions made by
liberty loving people who enjoy and use it.

Every donation counts no matter how big or small.
If you can donate $5, $10, $20, $100 or more,
it would be greatly appreciated.


Free Republic 1st Quarter Fundraising Target: $85,000

Receipts & Pledges to-date: $50,277

59%

Woo hoo!! And we're now over 59%, looking for 60!! Go, FReepers!! Thank you all very much!! We can do this.

Two percent a day keeps the 404 away. 

[whinecountry]

Live within our means. Don’t bankrupt our grandchildren. Adhere to the Constitution. Cut taxes and regulations to spur the economy and let people keep more of their own money. Yep, Cruz is definitely on an ego trip. /s

[mrsmel]

That's rich, considering Ll the narcissists in the ‘rat party, starting with Hussein, then on to Reid, Pelosi, et al.

[Innovative]

The Dems are clearly trying to stir up trouble setting Republicans against each other, hoping that will result in so much infighting, that the Dems will manage to keep the Senate.

[Yaelle]

From the article: “His actions suggest Cruz has put himself before his party and even the nation’s solvency. “

---

The nation’s solvency is not solved by debt any more than your household’s solvency is solved by a new loan from your Capitol One card or Guido in the alley.

And Cruz should put “his” PARTY first??? Cruz should, as he does, put his freaking CONSTITUTION first. The PARTY is nothing but a bunch of gelded power and money breastfeeders. The USA and his constituents are the only important things a congressperson needs to worry about. His party, sheesh.

[JRandomFreeper]

pay the mortgage first and then turn to the kids

Easy enough to do in a family setting where you know the kids aren't going to riot and burn out the heart of major Democrat cities. Cut off EBT cards, and all bets are off. ;)

/johnny

[Howie66]

No doubt about that.

[DoodleDawg]

Since paying our debts is Constitutionally mandated the President would be required to pay these first...

Where does the Constitution say that?

[skinkinthegrass]

consider the sourcing of this screed..
WaPo propagandist = DNC propagandist

[Reddy]

I remember when bozo was elected a family member actually said to me, “I am glad he is president because he cares about me!”

I just laughed and said that I don’t care if the president of the United States cares personally for me, I just want him to uphold the US Constitution!!

[painter]

Yea, but Ted Cruz is becoming a Hero to average American across this Country!

[RginTN]

So when Obama voted against increase increasing the debt limit in 2006 that wasn’t ego???

[Reddy]

WaPo = DNC propagandist

Exactly- just pointing out the talking points/marching orders that have been issued. I’m seeing the “ego” meme all over the internet. Of course WaPo will parrot it. The best way to deal with it is to acknowledge it and get out ahead of it. And to Alinsky them back.

[ex-snook]

"I just want him to uphold the US Constitution!!"

The Constitution went out the window with a whole series of wars without a Congressional formal declaration of war with various workarounds. Also sodomy which was once a crime, is now a right under the Constitution. FUBAR.

[PoloSec]

Maximum fire power directed at Cruz, hehehe... it just makes him stronger.

When they come out with the cryptonite, they should know he is immune.

Because Superman is already taken, I've taken to calling Cruz The Mechanic, he is all about fixing things.

[ought-six]

The Dims are utterly terrified of Cruz!

[DoughtyOne]

Why not say things like this? Who in a leadership position on the right would refute it? The WP spouts it, and it goes unchallenged in any highly visible meaningful way.