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Cruz Tears into Moderators, Lights Up in Third Debate
Texas Tribune ^ | Oct. 28, 2015 | Patrick Svitek

Posted on 10/28/2015 9:35:45 PM PDT by Isara

BOULDER, Colo. — In easily his most animated moment on the debate stage since he launched his presidential campaign, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz excoriated moderators of the third GOP presidential debate Wednesday night.

"This is not a cage match," the Texas Republican said. "And you look at the questions — 'Donald Trump, are you a comic-book villain?' 'Ben Carson, can you do math?' 'John Kasich, will you insult two people over here?' 'Marco Rubio, why don't you resign?' 'Jeb Bush, why have your numbers fallen?' How about talking about the substantive issues people care about?"

Cruz's media criticism drew loud applause at the University of Colorado Boulder, where the GOP field gathered for the CNBC-hosted event. It was an especially spirited moment compared to his first two debates, during which Cruz hit his talking points but stopped short of delivering breakout performances.

"Even without the mainstream media not wanting to get into positive economic ideas and substance, it was a terrific debate," Cruz told reporters in brief remarks afterward.

Cruz's allies were thrilled that he called out the moderators, with a number of surrogates telling reporters the senator "took control" of a debate veering into triviality. Cruz adviser Jason Miller said the senator played the "grown-up card," while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, newly tapped Texas chairman of Cruz's campaign, said other candidates were probably thinking, "I should've said that," when Cruz intervened.

"He carried the debate on his shoulders when he took on those hosts," Patrick told reporters, likening Cruz to a quarterback carrying his team.

Minutes before the economy-focused debate started, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed by Cruz outlining his tax plan, which calls for a 10 percent flat income tax. Cruz moved quickly early in the debate to tout the fairness of the proposals, saying that under the plan, "no hedge fund manager pays less than his secretary."

Between the tax plan rollout and moderator lashing, Cruz surrogates believe he struck the perfect balance of substance and style. Cruz campaign manager Jeff Roe called the debate a "great night for the campaign," suggesting it was poised for another surge in post-debate fundraising. Cruz's tangle with the moderators "blew up on money," Roe added.

Less than two hours after the debate ended, Cruz's campaign indicated he had already raised more than half a million dollars. 

Cruz later patched things up with moderator John Harwood, who noted the two are "clearly not having that beer you mentioned." That was a reference to a Cruz's earlier admission that he may not be the candidate with which Americans want to grab a beer.

"I'll buy you a tequila or even some famous Colorado brownies," Cruz replied, drawing laughs at the mention of a state known for its legalization of marijuana.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: 2016election; cruz; debate; debates; demagogicparty; election2016; elections; media; mediabias; memebuilding; moderator; msm; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills; tcruz; tedcruz; texas
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To: gwgn02

Rand knew he was selling out when he endorsed McConnell.


61 posted on 10/29/2015 2:00:03 AM PDT by Theophilus (Be as prolific as you are pro-life.)
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To: gwgn02

Rand knew he was selling out when he endorsed McConnell.


62 posted on 10/29/2015 2:00:04 AM PDT by Theophilus (Be as prolific as you are pro-life.)
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To: doug from upland

Fantastic... Cruz is the only constitutional candidate... Shrill army would eat trump for dinner in a debate.. When he runs out of catchy phrases.. He is toast.. Cruz would... Well she has already been grilled by him on more than one occasion.. Flat tax.. Gold standard.. Remove every department of... O wait, I am awake now.


63 posted on 10/29/2015 2:08:50 AM PDT by momincombatboots (Back to West by G-d Virginia.)
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To: JediJones

It’s odd that being religious is viewed as a bad thing these days. Granted, mainstream has never loved a total Holy roller because they don’t want to be preached to unless they are in church, but more of the people used to actually want an upstanding Christian man in the WH.


64 posted on 10/29/2015 2:16:38 AM PDT by kelly4c (http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/post?id=2900389%2C41#help)
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To: Isara

He just needed that moment that all candidates seem on the debate stage.. he grabbed it and ran for the TD. Frankly, every single Repub on that stage last night proved they are far better for America than the pasty-white, socialist filth that populates the other side... and Cruz and Rubio showed an intellectual ability to destroy any rhetorical argument the dems have.

The dems probably have taken notice the GOP last night presented a united front for the first time. Doug Schoen’s comment to Hannity that the divide “shown on the stage” plays right into Hillary’s hands shows he apparently he didn’t watch the debate. Those 10 candidates — their individual appeal aside — sent the message to the dems their path to the White House will be a difficult one.


65 posted on 10/29/2015 2:40:56 AM PDT by ScottinVA (If you're not enraged...why?)
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To: ScottinVA

seem=seek


66 posted on 10/29/2015 2:41:37 AM PDT by ScottinVA (If you're not enraged...why?)
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To: Rightwing Conspiratr1

“I prefer Carson’s tax plan to both Trump’s and Cruz’s.
They let off those who make below $25K or $36K respectively.
No person should be exempt”

Yep, last I checked the Military defends all citizens. All should have skin in the game, even if its a paltry 1% Fed tax on the lower income workers.


67 posted on 10/29/2015 3:30:03 AM PDT by DAC21 (.z)
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To: JediJones

The beauty is he prepared this answer in real-time, memorizing all the questions that were asked throughout the night.
****************************
Nope. Ted Cruz has audiographic memory, meaning he remembers everything he hears (compare to photographic memory).


68 posted on 10/29/2015 4:06:05 AM PDT by octex
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To: Isara

Bump


69 posted on 10/29/2015 4:07:14 AM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: JediJones

Agree fully with your #44 posting!


70 posted on 10/29/2015 4:09:34 AM PDT by octex
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To: Isara

People only know the media version of Cruz. That came across in Luntz’ focus group. But Cruz impressed the focus group last night.


71 posted on 10/29/2015 4:17:45 AM PDT by St_Thomas_Aquinas ( Isaiah 22:22, Matthew 16:19, Revelation 3:7)
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To: JediJones

“A consumption tax is very unfair compared to an income tax.”

There is also the issue of consumption taxes being more avoidable - private sellers not reporting them


72 posted on 10/29/2015 4:18:58 AM PDT by Fai Mao (Genius at Large)
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To: 4Runner

It didn’t occur to me but after looking it up it seems the correct term is inconclusive. Although ‘wrack’ is closest in meaning it wouldn’t be necessarily wrong to use either word.


73 posted on 10/29/2015 4:37:54 AM PDT by SteveinSATX (C'mon Cruz, Trump or Carson ...baby needs a new pair of shoes!)
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To: Hetty_Fauxvert
Hetty -- The term **usually** used by the lamestream jackwads in the media is an 'audiographic' memory, which Mr. Cruz certainly has, in spades.

Ordinarily, one would think -- just as 'audiographic' is correlative to 'photographic' -- that there exists a term for 'audiographic' that is correlative to 'eidetic', but I'm hanged if I know what that term is.

FReegards!

74 posted on 10/29/2015 5:02:02 AM PDT by SAJ
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To: Seaplaner
"Yes. Can you imagine the uber-articulate Sen Ted Cruz in debates with whats-her-name?"

It'll be a thing of beauty.

75 posted on 10/29/2015 6:34:27 AM PDT by CatherineofAragon ("A real conservative will bear the scars...will have been in the trenches fighting."--- Ted Cruz)
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To: SteveinSATX; Isara
"Cruz is a closer. Nobody on the dem side comes even remotely close in a matchup. Too bad he doesn’t poll well. Whoever wins the nomination if not Cruz would do well to have him on their team."

He was polling horribly during his Senate race (-1, according to one source), and people were saying he didn't have a prayer of winning. But he knows how to play a very long game.

I'm behind him and no one else.

76 posted on 10/29/2015 6:37:01 AM PDT by CatherineofAragon ("A real conservative will bear the scars...will have been in the trenches fighting."--- Ted Cruz)
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To: Rightwing Conspiratr1
No person should be exempt.

Agree. People with no federal tax liability are natural Dem constituents. Why not vote for more free stuff, when you have no skin in the game at all?

77 posted on 10/29/2015 7:05:04 AM PDT by kevao (Biblical Jesus: Give your money to the poor. Socialist Jesus: Give your neighbor's money to the poor)
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To: sargon

He knows, as does anyone with any sense, that nobody, I repeat nobody will be able to champion basically trashing the current tax system. The ruling class would never allow it but you can play their game and start small and build.

He is suggesting what would be an incremental change to the system which would propel bigger changes in the future. You cannot just stop eating to lose weight you have to work it off by several pounds over time.


78 posted on 10/29/2015 7:14:05 AM PDT by Resolute Conservative
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To: CatherineofAragon

“Yes. Can you imagine the uber-articulate Sen Ted Cruz in debates with whats-her-name?”
It’ll be a thing of beauty.

She’ll revert to depending on her vagina.


79 posted on 10/29/2015 7:14:20 AM PDT by JayAr36 (How much more corruption will we willing to take from the Washington???????)
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To: JayAr36

I’m not sure she has one.


80 posted on 10/29/2015 7:28:51 AM PDT by CatherineofAragon ("A real conservative will bear the scars...will have been in the trenches fighting."--- Ted Cruz)
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