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.
Rand knew he was selling out when he endorsed McConnell.
Rand knew he was selling out when he endorsed McConnell.
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.
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.
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.
seem=seek
“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.
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).
Bump
Agree fully with your #44 posting!
People only know the media version of Cruz. That came across in Luntz’ focus group. But Cruz impressed the focus group last night.
“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
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.
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!
It'll be a thing of beauty.
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.
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?
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.
“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.
I’m not sure she has one.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.