Posted on 12/08/2015 2:40:10 PM PST by Isara
Ted Cruz Proposes Three-Year Ban on Refugees From Islamic State- and Al Qaeda-Controlled Countries, Refuses to Attack Trump
Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz outlined Tuesday three pieces of legislation he thinks will keep Americans safe from threats by the Islamic State exploiting an influx of Syrian refugees - and dodged every opportunity to attack Donald Trump over GOP front-runner's widely derided plan to ban Muslims from entry to the U.S.
When asked about Trump's statement Monday calling for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States," the Texas senator said that he disagreed with that proposal but that he won't be an "ongoing theater critic" for every comment made by another presidential candidate.
"A lot of our friends here have encouraged me to criticize and attack Donald Trump, I'm not interested in doing so," Cruz said. "But I believe we need a plan that is focused on the direct threat, and the threat we're facing is radical Islamic terrorism."
When asked whether he thinks Trump's call to exclude a people group based on their religion is constitutional, Cruz dodged the question, saying instead that he's focused on his own policies and solutions.
"Certainly in the media there's been no shortage of criticism of Donald Trump," Cruz said. "I do not believe the world needs my voice added to that chorus of critics."
When asked if he would support Trump if he wins the Republican primary, Cruz said that he'd support any Republican nominee - but he hopes to be the nominee himself.
"I recognize that a great many folks in the media would prefer that anyone running for president would engage as an ongoing theater critic, criticizing the proposals of others," he said. "I do not agree with his proposal. I do not think it is the right solution. And the right solution I believe is the legislation that I've introduced."
Earlier in the press conference, Cruz introduced a bill to impose a three-year moratorium on refugees from countries where the Islamic State or Al Qaeda controls a "substantial amount" of territory.
"The reason is simple: We have been told by the FBI they cannot vet these refugees, and our first obligation should be protecting our national security," Cruz said at a news conference Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill.
A second new provision Cruz urged leaders in Congress to "pass immediately" is an opt-out option for state governors to decide not to allow refugees into their states, despite President Barack Obama's executive direction that they do so. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joined Cruz at the press conference and said that Cruz's legislation will make it possible for him to protect his state's citizens.
About 30 governors - Democrats and Republicans - have said they don't want to resettle Syrian refugees in their states, Cruz said. "Those officials are doing their jobs. They're honoring their commitments to the men and women who elected them. We need a president who will do the same."
Cruz also touted his Expatriate Terrorist Act, which he introduced last month but was blocked by Democrats on Capitol Hill. The bill would change current law to say that Americans who join forces with terrorists overseas will forfeit their U.S. citizenship.
"We should not be allowing ISIS terrorists to come into America with a U.S. passport and wage jihad against innocent citizens," he said. Cruz called his legislative proposals "reasonable, common-sense steps" to keep Americans safe.
"We know our top obligation is doing everything possible to prevent another terrorist attack, to prevent another San Bernardino attack," he said. "Because as long as the federal government is not doing its job, we know there will be another and another and another."
Now that you expressed it so succinctly, even I can understand it!
To me Trump is just plain more likable than Cruz. Trump has become so successful in the real world main street economy is exactly because he has that personality to attract people to him. His business partners like him, his employees adore him, his family loves him. On the other hand, senator Cruz can count his friends in the 100 member senate on the fingers of his left hand.
Go Trump!
That no one can find anyone in Trump’s past or present that has anything bad to say about him clinched it for me.
That is remarkable!
I can answer that easily. The Christians in Syria are getting their heads cut off with unsanitized dirty knives. Trump was willing to take those hapless Christians from Syria in for humanitarian reasons. That was the news on Sept 9th.
Then Trump saw who was actually coming in Europe as refugees. It was 99% Muslims, most were strong young men. Trump saw the danger and reacted quickly in a decisive manner.
It makes a whole lot of sense.
I like Ted Cruz but he is a lot younger than me and Donald Trump. I don’t think he has the perspective that comes with age yet. For instance Cruz is wanting to only extend the moratorium to certain muslim countries but that would not as far as I can tell include Saudi Arabia. The radicalized shooter’s wife came from Saudi Arabia so it would not have stopped the San Bernardino shooting.
Trump is right we need to stop all Muslim immigration and as far as I am concerned forever. They just don’t play well with others and they never assimilate into our society because their religion won’t let them.
Insightful...
Mercer, Wilks, Wilks and Neugeman.
Barton is the PAC leader.
They are evangelicals, frackers, pro-life, anti illegal alien patriots.
So does Cruz not have Wall Street donors, or PACs? I am not familiar with any of these names, but I know David Barton. He is a wonderful man. In my heart of hearts, I think Barton would not be “opposed” to TRUMP.
But, heck, even Ted is not opposed to TRUMP. It’s a funny world out there between Trump and Cruz.
I think you're onto the main thing. The advantage of Trump being his age is that he grew up in a great era when the Constitution was still our rule of law and the nation was proud, relieved and grateful after WWII, and a great General was our president. It was indeed a Christian nation in its principles and to a large extent in social behavior.
Everything started to change and become eroded after Eisenhower, especially in the 60s onward, with only a break from the destruction during the Reagan years.
Cruz has never been able to actually live in and experience a nation that could reflect its Founding documents and ideals.
You are correct in seeing that he has his face pressed to the window, whereas Trump has been inside the building, and he wants it back for everyone.
One thing about Trump is that he adored and respected both his father and his mother, and speaks of them with reverence to this day. That's reflected in his relationships with his grown kids, who are all successful, married and the two oldest are parents themselves.
Cruz had a tough time between his father leaving the family and his sister being a degenerate junkie. Those conditions have informed his Christian walk and I admire both him and his father for their repentence and forgiveness; but it has left an aura of insecurity in his face, a persistent worried expression, and a sense that he is self-consciously orating rather than just communicating from the heart as Trump does. None of these things are fatal to Cruz and will be refined as he continues through life; Trump has 25 more years' experience in life and has overcome large financial downfalls and personal disgraces with his marriages. I'm glad he has found a classy wife this time and they seem to adore one another.
They would make a great team, however, bringing their contrasting styles and skills. They seem to know it instinctively and are supportive of one another as ALL THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES SHOULD BE, but aren't, dammit. Such a pack of fools other than Trump, Cruz and Carson.
Cruz's big money is not from Wall Street. As I pointed out they are pro energy, evangelical and anti illegal immigration.
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.