Posted on 01/15/2016 1:15:14 PM PST by Isara
Time Magazine called this the “your mama” response in presidential political debates. Since the entire eligibility issue for Ted Cruz hinges on his mother’s status as a natural-born citizen of the US (thereby making him one despite his birth in Canada), Cruz’ pushback against Trump seems appropriate — if a bit of a reach. Cruz obviously prepared for this moment, and delivered his attack with considerable flair and relish:
Donald Trump Vs. Ted Cruz over Natural Born Citizen Issue - 6th GOP Debate (Video)
Trump, the bombastic billionaire, remains atop the polls nationally but locked in a tight race with Cruz in Iowa. That's why Trump has been shivving Cruz on his constitutional eligibility, even though most legal scholars consider this another sideshow. Cruz was ready with a rejoinder questioning Trump's own qualifications.
"At the end of the day, the legal issue is quite straightforward," Cruz said calmly. He had prepared for this moment. After all, he didn't win national debating championships by happenstance. "But I would note that the birther theories that Donald has been relying on, some of the more extreme ones insist that you must not only be born on U.S. soil, but have two parents born on U.S. soil. Under that theory, not only would I be disqualified, Marco Rubio would be disqualified, Bobby Jindal would be disqualified and, interestingly enough, Donald J. Trump would be disqualified."
The moment caught Trump by surprise. "Not me!"
Oh, yes, you. A woman born in 1912, in some voters' minds, might be the thing that finally disqualifies frontrunner Trump from the most powerful office in the land
"Donald's mother was born in Scotland. She was naturalized," Cruz continued with the calm of a former Supreme Court lawyer, which he is.
"But I was born here. Big difference," Trump said, trying to set this attack back on track and stretching out the adjective as long as he could. "Big" became a very big word. He knew the clip was going to be a cable news favorite.
"On the issue of citizenship, Donald, I'm not going to use the issue of your mother's birth against you," Cruz said. It was a fantastic reminder that no white paper, no policy address can compete in the modern era of political campaigns with the snide dagger stabbed just below a rival's rib cage.
Watch the clip all the way through to see Cruz’ level of preparation. Trump tries to respond to Cruz’ ridicule of Trump and this issue by bringing up Laurence Tribe as his expert, a move which is known as a fallacy of authority: Trump isn’t making his own legal argument, but simply citing Tribe as an authority. Cruz springs the trap by explaining Tribe’s political affiliation and his support for Hillary Clinton. Cruz practically licked his chops waiting for Trump to slip on that banana peel.
Will this make any difference at all? Eh … doubtful. According to observers who might normally not want to credit Trump, he had a very good night otherwise. Cruz and Marco Rubio reportedly had excellent nights, too. At this stage, the candidates are probably too well adapted to the format — and voters too familiar with the candidates — to expect any real game-changers from the debates. But those who want to see strategy, preparation, and delivery might find themselves more impressed with Cruz.
Oh. One more thing. Are you here to destroy Senator Cruz? If I was him, I wouldn’t want you as a supporter.
Is it true that Donald Trump’s mother was a NATURAL BORN BRITISH CITIZEN?
Trump opened a can of $hi! with his birther nonsense. Now some lefty will sue him to challenge his nbc status
> As Lawrence Tribe says, Ted Cruz is a Natural Born Citizen only if you adopt the “living” Constitution that says the evil, sexist founders should have included decent from the mother.
Not quite. This discards the singular citizenship of the parents and allows for split citizenship, which defeats the purpose.
She was a British citizen who became an American citizen four years before the children were born.
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Did Great Britain FORMALLY rescind her British Citizenship (there’s a process for that) before Trump was born? If not, she had DUAL CITIZENSHIP along with its potential impact on Donald Trump’s eligibility to be president. Bernie Sanders has a similar problem. This all needs to be hashed out now and formally ruled upon by the US Supreme Court. Trump needs to PROACTIVELY take steps to get that done.
Thanks Las Vegas Ron.
Why don’t you fly over there and find out. We will wait with baited breath for your return.
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Nah...the responsibility to clear up any possible problems or questions related to status as a “natural born citizen” reside WITH THE CANDIDATE—DONALD TRUMP SAID SO. I’m sure that Trump’s friendly advice to Cruz would apply to himself...don’t you agree?
Did you see anything in the Constitution or six Supreme Court cases on Natural Born Citizen I provided you indicating your issue was relevant at all?
The cases you cite are not germane to the current situation.
The Constitution states Presidential candidates must be natural born but doesn’t define the term. Other sections give congress statutory authority to determine citizenship classifications. Congress by statute has determined natural born includes persons born overseas or abroad born to one US citizen, mother or father. Cruz is a natural born US citizen.
I’m surprised you studied all those years and didn’t figure that out.
The cites I gave do define it. Please read them. Its not an issue in existing law. Admit you want to change it.
Argue it all you wish. But if he runs, this site will support him to the hilt. Those who get nasty about it and or attack us or our good patriotic conservative friends like Mark Levin or our very best grassroots conservative candidates may find they no longer have accounts here.
44 posted on 8/30/2013, 3:00:44 PM by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!!)
This post from over two years ago concerned Ted Cruz and the subject of natural born citizen. The Constitution gives Congress the authority to define the particulars of citizenship. The Congress through the years have defined natural born to include persons born in foreign lands to US citizens. These laws take precedence over any court rulings prior to that time. The law in effect in 1970 made Ted Cruz a natural born citizen. You may not like it but just as Jim said (and I agree) it is settled on FR.
“Don’t you realize that most countries in the world do NOT have birthright citizenship?”
Don’t you realize that we’re talking about a HIGHLY educated legal authority from America’s most elite colleges . . who has filed more than 80 briefs in the Supreme Court and has argued 9 cases before the Supreme Court Justices (more than any other member of Congress)?
Are you not the slightest bit appalled that he only found out mere MONTHS ago that he was a Citizen of Canada???
We’re not talking about a third-world nation from across the planet, where little might be known about their legal system as it pertains to birthright citizenship, or the lack thereof.
We’re talking about our nearest NEIGHBOR . . Canada!
For Ted Cruz to not have been aware that he held dual citizenship is unbelieveable to me.
Have you fact checked the little Cuban’s claims? Didn’t think so. You just believe anything he says, eh?
He just loves running thru this mess thinking folks will believe anything he says. He really sounds desperate, more so now that he is a known liar and does not seem to be getting any traction.
Path to Legal Status for Illegals
Cheap Foreign Workers on H1-B visa
Cruz pushing import of Syrian Refugees:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7-nLXGoSjpg
Cruz was alive in 1790? At 226 years old he’ll be on the cover of every supermarket tabloid.
Nope!
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