Ted Cruz's True Record on Military Funding and National Security Is Unassailable

The National Review ^ | February 16, 2016 | Jim Bridenstine

[Cincinatus' Wife]

As a military pilot and veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, I am proud that this week Ted Cruz showed us again why he is the candidate best qualified to be commander-in-chief. Yesterday he laid out a serious, detailed plan for a Reagan-style rebuild of our military that will enable us to utterly defeat the radical Islamic terrorists who have vowed to destroy us. Senator Cruz understands that the essence of "peace through strength" is having the strength to maintain peace, and he's ready to do this hard work. I am proud to have endorsed him and will be proud to serve under him.

Ted Cruz has proven to be a leader who is not afraid to stand up to bullies. He is true to his word. As a combat veteran, I am convinced Ted Cruz is the leader who will keep us safe, support our troops, and defend our nation.

Although Marco Rubio has promised not to "badmouth other Republicans," he and his campaign are now spreading the falsehood that Cruz doesn't care about our troops and are wrongly smearing a good man. They should know better.

The Rubio team has criticized Cruz for voting against National Defense Authorization Acts, suggesting that he's weak on defense. But Cruz had substantive objections to some of provisions in the acts, not to their funding levels. In legislation, sometimes you have to vote no to get to a better yes. You do that because you care about the troops and the Constitution they are sworn to defend.

He slams Cruz's principled stand, but Rubio didn't even show up to vote on final passage of the NDAA in October 2015. The next month, he skipped as well the defense-appropriation vote that actually funds the military.

Cruz was there to do his job and voted to fund our troops. Moreover, in March 2015 he voted for Rubio's own amendment that would have raised the defense budget from $620 to $697 billion for fiscal year 2016.

And Cruz has laid out the most detailed plan to rebuild the military. It includes increasing our Army to at least 525,000 trained and fully equipped soldiers, more than in Rubio's proposal. Cruz's plan increases equipment as well. It rebuilds our Navy, ensuring that we have at least 350 ships, and our Air Force, ensuring at least 6,000 aircraft, including airplanes and 1,500 tactical fighter aircraft.

Under Cruz, we can be assured that we have the strongest military in the world. To suggest otherwise doesn't match the record or the character of my friend and colleague Ted Cruz.

Americans' real concern should be with Rubio's candidacy. He's made deals with Democrats at great cost to our national security. As a member of the Gang of Eight, not only did he support massive amnesty while failing to secure the border, but he also supported giving the president unilateral authority to admit more refugees who have not been properly vetted. And he's stood by that dangerous proposition. Senator Cruz and other leaders in the Senate have introduced legislation to ban the entry of not-properly-vetted refugees from terrorist-ridden regions. Senator Rubio has chosen not to support the measure.

Recall that Rubio sided with the Obama-Clinton foreign policy in Libya, which was an utter disaster. "It turned out fine," Rubio said, just five months before four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, were murdered in Benghazi. Voters should ask whether that is the same kind of judgment that Rubio would use in other areas, such as Syria. He has polished his campaign rhetoric, but when the pressure mounts, he has been quick to abandon conservative principles and slow to keep his promises to voters.

We need a leader whom we can trust. We need a commander-in-chief who puts our national-security interests first. And we need a leader who will honor the Constitution and guide America into a secure and prosperous future. Ted Cruz will do just that.

Jim Bridenstine is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a Navy pilot, he flew the E2-C Hawkeye in combat missions off the USS Abraham Lincoln. He represents Oklahoma’s first congressional district.

[major-pelham]

Cruz is now George Washington for voting for an amendment that won’t ever become law to increase defense spending by 10% ?

Bring back Walker - at least his public union efforts would make a difference in the future of the Republic.

[GailA]

How do you feel about Trumps Draft Dodging? Google is full of articles from legit news sources. Even a UK paper has picked it up. My husband was pulling ‘friendly’s out of Nam when they evac the Amb. Draft Dodging and Hanoi Jane are still dirty words in this house.

Donald Trump Once Compared Dating Life To Vietnam War https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2016/02/draft-dodger-donald-trump-compares-dating-life-to-vietnam-war#sthash.9OxQNkUh.dpuf

Donald Trump set to come under attack over Vietnam deferments
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/12156009/Donald-Trump-set-to-come-under-attack-over-Vietnam-deferments.html

Questions linger about Trump’s draft deferments during Vietnam War
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/questions-linger-about-trumps-draft-deferments-during-vietnam-war/2015/07/21/257677bc-2fdd-11e5-8353-1215475949f4_story.html

Donald Trump, draft dodger, goes after John McCain, war hero
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/readersreact/la-le-0721-tuesday-donald-trump-mccain-20150721-story.html

Donald Trump avoided Vietnam with deferments, records show
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-avoided-vietnam-with-deferments-records-show/

Photos show Donald Trump in military uniform, with athletic teams before dodging the Vietnam draft with ‘bull-—t’ injury
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/photos-show-trump-military-garb-dodging-draft-article-1.2298248

Donald Trump’s Own Secret: Vietnam Draft Records
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trumps-vietnam-draft-records-secret-documents-deferments/story?id=13492639

2 S to 4 F deferment
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/trump-draft-deferment

[WhiskeyX]

66 Stat. Public Law 414 -— June 27, 1952
CHILD BORN OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES OF ONE ALIEN AND ONE CITIZEN PARENT AT TIME OF BIRTH; CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH CITIZENSHIP AUTOMATICALLY ACQUIRED

Sec. 320. (a) A child born outside of the United States, one of whose parents at the time of the child’s birth was an alien and the other of whose parents then was and never thereafter ceased to be a citizen of the United States, shall, if such alien parent is naturalized, become a citizen of the United States, when -—
(1) such naturalization takes place while such child is under the age of sixteen years; and
(2) such child is residing in the United States pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence at the time of naturalization or thereafter and begins to reside permanently in the United States while under the age of sixteen years.

Ted Cruz was born outside of the United States in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. His father at the time of birth of Ted Cruz on 22 December 1970 was an alien in relation to the United States, having Cuban citizenship and Canadian Permanent Resident status on the path to Canadian citizenship afterwards. Ted Cruz attained the age of sixteen years on 22 December 1986, at which time his alien father was a Canadian citizen and was not naturalized as a U.S. citizen. Accordingly, Ted Cruz did not meet the conditions necessary to “become a citizen of the United States” as required by Public Law 414 Section 320 CHILD BORN OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES OF ONE ALIEN AND ONE CITIZEN PARENT AT TIME OF BIRTH; CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH CITIZENSHIP AUTOMATICALLY ACQUIRED.

[higgmeister]

Words matter, and we ought to choose our carefully in respect to our fellow conservative FREEPERS.

Sorry I thought what I posted was so ludicrous that anyone would know it was a jest.

Not a Cruz fan at all. See my Tag line. I have already placed my Super Tuesday vote for Trump.

[Yosemitest]

It a good LOOKING chart, BUT (from their chart):

WHAT COUNTS MOST IN RATINGS?
Past actions as a legislator or governor are important.
Usually more important, though,
are the promises a candidate makes on his/her website, in official press releases and in statements reported in credible media.
We are looking for specifics in what candidates say they would do if elected President.
We usually give more weight to recent statements and actions.
But we watch for signs of deception and waffling in the past that challenge credibility.
We always give candidates the opportunity to clarify statements, especially in direct communication with us.

That chart does NOT give enough weight to the candidate's PAST ACTIONS.
Words mean little, without a past TRACK RECORD of ACTIONS and ACCOMPLISHMENTS to back them up.

[Yosemitest]

Thanks for the update, but the update looks the same, as far as the results.

[pookie18]

Yes, the results are the same, but the # of categories has increased in the 2/15 update...

[Yosemitest]

Thank you again.

[pookie18]

My pleasure...it’s for a good cause...

[momincombatboots]

Not a Trumpeteer.. He has a long, vile record that is unconstitutional, anti.. Just about everything I believe to be important. I thought for the first two weeks of campaigning it was nice to hear tough talk on the border.. Trade.. Then I remembered 2000.. He is, was and will be a progressive. Now I just laugh at the rent a crowd Trumpeteers who are still being paid by him, or volunteering for him on this board. You can always tell because they speak like he does.. I have been called a liar, demented cruzer, but at least my pick for prez isn’t scared of a girl, doesn’t support single Payor and corporate cronyism..nplus the things you mention. I am a vet, my only son is active duty. I do not support any war which we do not intend to win with the dogs of war. I served under Reagan... So that is my standard.. Quadaifi.

[GailA]

Several of us have been personally attacked. We are all long time FR Conservative members. I report the personal attacks. Jim has a firm policy against it. They are either paid hacks or rabid idiots who refuse to become educated, they like what “tickles” the ear forgetting the principals of the Constitution.

I’ve a nephew who is currently serving, my boys are beyond the age of Service, oldest is a Diabetic and youngest has eye sight issues that would catch them. Our family has had men in Service since WW2, in 4 branches of Service. Only 1 grand is of Service age, he just started college.

[GailA]

Mine is use all means necessary carpet bombing, water boarding works for me. get the stupid lawyers out of war. The first thing that should have been done was to destroy all those poppy fields.