Posted on 01/08/2016 12:27:17 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Senator Ted Cruz is the most interesting candidate in the US presidential race right now. As a darling of the Tea Party, in 2012, he swept into the Senate, representing Texas, having campaigned on deeply conservative principles and policies. At the time, many dismissed him as a rabble-rouser who would wind up as a less successful version of George W Bush. Now, not only is he leading in the polls in Iowa, but he has also beat out senator Marco Rubio as the dark horse of the race thus far.
Cruz has been criticised for having some of the most conservative views in the contest. Though his conservatism is rooted in a strict interpretation of the US constitution - not the modern populism that has propelled candidates like former senator Rick Santorum and former governor Mike Huckabee to call for heavy defence spending and further government interference - his extreme views on abortion and the death penalty have many questioning if he can appeal to moderate Republicans, let alone independents.
Despite these views, however, Cruz has found support in some of the most unlikely places. Alan Dershowitz, the famous liberal law professor at Harvard, said of Cruz: "One of the sharpest students I had... I've had 10,000 students over my 50 years at Harvard... he has to qualify among the brightest."
During his career, Cruz has worked as both a law clerk to Supreme Court justice William Rehnquist, as well as the solicitor general of Texas; a job which led him to argue several cases in front of the Supreme Court himself. His experience easily pegs him as the most knowledgeable candidate on state and individual rights, a helpful title to hold when vying for conservative votes.
With a few obvious exceptions - including his anti-immigration stance and support for building a wall at the Mexican border - many of Cruz's policy proposals adopt progressive conservatism, meaning they rest more on evidence than ideology. He strays from the pack when the facts are clear, evidenced just this week when, according to the Wall Street Journal, he became "the first leading presidential candidate to oppose the federal Renewable Fuel Standard" - a farming handout that is protected heavily by the agricultural lobby.
When the TV debates kicked off, many thought Rubio was the one to watch: moderate, charismatic, with both "grassroots" and "establishment" likability. But Cruz has come out far ahead in Iowa and, if the polls are to be believed, he will be determined the winner in that state's caucus in just a matter of weeks.
My bet is that Rubio still has a small edge on Cruz to secure the Republican nomination. While the Iowa caucuses play a pivotal role for under-performing candidates, for whom it is the last chance to stay in the race, its voters are very socially conservative and have failed to choose the candidate that resonates most with the rest of the party in recent years.
But this is still anyone's race, and Cruz's prospects are looking up. If he wins Iowa, the feat will deliver a crushing blow to Donald Trump and potentially trigger the billionaire's downfall. Trump's main pull is that he's a "winner" - when he's not winning anymore, his campaign will inevitably decline.
When it does, someone will reap the lost votes. Six months ago, Cruz seemed like an after-thought; today, he may be peaking at just the right moment.
Wasn’t me. I like to watch them twist in the wind.
TeH AwEsOmZ. You haZ it ;)
I suspect he was a pro-abort retread.
I have found wagglebee to be the single best PRO-LIFE defender on the forum. And with a single ping, it was done.
I suspect it’s a current lib. And I suspect we’ll see more of ‘her’.
What cesspool are anti-FReepers posting at these days?
Look at all the liberalism being flung around FR lately. There’s your answer.
News today!
Former Cruz Supporter and Activist Endorses Trump (Andrew Hemingway, running for governor of N.H)
http://trumpstump2016.com/2016/01/07/thelaura/former-cruz-supporter-activist-endorses-trump/
I have no time for a proper posting, but I’ve been dying to roll this out. Found it while surfing.
It varies.
TrewBlew was taken over b one of their posters when the head troll walked away.
They keep their troll marching orders threads on a hidden forum.
I got an invite there a couple years back. The funny part was I got it freepmail during a thread where I was absolutely shredding one of them.
They arent very bright.
Ted Cruz debating Killary or Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders would be a clear cut win for him. PERIOD. Game Set Match!
No, they aren’t.
And over on their forum, they allowed leftists to run rampant unchecked in order to “debate” them.
As so many of the troll apologists said we should do over the years.
Well, predictable results were predictable.
What do other people think?
Please tell me this abortion troll has met the zot.
I picture one really big pole over there and it’s 50 below. The libs haZ their tongue stuck to the pole. Except for two.
One is sticking a fork in a light socket and the other is in a burn ward getting a skin graft on his hands.
None of them understand they physics involved.
He felt the power of the glow...and was divided.
LOL
So much for Cruz being unlikeable, lol.
I think they can relate to his love of science fiction, video games, etc. He’s not some old stuffed shirt.
(Love that graphic)
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.