> “And to everyone here who loves Cruz so much, can anyone explain to me how much more effective he’d be as President in convincing people in his own party to reverse all this? He can’t even move the Senate.”
He can easily move the Senate when a critical mass of its members realize he controls their constituents. He need not be a Senator to do so. He will be much more influential as a Presidential Candidate to this group.
He need not control all Senators but only a critical mass, then many others will follow. He is winning in that the trend is many more Senators are getting behind him. Others are annoyed and angered, but then they can’t face their constituents with their annoyance so they meander around day to day with a ‘deer caught in the headlights’ look.
The US Senate is comprised of many followers, not leaders. They mostly follow the money and McConnell is the go-to-guy with the money as all lobbyists call on his office to bring the checks of their clients.
The screen writer of ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’ (Frank Capra, 1939) nailed it 75 years ago. You can view that film for $2.99 on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8Mon_wODYc); viewing it provides the fastest way to learn some of the most important behavioral patterns of the US Senate.
The Senate without an active border collie is like a group of goats waiting for someone to bring them some sugar; it’s a sleepy old boy’s club that hates disruption and activism.
Since repeal of the 17th Amendment the US Senate has become a body that caters to lobbyists that bring their client’s paid for demands. McConnell is their gatekeeper. In my view is he is a mediocre politician who happens to come from a state where many people go along to get along because there is no opportunity for them in that state (Kentucky). In other words, he is a loser from a loser state. Although he wins elections he loses the interest of Americans on a national scale because Americans can’t look at such a guy and think he represents them. He’s the perfect toady for those who ‘pay-to-play’ in Washington.
Cruz is a populist and is betting OVER TIME, that in the longer run the American electorate will overwhelm the toadies in the Senate and the House by trumping their actions and false words at the polls. Cruz is winning but the process of turning it around takes years. It requires energy, passion, dedication, tenacity, persistence and perseverance.
Cruz’ Modus Operandi is based on his superior mastery of the history and meaning of the US Constitution. All of his critics eventually find themselves arguing against the whole idea of America itself. They usually go through phases of annoyance, irritation, Ad Hominem reponses (e.g. “whackobird”, “extreme radical” etc.) but eventually when they get called on the carpet they clam up because whatever they wish to say is going to look bad for them in the historical record. In other words, Cruz puts them in a position of slapping themselves and they don’t like it. It’s actually comical.
No one has been able to take down Cruz because he too smart for them. He can whip anyone of them in debate and they know it.
In short to answer your question, look at the trend. Look at the numbers that are lining up behind Ted Cruz. The numbers are growing. He is winning. 2016 is his to own.
Outstanding post. Best I’ve seen here in a long time, and that covers a lot of territory. Thank you
Great focus on the limitations of what can be done in particular circumstances, and how Ted has done a great job with he has had so far, and how much more he could do as president.
Dittos also on keeping the long-term picture in mind.