Posted on 12/15/2014 5:50:09 PM PST by Jim Robinson
WASHINGTON - Stepping into an elevator on his way out of the U.S. Capitol Friday night, Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell - the next Senate Majority Leader - bid reporters farewell. "See you Monday," he said.
By agreement with Democrats, a budget showdown risking a potential government shutdown had been pushed back a couple of days, creating breathing room for senators in both parties while they made plans for a pre-holiday weekend.
Sen. Ted Cruz had other ideas.
In a maneuver that would put the junior Republican senator from Texas at the center of another high-stakes political drama, Cruz pressed a constitutional point of order to block funding for President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration.
The move, dismissed as futile by leaders in both parties, ignited an instant uproar in the halls of Congress, further burnishing Cruz's image as a tea party firebrand less concerned with pragmatic lawmaking than ideological warfare.
While the political wisdom of Cruz's action will long be debated, veteran GOP strategists said there is little doubt it would play well to the conservative base he needs to cultivate if he runs for president in 2016. At the same time, analysts say it could further damage his prospects for working to advance a constructive agenda with a new Republican leadership intent on shedding Congress' image of dysfunction.
"What's bad for him in Washington is good for him everywhere he needs to win to be the GOP nominee," said Steve Deace, a syndicated radio host based in Iowa, the first-in-the-nation presidential caucus state. "I don't think there are enough words in the English language that adequately describe how much Washington, D.C., is hated by everyone outside Washington, D.C."
(Excerpt) Read more at houstonchronicle.com ...
I would like to see Mike Lee as Majority Leader. He’s incredibly articulate and lockstep with Cruz. Cruz needs to be the one out front pushing to the right, and Lee needs to be the one making it happen inside the Senate and as the spokesperson for the best possible deal.
Right now, we have pure capitulation to the left out of fear. Our side knows we can’t get everything we want, but with the current leadership, we get nothing. Lee would have pure confidence from the right flank but also be able to legislate and make deals to get the best results possible.
Who could turn down a cruz to DC?
Traitors!
Bothers me too.
"Of course I robbed the bank and murdered a few people, what are you? Some kind of ideologist? Stop being such a firebrand!"
I expect the brains and principled determination of Cruz, to out maneuver the gamesmanship of McConnell.
WIth his 22 followers, and likely adding 7 of the 9 field advantage held by Republicans in the new Senate, we may see Cruz with a 29 to 25 majority, among GOP Senators.
So, unless Mitch wants to start caucusing with the Dems in broad daylight, he better learn to pay Ted a bit more respect.
Mitch simply doesn’t have the luxury of threatening 29 Senators with back bench assignments....and risks having his own arse planted in a back bench if he’s not careful.
Spot on.
The backing of Ted Cruz amongst my friends is overwhelming! I will never ever cast a vote for another Bush, let alone an establishment Republican.
Therein lies the problem. They just want to "go along" to "get along" rather than stand up for the preservation of the constitution and our country.
Yep, good reason Primaries are so important.
Boehner’s budgeting has allowed Democrats endless credit to spend, spend, spend...
“At the same time, analysts say it could further damage his prospects for working to advance a constructive agenda with a new Republican leadership intent on shedding Congress’ image of dysfunction.”
Must be Rove. I love it when the GOPe gets their panties in a wad.
Our founders set the system for battle, not lightweights and traitors
looking for the easy way to get by.
Yep.
I concur!
GO CRUZ!
They’re also made of savvy and Cruz knows that the genteel business as usual approach needs to be exposed. Why should DC get it easy?
Isn’t the jury still out on Gowdy?
I have my doubts about him with immigration.
The hated rats should feel a bit more comfortable knowing we hate the GOP, bone head and mcconnell more! You go Cruz we’re with you all the way bury them all
Mr. Robinson,
From Mr Deace’s comments:
” ‘This is the one they don’t like.’”
“They”= the GOP e , RINOs and their ilk...
Sen. Cruz is the one to unite the conservative, grassroots, TeaParty folks... in congress and in these United States!
Sen. Cruz’ heart is with the people, and the people’s heart is with him....
Sen. Cruz knows what is at stake here ....
And I say to him, like Braveheart Wallace said,
Unite us!
Unite the clans!
Its all for nothing if we don’t have our freedom!
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