Ted Cruz Just Launched His Iowa Campaign

National Journal ^ | January 24, 2015 | Tim Alberta and Shane Goldmacher

[2ndDivisionVet]

The Texas conservative and his team are trying to lock down a state director for his White House run.

DES MOINES -- Ted Cruz's presidential campaign​ in Iowa is unofficially underway.

The Texas senator and his lieutenants have been making calls to top Iowa activists and consultants for the past two weeks, multiple Republican sources told National Journal, hoping to lock down a state director for his White House campaign.

Cruz has not yet made that critical hire, the sources said.

But he's making other moves in this first nominating state.

At the end of a fiery speech here Saturday to the Iowa Freedom Summit, Cruz instructed his cheering audience to send a text message with the word "Constitution" to the number 33733. Iowans all over the auditorium could be seen whipping out their cell phones and punching keys. Within moments, anyone who sent the text got this reply: "Together let's bring bold, clear leadership to America." The message included a link: " tedcruz.org."

It was an innovative way to collect contact information from masses of committed Iowa conservatives. It also erased any remaining doubts about Cruz's intention to run for president -- even if he downplayed the move, with a smile, when asked about it after his speech.

"What we're doing is, we're working to build a grassroots army in Iowa and all across the country," Cruz said. "Because the only way we're going to turn this country around -- it's not going to come from Washington. It's got to come from the American people. "

Judging from his performance Saturday, Cruz won't have trouble recruiting Iowans for his "army."

The Texas senator received a rock-star reception from the conservative crowd, which began cheering upon the first mention of his name. He delivered a speech full of conservative objectives – "repeal Obamacare" and "abolish the IRS," for instance – that was interrupted repeatedly by applause.

He suggested taking the 110,000 current employees of the IRS and sending them instead to guard the southern border. "Somewhat jokingly," he said of the plan. (The side benefit, he laughed, would the agents would scare away would-be illegal immigrants.)

Most notably, Cruz positioned himself to the right of all his potential rivals in the 2016 field. He warned the audience that all of the Republican contenders would fashion themselves as true conservatives when they are not.

"Talk is cheap," he said of his fellow Republicans. He then drew from the Bible – as he did elsewhere in the speech – saying, "The Word tells us, 'You will know them by their fruit.'" Many in the audience knowingly murmured the words along with him.

"Show me where you stood up and fought," Cruz challenged potential rivals on issue after issue, from Obamacare to gay marriage to the Common Core education standards.

The theme of Cruz's speech was "The Miracle of America" -- a message the senator was road-testing as a potential 2016 campaign slogan.

The message, as delivered here, touched on everything from promoting upward mobility to defending religious liberties to advocating a muscular U.S. foreign policy. Cruz told the crowd that "each of us have seen miracles every day," and shared with the evangelical audience how his father left him and his mother many years ago, only to become a Christian and come back to the family.

Cruz promised the crowd that even though times are tough in America, a "miracle" could be on the horizon. He said the country's current challenges are surmountable when considering the historic triumphs over Britain in the Revolutionary War and the Nazis in World War II.

"We have done it before," Cruz exclaimed. "We can do it again!"

[SoConPubbie]

Is there any explanation which will satisfy you?

Is so, please provide an example of one.

I'm just asking for the truth.

If you know why he did it, please provide the information.

[txhurl]

Hey, somehow there are ‘fr’eepers who do not see that we’ve run out of political track in America and we’re going off the cliff if we don’t unite behind the guy who knows how to kill and reverse all the Left’s bleeding-out slashes on our way of governance and constitution.

Ignore them, time’s too short to argue with our resident LIVers who don’t get how close we are to losing IT ALL.

[1010RD]

You’re inventing things here that just aren’t so.

I like Cruz and that’s not a throwaway line. I really do, but his greatest achievement is the Government Shutdown. That was a winner and scared the pants off the Establishment. I suspect that Obama worked hard to make it as miserable for Americans in cahoots with the Establishment because if people realized just how little government they needed the entire game would be up.

That was awesome, but it comes with some serious baggage. He’s elected in a solid red state. Walker was elected in a state that reflects the national electorate.

Walker was elected three times in four years each time with a larger win percentage. He’s a governor which is much better preparation for a POTUS. He’s permanently hobbled the Wisconsin Democrats and their progressive allies. He’s savvy and carefully weighs his actions.

Cruz is not as effective, although he talks a good game and I believe he is sincere. I like the fact that he’s running and I want his and, more particularly, Mike Lee’s (Lee’s the real idea man of the two) ideas for conservative populism to mold the race for GOP nominee.

In the end, if I were Hillary I’d rather run against a Senator without any foreign policy experience. That’s Cruz. The second thing is I’d like to run against a guy who’s easy to vilify, and that’s Cruz, but that’s also any GOP candidate, so not quite so critical.

Of the two Walker has much more relevant experience as Governor of Wisconsin, but even more critically as Milwaukee County Executive. That’s where he captured a lot of Reagan Democrats and changed policy there. That and the loss of the GOP candidate in 2006 made his win as Governor possible.

Walker is the better candidate of the two. Cruz brings nothing to the table as a VP and is best left in the Senate where his techniques are most effective.

[Yaelle]

Oh man, he looks like a gay Grandpa Munster.

[Bobalu]

lol...yep, sorta... now that you mention it :-)

[Balding_Eagle]

If you know why he did it, please provide the information.

Did what? And who is 'he'?

[iowamark]

The Texas senator and his lieutenants have been making calls to top Iowa activists and consultants for the past two weeks, multiple Republican sources told National Journal, hoping to lock down a state director for his White House campaign.

Cruz has not yet made that critical hire, the sources said.

This is troubling. Randy Paul, Rick Perry, and others spent much time in Iowa last year campaigning for Iowa candidates and making contacts. Cruz is late to the game.

[Diogenesis]

The Palinization of Ted Cruz will ramp up tomorrow
as the DNC and Romney surrogates begin to heelbite.

[1010RD]

Let's review these 'most important' qualifications:

We need the candidate who is most fearless in fighting for conservative principles, who will not back down, who is the best communicator of constitutional issues, who is the most intelligent.

The final one we can simply throw out as nonsense. Both Cruz and Walker are intelligent.

Most fearless in fighting for conservative principles has to be Walker, not Cruz. Cruz is in a very comfortable position politically, so it's easy to take very public stands. He's interested in forwarding his career and, when compared to other freshmen Senators, is a household name already.

Fearless is having your family and children threatened with harm and death by insane union stooges. Keep in mind that the Dane County Sheriff, a Democrat, let them run wild in Madison. It was very scary for Walker and his family. The threats were serious.

While Cruz is courageous and I'm delighted with his stands, he hasn't faced the kind of in-your-face Democrat threats in a Democrat stronghold and still come out the winner that Walker has. Walker made his changes stick. He's done something permanent.

Not backing down is foolish. e.g. See Obama. It's also undefinable and not defendable. This is a long game and you'll have to push and compromise and push some more to move the ball down the court. Has Cruz not backed down? I think he has and that's the smart move to make. You have to live to fight another day.

Best communicator of constitutional issues. I like Mike Lee the best here out of all three, but both Cruz and Walker are good communicators of Constitutional values. Cruz is always speaking to the choir, but his interviews for general audiences are level-headed and firm. He's done well there. Walker has done the same things and effected real, permanent change in Wisconsin.

Net, net, net Walker is the better candidate against any Democrat and the one most likely to defeat retreads like Romney and Jeb. Cruz splits the party and elects a Democrat. That's the sad reality. He's better in the Senate. He won't be able to beat the machine of Jeb/Romney in fundraising or in pulling in the Establishment.

Walker is a good compromise candidate that can unite the entire party - pull conservatives in and reassure the mushies like the CoC and RINOs - that's critical in beating the Dems. A Gov/Gov or Gov/Legislator ticket wins in 2016. Walker is the best choice right now.

[txhurl]

Cruz brings nothing to the table as a VP and is best left in the Senate where his techniques are most effective.

---

Which techniques, do you think has Ted brought to the table in the Senate?

[SoConPubbie]

Best communicator of constitutional issues. I like Mike Lee the best here out of all three, but both Cruz and Walker are good communicators of Constitutional values. Cruz is always speaking to the choir, but his interviews for general audiences are level-headed and firm. He's done well there. Walker has done the same things and effected real, permanent change in Wisconsin.

So, if Walker is such a great constitutional communicator, and such a great leader, why did he surrender on the Gay Marriage issue?

Cruz has that one right, it's a 10th Amendment States Rights issue, Walker WALKED away from the fight, why?

[skinkinthegrass]

😄

[Balding_Eagle]

You are a very good communicated yourself. Good summary.

I notice no other candidates, or candidate supporters, were belittled for their positions. As it should be.

[CPT Clay]

Whackobird

[SoConPubbie]

Most fearless in fighting for conservative principles has to be Walker, not Cruz. Cruz is in a very comfortable position politically, so it's easy to take very public stands. He's interested in forwarding his career and, when compared to other freshmen Senators, is a household name already.

Really?

Can you see Ted Cruz walking away from a fight on Right-to-Work?

Walker Says Legislature Shouldn't Focus On Right-To-Work Bill Next Session

How about Gay Marriage?

Scott Walker: Gay Marriage Fight Is 'Over In Wisconsin'

How about telling Tea-Party conservatives to just accept the GOP-E candidates over Tea-Party candidates in the primaries?

Scott Walker to tea partiers: Let’s focus on taking out Democrats, not our fellow Republicans

Ted Cruz would not have walked away from those fights, but Scott Walker has.

CRUZ or LOSE!

[CPT Clay]

Cruz/Palin or Palin/Cruz ticket?

I wish!!!

[SoConPubbie]

He’s a governor which is much better preparation for a POTUS. He’s permanently hobbled the Wisconsin Democrats and their progressive allies. He’s savvy and carefully weighs his actions.

Why is that a better preparation for POTUS?

We've had plenty of Governors who made crappy Presidents and we have had plenty of Senators that have either been OK as President or Good Presidents.

[SoConPubbie]

I like Cruz and that’s not a throwaway line. I really do, but his greatest achievement is the Government Shutdown. That was a winner and scared the pants off the Establishment. I suspect that Obama worked hard to make it as miserable for Americans in cahoots with the Establishment because if people realized just how little government they needed the entire game would be up.

Now you are just sounding like the GOP-E and the Democrat Media.

Cruz's greatest achievement is his fearless leadership on conservative issues. His refusal to back down on the correct position on important issues when just about everyone, on his side of the aisle, and the other was either abandoning him or fighting him.

Much like Reagan, he doesn't back down on important issues. Reagan would not have backed down on the Right-to-Work issue, but Walker did. Cruz would not have backed down on it as well.

Unlike Walker, he's not adjusting his policy positions because he is running for POTUS. He's sticking to his guns.

Sorry, Advantage, clearly, goes to Cruz!

[1010RD]

OK, I’m describing the inherent differences in experience between the two. The only known potential Democrat candidates are three Senators: Clinton, Webb and Fauxcahontas. Cuomo is in too much trouble to get out of NY.

That’s the matchup to beat. A Sen v. Sen match goes to Clinton.

[SoConPubbie]

Hey, somehow there are ‘fr’eepers who do not see that we’ve run out of political track in America and we’re going off the cliff if we don’t unite behind the guy who knows how to kill and reverse all the Left’s bleeding-out slashes on our way of governance and constitution.

Ignore them, time’s too short to argue with our resident LIVers who don’t get how close we are to losing IT ALL.

At a certain point, you are correct. But initially, at least, they have to be answered. They cannot go unanswered.