The long knives come out for Ted Cruz

American Thinker ^ | March 1, 2015 | Thomas Lifson

[SoConPubbie]

“PALM BEACH, Fla. — In a wide-ranging speech to the Club for Growth winter meeting Friday night, Sen. Ted Cruz looked back on his 2013 crusade to defund Obamacare — an effort that consumed Washington, led to bitter Republican party infighting, and resulted in a partial government shutdown — and concluded it was a fight he probably never could have won. "Is it likely we would have altogether defunded Obamacare then?" the Texas Republican said. "Probably not. That would have taken an almost perfect storm. I was never Pollyannaish about the political factors it would take for that to happen.” - See more at: https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2015/02/no-change-in-ted-cruz-2013-story#sthash.NMdDxSkS.dpuf

This was then tweeted by York, as if it were some kind of confession that Cruz all along knew the shutdown was futile and was just grandstanding to the base.

 

Link: Ted Cruz: Obamacare defunding fight 'probably' wasn't winnable. http://t.co/EL5q3MVqVV— Byron York (@ByronYork) February 28, 2015

That tweet has gone viral, retweeted by Dana Perino among others.

Jeffrey Lord (another person I deeply admire) explains why this is a bogus point at Conservative Review:

 In October of 2013, Senator Cruz, along with Donald Trump, was a headliner of The American Spectator’s annual dinner in Washington. I was there, introducing Trump from the podium, and took note of Senator Cruz and his battle. Mr. Cruz’s talk was taped and is found here. 

The Texas senator made it abundantly clear that the shutdown wasn’t winnable because in fact the Senate Republicans “dive bombed” the GOP House that voted to defund Obamacare. Cruz was quite specific, saying that the strategy was as follows:

1. Mobilize the grassroots.
2. The House would vote to defund Obamacare
3. Senate Republicans would then unite with House Republicans. And then…

[napscoordinator]

I know you are extremely new here, but if you are going to reply to me please add more than a stupid question. Give me details....who what where when and how. You’ve given me nothing to work for except a snotty little question which I refuse to accept from a person who signed up a mire 3 days ago. You had better not do that to others or you will be out of here faster then you can type a word. You need to show respect for those that you reply too. Do I make myself clear?

[WIBamian]

If Walker is president and he passes amnesty, I will await an explanation as to why your ‘ordering’ me to be silenced was just, reasonable, and fair. I am a conservative who voted for Walker, but now realizes he is not a conservative, I gave my support to Tea Party rallies with tens of thousands of violent, screaming liberals surrounding me, I defend conservativism here, and across the Internet, with facts. You might not like the truth I present, but no conservative would dare treat another Tea Party member like you just did. Shame on you!

[napscoordinator]

Well first of all, you signed up 3 days ago. How the heck was I to know your bio? Second of all, this reply is complete. All I asked was for a more comprehensive reply at least until I get to know you and what you stand for. I am happy you are here but just need to know what you are talking about when you reply to me. That is it really. Welcome!

[WIBamian]

All is forgiven. Happy conservatism!