From the article, there are two paragraphs that impressed me the most, firstly:
The questions started rolling, and Cruz fielded broad queries about executive overreach, shutting down government agencies, and changing the culture of Washington. But after the first couple questions, the Senator paused and threw down the gauntlet. “Let me make a brief request, which is just in general: no softballs,” he challenged, “Ask the hard questions. I suspect not everyone here is right now inclined to support me, so ask the hardest questions you have and let’s have a conversation.” Emphasizing the importance of forthrightness, he added a promise on his end. “I’m not gonna blow smoke at you. Where there are areas we agree I’ll tell you, where there (are areas) where we disagree I’ll tell you… And I hope you will come to conclude that where we are on the same page you can trust me to say it.”Among a highly skeptical audience, Ted Cruz challenges everyone to ask hard questions in a no-holds-barred Q&A lasting two hours! Cruz was intent on them hearing exactly where he agreed and disagreed with them. Cruz is confident in what he believes and doesn't insult people's intelligence with pandering responses. In my mind, just because Cruz appears before groups of Liberty Movement voters and fearlessly engages them to hash out common ground does not justify members of the media taking the lazy route and fixing a simplistic label of "libertarian leaning" to him.
Secondly, this paragraph caught my eye:
Inevitably, the conversation turned to 2016 and the prospects of the dueling candidacies of Cruz and fellow “Whacko Bird” Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. Likening the Republican Primary to the NCAA basketball tournament, Cruz admitted that Rand was strong in the libertarian “bracket”, but made it clear that should he run, he would fight for the liberty vote as well. “I intend to vigorously contest (for support from the Liberty Movement), and I think it’s entirely consistent to fight for liberty… and to fight for conservative principles as well,” said Cruz. He also noted that he was the only candidate in the country in 2012 to be endorsed by both Ron Paul and Rick Santorum in his Texas Senate race. “Now, those are two worlds that are not normally arm-in-arm,” Cruz explained in an understatement that drew laughter from the room.My goodness, can you say consensus builder!? Uniting libertarians and pro-life evangelicals demonstrates Cruz's message of reclaiming the Constitution and Bill of Rights appeals to a broader cross section of voters than the liberal media wants us to believe. It puts the lie to Democrat claims his philosophy is extreme. Draw in the Reagan Democrats after more exposure to Cruz in the debates and on TV/radio/Internet and we're well on our way to victory.
Amen. Exactly.
The window for the GOP to secure Cruz's nomination is fleeting and imperiled.
2016 is going to be interesting.
I am also impressed with his ability to remain cool, calm and patient when responding to difficult questions. He takes opportunities to educate when he responds. He is respectful. He speaks well.
Contrast this to Obama’s childish knee-jerk reactions and thin-skinned answers. You literally see him bristle if he doesn’t like a question or someone disagrees with him. He takes everything personally of course because it’s all about him.
Indeed the pressures will accumulate as the campaign advances. I think Cruz will be able to handle it well.