Ted Cruz vs. Marco Rubio: This Is Where We Are Headed

Red State ^ | September 21, 2015 | Erick Erickson

[Timber Rattler]

The sharp and rapid rise of Carly Fiorina is, for me at least, another indicator that polling right now is volatile and flawed. I actually think if primary season started tomorrow, we’d find the last men standing would be Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) 100% and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) 92%, with Cruz having a slight advantage — for now at least.

[kabar]

No, what I am asking for is more information on these things, what proposals Rubio specifically favored, why that was so bad, what his current platform position is that he has articulated, how his ideas compare to or differ from the other candidates, etc. etc.

Do you support amnesty? Do you support increasing the number of foreign guest workers at a time when we have the lowest labor participation rates in 38 years? You have to do this research for yourself so you can defend your candidate of choice. I know where Trump stands on the immigration issue.

Also, immigration is one issue among many. So, for example, if Rubio is strong on pro-life and religious liberty, and another candidate is weak on those issues but stronger on immigration--or Rubio is very strong and knowledgeable on foreign policy, and another candidate just likes to blow off gas and say that things will be "great"--well, I weigh all these factors.

Immigration is the defining issue of our time. It affects every major challenge facing this country. Mass legal immigration will mark the end of conservatism in this country. Immigrants vote more than two to one Dem.

How Mass (Legal) Immigration Dooms a Conservative Republican Party

In 1970 one in 21 was foreign born; today, it is less tha one in 8, the highest in 105 years, and within a decade in will be one in 7, the highest in our history. In 1970 we had 9.7 million foreign born; today, there are 42.4 million. We have just had the two largest decades of legal immigration in our history. Over 35 million legal permanent immigrants have entered since 1990. 87% of them are minorities as defined by the USG

Immigrants are taking American jobs and depressing wages.

Immigrants use welfare to a greater extent than the native born.

[Charles Henrickson]

I guess I will have to add “gambling-house owner/ reality-show celebrity” to the list if Trump is elected.

[kabar]

Historical odds mean nothing. We just had our first black President who had two years as senator. Hillary wants to be the first woman President. What are the historical odds on that?

[kabar]

We already had a movie star as President. It didn’t turn out too badly.

[libbylu]

He lost me on gang of eight. I asked them to remove me from their lists and they kindly did. Took my trust away. I think he could be a useful idiot for the GOPee. He will not get my vote in the primary.

[Charles Henrickson]

I oppose illegal immigration. I do not oppose legal immigration. My own grandparents came here as legal immigrants from Sweden.

I heard Rubio speak on the question of illegal immigration at the recent candidate forum in South Carolina. He spoke well about securing the border. He spoke well about tracking guest workers, so that they do not overstay their visas. He spoke well about ways to prevent and disincentivize employers from hiring illegal workers. Now the one question I would like to hear more from him on is what to do with those already here, which is a stickier wicket, in terms of what is realistically attainable. So I will be listening for that in the debates and interviews I catch in the coming months.

[ripnbang]

How does Trump propose to physically deport ALL those millions who have entered illegally? Is that realistic or is it just rhetoric? And then to let the “good ones” back in—a path to citizenship—to me that sounds like a form of amnesty.

---

I suggest you read his position paper on immigration. With respect to deportation...if the current law is enforced, a few that are overstaying their Visa are deported and when the spigot is turned off for the freebies, they will leave on their own in droves. Remove the incentive for them to come here illegally.

With respect the “good ones”, he’s saying those that have specific talents and contributions would be allowed to apply for entry the legal way just like the rest. No amnesty, they have to leave first, and follow the law and process.

[stars & stripes forever]

TED CRUZ has the $$$$ and the infrastructure to become POTUS.

[Charles Henrickson]

We already had a movie star as President. It didn’t turn out too badly.

Who, over the preceding sixteen years, had been a leading conservative spokesman and the two-term governor of one of our largest states.

[LS]

No. Sorry, but Cruz won't get much above 10%. I think he'll stay in by virtue of a deal he has with Trump a) not to attack Trump (and vice versa) and b) to keep Trump's right flank pinned down. I think they had this in place since either the first, or second, meeting in NYC.

Cruz will likely get VP, or AG, with the understanding that he gets the USSC slot when Ginzy croaks or retires. Cruz has money, but the GOPe won't let him get the consolidation of the Bush/Walker people.

The GOPe will unite behind Rubio. Fiorina will be out. Look for a visual, probably after Trump locks up the majority of the delegates he needs on Super Tues., of Carson, Cruz, and Trump together, with Carson being tabbed for HHS.

[LS]

Man, what game have you been watching. He has people on the ground in all the early states, is already on the ballot. He doesn't need to start the Super Tuesday states for another few weeks.

Trump has this pretty much locked up. He'll smack down "last-gasp Rubio," but it really won't be close. Rubio might win one or, at most, two primaries. By then Trump will have 10-12 and will have been second choice in whatever he doesn't win.

[Artemis Webb]

I think this is the likely GOP race. I think Trumps ceiling is very limited.

[kabar]

How does Trump propose to physically deport ALL those millions who have entered illegally? Is that realistic or is it just rhetoric?

The proponents of amnesty are wont to create the false choice between mass deportation and a blanket amnesty. The premise is that since you can't deport 11 to 30 million illegal aliens, you must grant them amnesty.

We have other choices. One is called attrition thru enforcement. From the outset, you start enforcing the immigration laws of the country. It is illegal for illegal aliens to work here and it is illegal for employers to hire them. You shut off the job magnet with mandatory e-verify. You secure the border and set up a system to track and deport visa overstays who comprise 40% of the illegal aliens.

You eliminate sanctuary cities and enlist state and local law enforcement resources to help identify, apprehend, and deport illegal aliens.

Most of the illegal aliens will go home if you make it very difficult for them to live here. We have empirical evidence it works from AZ when it imposed mandatory e-verify for all businesses in the state.

Trump goes to some length in his position paper on how enforcement will work. Here is the link, Immigration Reform That Will Make America Great Again--The three core principles of Donald J. Trump's immigration plan

And then to let the “good ones” back in—a path to citizenship—to me that sounds like a form of amnesty.

I agree. Trump is winging it and should stop saying it. It undermines his position paper, which really comes from Jeff Sessions office. Trump makes it sound like a variation of Mike Pence's old scam. But Trump is adamant that they must leave the country. No other candidate is saying that. All the others with the possible exception of Santorum support amnesty.

[Charles Henrickson]

One is called attrition thru enforcement. From the outset, you start enforcing the immigration laws of the country. It is illegal for illegal aliens to work here and it is illegal for employers to hire them. You shut off the job magnet with mandatory e-verify. You secure the border and set up a system to track and deport visa overstays who comprise 40% of the illegal aliens.

And I have heard Rubio, out of his own mouth, advocate exactly those measures, when he was asked about the issue at the recent candidate forum in South Carolina.

[libbylu]

Great benefit, the acting, if you ask me.
Hard pressed to get conservatives here in Florida on board with Rubio. Gang of 8 cringe worthy.
Cruz is my guy. If he pulls it off I hope he hires Trump to build that glorious wall. I want that wall, I think money was appropriated years ago? That alone would be enough for me to vote for Trump.

[meadsjn]

Rubio is not redeemable. He sold out to the commies as soon as he hit the Senate, and nothing he says can be believed. He is simply an enemy of US citizens, as are the other Gang-of-14 senators, and ALL of the Democrats.

Cruz has made a few mistakes and misstatements, but he's not yet totally lost to America. That could change overnight, though.

[kabar]

With Trump in particular, I want to hear what comes out of the guy's mouth, not just some position paper his staff has posted. When Trump speaks, to me he sounds very shallow and lacking substance. He's also arrogant and rude and narcissistic, and I find his personal character and demeanor very off-putting.

Talk is cheap and deceiving. I want to see exactly what the candidate is proposing and not what I want to hear. All of these politicians are not delivering on their promises. Are you happy with the GOP-controlled Congress and the results they have achieved vis a vis their promises?

You will never like Trump no matter what he says or does or how he says it. You are not a Trump supporter so be it. Trump is not a politician. He does not speak and act like one. He is not a policy wonk who can recite statistics and refer to legislation. He is different and in my view refreshing. I want a doer not a talker. We need competence and leadership in the WH. I have no doubt Trump will be a good executive and manager. The expertise will be readily available from the career employees.

Furthermore, if you're willing to overlook Trump's long history of liberalism on many issues, if you're willing to trust that now he's had a sudden conversion to conservatism, even if he can't articulate constitutional conservatism in any depth when he speaks--then would it be possible that Rubio could improve and strengthen his position on immigration, as he remains conservative on other issue

I don't care about political labels any more. And immigration is the litmus test for me. Everything else is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic if we don't get that right.

In any case, for now, Cruz remains my top choice. I see no need to consider Trump, whom I do not trust to be a conservative.

Cruz is not as conservative as you think. His positions on immigration are not conservative. And his support from the Club for Growth and a big time hedge fund operator give me pause.

[kabar]

I oppose illegal immigration. I do not oppose legal immigration. My own grandparents came here as legal immigrants from Sweden.

No one opposes legal immigration. But do you support 1.1 million legal permanent immigrants a year along with 640,000 guest workers annually. It is the levels or numbers of legal immigrants that need to be addressed. Immigration to America is a privilege, not a right. Our legal immigration policies should serve our national interests.

Now the one question I would like to hear more from him on is what to do with those already here, which is a stickier wicket, in terms of what is realistically attainable. So I will be listening for that in the debates and interviews I catch in the coming months.

LOL. It is in his Gang of 8 bill. They are to be legalized with an eventual path to citizenship. He has not moved from that position. Have you checked his website?

[kabar]

TED CRUZ has the $$$$

Here’s where Ted Cruz gets his campaign money

Hedge-Fund Magnate Robert Mercer Emerges as a Generous Backer of Cruz

[kabar]

You need to read the Gang of 8 bill. Rubio isn’t for deporting the illegal aliens, except the criminals. Those measures he advocates won’t affect those already here. They get legalized.