Cruz Opposes Amnesty, Rubio Supported It, and Rubio Fails To See the Difference

National Review ^ | 11/14/2015 | Andrew McCarthy

[conservativejoy]

The current intramural battle over immigration policy among GOP 2016 hopefuls, a most welcome and most necessary controversy, is a useful example of why the Senate is such a tough place from which to run for president. Few senators make it , only John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama in the last 60 years , and only after short Capitol Hill stints that yield thin voting records. The reason is clear: To be a good legislator and to move public opinion on important issues, a senator sometimes must make proposals that, taken out of context, can distort the senator's overarching position, creating the illusion that he favors what he clearly opposes, and vice versa. No one should know this better than Senator Marco Rubio. Yet Rubio, a major culprit when it comes to foolish immigration policy, is now straining to defend his walk on the wild side by misrepresenting the record of his rival, Senator Ted Cruz.

Cruz has cast himself as the Republican field's most consistent voice against "amnesty" for illegal aliens. Yet Rubio, with an assist from former Senator Rick Santorum, claims that Cruz has actually advocated granting legal status to illegal aliens. Taken out of context, the charge seems colorable. But under the circumstances as they actually occurred, the proposal Cruz made was a case of intelligent legislating designed to expose the fraudulence of the pro amnesty position. It was, in this way, reminiscent of smart legislating by Rubio (and, for that matter, by Cruz) that highlighted the folly of President Obama's Iran deal. It would be disingenuous to portray Rubio, an ardent Irandeal opponent, as an Iran deal supporter on this basis. Yet that is exactly what Rubio is trying to do to Cruz on immigration.

[JoSixChip]

Thanks for providing that. It was back in 2014, which is good because it indicates it’s not just a campaign position.

[JoSixChip]

Listen, when you wake up in the morning, give thanks to Ted Cruz, the man who fought hardest to stop the Gang of Eight and unconditional amnesty and citizenship for 12 million illegals, 12 million new Democratic Party voters and a permanent Democratic majority. I don't remember Donald Trump letting out as much as a squeak during that long, bitter hard fought battle to kill amnesty. Ted Cruz was the hero of that battle.

That was Cruz's job, and he was not alone. Trump was not in the senate. That analogy is useless. And if you want to talk about what Cruz fought for in the senate, lets talk about TPA. Cruz voted for it against the advice of Sen Sessions. Even going so far as to say Sessions was wrong on TPA/TPP and taking out a full page add in the nyt promoting TPA. That was the point I stopped being a Cruz supporter. He is going to have to do more than put out a immigration policy paper that is slippery at best when it comes to deportation. If Cruz intends to deport all or most illegal alias, why not come out and be clear about it? Why the obvious non-committal political mumbo jumbo on deportations?

[SmokingJoe]

That was Cruz's job, and he was not alone. Trump was not in the senate.

Trump was not in the Senate? Hey that never stopped millions of Americans from speaking out strongly against the the proposed amnesty Bill or jamming the congressional switchboards in a desperate attempt to stop this heinous bill from passing. Trump was notable for his utter lack of participation in that fight, private citizen or not. Without the courage and leadership of people like Ted Cruz, the amnesty fight would have been over long before people like Trump decided to run for president.
So far Trump is all talk. He hasn't done a single thing to fight ANY illegal, unconstitutional, lawless executive action by the Obama regimen. Heck Trump even supported Obama’s illegal “Dream Act” which gives amnesty to up to 2.5 million illegals. On any range of issues including Obamacare, gay marriage, abortion etc, Trump is even more liberal than Mitt Romney.

[Patton@Bastogne]

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Ted Cruz : EPIC Plan to DEFEAT Obama-GOPe Illegal Immigration and HALT-PROSECUTE H1B Visa Abuse

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3360258/posts

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[JoSixChip]

Trump even supported Obamas illegal Dream Act which gives amnesty to up to 2.5 million illegals

That's just not true. Please don't tell me you believe hearsay from one illegal alien. If you have evidence, please present it. But if you are basing your accusation on nothing more the an illegal's statement, then I have solid evidence you are a Martin, solid by your standards anyway.

[Jim Robinson]

Rubio, the Gang of Eight amnesty pimp is an idiot GOP-e Cheap Labor Express pwn’d RINO!! And a fast talking liar and corrupt con artist. Totally unfit for the presidency. FUMR!!

[conservativejoy]

Some of the folks on here bashing Cruz need a reminder. If not for Ted Cruz leading the fight against the Gang of 8 bill, Amnesty would be the law of the land.

[Jim Robinson]

Go, CRUZ, GO!!