Cruz campaign puts family out front

Politico ^ | 11/28/15 | Katie Glueck

[Isara]

In the Texas senator's bid for the White House, his father and wife are the tip of the spear.

To one degree or another, every candidate running for president has enlisted their family in their effort. But none have gone so far as Ted Cruz, whose surging campaign has placed his wife Heidi and father Rafael at the tip of the spear, leading fundraising and organizing efforts as if they were paid staffers.

Neither has a formal title, but as the Texas senator continues to roll out endorsements and assemble a growing network of supporters in the early states and across the South in anticipation of the March 1 primaries, the influence of his wife, on leave from her position as an executive at Goldman Sachs, and his father, a pastor who is a fixture on the evangelical speaking circuit, is becoming stamped across his campaign.

Rafael Cruz has been central to his son's evangelical outreach efforts for months. For many Christian conservatives, the first introduction to the Cruz family was through Rafael, who served as a key bridge between religious leaders and the campaign. Last summer he did a multi-city swing through Iowa churches where he was accompanied by the Cruz campaign's Iowa state director and preached about the importance of getting Christians to vote. His son is rarely the subject of his sermons - but it's implied.

For most of the campaign, Heidi Cruz focused almost singularly on fundraising. But after largely playing a behind the scenes role, she has started ratcheting up her public presence in recent weeks. She joined Twitter this month and has already done solo swings through states including Alabama and Georgia, maintaining a pace that sometimes rivals her husband's, with as many as three stops a day. She has a heavy travel schedule planned through the end of the year.

Just as important, Heidi Cruz has joined Rafael Cruz in quietly courting lawmakers, according to several legislators who are backing Cruz, sometimes forming a one-two Cruz family punch before the senator gets involved.

Bob Vander Plaats, a prominent Iowa social conservative whose Family Leader organization hosted a presidential forum earlier this month, has met at various times with Rafael, Heidi and Ted Cruz as he weighs an endorsement.

"Cruz definitely has made this a family affair," he said, ticking through all the spouses of candidates he hasn't met.

Like other candidates' wives, Heidi Cruz's public mission is, in part, to soften the edges of her husband, who is reviled by many of his Senate colleagues. But her actual portfolio is much broader, encompassing fundraising, strategy and tactics.

The Cruzes met while working on George W. Bush's campaign - and Heidi Cruz held several roles in the Bush administration - so she is as comfortable talking strategy with donors and GOP officials as she is in the more traditional political spousal role of opening up about family life and humanizing her husband.

"She's very sharp in her own right, very impressive," said South Carolina State Rep. Wendy Nanney, who got a call from Heidi Cruz during which the two discussed the Texas senator's record as well as Nanney's own work challenging abortion rights. "It was a great conversation with her, I was very comfortable, and that led into a meeting with him, [and my] being very comfortable and able to talk very openly."

Nanney is now one of Cruz's South Carolina co-chairs.

"Ted and Heidi are the closest Republican equivalent of the political powerhouse couple Bill and Hillary Clinton," said Cruz campaign chair Chad Sweet. "Their marriage was forged in the heat of a presidential campaign and their partnership in American politics has not stopped since. Each is a formidable politico in their own right."

Now, through social media and radio hits, women's lunches and phone calls to key activists, Heidi Cruz is intensifying her public efforts to shore up support for her husband, a mandate that includes showcasing a gentler side to a candidate who is rising in the polls but is sometimes stiff while working a crowd, and has drawn criticism from top Republicans ranging from John Boehner to George W. Bush.

"This election is going to come down to trust," she said in a recent interview with POLITICO. "If you are looking to trust someone, you need to know them, and knowing them is multidimensional...The news media loves to portray Ted as such a serious person, the media tells you he doesn't connect, and when I tell you these things about how well he connects not only with voters but with family, I think it goes against that narrative."

She talks about her husband's fondness for Broadway musicals and his inside jokes with their two young daughters, and in front of women's groups has stressed that he has compassion for single mothers, in part because that was his half-sister's experience.

"I want to show people that Ted can unite this party, that Ted is speaking to common-sense principles that bring us all together," Cruz said. "I also want to show this country that he is incredibly thoughtful, both professionally and personally. This is a man who's never missed a date night, who's never missed a birthday, who loves his girls so much like every father does in this country.

"Not all the public know that yet, and the media loves to paint him as a fiery, outspoken advocate for the extreme right that can never win," continued Cruz, vowing to show that that's not the full picture.

Steve Deace, an influential conservative Iowa radio host who is backing Cruz, had several meetings with the senator, his wife and his father. Deace's wife also had lunch with Heidi Cruz.

"They each have God-given roles and just complement each other very well," said Deace, calling them a "model contemporary Christian couple."

"Ted's got the killer instinct when it comes to pursuing principles," he said. "Heidi's got the killer instinct when it comes to gathering resources to run a successful campaign."

Yet Deace's first connection to the Cruz family was through Rafael Cruz, whom he met in Iowa evangelical circles. That's not an uncommon experience: Eric Woolson, who worked on Christian conservative outreach for Scott Walker in Iowa before the Wisconsin governor dropped out, told POLITICO recently said that he was constantly running up against pastors who were glowing about "how impressed they were with Sen. Cruz's dad, how much work he'd done."

[HiTech RedNeck]

For example, the hot potato of what to do with the surveillance that modern technology makes possible. Under the assault of something like the modern Islamic extremist jihadism, would you want someone like the CIA to know about it? While some serious effort is made to screen out the inevitable tempted abuses? Or all of a sudden you are utter libertarian here? Then why not utter libertarian about others?

[Isara]

Presidential Candidates Comparison (Cruz vs. Trump)

Please click on the pictures at the top of the columns for more details on the ratings of the candidates.

Budget, Spending & Debt
Civil Liberties
Education
Energy & Environment
Foreign Policy & Defense
Free Market
Health Care & Entitlements
Immigration
Moral Issues
Second Amendment
Taxes, Economy & Trade

More at Conservative Review: https://www.conservativereview.com/2016-presidential-candidates

Note: If you don't like the ratings for any reason, please contact Conservative Review's Editor-in-Chief, "The Great One," Mark Levin. But I have to warn you that you may get this response from him: "GET OFF THE PHONE, YOU BIG DOPE!"

[CatherineofAragon]

Thanks for posting, Isara, and for keeping the differences between conservative and liberal out there for everyone to see.

[HiTech RedNeck]

You mean thank her for highlighting tendentiously presented externals, but I already know you for that.

[HiTech RedNeck]

The more you present this “argument from authority” the lamer it gets. Especially Levin.

[Isara]

Trump's Record on Health Care and Entitlements: (from the Conservative Review)

Like any good republican, Trump claims to oppose Obamacare, even supporting conservatives’ attempt to defund Obamacare in the fall of 2013. Trump, however, is on record supporting “universal healthcare,” advocating for American adoption of the Canadian healthcare system. This places Trump’s policy inline with the most liberal members of the Democrat Party. Trump has also opposed free-market reforms to Medicare, arguing that growing the economy will solve the problem. To his credit, Trump supports privatizing parts of Social Security, but opposed the recent House GOP budgets citing entitlement reform as the reason for his opposition.

Trump opposes Obamacare, saying, "I will fight to end Obamacare and replace it with something that makes sense for people in business and not bankrupt the country." (USA Today)

Trump has advocated for universal healthcare in a system similar to Canada’s government-run healthcare system. “I’m a conservative on most issues but a liberal on health….We must take care of our own. We must have universal healthcare. Our objective [should be] to make reforms for the moment and, longer term, to find an equivalent of the single-payer plan that is affordable, well-administered, and provides freedom of choice.” (The America We Deserve)

Trump supports transitioning parts of Social Security to private accounts, saying, “Allow every American to dedicate some portion of their payroll taxes to a personal Social Security account that they could own and invest in stocks and bonds… Directing Social Security funds into personal accounts invested in real assets would swell national savings, pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into jobs and the economy. These investments would boost national investment, productivity, wages, and future economic growth.” (The America We Deserve)

Trump has opposed reforms to Social Security and Medicare, arguing that growing the economy will solve the entitlement program’s insolvency, but has not elaborated on his proposal. "I am going to save Social Security without any cuts. I know where to get the money from. Nobody else does." (Twitter)

Trump believes public assistance should be limited, and that religious institutions should carry the burden of caring for the poor and disadvantaged. (2012 Presidential Candidates)

Trump echoed Democrat talking points when referring to Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) budgets, arguing that they were too radical. “I’m concerned about doing anything that's going to tinker too much with Medicare. I protect the senior citizens. Senior citizens are protected. They are lifeblood, as far as I’m concerned. I think Paul Ryan is too far out front with the issue. He ought to sit back and relax.” (Today)

Trump opposes reforming Medicare by transitioning to a voucher program, but he has failed to articulate how he would fix the unfunded program. “I don’t think the Republicans should be out on this ledge….I’m studying that situation very closely, and if and when I decide to run ... I’ll have a plan. The seniors have to be cherished. They have to be taken care of.” (Christian Science Monitor)

Trump supported the conservative effort to defund Obamacare, tweeting at Republican lawmakers that “Congress must defund ObamaCare. It is destroying Medicare and breaking promises to our Seniors, including veterans” (Twitter), and “NO GAMES! HOUSE @GOP MUST DEFUND OBAMACARE! IF THEY DON’T, THEN THEY OWN IT!” (Twitter)

In what sounded all too similar to Obamacare, Trump told 60 Minutes that he would replace Obamacare with a plan that "covers all Americans." That the vast majority of Americans would buy their insurance on an open market, and that the government would pay for those that couldn't afford it. (CBS News)

Trump backed off his call for raising the Social Security retirement age to 70. He told 60 minutes that he would instead save Social Security by having "other countries pay for it." (CBS News)

Trump supports work requirements for welfare recipients. (Time to Get Tough)

[kygolfman]

Thanks for posting!!

[Isara]

You’re welcome!

[FourPeas]

[caww]

That’s a very cool photo!

[caww]

That’s a very cool photo!

[caww]

...”Trump would provide the covering fire that Cruz might not be able to bring himself to produce”....

Trump can’t provide anything that Cruz doesn’t have already .....more times than not already Cruz has “counseled” Trump....and as much Trump has mirrored Cruz on the issues.

[Jane Long]

....more times than not already Cruz has “counseled” Trump....and as much Trump has mirrored Cruz on the issues.

---

Do you have a link as to what, exactly, Cruz has “counseled” Trump on? First I’ve heard of this. TIA

I see it as just the opposite regarding the “mirroring”. (Especially on immigration issues like “deporting” and building the Trump Wall. Very glad to see Cruz coming around on those issues, though.)

[HiTech RedNeck]

We still do not see “Attitude” like we see in Trump. You are acting proud. I hope Cruz does not, but even if he does, God can use this as a lesson to Cruz. Like they sang in Damn Yankees, ya gotta have heart, miles and miles and miles and miles of heart... oh it’s great to be a genius of course, but keep that old horse before the cart... first ya gotta have heart!

[MeshugeMikey]

Thank you.

[caww]

To imply that Cruz doesn't have heart is just nonsense and evidences how little you seem to know about Cruz.......

"Attitude" isn't going to win the moderates and others the Republican candidate will 'need' to win the election, who want to hear and see 'more' than the "Trump-tenator" Attitude..... Which is good enough for his base supporters, and to keep the media occupied for ratings, but not sufficient to win the number of voters he's going to need to win.

Further the "heart" is the seat of the emotions and why I frequently allude to the fact, like Obama, Trump's focus is on raising the 'emotions' of his base and maintaining the hype, lots of telling people what they want to hear....then he adds his position on issues, vague as they are, in how he expects to make his plans work. He won't be able to be a dictator in Washington and really has no clue how it works there....the "Attitude" Trump has, the "my way or the high way", was plenty enough with Obama, it's not going to work again.

And of course I'm proud to support Cruz....he's the 'entire package' this nation needs as he not only knows the law but he loves our constitution and understands it's significance to how this country should operate for the people..as well as how it should be applied.....he knows how to 'move' the bar and raise it to where it needs to be and he has the team already to act from day one.

As said, Cruz doesn't 'need' to learn anything from other candidates....he's quite enough and then some on his own.

[caww]

[caww]

<<<<..." Very glad to see Cruz coming around on those (trump) issues"....>>>>>

You must be kidding....Cruz has been fighting on the front lines on those very issues in Washington and even now doing so...and he's got the scars to show for it...... Trumps simply "borrowed" them and given them his own drama and emotional twist to appeal to his supporters. But he has no history in fighting for them...talk is cheap, especially when laced with drama and showmanship tactics.

But of course it would be natural for Trumps supporters to fall into line since Trump has suggested Cruz is 100% behind his positions in one of his interviews.... it's understandable they would believe there is no history by any others except Trumps recent declarations. ..as if they're new. ...they aren't.

We all know there’s a mutual respect between Cruz and Trump for sure, but there can only be one winner..... Cruz’s subtle jabs at Trump recently are probably just the beginning of Cruz showing what those distinctions are....and of course voters will now 'need' to see a distinction between all of the candidates….. so we can expect this to become more obvious in the weeks ahead.

If you recall...Rush Limbaugh recently said... "Donald Trump is NOT a conservative" .... when compared to Ronald Reagan ....Cruz most defiantly is.....

At any rate...Cruz vs. Trump will be the heavyweight fight in 2016 the Republicans want to see. They’re two outsiders pushing their way into the conversation, one with the money to make it nasty...and the other with a rising star, smarts and savvy to hold his ground.... Imo...Cruz has the 'proven record' .....Trump is at best questionable he needs a cabinet appointment just to get his feet wet....I'll stay with Cruz and his 'proven record'....

[Jane Long]

Thanks for your reply, caww.

While we’ll (again :) have to agree to disagree on just who has fought on the front lines....(I believe it’s the historic GOP frontrunner who has brought important issues like illegal immigration, the wall, 2nd Amendment rights, etc to (ANY of) the campaign’s dialogue)...I had asked specifically if you had a source for the topics Cruz has “counseled Trump” on, that you’d mentioned...as I am curious about that. TIA.

[caww]

Cruz called first meeting with Trump and several thereafter....Cruz is smart you don’t think they compared notes in these meetings?

Cruz..... “I for one am grateful that Donald Trump is highlighting these issues, they’re critical issues, they’re issues I’ve been fighting for a lot of years.”

Cruz is a smart guy, and as a former national debate champion, he possesses the power of persuasion. Trump has been a loose cannon who has changed his positions on several issues over the years........ it’s very possible for Cruz to persuade Trump to adopt most of Cruz’s positions? It would be sort of like Cruz is the brains of the operation and Trump is the limelight-hogging mouthpiece

And just a side note...Trump donated $5,000 to Cruz’s political action committee last year.