Posted on 12/08/2015 11:05:56 AM PST by BlackFemaleArmyColonel
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said Tuesday he disagrees with Donald Trump's proposal to ban Muslims from entering the U.S., but repeatedly refused to criticize him for it directly.
"I disagree with that proposal," said Mr. Cruz, the GOP presidential candidate who is gaining ground on the front-running celebrity businessman in recent polls. "I like Donald Trump. A lot of our friends here have encouraged me to criticize and attack Donald Trump. I am not interested in doing so."
Mr. Cruz spoke at a press conference in Washington, D.C., with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to promote legislation to impose a three-year moratorium on the U.S. accepting refugees from Syria and other nations where territory is controlled by terrorist organizations. Throughout the presidential campaign, Mr. Cruz has been reluctant to criticize Mr. Trump even as other candidates have attacked the GOP front-runner for divisive and provocative anti-immigrant rhetoric. That could help position Mr. Cruz to inherit Mr. Trump's supporters if his candidacy fades, as the two share a message that appeals to anti-establishment voters.
Asked repeatedly by reporters to go further in commenting on Mr. Trump's anti-Muslim proposal, Mr. Cruz said, "I am focused on my policies and the solutions I am proposing... I do not agree with his proposal. I do not believe it is the right solution."
By contrast, among Republicans former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Mr. Trump was "unhinged," Ohio Gov. John Kasich lamented Mr. Trump's "outrageous divisiveness" and said he was "unsuited" for the presidency, and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said he was putting American lives at risk.
Asked if he would support Mr. Trump if he were the Republican Party's presidential nominee, Mr. Cruz said, "I will absolutely support the Republican nominee but I hope and intend for that nominee to be me."
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.wsj.com ...
Cruz wants it both ways.
No, he’s playing “Good cop, bad cop.”
Ted looking to get that VP spot?
He them may have added: "Hey I want to be VP or AG in the Trump administration and I don't want to piss him off.
Yep!
Ted will come around. They all will.
Just as Trump had them all freaking out about his immigration and deportation policies - which are now universally accepted - they will all adopt his “NO MUSLIMS” policy too.
Our nation’s survival depends on it.
Is he believing Trump will implode at some point and he can pick up the pieces?
” On the one hand, on the other hand”
That is what I would like to see. I wonder if Cruz recognizes that the best team would be Trump/Cruz.
Its sad to see that even the Wall Street Journal has joined the Cultural Revolutionaries who demand that everyone not only disagree with, but also condemn, the state-designated enemy.
Cruz introduced legislation to ban Syrians http://houston.suntimes.com/hou-politics-government/7/76/195193/cruz-prepares-legislation-to-keep-out-syrian-muslim-refugees
We can hope! I wish they would just be done with the back and forth garbage, and just announce they are running Trump/Cruz 2016!
Trump and Cruz need to know...
The GOP establishment doesn’t agree with him.
The GOP establishment is cowering to the PC warriors.
The GOP establishment is scared to death of ‘offending’ peoples’ soft feelings.
The base... the conservatives don’t give a rat’s ass about someone’s feelings.
The base... the conservatives back Trump on this.
And MANY MANY people back Trump on this but won’t say it because....... PC.
You beat me to it. Ted is trying to have it both ways and what he has done is allow Trump to move to the right of him on this issue. I think this is going to register in the upcoming polls and not in a good way for Ted.
Ted ... you’re my guy BUT ... repeat after me ... There is NO SUCH THING as a “moderate” muslim
Cruz wants it both ways.
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No, Cruz simply recognizes (as does Trump) that he and Trump are fighting a common opposition (i.e., the GOPe and its many candidates in the primary). They certainly know that there’s every possibility that they will need (to prevail over the GOPe and its allies) the numbers of their combined delegates that each has earned through all phases of the primary campaign.
Trump and Cruz have gone out of their way to avoid criticising one other. I support Cruz but have not criticised Trump. I also find Trump a very acceptable candidate should he get the nomination.
I would think it is reasonable to have Trump/Cruz in 2016, then Cruz for 2 terms beginning 2020. There may be hope for the U S A, yet.
For now, they both need to be in the race to keep any of the GOPe candidates from gaining traction.
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