Author Topic: Why Ted Cruz Is More Electable Than You Think (Read 9516 times)

libertybele · « **on:** March 30, 2015, 01:21:31 am »

This is a great op-ed piece and I couldn't agree more. Point well made; "There's something to be said about a legislator that has operated in the belly of the beast and remained true to himself and his constituents."

Why Ted Cruz Is More Electable Than You Think

Ted Cruz is the candidate most likely to take our country from where it's arrived under the leadership of President Obama to where it should be - in the hands of "We the People." His authenticity and consistency are just two of the advantages he has over the rest of the field-in-waiting. He says what he means, he means what he says, and Washington knows it.

Expectedly, the knives are out against Sen. Cruz, and they're coming from both sides of the aisle. There's no doubt in my mind however, many of those knives will be dulled once the presidential debates begin. Critics have begun questioning Cruz's experience, intentions, judgment, likeability and overall appeal. However, if Sen. Cruz can persuade "establishment voters" of his electability, illustrate his in depth understanding of the separation of powers, communicate how silly it is to compare his tenure in the senate to that of President Obama's, and continue to stand against the progressive left who are determined to expand the powers of the federal government (particularly the executive branch) he could be America's last best hope.

The only thing worse than establishment politicians are establishment voters that habitually fill in the ballot for their party candidate no matter how many promises he or she breaks. Why? Because they don't want to see "their guy" from their party lose. Unequivocally they buy into the same old establishment arguments from the media and the parties themselves. For example: "he's unelectable," "he's too extreme" or "he doesn't have enough experience." The latter would be a valid argument if the country's moral decadence and federal deficits hadn't skyrocketed during the reign of experienced politicians.

I appreciate the executive experience that governors bring to a presidential race, but state politics are unlike Washington politics. Governors practice activism on behalf of their state; presidents should practice restraint for the betterment of their country. There's something to be said about a legislator that has operated in the belly of the beast and remained true to himself and his constituents. What makes Sen. Cruz unique is that he's well acquainted with arguing cases in front of the Supreme Court as Solicitor General. He did so nine times. He's shown courage, conviction and efficiency working within both the judicial and legislative arms of our federal government amounting to two-thirds of our government! Why shouldn't we believe he's capable to lead the executive branch?

...It is a fact that Obama lacked executive experience...On the other side of the spectrum stands Senator Cruz who believes in American Exceptionalism and constitutional originalism. I'm confident that a man with such convictions will make for a great president...

http://townhall.com/columnists/carljackson/2015/03/29/why-ted-cruz-is-more-electable-than-you-think-n1977390/page/2

Formerly Once-Ler · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2015, 03:34:27 am »

Quote

he could be America's last best hope.

I wonder who are the back up candidates for passengers on the Cruz Ship.
I really love Gov Walker but I'm not sure he's ready. I also love Gov Perry. I'm pretty sure he is ready. Rubio and Paul are my back ups.

Do Sen Cruz fans have a back up?

truth_seeker · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2015, 04:28:15 am »

But first he would need to win the nomination.

Formerly Once-Ler · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2015, 05:49:38 am »

Quote from: libertybele on March 30, 2015, 05:02:26 am

We don't need a back up candidate.

That sounds a bit like Sen Cruz's plan on day 16 of the Oct 2013 shutdown.

Senator Ted Cruz or Bust then. Good Luck.

Longiron · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2015, 03:17:44 pm »

Quote from: truth_seeker on March 30, 2015, 04:28:15 am

But first he would need to win the nomination.

As much as some, myself included are TC fans that is going to be the hard part running under the R label. One it is TOXIC to most Independents especially the independents that left the party.2. The RINOGOP can fix the Primary and they have every intention to do so, Remember MS. They will do this via the crossover vote in states that allow anyone to vote in either Primary. The FIX is in for JEB with the RINOGOP, DEMS Media, and LIBS. The R party has pushed the conservatives to the back of the BUS in the last R Convention. If somehow TC can over come this and become the candidate he will be the next POTUS regardless whom the DEMS run? Put Jeb in and we get another DEM for POTUS.

Fishrrman · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2015, 04:16:25 pm »

Random thoughts:

Cruz v. over-the-Hillary in 2016 harks the memory back to Goldwater v. Johnson in 1964.

I could happily put a mark on the ballot for Senator Cruz.
I will NOT put a mark on the ballot for another Bush.

It really doesn't matter who I mark the ballot for in my state.
No Republican is going to win a presidential race here again, anyway.
When Joe Lieberman was forced to run here as an independent, the Republican candidate for Senator got a whopping 17% of the vote. SEVENTEEN percent.

Luis Gonzalez · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2015, 05:01:06 pm »

In order Cruz to be elected POTUS he will need the vote of the entirety of the Republican voter base. You know, those R word lemmings that purists are constantly criticizing for voting "Party not conscience" for decades now.

All that while conservatives still proclaim that they will not vote for an "establishment" nominee.

So the conservatives who claim that they are running against the establishment and won't vote for an "establishment" candidate, can't win the election without the "establishment" voters, those people who vote "R" irrespective of who the nominee is and that they have been badmouthing for years.

Maybe establishment GOP voters will claim the high ground vacated by the evangelicals in the last general election if Cruz wins the nomination and finally get some respect from the purists.

Quite the quandary.

Lando Lincoln · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2015, 05:36:54 pm »

Luis Gonzalez · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2015, 05:53:53 pm »

Quote from: libertybele on March 30, 2015, 05:32:23 pm

No he doesn't need the entirety of the Republican voter base. First of all he needs to become the nominee. Being simplistic (other scenarios can happen though usually not likely); in order to do so he needs the most delegates from all the primaries and caucuses. When Cruz becomes the nominee the Rhinocerotidae will have a choice; they can either vote for him or a Democrat or 3rd party. The nominee to be president will have to have the majority of electoral votes.

My hunch is it's going to be a very interesting election with Ted having a few surprises.

Because you say so?

I see you're still calling people names. Do you think that's the way to win voters over to Cruz?

Quote

When Cruz becomes the nominee the Rhinocerotidae will have a choice; they can either vote for him or a Democrat or 3rd party.

When Bush wins the nomination, your choice will be to vote for him, the Democrat or 3rd party.

BTW, you forgot the obvious.

Not voting is a choice as well.

Luis Gonzalez · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2015, 06:04:14 pm »

I am a life-long Dallas Cowboys fan. Will always be one.

Living in South Florida, I constantly gets asked why I am not a Dolphins fan. I actually cheer for damned near anyone who plays against the Fins with the exception of the Patriots and the Eagles (if they happen to play each other).

The only answer that I can give those people is that I don't really hate the Fins, I hate their friggin' fans because of all the name calling and non-stop crap they gave me about being a Cowboys fan and not a Dolphins fan.

Cruz is barreling down that road at the speed of sound.

truth_seeker · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2015, 06:25:32 pm »

Cruz needs votes from the very people that his mean supporters INSIST on calling names.

Strangely whenever I refer to Dale Carnegie's 1936 best selling book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People," they NEVER remark or even respond. The idea of this book, getting interest or getting through to these "real conservatives@" is not on their radar screens, so wrapped up are they with daily chanting to each other.

The dominant characteristic of these supporters, as with most "real conservatives@," is they already know everything. Let me repeat, they already know everything.

In TRUTH, whereas most conservatives are information and fact driven, these zealots are emotion driven. Show them facts contrary to their rigid beliefs, and they simply ignore them, and go back to chanting.

I've watched politics for decades. I think the education levels, incomes and IQs of "real conservatives@" are declining, and statistics back that up. They are moving closer to a regional, white peoples' movement.

For the record, Gallup reports on party affiliation. Last count, the TOTAL GOP was 27%, so FACTS say they need EVERYBODY, plus lots MORE.

But who relies on FACTS, when they can do a conservative circle-emote. It is a derivative of the olde Republican circular firing squad. The new version is to strive daily, to piss off people who's votes your candidate desperately needs.

musiclady · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2015, 06:27:23 pm »

Quote from: libertybele on March 30, 2015, 05:32:23 pm

No he doesn't need the entirety of the Republican voter base. First of all he needs to become the nominee. Being simplistic (other scenarios can happen though usually not likely); in order to do so he needs the most delegates from all the primaries and caucuses. When Cruz becomes the nominee the Rhinocerotidae will have a choice; they can either vote for him or a Democrat or 3rd party. The nominee to be president will have to have the majority of electoral votes.

My hunch is it's going to be a very interesting election with Ted having a few surprises.

What Republicans have you heard threatening to vote for a third party candidate if Cruz gets nominated?

I've seen lots of that about Bush and Christy, et al, but I've never seen the threat go the other way.

Have you?

musiclady · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2015, 06:30:18 pm »

Quote from: Luis Gonzalez on March 30, 2015, 06:04:14 pm

I am a life-long Dallas Cowboys fan. Will always be one.

Living in South Florida, I constantly gets asked why I am not a Dolphins fan. I actually cheer for damned near anyone who plays against the Fins with the exception of the Patriots and the Eagles (if they happen to play each other).

The only answer that I can give those people is that I don't really hate the Fins, I hate their friggin' fans because of all the name calling and non-stop crap they gave me about being a Cowboys fan and not a Dolphins fan.

Cruz is barreling down that road at the speed of sound.

I don't think it's Cruz' doing it.

I DO think his fans are doing it.

And, IMO, it's a very stupid tactic for them to employ. No one on the fence, or considering him seriously, is going to be impressed by being called a name by one of his supporters.

truth_seeker · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2015, 06:46:53 pm »

Quote from: musiclady on March 30, 2015, 06:30:18 pm

I don't think it's Cruz' doing it.

I DO think his fans are doing it.

And, IMO, it's a very stupid tactic for them to employ. No one on the fence, or considering him seriously, is going to be impressed by being called a name by one of his supporters.

Well somebody ought to tell him about this ineffective baloney by his supporters, he should tell them to stop, and if he is the leader they claim he is, they would comply.

Let's watch and listen, to see if any of that takes place.

Cyber Liberty · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2015, 07:10:24 pm »

Quote from: musiclady on March 30, 2015, 06:30:18 pm

I don't think it's Cruz' doing it.

I DO think his fans are doing it.

And, IMO, it's a very stupid tactic for them to employ. No one on the fence, or considering him seriously, is going to be impressed by being called a name by one of his supporters.

Whoa. Shades of Ron Paul.... :smash:

musiclady · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2015, 07:11:37 pm »

Quote from: Cyber Liberty on March 30, 2015, 07:10:24 pm

Whoa. Shades of Ron Paul.... :smash:

What shades of Ron Paul, and from whom?

Cyber Liberty · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2015, 07:13:54 pm »

Quote from: musiclady on March 30, 2015, 07:11:37 pm

What shades of Ron Paul, and from whom?

With their antics, Ron Paul's supporters drove away far more voters than Paul himself could ever attract. Howard Dean had this problem too.

musiclady · « **Reply #17 on:** March 30, 2015, 07:14:55 pm »

Quote from: truth_seeker on March 30, 2015, 06:46:53 pm

Well somebody ought to tell him about this ineffective baloney by his supporters, he should tell them to stop, and if he is the leader they claim he is, they would comply.

Let's watch and listen, to see if any of that takes place.

I'm not going to hold Cruz accountable for what any given anonymous supporter of his is doing on an internet forum (after all, we don't know how genuinely any of them actually supports him. They may, in fact, be trying to make him look bad....).

What I am going to be interested in is how HE behaves towards those who are looking at him as a potential candidate of the Republican party (like me). Is he going to try to reach those of us who are conservative, but not yet convinced? Or is he just going to cater to those who already are beating others up on his behalf?

musiclady · « **Reply #18 on:** March 30, 2015, 07:16:02 pm »

Quote from: Cyber Liberty on March 30, 2015, 07:13:54 pm

With their antics, Ron Paul's supporters drove away far more voters than Paul himself could ever attract. Howard Dean had this problem too.

Gotcha.

Very true. Ron Paul supporters often were crazy people, and drove practically everyone else away.

Cyber Liberty · « **Reply #19 on:** March 30, 2015, 07:17:42 pm »

Quote from: musiclady on March 30, 2015, 07:16:02 pm

Gotcha.

Very true. Ron Paul supporters often were crazy people, and drove practically everyone else away.

I decided a long time ago that I would not allow a fan base to drive me away from somebody, but I can understand how it can happen. I missed a whole generation of Frank Zappa that way.

Cyber Liberty · « **Reply #20 on:** March 30, 2015, 07:20:00 pm »

Quote from: Luis Gonzalez on March 30, 2015, 06:04:14 pm

I am a life-long Dallas Cowboys fan. Will always be one.

Living in South Florida, I constantly gets asked why I am not a Dolphins fan. I actually cheer for damned near anyone who plays against the Fins with the exception of the Patriots and the Eagles (if they happen to play each other).

The only answer that I can give those people is that I don't really hate the Fins, I hate their friggin' fans because of all the name calling and non-stop crap they gave me about being a Cowboys fan and not a Dolphins fan.

Cruz is barreling down that road at the speed of sound.

I live in Phoenix. We don't have a real Football team, so I don't get the analogy.

musiclady · « **Reply #21 on:** March 30, 2015, 07:24:43 pm »

Quote from: Cyber Liberty on March 30, 2015, 07:17:42 pm

I decided a long time ago that I would not allow a fan base to drive me away from somebody, but I can understand how it can happen. I missed a whole generation of Frank Zappa that way.

I'll never forget a little Ron Paul punk on TOS who used to beat up everyone else for not being 'conservative' enough and pure like he was, and then found out he had supported Jerry Brown in CA.

I didn't need anyone else to turn me away from Ron, but this little fellow made me laugh........... a lot!

And helped me learn not to trust name-calling bullies on the internet. They may not be who they claim to be.

Longiron · « **Reply #22 on:** March 30, 2015, 08:19:08 pm »

Quote from: musiclady on March 30, 2015, 07:24:43 pm

I'll never forget a little Ron Paul punk on TOS who used to beat up everyone else for not being 'conservative' enough and pure like he was, and then found out he had supported Jerry Brown in CA.

I didn't need anyone else to turn me away from Ron, but this little fellow made me laugh........... a lot!

And helped me learn not to trust name-calling bullies on the internet. They may not be who they claim to be.

He also supported MITCH McConnell against a conservative in KY and gave that SOB another 6 years of caving??? Little RON is hard to trust .

Cyber Liberty · « **Reply #23 on:** March 30, 2015, 08:50:42 pm »

Quote from: Longiron on March 30, 2015, 08:19:08 pm

He also supported MITCH McConnell against a conservative in KY and gave that SOB another 6 years of caving??? Little RON is hard to trust .

I've been pretty ticked at Rand Paul for that, there was no reason to jump for McConnell so early. I called it an "unforced error" that he's going to have to dig himself out from under before I could vote for him in the Primary. He has not done so yet.

Luis Gonzalez · « **Reply #24 on:** March 30, 2015, 09:04:13 pm »

Quote from: musiclady on March 30, 2015, 06:27:23 pm

What Republicans have you heard threatening to vote for a third party candidate if Cruz gets nominated?

I've seen lots of that about Bush and Christy, et al, but I've never seen the threat go the other way.

Have you?

That's because REPUBLICANS in name and action don't make threats like that.