Ted Cruz: The Most Underrated Candidate?
A prominent Republican consultant — who isn’t working for any of the 2016 presidential candidates and who has been right more times than I can count — said something that shocked me when we had lunch recently. He said that Texas Sen. Ted Cruz had roughly the same odds of becoming the Republican presidential nominee as former Florida governor Jeb Bush.
Jaw-dropper, right? After all, the conventional wisdom is that Bush, the son and brother of presidents, is the frontrunner to be the Republican standard-bearer, while Cruz, a conservative’s conservative, is a factor, sure, but not someone who could actually win the nomination.
How, I asked this guy, could he say such a thing? He explained it this way.
Think of the Republican primary field as a series of lanes. In this race, there are four of them: Establishment, Tea Party, Social Conservative and Libertarian. . . . The trick for Cruz, according to this consultant, is to hang around long enough to not only be the preeminent figure in the Tea Party lane but also in the Social Conservative lane. . . . If you combine the Tea Party and the Social Conservative lanes, that’s a pretty wide berth for any candidate hoping to be the GOP nominee.
Cruz’s main problem is twofold: 1) he articulates constitutional principles in a manner that actually respects the Founding Fathers’ vision, and 2) he actually believes the stuff he says. This makes him ideal for someone like me, and Scary for Big Media and the electorate. Also, I don’t know for sure whether he passes the critical “would I have a beer with this guy?” test that seems to be so important to voters these days. I’d absolutely love to have a beer with Ted Cruz. But I can’t say whether that is equally true for the average dimwit who stands on Hollywood Boulevard and cheerfully tells Jimmy Kimmel that he loved the speech Dr. Martin Luther King gave that morning. If Cruz runs, they will use the “he’s too crazy” strategy they used against Barry Goldwater — and Big Media will go all in to support that tactic. And many voters — people who couldn’t tell you who Cruz is today — will buy into the fright that Big Media will be peddling.
I have developed enough faith in my ignorance not to offer any opinions about whether Cruz is actually electable, or what his best path is, or any of that nonsense. All I know is that I respect him the most of all the possible candidates in the field, and I would fight like hell to get him elected.
Ding.
Patterico (2b72e1) — 2/15/2015 @ 11:26 amI think I like Ted Cruz and Scott Walker the most right now. Of course, every candidate has downsides. For Cruz there is also the fact that he was born in Canada, which is likely not a real Constitutional issue, given that his mother was a US citizen (and not, like Obama’s mom, young enough that it mattered that he was born in the US). But it will be used against him, by liberals calling his Republican supporters hypocrites since some of them were Obama birthers, the liberals hoping to at least get some conservatives to stay home on election day.
David Pittelli (b77425) — 2/15/2015 @ 11:45 amsenate trash can be a vp i guess but before they actually perform in a respectable political office they haven’t demonstrated they have the class, character or leadership skills to be a president
look at the p.o.s. in the white house now it’s very illustrative of this sad and damaging phenomenon
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 11:59 amTo whose imbecilic, lackwit, moronic “concentional wisdom” would this apply to?
I mean, if you really, really WANT the GOP to lose, Jeb is absolutely the PERFECT candidate. He’s an even STUPIDER choice than Romney or McCain was. I mean, you’d have a better chance with Zombie George Wallace, than with Jeb.
Since when does the people of this nation support dynasties? I mean, yeah, a narrow range of idiots were enamored of JFK, and with Bobby, and then with Teddy, but part of THAT was the “tragedy” of their assassinations. But even there, most did not support Teddy for PotUS on a good day.
And yes, sorry, three Bushes in three decades is too much Bush. I’ll ack we might accept another Bush, when one of Bush I’s grandkids is old enough — but anyone who puts forth Jeb! this time around is a sheer, unmitigated moron with the underlying intent of destroying the GOP and promoting the Democrats…
Yes, it really is THAT simple.
For ALL TOO MANY PEOPLE, the mantra will be “Anyone but Bush”. That’ll sell. It’ll gain traction. And whoever he’s up against — yes, even Hillary — will assuredly win.
WtF, people? This is so fucking — yes, FUCKING **obvious**, no one should be allowing that “Jeb is the frontrunner” nonsense to stand unchallenged.
About the only GOOD sign I can see in this folderol is that historically, such “obvious front runner” BS virtually never lasts past the first couple primaries. Even Hillary managed to fail that test in 2008. Anyone else remember Gary Hart?
IGotBupkis, "Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses." (225d0d) — 2/15/2015 @ 12:30 pmSeriously? Above Scott Walker? I mean, I grant I don’t know enough about Walker, it’s far too early to attempt any special study of potential candidates — but Walker’s shown both the kind of capability to Get Things Done against substantial liberal opposition but also the kind of fortitude and teflonicity (8-D to say The Right Things even when they’re certain to outrage The Liberal Media and to manage to not get too much poo sticking to his face when they’re done spluttering…
I’m curious why you support Cruz above Walker, Patterico. At the very least, Cruz’ wafflework on immigration disturbs me. I have yet to hear a single bad thing about Walker.
IGotBupkis, "Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses." (225d0d) — 2/15/2015 @ 12:37 pmHear, hear.
ThOR (a52560) — 2/15/2015 @ 12:39 pmYou should look into Walker on immigration.
I still think Walker is a great option as an experienced executive who wins tough races, but at least make sure your preference is well informed.
Dustin (2a8be7) — 2/15/2015 @ 1:05 pm“comprehensive” immigration reform wasn’t understood to be a chamber of commerce in-joke back in 2002
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 1:08 pmCruz has what this country needs.
mg (31009b) — 2/15/2015 @ 1:10 pmBACKBONE
i just can’t get on board this idea where some pandering self-marketing harvard trash yahoo spends two years in the senate and bam he’s president
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 1:13 pmMy first two choices would be (1) Ted Cruz, and (2) Scott Walker.
During October 2012 I gave up two weekends (including missing my Giants in the World Series) to travel 200 miles to Reno, Nevada and campaign for Romney. Next year, in order to elect Cruz I would crawl for miles on my hands and knees over broken Democrats.
aunursa (932331) — 2/15/2015 @ 1:14 pmTed Cruz has unique gifts as an orator and he also has a unique and compelling personality. I can see Cruz as having much more potential influence and power as a vocal multi- term firebrand senator and conservative leader in the senate, and perhaps ultimately a Supreme Court justice, than as an executive. I see in him as an influential, brilliant, potentially history making Senator in the mold of say, a Daniel Webster. No, I don’t mean to imply that Cruz’ politics are the same as Webster’s–they’re not–but I mean that Cruz has both the intellect and the chops to be that type of political mover and shaker and lawmaker–a leading senator and statesman of this era. He doesn’t need the presidency to accomplish important things and he would likely be better off without it.
elissa (397550) — 2/15/2015 @ 1:22 pmthis Cruz person would need to have some respect for the office to which he was elected elissa instead of regarding it as a convenient stepping stone, if he’s gonna make some sort of Daniel Webster thing out of it
maybe he should just quit and go to work for Fox News
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 1:27 pmSince when does d.c. ooze respect for office?
mg (31009b) — 2/15/2015 @ 1:39 pmCruz and his constituents have game, may not be enough, although I don’t think it will come down to happyfeet and his vote.
you never know Mr. mg
maybe the Cruz person might should send a tasty king cake my way for so I can celebrate mardi gras proper-like
oh crap they’re sold out
way to drop the ball Senator
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 1:44 pmWalker will appoint Cruz to the Supreme Court. That’s a double in my book. We’ve gotten in the habit of thinking Justices need to be judges but Earl Warren begs to differ.
Mike K (90dfdc) — 2/15/2015 @ 2:00 pmLooks mighty tasty happyfeet
mg (31009b) — 2/15/2015 @ 2:05 pmgonna make home made chocolate chip cookies with walnuts after viewing that site.
you’re a stronger person than me
i can’t have that stuff in the house
i’m saving up some calories though for a big boy slice of hummingbird cake
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 2:11 pmit’s a little below zero, I need some fat.
mg (31009b) — 2/15/2015 @ 2:26 pmThe GOP needs an Obama; sleek, mixed race,in his forties, smooth talker, good looking, Ronald Reaganish charms, not openly anti-gay, smart, great communicator and loves animals (or any vain thing like that.) he must appear to have a liberal bent though a conservative at heart. We live in a visual, vain, television generation. It’s gonna be hard for the electorate to go from an Obama to something less TV friendly. Vain, I know.
The Emperor (64d34d) — 2/15/2015 @ 2:28 pmThe GOP needs an Obama
mister you need to repent
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 2:34 pmI’d absolutely love to have a beer with Ted Cruz. But I can’t say whether that is equally true for the average dimwit who stands on Hollywood Boulevard and cheerfully tells Jimmy Kimmel that he loved the speech Dr. Martin Luther King gave that morning.
I totally agree with you about Cruz. But I also agree with you that far too many Americans are in love with both the superficial aspects of a politician (his or her telegenic qualities—eg, Cruz’s face and aquiline nose aren’t exactly ideal for the cover of People) combined with his or her perceived do-gooder sentiments.
I’m not exactly sure how much of one or the other appears to most strongly ping the consciousness of X percent of Americans, but that bias is really helping give this nation a good dose of Euro-sclerosis or Peron-ism (eg, Hillary Clinton’s ratings in the Gallup Poll).
Mark (c160ec) — 2/15/2015 @ 2:48 pmWhat I would love about Cruz, whom I am fortunate enough to say that I have already voted for him, being a Texas resident (and yes, proud native-!), is that he would actually change things. I can easily envisage a wholesale change at the IRS and EPA, and some pretty serious changes at a dozen other departments and agencies.
It was obvious by late Oct 1992 that Clinton was going to beat Bush, Sr, so I did not feel bad about tossing a protest vote to Crazy Old Uncle Ross Perot. When Texas has its primary, I’ll vote for the best candidate (right now, Ted Cruz) with the best prospects of actually winning (right now, probably Scott Walker). We’ll see if those two fields converge by then.
Come Nov 2016, even the worst GOP monkey is either going to face Hillary, Warren, or Slow Joe Biden. Based on merit alone, the monkey will get my vote.
neocon_1 (105347) — 2/15/2015 @ 3:22 pm@happy. You gotta think strategically, ya know. I don’t mean an Obama in terms of policy but in appeal. We all know Obama didn’t get into office based on his experience or being the best candidate, America has become vain in their perceiving of people in public office and in many ways life now imitates art. They want a Hollywood, dreamy kind of leader. Not some old recycled unappealing politician. Unless off course he has to run against a hillary Clinton.
The Emperor (ac5018) — 2/15/2015 @ 3:43 pmwe had an “Obama” her name was Sarah Palin she flamed out because conservatism demands substance obama-style fascism only demands marketing
now harvardboi Cruz wants to do the Obama thing
good luck with that señator cruz
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 3:55 pmalso i reject the premise of this post that a drug-dealing pothead trash candidate like Jeb Bush is the gold standard of Republican electability in 2016
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 3:58 pmeven his lurch-ass mama said no more bushes
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 3:59 pmbaby ruth?
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 3:59 pmYea. No more Bushes. Come on Repubs, surely you can do better than that. And on the Palin comparison, I don’t agree that Palin was an Obama. She was simply clueless and uneducated on important issues. Yes she had a strong passionate following but that was before people got to really know her. The GOP needs a Palin/Hillary combo; sex appeal combined with wonkiness. The times call for such strategic thinking. We are in the era of young and appealing heads of states with a clear vision.
The Emperor (ac5018) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:15 pmhappyfeet,
Who has the most substance in the GOP field, and why?
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:25 pmEmperor,
Palin was right and Obama was wrong about Putin invading the Ukraine, about energy independence, about Fannie and Freddie, and about death panels. On what basis do you say she is “clueless and uneducated on important issues”?
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:28 pmAlso, even Noam Chomsky” says Palin was right about Obama’s hopey-changey lies. Who’s the clueless one again?
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:29 pmOther than me, because I can’t remember to close my links.
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:30 pmMr. Governor Scott Walker has the most substance DRJ lady and i will tell you why
it’s cause he understands how to govern and what the priorities are
he knows which ones are the hills you die on
and i love him for it
Cruz knows which hills bring you the brightest spotlight
and i do not love him for it i think it’s a rather trivial skill to have actually
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:33 pmRick Perry was elected was elected Governor of Texas in 200 and served 15 years, Jindal was elected Governor of Louisiana in 2008 and has served 7 years, and Walker was elected Governor of Wisconsin in 2010 and has served 5 years. All three appear to have governed based on conservative principles. Why are you ignoring Perry and Jindal in favor of Walker? And what about Kasich, Pence and Christie?
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:38 pm“Palin was right” for example is not the hill
just a tip
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:38 pmOr is this about saying bad things about Cruz and good things about Walker, because you like one and don’t like the other?
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:39 pmPalin was right. Just a tip.
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:39 pmYou have a problem with peer pressure, don’t you?
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:40 pmPence is an obamawhore he expands the medicaid for to make more people dependent on government healthcares he can suck it
same with Kasich
Jindal is a kooky exorcist weirdo
Christie is an obama leg-humper i hate him – he disgusts me he can go sniff snookibutt
Mr. Governor Scott Walker on the other hand, I see some possibilities with this guy
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:41 pmOr is this about saying bad things about Cruz and good things about Walker, because you like one and don’t like the other?
yes exactly
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:42 pmhey DRJ lady watch me eat ALL the cimanims!
ok here we go
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 4:57 pmWalker is my second choice right now so I like him, but I can see why people might not like Ted Cruz and I respect that. However, I think you’re fooling yourself if you think the media and Democrats won’t attack Walker vigorously and successfully. Walker threatens liberals’ most ardent supporters — teachers and colleges — and Walker’s nomination would trigger donations and turnout in that sector that might hurt the GOP far more than a Cruz candidacy.
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 5:00 pmThe rhetoric that Walker never graduated from college isn’t just about his abilities. It’s also about preparing the battlefield for arguing that Walker and the GOP want to wage a war on colleges
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 5:02 pmwalker has a record of governance
food stamp never did
and associated press fave hillary clinton can’t even govern her whore husband
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 5:05 pmted cruz as the nominee means Team R has no hope of making the 2016 election a discussion about governance
like how nominating weirdo willard meant Team R couldn’t make 2012 about obamacare
the quest stands upon the edge of a knife
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 5:11 pmWalker is also the nominee that will let the Democrats and the media say the GOP wants to hurt teachers and schools. Is it fair to say that? No, but they will, and some voters will worry about that.
hf, my point isn’t to hurt Walker but only to say that every nominee comes with baggage. How each nominee handles that baggage will become clear in the primaries. I think Walker’s experience in Wisconsin will help him handle his baggage but he still has to prove himself on a national stage, dealing with issues that don’t come up in Wisconsin. Similarly, Cruz has to present himself credibly and he might not be able to do that. I hope they both do well.
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 5:16 pmi hope walker does well and that cruz flames out for lack of support
i hope walker does well and someone gives Rick Perry a ticket for so he can climb aboard the clue train
i hope walker does well and jagfag lindsay graham wins a 4-day 3-night cruise with Ricky Martin
i hope walker does well and ted cruz stays in the senate and develops a Sense Of Purpose and is content with his lot in life
i hope walker does well and chris christie chokes on a sammich like mama cass but more like if mama cass had choked while humping obama’s leg like a gruesomely obese dog
i hope walker does well and marco sleazio panders to the wrong person one too many times and is never heard from again in this lifetime not unlike eiffel 65
i’m blue
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 5:24 pmGov Christie is way too much of Jersey First politician to be a viable Presidential candidate.
seeRpea (aa8044) — 2/15/2015 @ 5:44 pmI like Walker because he was willing to take on entrenched teacher-school interests in Wisconsin in the budget fights. That takes real guts and he also won, which is a big plus.
But there are other governors in the hunt who also have conservative records. In theory, I’m not as impressed with them because it’s easier to stick to conservative principles in red states, and Wisconsin isn’t a red state. However, governors from red states probably value conservative principles more than politicians from blue or purple states, so that favors politicians like Cruz, Perry and Jindal.
What worries me about Walker is that people who don’t know much about him will view him as being anti-schools and anti-teachers, because that’s the way the media will portray him. It will fit the narrative the media/Democrats sell that Republicans are against the little guy, in this case teachers and schools and the parents who rely on public school educations for their kids. That isn’t what Walker is about but it’s the way he will be sold, and it will resonate with people who wonder why the GOP picked Walker instead of other Governors who didn’t have to take on teachers and schools.
Walker needs to handle this well and I hope he does, because I think he has a lot to offer.
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 5:48 pmi’m not a big fan of either schools or teachers really
likes are include chocolate moonshine, silly jumpstyle videos, Dylan O’Brien, brussels sprouts, whole foods ramen bar and clothing items what have real fur from real dead animals
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 5:54 pmI understand the concern, DRJ, but really, no candidate is immune to narrative typing, Walker and Cruz, will go down fighting, rather than these blanc manges, we’ve had the last two cycles,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:04 pmMY plan would be to
Have a Walker-Cruz ticket
When they win have Cruz have Ginsberg removed
Appoint Cruz to the Supreme Court
Appoint a woman Gov or Senator to the VP
EPWJ (0e4457) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:08 pmPence is an obamawhore. I thought it was supposed to be obamapickle according to the new cruelty?
Gazzer (c2a866) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:10 pmoh my goodness
fifty lashes with a wet pickle is what i need
i’m
i’m naughty
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:11 pmwell he’s proven a disappointing successor to Daniels,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:12 pmfifty lashes with a wet pickle is what i need
Why would we reward you?
Gazzer (c2a866) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:14 pmthe Huntress has stood by both,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:16 pmCruz is the new mfm piñata.
mg (31009b) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:29 pmnow mind you Cilizza, Georgetown ’98, is journoist, and while not as clueless as Yglesias, because who can be, is a close 5th, an early encounter with the Huntress, had her staring daggers as he proclaimed Alaska a ‘small state’
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:29 pm56… Good call, Gazzer. Why, indeed!
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:30 pmthat is not a good call that is a bad call
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:35 pmSeeRpea@48
More correctly, Christie is too much of a Christie First politician.
Relevant to Christie, I saw this through my Sefer Panim feed.
http://legalinsurrection.com/2015/02/video-retired-teacher-faces-10-years-for-flintlock-possession/
I must admit that my views of Christie are probably influenced by traveling the stretch of New Jersey Turnpike that leads out of New York City on a rainy day in May, perhaps the dreariest patch of urban grime outside of Detroit.
kishnevi (adea75) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:41 pmStay Puft has a disturbing predilection for Salafi activists, sky dragon netting, and other foolishness, plus he stabbed Bret Schundler, a real reform politician they haven’t seen since Charles Edison in the back
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:48 pmPeople. People. People. (and pikachus)
If we end up with a run off between Scott Walker and Ted Cruz – that means America won.
papertiger (c2d6da) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:48 pmEverybody. Even the crooks in SF and the California State Capital (although they will never admit it).
Howzabout Walker/Cruz. The Cruz can run in 2024 with plenty of WH experience. A boy can dream…
Gazzer (c2a866) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:52 pmThen, not the.
Gazzer (c2a866) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:52 pmherein lies the problem, the Clique is going to equip the Medici, Jeb, for those without the Rosetta with something north of 80 million, and then they are going to call an Alpha Strike on the rest of the field,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:52 pmI think you mean north of $800M, surely?
Gazzer (c2a866) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:58 pmI was speaking of the nomination fight, but yes,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 6:59 pmNarciso,Cilizza may have been thinking of population.
kishnevi (91d5c6) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:02 pmhttp://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_population
Only Vermont and Wyoming have fewer people, although North Dakota just barely beats it by about 3,000. At any rate, it is one of seven states with only one seat in the HoR.
Just by way of comparison, MiamiDade County has about 2.6 million, Broward County 1.8 million, Palm Beach County 1.3 million. Anchorage has just under 300,000. That is probably less than the number of people on the Palmetto Expressway at rush hour.
I’m sure he didn’t think that of Arkansas or Vermont,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:04 pmWhat “wafflework” would that be?
Big Media is just getting started on Walker, by the way. To my way of thinking, he is untested at this point. Cruz has been in their sights for a while now, but he still has some nastiness ahead of him and I want to see how he handles it. I think he’ll do well.
Patterico (2b72e1) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:04 pmre #62: the NJTurnpike in the NYC sphere of influence has been like that since at least the early 70s. I blame Newark Airport and Elizabeth.
seeRpea (aa8044) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:07 pmwhat is striking is the same attack Perfidious Albion did on Walker, to ward off the Morlocks, is akin to how they treat the UKIP standard bearer, who also didn’t go to university, let us recall that Mo Dowd uncovered the Solon’s serial plagiarism, yet 20 years later it didn’t matter,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:08 pmGoing from Jomo Kenyatta to Fulgencio Batista is too big a swing of the pendulum for me. Let’s try an American this time.
nk (dbc370) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:10 pmfrom Papandreou to Karamanlis, you mean,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:13 pmAt least Neil Kinnock is still alive in the event Slo-Joe decides to run.
Gazzer (c2a866) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:17 pm“With each passing day it becomes increasingly clear we are in a huge war of civilizations. This is a bigger deal than anything since WWII. Nothing could be more obvious. That means 2016 is about as serious as it gets. We need our Churchill fast, but in searching for him (or her) we cannot afford a bloodletting. We have to treat this as a wartime situation because it is.”
– Roger Simon
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:17 pmseeing as Ted’s father, left Cuba, because of Batista, it’s a week tu quo
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:23 pmso it’s true he’s not even from america
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:41 pmHe didn’t become a U.S. citizen until 2005, and that was probably so he could still collect his Social Security if he moved out of the country. There’s some rule like that.
nk (dbc370) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:43 pmOr maybe it was so he could vote for Ted. Still a personal reason.
nk (dbc370) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:44 pmbut in searching for him (or her) we cannot afford a bloodletting. We have to treat this as a wartime situation because it is.
I second that sentiment. That’s why both pro and con opinions from right-leaning people towards any of the Republican candidates won’t get me stirred up — meaning I’ll want to nod yes and move on — although being squishy about a squish like Chris Christie will admittedly irk me.
The only thing I believe is totally required now is for folks (who are not of the left) to realize just how much knuckle-headed liberalism infuses a good portion of the public — of the Western World in general — in the 21st century, and always keep that in mind when dealing with politicians, policies and situations. IOW, we’re facing a fateful moment in the next few years, a lot of head winds, and full awareness of both ideology and strategy is more crucial today than ever before.
Mark (c160ec) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:45 pmhe returned to Texas in ’74, don’t know where you’re getting that,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:50 pmChristie is not a squish. He’s a gluttonous low-life New Jersey thug. His ideology is all in his belly.
nk (dbc370) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:51 pmDaddy’s naturalization? Wikipedia, I’d be embarrassed to say if it did not also confirm what you said that he was an enemy of Batista. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Cruz#Early_life
nk (dbc370) — 2/15/2015 @ 7:56 pmactually it did, the percentage of person who knew Fidel was a communist was quite small, between his ‘history will absolve me’ speech, and Herbert Matthews byline, he had snowed many, sound familiar,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:00 pmhow accurate was Godfather2 about the Batista leaving and Castro coming?
seeRpea (aa8044) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:16 pmnot very, watch the Lost City, Cabrera Infante’s work brought to the screen by Andy Garcia, after 15 years,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:20 pmI meant that Wikipedia does confirm what you said that’s why I’m not embarrassed to cite it this time. Usually I treat it like the National Enquirer.
nk (dbc370) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:21 pmmr. governor scott walker’s daddy was borned in America right here in the United States unlike Señator Cruz whose daddy was from a foreign country which wasn’t even in America
so as you can see the AMERICAN choice is mr. governor scott walker (!) whereas otherwise you can vote for Señator Cruz whose daddy was from a foreign country which wasn’t even in America (lame)
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:29 pmI check the source notes, and the talk section to see what they left out,
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:31 pmI would also like him, Bush, and Perry to come to this site and disavow and denounce any talk about Texas seceding from the Union. See, that’s another doubt that I have.
BTW, did you know that Jefferson Davis was Zachary Taylor’s son-in-law?
nk (dbc370) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:36 pmone thing, I would like from Walker is a more expansive vision, he did well in Iowa, but that’s not enough.
narciso (ee1f88) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:41 pmhe was ok on that Home Improvement show but after that I’m not sure what happened
happyfeet (831175) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:41 pmOh, I will. But at this point, it’s moot, so I don’t spend an awful lot of time investigating potential candidates. But, while I agree that suggests his stance is softer than I’d like, I also grasp “electable”. And it does not appear to be wafflework. He’s not saying something just to get elected.
IGotBupkis, "Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses." (225d0d) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:54 pmLOL, sorry, but Earl Warren never begged in his life.
They made Real Men in those days :^D
IGotBupkis, "Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses." (225d0d) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:58 pmI said the same thing, only with less namecalling and more substance…. 😀
IGotBupkis, "Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses." (225d0d) — 2/15/2015 @ 9:01 pmnk,
Texas is the state most Americans would love to get rid of, so being open to secession is a good thing.
DRJ (e80d46) — 2/15/2015 @ 9:22 pmOderint dum metuant, I always say, DRJ.
nk (dbc370) — 2/15/2015 @ 9:43 pmWhat’s wrong with secession, nk?
Vermont seceded from New York.
Patterico (2b72e1) — 2/15/2015 @ 10:00 pmFor a Presidential candidate? I want Cruz, Bush and Perry to unequivocally avow undivided loyalty to the Union.
nk (dbc370) — 2/15/2015 @ 10:05 pmTexas is the state most Americans would love to get rid of, so being open to secession is a good thing.
Because they love the idea of the US becoming a bloated version of Michigan and its Detroit or, beyond our boundaries (at least so far), our southern border and its Mexico?!
Been nice knowing ya’, America.
Mark (c160ec) — 2/15/2015 @ 10:43 pmR.I.P. Louis Jordan, who starred in “Gigi” with Leslie Caron — and “Swamp Thing” with Adrienne Barbeau
Icy (2606cc) — 2/16/2015 @ 1:51 amI am looking forward to the press going after Mr. Cruz, Let the b-slapping begin.
mg (31009b) — 2/16/2015 @ 3:27 amMore than most, I enjoy conservatives standing up to the pathetic media and more than pathetic team rino.
A anti establishment voice is what this nation needs. Mr. Cruz knows d.c. will not listen to the voting public. Ted has the smarts a turd like me admires {even though he is a Harvard grad}. He comes across with backbone, another crucial element lost since R.R.
mg (31009b) — 2/16/2015 @ 4:05 amHe will not give in like team rino. He terrifies both sides, a good thing. I hope he can beat the odds. If not Walker in a pinch.
I think it would be nice if, when speaking of potential presidential candidates, we confined our speculation to those who are actually qualified.
creeper (e465b7) — 2/16/2015 @ 6:59 amnk (dbc370) — 2/15/2015 @ 8:36 pm
But his wife died not long after their marriage. I knew this, but it doesn’t stick in my mind, so I wouldn’t think of this unless somebidy mentions it, and I don’t even know in what years he was Zachary taylor’s son-in-law.
Sammy Finkelman (e806a6) — 2/16/2015 @ 7:15 amnk@100
kishnevi (91d5c6) — 2/16/2015 @ 7:16 amquidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur
What qualifications creeper? lying to the voters – saying love is a 6 letter word [amnesty] – blowing the chamber of commerce, etc. etc.
mg (31009b) — 2/16/2015 @ 9:10 amI think “Let them hate provided they also fear” is profound in any language, kishnevi.
nk (dbc370) — 2/16/2015 @ 9:27 am“blowing the chamber of commerce,”
mg – Can you please outline the immigration platform of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for us all please?
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 2/16/2015 @ 9:34 amO.T.
mg (31009b) — 2/16/2015 @ 9:40 amI was snowblowing out a client this a.m. -5 and a 15mph wind, the road is not plowed, no place to park. In 10 minutes of snowblowing I will have a spot for my truck, but this annoying prick comes up to me and says he called the police because I was blocking the road. I said buddy you are a true masshole. In my drinking days, being that temp. I would have been well on my way into a bottle of sno-shoe-grog and this prick would have been head first in a snow bank with nothing showing but the fur on his girly boots. This part of the country is loaded with stiffs like this.
geez daleyrocks- I believe its ally ally in for freedom.
mg (31009b) — 2/16/2015 @ 9:41 amHere you go daleyrocks- enjoy
mg (31009b) — 2/16/2015 @ 9:44 amhttps://www.uschamber.com/immigration/position
mg – I was asking for your words. I read it last month. It’s not welcome everybody. I was curious if you had ever read it.
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 2/16/2015 @ 9:45 ammg, let me tell you what our snowblowers did two weeks ago. Our neighbors have a 90% heating system and its PVC exhaust comes out of the side of their house next to our driveway. Our shovelers piled the snow up against it and clogged it up. The neighbor lady was upstairs sleeping when the CO alarms woke her up. No harm done, thankfully, since their cat would have been the first to go. They love that cat.
nk (dbc370) — 2/16/2015 @ 9:49 amGlad no one was hurt. Winter is tough enough the way it is.
mg (31009b) — 2/16/2015 @ 10:06 amTom Donohue’s insatiable appetite for young hispanic boys and Team R’s eagerness to feed it is really kind of poignant if you think about it
the poor man was cursed with these unholy desires but is he met with judgments and recriminations?
no
not a bit
only the love of a compassionate and understanding Republican Party
happyfeet (831175) — 2/16/2015 @ 10:09 amdaleyrocks- my view is round up all the illegals and send them home. Have private non union American construction workers build fences on the North and South borders. Hire American militia to patrol. It is hell being polluted with common sense.
mg (31009b) — 2/16/2015 @ 10:16 amhey Pablo get in the van you goin home
happyfeet (831175) — 2/16/2015 @ 10:22 amoh crap we got us a runner
happyfeet (831175) — 2/16/2015 @ 10:23 amBeing selfish as I am, sending them home gives me a chance to blow snow, do construction work and cut wood for a larger part of society at an increased wage. My friend Pablo is with me.
mg (31009b) — 2/16/2015 @ 10:35 amHappyfeet: Stop in the name of the law!
(Runner keeps running)
Happyfeet: Why do they always keep running? (thinks to hisself) Oh, right.
felipe (56556d) — 2/16/2015 @ 11:02 amLey de fuga.
nk (dbc370) — 2/16/2015 @ 11:26 amWalker’s most positive credentials at this point compared to the others seem to be:
–being able to survive Democratic abuse of power, even thriving in the process;
–ability to make his critics make stupid errors in their zeal to take him out (such as the NYT apparently forgetting how to read a calendar in accusing him of being behind school cuts that happened before he entered office);
Republicans are going to be accused of everything up to and including eating babies when running against HRC (or her replacement, if she implodes), regardless of who the nominee is, and Ted Cruz is going to have his own baggage going into 2016, with far less proven ability to beat the b***ards.
M. Scott Eiland (725705) — 2/16/2015 @ 12:18 pmWalker-Cruz, because Slow-Joe has demonstrated that you can’t be too crazy to be Veep.
askeptic (efcf22) — 2/16/2015 @ 12:26 pmLey de fuga makes me look crazy…
mg (31009b) — 2/16/2015 @ 2:02 pm“daleyrocks- my view is round up all the illegals and send them home.”
mg – Derp. I was asking you to describe the Chamber of Commerce position you keep dumping all over without ever bothering say what it is. I don’t give a crap about your personal views.
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 2/16/2015 @ 3:48 pmoh my goodness let’s make cappuccino
happyfeet (831175) — 2/16/2015 @ 3:49 pmR.I.P. Lesley Gore, singer of “It’s My Party”
Icy (b003af) — 2/16/2015 @ 3:59 pmre #104: and he was the main player in one of the better Columbo’s (if you leave aside the continuity problems). Plus, his eating with aplomb in Octopussy was something very few actors could have pulled off 🙂 Anyone recall is he was in a horror movie with Elizabeth Taylor?
seeRpea (181740) — 2/16/2015 @ 4:59 pmdaleyrocks-nor do I give a crap about what you think I don’t know about your beloved chamber of commerce.
mg (31009b) — 2/16/2015 @ 5:03 pmargh, I forgot to mention: and he was married to the same woman for 60+ years.
seeRpea (181740) — 2/16/2015 @ 5:04 pm