A Grudging Admirer of Ted Cruz

American Thinker ^ | February 24, 2016 | Robert Charles

[2ndDivisionVet]

Many moons ago, I clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. I worked for a wonderful man, a former U.S. Marine with a 1950s sense of humor, a Reagan appointee. While he has since died, I recently thought again... about one day in his chambers. A famous, irrepressible and ever-candid lawyer -- and Harvard Law professor - was preparing to present a case to the three-judge panel. He was -- and is -- a celebrated appellate litigator. His name was and is Alan Dershowitz.

Dershowitz is a bit of a character, a noted scholar of constitutional and criminal law, but a rough and ready legal maverick, always candid. He is also a notorious political liberal. While I went to Columbia Law School, friends that knew him - and anyone who has ever read about him - know he is outspoken.

So, I had read his briefs. They were, as expected, cogent. He had tried to squeeze too many words into them, and the judges had pointed that out. But otherwise, his voluminous written material had permitted an allowance of considerable time - which is rather rare - to present his case. I sat in the back of the room, wondering how he would tear through 20-some legal points in as many minutes. He would have to be a speed demon, and surely would lose his race with the clock....

[Jeff Head]

Good article. Thanks.

Seldom does a conservative, in battle with a political and legal liberal, or as distinguished a litigator as Alan Dershowitz, win both the argument and a compliment. Usually, the reverse occurs, at least in the modern world. The victor is reviled and faces endless recriminations, complaints and allegations of this and that. But to the credit of the liberal Harvard professor, he paid young Ted Cruz perhaps the highest compliment he could muster. Asked by the National Review what Dershowitz thought of the young conservative -- now with a chance to become America’s level-headed president -- the esteemed litigator just this: “Cruz was off-the-charts brilliant.”

[imardmd1]

Good show, 2DV!

[wideminded]

"The proceedings commenced, and a funny thing happened. This legendary legal mind was ahead of us. In so many words, he calmly, and without the expected fanfare and fireworks, approached the bench and said - now set aside all my arguments, except this one. And he then used his entire 20 minutes to carefully articulate - with many questions coming at him - why this one argument should win the day."

I was listening to an interview with Scalia the other day and he mentioned this same strategy as a good use of oral argument time.

[JJ_Folderol]

Awaiting the obligatory Trumpite attack.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Ted's problem is that he's an appellate lawyer, and voters are not an appellate panel. He lacks the relatability of a great trial lawyer, who can connect with the ordinary people who sit on a jury. Two different skill sets with only some overlap. Love the guy's policies, but he'd never win the general election. Thought for a bit that perhaps he could overco.e it, but....

Well, he's given a pretty good demonstration of why he is so disliked in the Senate, and it's not because he's so conservative.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It concludes:

“...So, as we go to the polls and think about the future, what about that? If Ted Cruz can not only win Iowa, and a healthy proportion of New Hampshire and South Carolina -— and can even earn the grudging respect of a senior adversary before the bench -— should we not be thinking hard about how he could serve America? Rebuild America? Win for America? Let me collapse 20-plus arguments, if I may, into one: Ted Cruz is the kind of leader that would bring respect to America, if we are ready for that. I am.”

[RummyChick]

You may have zeroed in on why I dont like him. There is just something about him. He is not personable.

[true believer forever]

You may have zeroed in on why I dont like him. There is just something about him. He is not personable.

It's the phiz. That noisome, supercilious smirk is the default setting for his face. That is the obvious off putting thing.

Another and more subtle thing is his eyes. Even when talking or emoting, there is the disconnect with his eyes. They are always scanning and assessing his audience reaction. Always calculating, always disengaged except for that assessment. That is the habit of a con, a hard sell artist, a litigator. It is the look of a cynical manipulator. Clinton was much better at concealing that when he was reading his marks. (FReeper Psalm 144)

[House Atreides]

Pure emotion, nothing more.

[patriot08]

One of the things Cruz would like you to forget:
His father fought along side Fidel Castro

He wants to Cut OUR SENIORS SOCIAL SECURITY

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/31/this-presidential-candidate-wants-to-cut-social-se.aspx

Research reveals his associates and former associates refer to him as a liar, ‘oily’, player of dirty tricks, a ‘suck up’ untrustworthy and worse.

AND THIS: OMG

http://aattp.org/flashback-rafael-cruz-calls-son-ted-cruz-an-anointed-king-responsible-for-the-end-time-transfer-of-wealth/

And he, as well as Rubio are weak on immigration and stopping the muslim invasion.

[JJ_Folderol]

Thanks for justifying my faith in Trumpites! I knew someone would have to attack.

[patriot08]

Well, don’t why don’t you research these guys?
All that is true.

[MHGinTN]

Until the Internet started changing things for those with access to it and savvy in its use, the media controlled what we learned about candidates. Even in the election of barry soetoro the media carried on a well designed ridicule campaign to nullify the Truth about little bathhouse barry bastard boy.

Sadly, it does not appear that America will last free long enough for the Truth as it can be found via the Internet to make the necessary changes such that our form of governance could survive.

America is being destroyed, by design, and the full participation and cooperation of the democrats and their dependents, and the blackmailable republicans.

The brilliant mind of Ted Cruz is spalyed out against a backdrop of the alpha male Trump. We are expected to chose one or the other, but the ridicule factor will actually determine the outcomes.

[patriot08]

Very well put, FRiend.

I do wish I could put my faith in our own Texas Senator, Ted Cruz..but I just can’t.
The more I research his past, the worse it gets.
for instance; his past and present associates for the most part, refer to him as untrustworthy, a ‘kiss up’, a liar and worse.
Then there’s the matter of his wanting to cut our Senior’s social security- and THIS:

http://aattp.org/flashback-rafael-cruz-calls-son-ted-cruz-an-anointed-king-responsible-for-the-end-time-transfer-of-wealth/
Disturbing.
what ELSE?

One of the things we need most at this time is THE WALL and to curb the Muslim invasion.
I believe Donald will take care of this.

[MHGinTN]

My first alarmbell went off when I read that Ted’s wife is a CFR member.