Posted on 08/11/2014 10:30:06 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
With each trip to an early primary state, potential 2016 Republican candidates are defining the issues and their own experience in ways that will bolster their presidential prospects. Pundits call this sort of activity “creating a narrative,” but whatever you call it, it can provide insight into the candidates’ self-image and what they think the primary electorate will want in a nominee.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), in an Iowa visit, sought to define five conservative victories: “Stopping the gun legislation that followed the Newtown shooting;” “stopping a bill reforming the International Monetary Fund that would have put more taxpayer money at risk and weaken the United States at the bank relative to the Russians;” a bill denying admission of an Iranian ambassador to the United States who was a designated terrorist; “the release of Miriam Ibrahim, the Sudanese Christian (married to an American citizen) sentenced to die for her faith;” and getting the Federal Aviation Administration to rescind the ban on flights to Ben Gurion airport. He added two victories-in-the-making: Ending what he calls “amnesty” and repealing Obamacare.
What is noteworthy about these (other than all featuring him) is that four of the five victories are on foreign policy. He clearly is identifying foreign policy prowess and robustness as a conservative victory. (He labels all victories against Obama and the GOP establishment, although the establishment did not disagree with him on most of these.) Plainly, he thinks that a prime rival for the affections of the GOP base, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), is going to suffer in comparison to him.
His foreign policy emphasis reflects his assessment, a correct one in our estimation, that identification with a foreign policy of retrenchment akin to Obama’s foreign policy is a no-go with Republican primary voters....
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Gotta be honest. I really don’t want Cruz to be President. I want him to be Senate Majority Leader.
Rubin is a kept monkey puke who does the bidding of her far-left bosses at Wapo like her fellow-traveler David Brooks at the NY Slimes. Both are despicable turncoats.
Her venom towards Ted Cruz is barely disguised.
Naw, Mike Lee can handle that. Cruz is another Reagan.
Cruz Control to 2016!
Go Ted go! Take America back!
God is the only one who will be able to fix the mess we’re in now. It’s gone too far for man to do any real good.
I don't see that happening anytime soon. Too many GOP-e Senators hate anything that rocks the boat, and Cruz in particular. They look at this as their turn to divvy up the goodies, not cut government. He would have a better shot at getting elected president, but probably not much better. I don't like it, just calling it how I see it.
At this point, contrary to what Savage says, Ted Cruz is the only American politician, who has the leadership and intelligence to bring America back from the abyss caused by the Obama and his democRAT cohorts.
Me, too. Big time!
Nothing would put the fear into the demonrats and the GOPe like "Senate Majority Leader Cruz" would, which is why it won't happen.
They need Ted Cruz to make their problem go away, so they need "President Cruz" for a term.
After that, he and their problem will be gone, the change will be permanent and it's back to business as usual.
Sweet deal at a good price.
And that’s why I also want him there. Not only would things get done, but Cruz is smart enough to know how to get the legislation right, and understand the law of unintended consequences. Not to mention keeping the liberal staffers from slipping in a bunch of crap that comes back to bite 10 years down the road.
Let's have our cake and eat it too. Ted Cruz can be majority leader after the 2014 election and President after the 2016 election.
I have little hope for similar results with McConnell.
Plus, given Cruz's age and how long an incumbent can stay in office, he could do a lot of good for potentially a long time in that position, real, fundamental changes to repair and strengthen our foundation again.
Presidents need life and managerial experience and I'd prefer to choose an experienced Governor or company owner with a successful record of time at the helm to be President.
Someone like that as President teamed with a Majority Leader with a strong Constitutional understanding and we, the people, have legitimate reasons for hope.
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