Ted Cruz woos Florida Republicans during Palm Beach event

SunSentinel ^ | 7:09 p.m. EST, February 22, 2014 | Anthony Man

[SoConPubbie]

He amped up the criticism of President Barack Obama. He dialed down the my-way-or-the-highway zeal that often infuriates his fellow Republicans. And he left Florida political activists pumped up and buzzing over whether he'll run for president.

"Ted Cruz is a wonderful political figure. Smart guy. Knows his stuff," said Margi Helschien, who lives west of Boca Raton and is president of the Independent Conservative Action Network. "He is exciting."

Tom and Vicky Thayer, of Boca Raton, are ready to consider him as a serious presidential possibility after listening to a 34-minute, late evening speech Friday from the Texas senator, who quickly rose to prominence following his 2012 election by becoming a thorn in the side of Democrats — and Republican leaders.

"I loved him. I thought he was terrific. Everything he said I agreed with," she said. Her husband termed Cruz "fantastic."

For his part, the senator avoided discussion of what's widely seen as his presidential ambitions — fueled by travel to states that are critical to winning the Republican presidential nomination. Last week's Florida trip served as a de facto audition for the big political donors who can help finance a campaign and the grass roots activists who are critical to winning the state's 29 electoral votes.

He gave Republicans plenty to savor at the Palm Beach County Lincoln Day dinner, declaring that "these are not ordinary times in politics" and criticizing what he said was an "abuse of power" by the Obama administration and a "pattern of lawlessness" by the president.

"Liberty has never been more under assault than it is today," he said. "It seems like President Obama is trying to go down the Bill of Rights and violate each one of them one"

[SoConPubbie]

	"If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures." - Alexander Hamilton "We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- President Ronald Reagan "A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine 1792 "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams

[Mount Athos]

woo!

[SoConPubbie]

Ted Cruz Ping!

If you want on/off this ping list, please let me know.

Please beware, this is a high-volume ping list!

[FReepaholic]

WOOO!

[PoloSec]

I think he declare his candidacy right after the 2014 elections.

Right now he is priming the well.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I love how they act like he’s hated and unpopular and will never be president.

[Usagi_yo]

The article isn’t cognizant that nascent political leaders need to tease the early primaries with no intent of really running. This to establish their bona fides and develop interest in their political philosophies. Recognition == Money == influence in your party.

I mean even Newt Gingrich back benched a few years before becoming well known. Cruz’s rise has been nothing but meteoric. Lets hope he’s not burning both ends of the candle.

[Catsrus]

My God -he is actually saying what we all know to be true. I love this man!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks SoConPubbie.

[TBP]

Cruzing with Ted!

[lonevoice]

I wonder if he visited with Rush Limbaugh while he was in Palm Beach.

[iowamark]

Go, Ted, Go!

[iowamark]

40 great pictures at the kink:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/broward-politics-blog/sfl-ted-cruz-republicans-south-florida-20140221,0,6419018,full.story