The GOP is in the midst of a debate between the Nationalist vs the Internationalist wings of the GOP. I think after 27 years of the Bush/Clinton/Obama “Lets play Emperor of Earth” strategy, US Voters are looking for a President who will put our well being at the top of their “to do” list for a change
Interesting to note that out of the last 35 years a Bush has been in the White House for 20 years as either President or Vice President. Think the country has enough of the Bush family's fondness for Internationalism.
If I were to characterize Ted Cruz’s political philosophy (and I am now), I would label him: 1) a constitutional conservative; 2) an unapologetic American nationalist; 3) a believer in the philosophy of realpolitik; and 4) a student of, and believer in, the true free-market economic philosophy of Milton Friedman.
I would add that Senator Cruz is an unapologetic, devout Christian, but in the context of point 1, above, and that he may very well be on of the two or three brightest men ever to run for president. And, like his apparent ally Donald Trump, he is despised by the right and left alike.
I’d be good with isolationism for a few years.
Declaring “America First” is not, in and of itself, an isolationist statement. It was construed that way when Charles Lindbergh, a real hero in the eyes of many Americans, called for the US to not become enmeshed in a war in Europe.
The “America First Committee” was, foremost, an anti-war movement, and it was officially dissolved on December 10, 1941. The AFC drew from a wide base, from Midwestern Republicans to Harvard Law students, to Norman Thomas, socialist extradordinary, and counted among their number a young Gerald Ford, a young John F. Kennedy, several major publishers of newspapers, and industrial CEOs.
Cruz’s policy sounds more like one of rational self-interest, than isolationism. His choice of America First was unfortunate, but I believe an honest mistake as Mr. Morrissey suggests. Interesting and thoughtful article.
First of all, NDAA contained provisions, such as the right to detain anyone at any time for any reason, that no constitutionalist could even think of supporting.
Second, there are responsible ways that we could cut defense spending. We should cut the Pentagon bureaucracy, and we should end the single-source procurement that blows up the prices of simple supplies. Both of these things would bring about cuts in defense spending that will not have any negative impact on the ability of our troops to do their job as the best trained, best equipped army on Earth.
That’s called fiscal responsibility.