Posted on 11/05/2014 12:34:44 PM PST by SoConPubbie
Sen. Ted Cruz lauded the Republican Senate takeover Tuesday night, but shied away from endorsing Sen. Mitch McConnell to lead the new majority.
The Texas Republican declined to say whether he would vote for McConnell -- the current Senate minority leader -- to become the Senate majority leader.
"That'll be a decision for the conference to make and that'll be decided next week," Cruz told CNN's Wolf Blitzer twice on CNN.
"Tonight what I'm focused on is the results of this election, which is a resounding Republican majority," Cruz said.
It's not the first time that Cruz, a tea party favorite and potential 2016 presidential contender, has skirted the question, also declining to pledge his loyalty to McConnell in an interview with The Washington Post published Sunday.
(Excerpt) Read more at clickorlando.com ...
Good for Cruz. McConnell is already talking like he’s giving away the victory...as I knew he would.
Both he and Boehner need to be out of their leadership positions. They BOTH have signaled they are willing to give up the power of the purse; the biggest power they have.
Newt never gave up that power and Clinton had to cave over and over to the point that the federal government actually starting spending LESS. And not just cuts in increases but acutal CUTS!
Cruz has actually been leading
McConnell will never lead
Well, less than 24 hours since victory and Mitch has declared "there will not be a government shutdown".
He and that spineless Boehner have given away their power of the purse. Cowards if you ask me.
Newt never gave that away and Clinton was forced to cut spending.
“Republicans need a new face on the Senate. Immediately.”
I agree but Cruz isn’t it. Someone from a state that is not not guaranteed to win simply for having an (R) next to his name, please.
McConnell is not smart enough to put Cruz in his place. Best he can do is make peace with the man.
Well said, that.
Anyone have a list of possible candidates for SML who could bridge the divide between us conservatives and the rinos?
The Oath I swore at the time of my first enlistment in the US Army, and had to swear each time I Re-Enlisted during my career, always included the words: “I will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, foreign AND DOMESTIC.” I consider the Dimocrat Peoples Communist Homosexual Socialist Bunch of Stinking Liberals Party TO BE A DOMESTIC ENEMY OF THE REPUBLIC!
Roger that. More dangerous than any of the muzzies. There are more liberal pukes in the Republic than muzzies or illegals.
I certainly hope there’s more than 1 or 2 established conservatives in the Senate.
But it was prudent for McConnell to come out swinging against the Tea Party, vowing to 'Crush them everywhere' beleaguering the Conservative base and making them a focal point for the hate of Democrats and Establishment Republicans alike???
Was it prudent for McConnell to tell ABC news that the myriad Obama investigations from the IRS to Benghazi were "not going to be a priority"????
I do not sense from statements this week up until this PM's news conference that McConnell has ANY intention of stopping Obama or his agenda in any way, shape or manner. Instead I get the distinct impression he intends to 'manage it' better, rather than stopping it altogether.
I do not comprehend not worrying about what a politician says publicly - because that becomes RECORD. Plus McConnell's fruits to date do not lend any confidence that you wish to ascribe to him.
By the time you are ready to pick up your stones and rope, what you fear will already be a done deal and nothing at all will have changed.
That all said, there is nothing we can do now anyway but watch. Obama now has his foil - and it will be almost comical to watch the GOP Leadership attempt to avoid that trap and 'get along' by giving him what he demands.
Go Ted Go!
Rand Paul will endorse Mcconnell, though. Rand Paul wants to weaken and divide the GOP to make way for his run for President as a Libertarian.
McConnell is going to have a disaster of a time trying to get anything done with a fully independent Cruz. The bulk of the base will follow Cruz in a heartbeat. McC knows this too. I am saying there is virtually no way Cruz wins in a leadership battle...hell all these 75 year old incumbents just got reelected solely on the leadership interfering in primaries. Too many people either owe the NRSC or are too weak to go against the grain. If Cruz is not majority leader, which is the likely outcome, the next best thing is to influence the strategy. Trade some conservative wins for cooperation.
Politics is not beanbag and opponents work together for mutual gain. McConnell is no left winger. He’s got a long conservative record...although a crappy one as leader. There is basically a 55 seat majority, and McConnell is going to want to move good policy to Obama’s desk. I can see this type of alliance being a win win.
Good for Cruz.
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