Posted on 07/18/2015 3:04:06 PM PDT by VinL
Ted Cruz was unambiguous in his praise of John McCain on Saturday, calling his fellow senator a "hero" soon after Donald Trump made inflammatory remarks about the Arizona senator's war record.
But the senator from Texas refused to join other 2016 Republican hopefuls in denouncing the real estate mogul.
Trump sparked an uproar when he suggested at the Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa, that McCain wasn't a war hero because he was captured. "He is not a war hero," Trump said at a question-and-answer session. "He is a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured, OK? I hate to tell you. He is a war hero because he was captured. OK, you can have -- I believe perhaps he is a war hero."
He later tried to clean up his comments, but a wave of Republicans had already condemned Trump's remarks.
For his part, Cruz told reporters he considers McCain "a friend" whom he respects and admires.
"Not only did he sign up to defend our nation, putting his life in harm's way, but when he was a POW, he was imprisoned, tortured, and most incredibly, he was offered the opportunity for early release, he was offered the opportunity to go home, and he turned it down because he believed it would be dishonorable to accept that."
But he declined to speak ill of his presidential rival...
"You know I recognize that folks in the press love to see Republican-on-Republican violence, and so you want me to say something bad about Donald Trump, or bad about John McCain or bad about anyone else," he said. "I'm not going to do it." (snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Cruz needs that group to get energized and involved in the process— and therefore, Trump is an asset.
I suspect Cruz is not overly concerned about Trump as a competitor -- we all can see why.
Why should he?
It’s funny to watch the Liberals rally to support McCain.
Cruz is very effective when he’s on his game which seems like 100% of the time.
EXACTLY!!!
More than gracious on the part of Cruz, considering the things McCain has said about him.
GOTTA LOVE CRUZ
That was smart of Cruz.
An astute observation
I was trying to think of a time when "war hero" McCain ever helped Cruz.
Still thinking......
Trump, Cruz and Walker need to form a partnership.
They need to consolidate their supporters behind a single man.
This would ensure that Jeb! can’t win with 20%.
A few weeks after the first debate they need to chose who is the candidate for president, who will be VP and who will get a major cabinet position. I propose Trump/Cruz/Walker.
If they choose based solely upon standing in the polls it would probably be Trump/Walker/Cruz but I’d really prefer Cruz as VP.
With Trump they would not need to worry about fundraising.
With a partnership they could all spread out and campaign for the nomination at the same time.
It’s a really bad idea to split the conservative primary votes up into too many segments..that will get us Jeb!
If they did this there would be zero possibility of Jeb! getting the nomination.
Also, Trump must not declare that he will not go third party if he fails to get the nomination! This is the only thing he can hold over the GOPe’s head to prevent whatever evil schemes they have in the works to deny him the nomination.
Well played by Cruz as usual.
Trump is not even sure whether a POW is a war hero or not and is trying to figure this out in real time as he speaks. Incredible. :-)
“”You know I recognize that folks in the press love to see Republican-on-Republican violence, and so you want me to say something bad about Donald Trump, or bad about John McCain or bad about anyone else,” he said. “I’m not going to do it.” (snip)”
Didn’t know if you saw this.
Very classy.
Also setting things up if they are to team up in some way.
Cruz is always thinking and is careful about what he says. Unlike The Donald!
I notice how the media fails to report what Trump also said about McCain. Namely, that McCain called the 15,000 people who showed up to watch Trump at the Phoenix Convention Center a bunch of crazies.
McCain apparently likes to start a fight and then hides behind the media’s skirts when Trump hit back.
If I had been among the 15,000 attending the Trump rally in Phoenix I would have been offended by McCain calling me a crazy.
Cruz is looking smarter and smarter these days...
I like Cruz better all the time.
Would you prefer Cruz as VP, or Cruz nominated for SCOTUS? Because if he isn't going to be president, I'd much rather he remain a senator and saved for the high bench, or for a future run as president.
“Republican-on-Republican violence”
I love it.
Cruz is very disciplined. He knows when to hold em and knows when to fold em.
Trump is Trump. Right now he is getting on the nerves of the MSM and everyone who is jumping on the bash Trump bandwagon is just showing cowardice in the face of political correctness.
I like Trump and Cruz because they are not afraid to go against the political zeitgeist.
Cruz is right on in his praise of Trump. Trump said that McCain was a war hero because he was captured. That is true and indisputable. McCain was a hero because he survived as a POW.
But McCain's lack of support for the military, especially the veterans, especially the MIA, and especially the disgraceful treatment of the DoD budget is all TRUE. McCain should retire while he can. He has been a terrible disappointment as a Senator.
many believe Mc Cain got shot at and lost his temper and foolishly made the attack that got him shot down and subsequently imprisoned.
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