Posted on 08/01/2015 7:35:03 AM PDT by Kaslin
As a conservative I gave up long ago on balanced television news coverage. But even this jaded viewer has been disappointed by what I consider unfair and inadequate news coverage of Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz. When Cruz first entered the race for a Texas senate seat he instantly became a favorite of tea party crowds. That’s not because Cruz was some fringe lunatic or right wing radical. Its because he instantly displayed world class communication skills that he used masterfully to articulate conservatism. Though it may sound like heresy to some, I would posit that Cruz is better at communicating conservative principles than even…yes I’m going to say it…Ronald Reagan.
However, I have watched many, even in conservative media treat Cruz like either a fringe right winger or an intellectual who doesn’t understand how Washington works. This criticism has gone on since Cruz first came into the Senate but hit a higher gear when he supposedly “shut down the government” in his attempt to defund Obamacare. At that time Cruz was roundly criticized by the aforementioned commentators and accused of everything from showboating to dereliction of duty. In fact Cruz was merely staying true to his promise to actually “do” something about Obamacare. Had he received energetic support from his own leadership, he might have succeeded.
Which leads us to coverage I saw on Monday night. After Cruz stood courageously on the floor of the Senate last Friday against his own Majority Leader for what Cruz says was a breach of trust within the caucus, some media brought out the long knives. Cruz was now accused of rank hypocrisy. This charge was based on Cruz’s promise to avoid Republican on Republican violence. But I had always taken Cruz’s statement to be in regard to criticism of other GOP Presidential Candidates. At last tally, Mitch McConnell had not entered the Presidential race. Conversely, the Senate is supposed to be a deliberative body. So how is Cruz a hypocrite for doing his job as a Senator?
Finally, there is the maddening tendency of media to lump Cruz in with Donald Trump. Some pundits seem to relish the theory that both men are unserious candidates, equally temporary flashes in the pan. The consensus, a mantra repeated in various ways by various media personalities, seems to be that both Trump and Cruz are merely a temporary salve for the disaffected. The pundits have repeatedly set up a false equivalency wherein both men are depicted as unenlightened as to the DC ways, rude, insincere in their motives, and to be taken with an equally tiny grain of salt. In reality, though the two may be friends and may share similar positions on a few issues, they are miles apart when it comes to substance.
While I have gotten as big a kick out of Trump as the next voter, I am not a supporter of his candidacy. Trump specializes in platitudes and generalizations which, while temporarily refreshing in our current political culture, display a lack of depth and reflect a lightweight approach to the root causes of national problems as well as their solutions. Ted Cruz on the other hand, a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law, has repeatedly demonstrated world class debating skills, an ability to make a strong, specifics-filled, case for conservative principles on virtually any topic, and the aforementioned communication skills to teach conservatism to the nation. Cruz rarely raises his voice when dispatching an opponent whether in a committee hearing or last week in his articulate take down of the Majority Leader.
For my entire adult life Americans have been crying out for a true statesman cut from a fabric similar to our founders. There are more than a couple of men in the Republican field of candidates that may fit that mold, none more perfectly than Cruz. Though some pundits can’t discern a significant difference in the depth and thoughtfulness between Cruz and Trump, let’s hope the voters can. If Cruz gets adequate time in front of the microphone at this first debate, something tells me he will make that difference clear.
Good article.
Cruz/Walker. Walker/Cruz.
I’ve noticed others are sensing that some sort of plan has been hatched between the two.
Have known a couple Harvard law grads. Wasn't at all impressed with them or their abilities. But Cruz looks like he is the exception to the rule!
This is why I dumped TV in 1997. I was a news junkie but HATED the bias.
Oh, I think he understands precisely how Washington works, and he's doing his best to change it.
Excellent article....
Cruz is the ONLY Conservative in this race.
What about Carson?
Skeeter, this has been said...but what plan?
Here are my issues with this and feel free to give me your response:
First, if they are working together, who will endorse who? Will Trump get out and support Cruz? Will Cruz get out and support Trump? Neither is likely. Cruz isn’t running to be VEEP and Trump doesn’t like to quit.
Second, who is Trump targeting..because, so far, he has had kid gloves toward Rubio and Jeb. thoughts?
Nope, Cruz...
Look at Carsons positions...he has had to “evolve” several times. Most notably on the 2nd Amendment.
Carson is great, but he will get exposed in the debates.
If one thinks America needs Mussolini then vote for Trump.
He will make the trains run on time.
If one wants the most ideologically conservative president then the choice is Cruz ( my favorite ).
If one wants the candidate with the best personality and best chance to beat a democrat then the choice is Walker or Rubio.
I happen to think that just about anyone can defeat Hillary and the rest of the sorry socialist bunch of democrats. This country is coming back to RealVille.
Lastly, I find it amusingly ironic that if Trump were to become president, this country would be electing a 1%er - actually a millionth of a 1%er - despite all the chatter about income inequality.
You’ll get no arguments from me. Just what many of us have been saying for the last half year. He is the conservative candidate they really fear. Why Americans can’t see his worth is beyond me. I wonder if Fox News will try to freeze him out in the upcoming debates? Wouldn’t surprise me. If you can at all please continue to contribute to this great individual. I think as time goes on (if Trump stays on fire) it will come down to the two most monied candidates Jeb and Cruz. Right now it’s $103 million to Ted’s $36 mil (or something like that).
Cruz should not pick Walker who is an establishment guy...that would be like Reagan/Bush again. Cruz needs to pick a solid conservative, not a GOPe like Walker.
Difference is, Trump knows what it means to employ people. He’s in the private sector.
I’ve had the feeling for a while that they’re working in concert, with Trump agreeing to be the brass band working the popular culture aspect.
IT would be amazing if Trump cleared the way for a Cruz/Palin ticket. Notice Palin has been talking up Trump.
Walker or Rubio.
Walker I’m still unsure about. My gut tells me he is Plan B for The Cheap Labor Express. He says he’s on our side now, but hasn’t always been.
I’m intending to vote for Cruz.
If Trump is the only way to avoid ¡Yeb!, I’m good with that.
Trump doesn’t want the USA turned into North Mexico.
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