Cruz: CNBC debate moderators were ‘left-wing operatives’

The Hill ^ | 10/31/15 | Bradford Robeinson

[VinL]

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says the moderators at CNBC’s GOP presidential debate were “left-wing operatives” trying to weaken Republican presidential candidates.

He added future debates should be hosted by moderators who have voted in the Republican primary at least once in their lives.

“What you wouldn’t have is a bunch of left-wing operatives whose object is that whoever the Republican nominee is, they want him as battered and bruised as possible so the Democrat wins in November,” Cruz said at the Iowa GOP’s Growth and Opportunity Party in Des Moines on Saturday.

“Instead you’d have moderators that were trying to help conservatives make a decision who’s going to be the best and strongest conservative to represent us and win, who is the proven conservative, the consistent conservative,” he added.

Cruz noted that even though the debate was branded as an economic-policy forum, the moderators did not ask a single question about Obamacare.

“How do you have a debate on the economy and never mention Obamacare?” he said. “You talk to small-business owners, Obamacare is the single biggest job-killer in this country, and yet the moderators — apparently there are no questions to be asked about Obamacare.”

“Other things that weren’t mentioned at the debate: Common Core, ISIS, Iran,” he added. “But, you know what? We had plenty of time to talk about fantasy football.”

The Texas senator and presidential candidate suggested a debate should be hosted by conservative radio hosts Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin.

“You know, how about we stop letting left-wing liberals moderate Republican debates?” he said.

“How about instead of a bunch of attack journalists, we actually have real journalists?"

The Republican National Committee pulled out of a future debate with CNBC parent network NBC in response to the Wednesday debate.

Republicans accused the moderators of asking loaded questions aimed at embarrassing candidates, rather than focusing on substantive issues.

[The_Media_never_lie]

I used to watch CNBC for the business interviews. They hosts are ALL leftists!

[The_Media_never_lie]

instead of a bunch of attack journalists, we actually have real journalists?"

Both of them have already left the profession.

[Jane Long]

Good idea :)

[TTFlyer]

Liberal-Leftism is shoved down our throats 24/7 from the News Media, the Sports Media, Entertainment Media, etc., etc. We are inundated with Leftist propaganda from every corner of society and we’re all fed up with it.

The Republican candidates are under no obligation to answer questions posed from the propaganda arm of the Marxist Democrat Party.

The Rep candidates should tell the corrupt Networks to go pound sand and stream their debates on the internet. The internet is the last refuge of free speech. Use it!

[libbylu]

So.. What should Cruz talk about? Trump is my #2 but I won’t vote primary for him.
I guess Trump hasn’t repeated himself somewhat in every speech like all politicians do on the trail? I don’t hold it against him.
I think it is because you are for Trump. There is no greater outsider than Ted Cruz. No one else can match his knowledge and conservatism.

[SmokingJoe]

Here you go again with your innane, mindless Trump boosting and yet another pointless idiotic dig at Ted Cruz.....In a Ted Cruz thread no less. No one, but no one is more fearless than Ted Cruz. He has plenty of battle scares to show for it too. Exactly what has Donald Trump done to fight Obama’s numerous illegal, lawless executive acts? Oh wait Donald Trump actually backed Obama’s illegal “Dream Act”, something even the courts have ruled unlawful.

[TTFlyer]

Yeah, I don’t understand why it is necessary to bash Cruz if you’re for Trump or vice versa. This country needs them BOTH very badly.

[butlerweave]

CNBC debate moderators were working from the Script sent by the White House , Fifth-Grade Level

[Isara]

Presidential Candidates Comparison (Cruz vs. Carson vs. Trump)

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[Regulator]

There’s only one problem with the list...all issues are equally weighted.

Just ain’t true.

[RitaOK]

I think I agree with you. Cruz can say and will say whatever he thinks will work, the same as the other candidates will do if they are smart.

Cruz and Trump are competing against each other, but I have not forgotten what FOX did to Trump in the first place that kicked all of this off, in that first debate. People didn’t like it, and it caused a bump— a huge bump in his poll numbers.

Cruz noticed.

Now, if a competitor observed that result and chooses to ride that horse for himself, he will. If he wants to take ownership of it, he can. I think Cruz just did. That’s all I’m saying. He is crafty enough to make use of what works for others. Cruz was not even set up in this CNBC debate, as I recall.

Also, there have been several FR threads titled about some Cruz comment or another, that are part of this phase of his campaign. He is trying to make a Fall time move and accelerating his need for headlines. The comments he has been making are pure red meat for the conservatives.

I thought that coming so fast, one after another, that this one was just too obvious. It was also pretty much borrowed from Trump and from the ones on the Thursday stage at CNBC who actually were targeted by the “left-wing operatives”.

He was not targeted, but he made an excellent scene anyway. Good for him.

[RitaOK]

I don’t mean to be insufferable. I just believe too strongly that no one can beat Hillary, except Trump.

I am so self convinced of that, I consider all the other candidates to simply be in the way.

I just believe we all need to be behind Trump, because he is the only one who is a Force, a power, enough to beat Hillary. Period.

Cruz is absolutely everything you say he is, and he would be my second choice if the COMPLEX should be victorious against Trump and succeed in somehow taking him out.

But, do I believe Cruz stands a prayer of winning against Hillary— Hell, no!

[Fred Hayek]

I got some high pressure sales visit from Comcast (parent company of NBC Universal). I promptly told him that I do not do business with Marxist MF’ers. Yes I did call him that.

[FreeReign]

It was also pretty much borrowed from Trump and from the ones on the Thursday stage at CNBC who actually were targeted by the “left-wing operatives”.

Trump has yet to target specifically anybody in the Marxist media nor any of the Marxist news networks. That's what Cruz did in this example and Trump is free to borrow it if he is so inclined.

And I'm not sure if he is.

[FreeReign]

Half the population of the United States is totally unaware of MSM bias... it needs to be said - and it needs to be said often.

Yup.

Yet we have folks here who come on to this thread and criticize our best conservative who was criticizing three CNBC propagandists.

There is only one explanation for it.

[Smnz]

Every conservative, in every interview, should begin every response or answer with two points: A) either confirm or dispute the premise of the question and relevance to actual concerns of American citizens and B) bring into question the qualifications and credibility of the interviewer. There are very few of the liberal MSM news people that have any level of intelligence, much less the qualifications or credentials, to be engaging in discussions of any issues of substance. One needn’t resort to personal attacks, just calmly and diplomatically point out how inadequate, biased and inexperienced that the interviewer is in regards to the subject matter. Then, if the question is relevant, answer the question. This process should be followed in every interview for every question, by every conservative candidate and office holder. The MSM is absolutely an enemy, but they still have an audience that needs to hear the conservative message. If we can humiliate and discredit the MSM in the process, it’s to our advantage.

[RitaOK]

That’s kind of the point. Trump acts against the media. He reconstructed the CNBC plan for cash— three hours, three and a half whatever, down to two hours. He said it would be unfair, before the event ever occurred.

It was again Trump who exposed the media cartel cash grabbing for $250,000 ads for 30 seconds. Trump handled FOX the same way. He exposed their cash grab ad prices also, and then he boycotted them from his appearances.

Where was everybody else then? Crickets. Leaders lead.

This was the first Marxist debate network and he and Carson together lead again in the effort to change the future.

See the difference? Trump isn’t just rolling on sound bites for the red meat they provide, but once again, he is acting against the media cage matching that Cruz talks about.

[going hot]

All the candidates need to repeat it, daily, as often as possible, until it becomes a mantra.

[jessduntno]

“I think Ben would have said it more like Trump.”

Ben might have waggled his weenie at them.

[TTFlyer]

Well said.