Posted on 07/25/2015 12:14:29 PM PDT by SoConPubbie
For conservatives, intellectualism can often be a stumbling block.
A politician may be a gifted orator with a logical, detailed message, but reason cannot be forced on those with an agenda, especially when that agenda is wrapped up in bromidic insults instead of facts.
Once distracted from the flow of their thought processes, and unwilling to engage in emotional demagoguery, conservative often stumble when accosted or caught off guard.
Which is why it is gratifying to see presidential candidate Ted Cruz perform so well in a recent standoff with leftist activist group Code Pink.
Protestors stormed a campaign event where Cruz was speaking against the Obama administration’s Iran Deal. After being shouted down, Cruz listened, calmly, to insinuations that those attending were “religious zealots” in the same vein as jihadists and suggestions that he had no right to his opinion since it clashes with the opinion of world powers.
He then completely dismantled the idea that he was anti-peace, stating that such a bargain could not come at the price of emboldening rogue regimes and jeopardizing the safety of Americans, touting the Reagan mantra of “peace through strength.”
The intolerance of fringe groups disrupting civil political discourse is hardly anything new, or even that newsworthy since such demonstrations are the work of a tyrannous minority, so why is this exchange worth parsing?
Simply because Cruz handles himself so deftly. He stands stoically and listens as he and his supporters are insulted. And when he is cut off, he does not lose his temper and snap back at the protesters, which makes them look wronged, but takes up the banner of First Amendment protected speech and asks for equality, a word much relied on by the left.
He can cite specific historical examples from memory and remembers the personal details of American hostages in Iran, demonstrating a sense of awareness, caring and indefatigable spirit.
In short, he behaves like a true diplomat- deferential but not obsequious, phlegmatic but not apathetic, intellectual but not priggish. It’s the same style of leadership as practiced by Ronald Reagan, whose example of leadership Cruz frequently cites.
With all the talk of Americans not wanting another one-term Senator as a president, it is crucial that candidates like Cruz, Paul and Rubio can demonstrate their dynamism and qualification despite having little formal leadership experience.
That is precisely what Cruz has accomplished here, and it makes his domination of Code Pink activists more than a moral victory for conservatives. It adds another impressive qualification to a resume already replete with demonstrable skill.
Thank you for posting the link.
Cruz is very impressive as he engages, graciously, people who wanted to shout him down.
I’ve seen Gingrich do this kind of thing several times, and very well, but he is the only other person in public life that I have seen actually engage his hecklers in conversation, draw them in, actually listen and consider their opinion, and then answer in such a reasoned and graceful way. At the end of it they are left with nothing else to say.
Cruz is a very special guy. He will be an excellent president.
The man certainly has more patience and grace then I would. He’s a gentleman for sure and he knows his stuff. He also needs better security.
Media Benjemein gets owned!
I am not a woman who angers easily, but I have been in two situations in which I was startled at my own desire to physically attack a person. Both times were during pro-patriot demonstrations, in which leftists came in and started shouting their garbage.
Honestly, I was shaking with anger, and it took a great deal of control for me to not strike these people, and I have never hit another adult. Cannot imagine how difficult it is when someone like that harpy actually walks into your personal space like that and starts spouting off.
Which brings up a question: Where was the security detail for this event? Medea sidled right up to Cruz. She could have physically harmed him. And it is not as if she was disguised.
Agreed. Cruz has been fighting the good fight since he got to the Senate ( and in the courts prior to his political career). He is the real deal. That being said, if he doesn’t win the nomination I could vote for a number of the other candidates if I had to.
Your right none of the Candidates has security details. I thought they get secret service details when they run for president. Makes me wonder if Obama will not let them have SS security.
Cruz on the ballot or I write in his name.
Makes me wonder if Obama will not let them have SS security.
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I have wondered about that, as well. Obamugabe, however, had USSS protection very, very early on.
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