Ted Cruz - another big embarrassment to the state and citizens of Texas.
70
Geez, only recently the Leftists were excoriating "W" -- now they suddenly think he is the world's leading political commentator? Wonder if that has anything to do with their fear of people who are tired of funding the Left's "welfare for votes" and "citizenship for votes" schemes?
17
We have Bernie, they have Ted. That's okay. Neither can win. And Ted attacks his own team while Bernie stays in line, which is good for us.
13
Ted Cruz was born in Calgary, Canada. Would someone explain to me, please, how he can be qualified to run for US President?
45
Ted Cruz is Stephen King's "Greg Stillson" (in The Dead Zone). He is truly a frightening creature.
28
Phony journalism is still phony journalism. This isn't about providing information, truth telling, our anything based on any semblance of real journalism. This is an attempt at elegant fear mongering. Writers like this are sorry sons of bit....Cruz is not my favorite candidate by about 6, but he isn't near as scary as Bernie, his belief system is very scary or Hillary who simple blows in the wine and changes positions faster than a flag in a wind storm.
15
In the 60's my father used to say, "the commies don't have to do anything to destroy America, we'll do it ourselves from within". He was referring to drugs, and rock and roll. The real threat from within is the likes of Cruz. He suckled on Newt's Contract With America and the the Monster is now "grown up".
45
Just the sight of his smarmy, petulant face and the whine of his hypocritically accusatory voice ought to be enough to turn off any voter. But this is the cover that reveals the contents of the book—and that's what's truly scary. Cruz not only doesn't believe in the idea of a politician as public servant, he doesn't even attempt to keep up the pretense.
Good luck to him and his self-centered, wealthy backers. Not.
Good luck to him and his self-centered, wealthy backers. Not.
46
Excuse me, is the American Nation really going to let a person not born in the USA or even on a US army base overseas, run for the Presidency of the United States?
Does anyone in either party recall what the Constitution has to say about the qualifications for becoming President of this country?
Why is the press, along with most of us, not even discussing this issue? WHY is this person getting funding and airtime when he is NOT a candidate under the terms of the Constitution?
Or is it time to do what Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan suggested--albeit sarcastically--during the Watergate crisis? "Maybe it's time we consigned this 18th century document to a twentieth century paper shredder!" Is that what we are going to do here? Disregard the United States Constitution and just--let Ted run?
God Forbid.
Does anyone in either party recall what the Constitution has to say about the qualifications for becoming President of this country?
Why is the press, along with most of us, not even discussing this issue? WHY is this person getting funding and airtime when he is NOT a candidate under the terms of the Constitution?
Or is it time to do what Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan suggested--albeit sarcastically--during the Watergate crisis? "Maybe it's time we consigned this 18th century document to a twentieth century paper shredder!" Is that what we are going to do here? Disregard the United States Constitution and just--let Ted run?
God Forbid.
28
Does Frank Bruni ever write a column that doesn't favor his left-leaning point of view? Now that the election is unfolding, the NYT will continue with its procession of conservative bashing pieces. I remember this full well from the last two elections. Rather than calling this journalism I'd have to call it promotion. Discouraging but that's what its constituency wants to read. The goal is not exploration of issues but often confirmation.
15
A guy runs for election, get's elected and does exactly what he promised. That's scary to the elites. Their guys lie to the "masses" then lord over us as if we don't know. Sick of the arrogant elites.
11
Another writer suggest that Cruz is calculated and has no intentions of running. Many believe he has been positioning himself to be a lobbyist - makes a lot of sense. Lack of responsibility at it's finest
7
Cruz is just one of a group of hard-liners with no interest in compromising despite the fact that compromise is essential to a functioning two party system. He is no worse in this regard than Trump or Carson or Fiona or Huckabee or Jeb?! They are the leaders of the new "Red Scare".
18
I am a Trump guy , but Ted is my second choice. He is honest, bright, and the only Senator who has stood up for the Constitution unwaveringly. he has the guts to shut down the government, if that is what it takes, to achieve our goals. I hope he will be Trump's choice for Attorney General, Justice needs his toughness.
10
I hate to keep beating the same drum but I will. The republicans made this Faustian bargain with the far right in the hopes of creating a smoke screen that would allow them to not only remain relevant, but to also hide the origin and the scope of the lies that led us into the Iraqi war. Unfortunately, it's tough to block out the flaming fire now taking place in the middle east. This is what we are all left with, on the way down.
31
Cruz rails against the Establishment, but does so politely and eloquently.
he's so polite, he refused to snark at GWB when asked for his reaction to the "I just don't like the guy".
he's so polite, he refused to snark at GWB when asked for his reaction to the "I just don't like the guy".
9
I can see why Republicans are horrified at the portentous nomination of Cruz. But as a Democrat I'd say he's the ideal Republican nominee. I can picture the ads now: "Ted Cruz. Even George Bush hates him."
41
Senator Cruz is obviously a well-educated and intelligent fellow, which makes his behavior and politics so much more frighteningly Machiavellian. And what I find so eery about him is his resemblance -- in physical appearance, cynicism, and meanness -- to a predecessor senator of another era whose political horrors we now abhor, Joseph McCarthy.
46
On the continuum of psychopathology I have Cruz coming in 4th behind Carson, Carly and Trump. But perhaps he will improve his rankings as the election draws nearer.
18
Why is the Canadian-born Cruz allowed to run for president unchallenged? All through the 2008 campaign, Obama was questioned about his place of birth, yet there is not doubt at all where Ted Cruz was born.
This double standard cannot be acceptable.
The Republicans are such hypocrites.
This double standard cannot be acceptable.
The Republicans are such hypocrites.
40
The most telling sentence in this article is that "...wife is on leave from her job with Goldman Sachs." I thought GS was for the Clinton-Obama-Democrat wing of our cash run government. I would write Cruz off as right wing slightly crazy but now that I know of that connection I worry for Chase Bank and all the other right wing related financial folk. I guess Goldman Sachs is just hedging its investments and the question is will they short Hilary or Cruz when push comes to shove. Our votes are for which bank we want running the country more than which party as our Justice Department has shown in its lack of prosecution "to protect our financial system".
9
And he was born in Canada. Wasn't there a lot of consternation by the Republican frontrunner about our current presidents soil of birth in the media for months upon months? It's not a problem now? Perhaps voters who supported that witch hunt and the news outlets that fostered it need to reexamine their priorities.
19
Ted Cruz is a mainstream Republicans with beliefs and a political agenda that matches nicely with most Republican voters. Why is everyone afraid that only Jeb Bush can win? It would be nice to for the GOP to field a candidate that actually expresses the views of the majority of it's members. That is exactly what parties are supposed to do.
5
I would love to see Cruz get the nomination just to see the Birthers step all over themselves in explaining that someone born with one American parent and one foreign national in another country could run for president! And Trump?
26
After watching Cruz take apart Dianne Feinstein over gun control and the head of the Sierra Club over climate change, I realize Cruz is a fact based guy that excels in destroying leftist propaganda.
That is why a Cruz presidency terrifies the left.
That is why a Cruz presidency terrifies the left.
8
I don't understand why someone should be frightened by Cruz. Every time he finds himself in an environment not of his own making, he is bound to fall back into lies, personal attacks, hysterics and irrationality (and note how he changes the subject immediately after someone points out the implausibility of his argument). He really looks to me like being the frightened one.
11
Mr Bruni in his hysteria is missing one powerful force that Senator Cruz is creating for himself that Jeb Bush and many other Republicans do not have: that is a credible foreign policy position that will do well with the Republican base. And Senator Cruz knows how to articulate this position.
Senator Cruz's position is "peace through strength" using Ronald Reagan as the example and the model. Thus Cruz is positioning himself within the tradition of the Republican party's most revered statesmen. Cruz is very restrained on intervention and adventurism.
In contrast, Jeb Bush is promising a rerun of his brother's failed foreign policies while other Republican candidates are four square in the policy hands of intensely pro-Israel neoconservative handlers funded by billionaires.
Yesterday, Ryan Lizza in The New Yorker had an excellent article pointing out the foreign policy dilemmas of the Republican candidates, particularly Bush. It is easy to see these foreign policy positions destroying these candidates and leaving Cruz standing as the only Reagan Republican on the platform.
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/10/26/what-would-jeb-do
Senator Cruz's position is "peace through strength" using Ronald Reagan as the example and the model. Thus Cruz is positioning himself within the tradition of the Republican party's most revered statesmen. Cruz is very restrained on intervention and adventurism.
In contrast, Jeb Bush is promising a rerun of his brother's failed foreign policies while other Republican candidates are four square in the policy hands of intensely pro-Israel neoconservative handlers funded by billionaires.
Yesterday, Ryan Lizza in The New Yorker had an excellent article pointing out the foreign policy dilemmas of the Republican candidates, particularly Bush. It is easy to see these foreign policy positions destroying these candidates and leaving Cruz standing as the only Reagan Republican on the platform.
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/10/26/what-would-jeb-do
4
Those of us who have immersed ourselves in the late 18th century have seen Cruz before. The Whig, hate mongering, neocon, parliamentarian, philosopher, long winded speaker and self promoting genius Edmund Burke. Burke however had a nemesis named Samuel Johnson despite his arrogance and many other faults such as racism the Conservative Doctor Johnson was able to state without fear that Edmund Burke was the smartest man in the realm and have it understood that this was not a compliment.
Ted Cruz is more than worthy of the appellation Burkean but George W. nor any of our other GOP representatives have the education , intelligence or wit of Samuel Johnson. It is hard to imagine anyone in the anti-intellectual GOP being a member of New York's intellectual salons never mind being the acknowledged leader.
Ted Cruz is more than worthy of the appellation Burkean but George W. nor any of our other GOP representatives have the education , intelligence or wit of Samuel Johnson. It is hard to imagine anyone in the anti-intellectual GOP being a member of New York's intellectual salons never mind being the acknowledged leader.
9
I would be willing to concede that Senator Cruz is fully competent of being able to read Dr. Suess out loud to an assemblage of first graders. But I would not be willing to go beyond that.
14
Funny thing. After reading this article, I opened a new tab to a dictionary site on which I play the daily crossword. The word of the day? "kakistocracy." It's defined as a form of government in which the worst persons govern. I am not in a position to judge Ted Cruz as a human being. But as a legislator, he is the embodiment of the phenomenon David Brooks so well described in a recent column. He hates government and so has no interest in making it work. He is willfully ignorant of the meaning of compromise, and so, despite proclamations to the contrary, hates democracy. What Cruz would like is a Dictatorship of Cruz. He is the worst kind of legislator: a bombast and a demagogue.
27
Cruz has been quite composed recently while dealing in a respectful manner with leftist demonstrators at his speeches. He listens patiently, then explains his position. His demeanor seems to be changing.
4
Cruz was elected in Texas because his opponent was unpopular. The Houston Chronicle endorsed Cruz, but a few months later made a point of withdrawing their endorsement in a withering critique of him. I doubt he will be re-electedd when the time comes.
11
"A Nederland-based Texas independence group is circulating a petition aimed at getting a non-binding vote onto the GOP primary ballot over whether the state of Texas should reassert its status as an independent nation. "
Can we please just let Texas secede now and allow "it" to "follow" them? As "it follows," hopefully so will all its other physical manifestations (Trump, Carson, Palin, etc.).
Can we please just let Texas secede now and allow "it" to "follow" them? As "it follows," hopefully so will all its other physical manifestations (Trump, Carson, Palin, etc.).
11
A flawed individual to be sure but his primary failing is he has NO credible platform, NO alternative options, and no real answer for a great diverse nation.
He like most republican often prefer to look back to the good old days by simply forgetting how bad the good old days were for women, minorities, the poor, the vulnerable.
They just want to return to white men ruling and running everything. But that tract is gone and we must be a more inclusive society. Ted just can't contribute to that reality.
He like most republican often prefer to look back to the good old days by simply forgetting how bad the good old days were for women, minorities, the poor, the vulnerable.
They just want to return to white men ruling and running everything. But that tract is gone and we must be a more inclusive society. Ted just can't contribute to that reality.
11
I do not exaggerate Cruz own value, but his type of people gave immense damage to Republican party since 2008. I cannot isolate the opposition against the Obama from the southern segregation, and If Hillary win the election, these people all going to jump the wagon of sexist bigots.
Republican party needs to convene for salvaging their legacy and saving their future.
It is obvious that Palin and Cruz time is over.
Republican party needs to convene for salvaging their legacy and saving their future.
It is obvious that Palin and Cruz time is over.
6
Ted Cruz wasted $24.2 billion of taxpayer money when he engineered and was lead cheerleader for the government shutdown of 2013.
Unless and until he pays back all that lost money, he should be banned from all public venues including presidential campaigning and sitting in the United States Senate.
Unless and until he pays back all that lost money, he should be banned from all public venues including presidential campaigning and sitting in the United States Senate.
16
For the first time, "W" and I agree on something: I don't like Ted Cruz either.
Unfortunately, there may be enough people in the country who are so angry
at the current state of our politics that they will vote for Cruz out of spite.
I suspect that a large number of these people are so-called "low-information" voters who are easily swayed by his rants, because they speak directly to their fears and frustrations and, ultimately, to their anger with the
ineffectiveness of our political system.
Unfortunately, there may be enough people in the country who are so angry
at the current state of our politics that they will vote for Cruz out of spite.
I suspect that a large number of these people are so-called "low-information" voters who are easily swayed by his rants, because they speak directly to their fears and frustrations and, ultimately, to their anger with the
ineffectiveness of our political system.
13
The Republican race is definitely looking like the movie, the Great Race, i.e. pure chaos. I do not like Cruz as I find him abrasive and extreme. We Republicans can only hope that sanity returns to the process, and we get someone who is an outside to Washington, but perhaps has some experience on the State level.
I really hate to see what is happening, and unfortunately, Romney is appearing to be more and more the candidate of sanity. Will he enter the fray? I doubt it, but I see no one of his caliber, even with the warts and all, that has my confidence that they can win over Hillary or even worse Biden, as an Obama 3rd term candidate.
Where is there a viable candidate who is presidential, and with fresh out of the box ideas?
I really hate to see what is happening, and unfortunately, Romney is appearing to be more and more the candidate of sanity. Will he enter the fray? I doubt it, but I see no one of his caliber, even with the warts and all, that has my confidence that they can win over Hillary or even worse Biden, as an Obama 3rd term candidate.
Where is there a viable candidate who is presidential, and with fresh out of the box ideas?
2
Thanks for the take down of another well paid anti-government career office holder lusting to rise.
As tension builds while reading about Ted Cruz and the other GOP candidates, I remind myself that President Obama was elected twice. I trust national reason to prevail thrice, with the election of his Democratic successor.
Canada is too nice a country for a return Cruz. He can stay here in the rant section, an ashy circle of hell, not getting very far.
As tension builds while reading about Ted Cruz and the other GOP candidates, I remind myself that President Obama was elected twice. I trust national reason to prevail thrice, with the election of his Democratic successor.
Canada is too nice a country for a return Cruz. He can stay here in the rant section, an ashy circle of hell, not getting very far.
9
"He described Cruz as cynically opportunistic and self-serving. "
LOL!!! Man, this line had me splitting a gut for quite some time!
On a more serious note - I don't care how loony tunes the GOP is, there are only 2 words which will make me vote for any of them: Hillary Clinton
LOL!!! Man, this line had me splitting a gut for quite some time!
On a more serious note - I don't care how loony tunes the GOP is, there are only 2 words which will make me vote for any of them: Hillary Clinton
4
This sums up Cruz in a nutshell "Cruz doesn’t propose remedies. He performs rants." And he will never get the GOP nomination.
6
Wasn't Ted Cruz born in Canada? Doesn't that disqualify him from running for president?
9
While Ted Cruz may be reviled in most areas of the country, I believe he is very popular in Texas. The F-35 fighter jets being built by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas has a price tag of $435 billion dollars (that’s billion with a B). It’s been called the most expensive weapons system ever done. Cruz, with hundreds of billions in the bank for Texas, smugly goes on his rants about Planned Parenthood’s $400 million (with an M) or so annually chipped in by the government. I’m sure conservatives will argue that it’s not about the money but rather the overriding moral issues surrounding aborti9on. Cruz and others can say what they please about Planned Parenthood, and they do, but no one can argue that Planned Parenthood ever bombed a hospital. The F-35 project started in the last years of the Bush presidency is now “too big to kill”. It’s hard to give Cruz and the defense Industry any credibility. It’s difficult to take the conservatives seriously when they start preaching about fiscal responsibility. There are many conservatives like Cruz who like to bash the federal government all the while being at the front of the line for whatever pork there is. Could you imagine the outcry if there was a $435 billion proposed to spent in northern states? We would be hearing dire predictions on end about our grandchildren having to pick up the tab.
19
Where are the birthers when you need them?
24
What's Cruz's connection to the Koch Brothers? Who's his biggest funder?
10
"Keep that in mind when he rails against the establishment and the elites. And remember that when someone is as broadly and profoundly disliked as Cruz is, it’s usually not because he’s a principled truth teller.
It’s because he’s frightening."
Substitute Hillary Clinton for Ted Cruz and now we have a discussion. For someone who defends Hillary's scandals as witch hunts this observation about Cruz is rich in its hypocrisy.
It’s because he’s frightening."
Substitute Hillary Clinton for Ted Cruz and now we have a discussion. For someone who defends Hillary's scandals as witch hunts this observation about Cruz is rich in its hypocrisy.
3
"Cruz’s law degree is from Harvard and he did his undergraduate work at Princeton, where the 250-year-old debating club that he belonged to is called the American Whig-Cliosophic Society. Cruz’s wife is on leave from a job with Goldman Sachs.
"Keep that in mind when he rails against the establishment and the elites."
But the rubes eat it up.
Like several other GOP candidates, Cruz does not use his real name (how would "JONATHAN!" look on a campaign button?) and he is not what he claims to be (No, Trump is not a "beeyonair," as he pronounces it).
Rafael Cruz fits right in with the party of lies and deception.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
"Keep that in mind when he rails against the establishment and the elites."
But the rubes eat it up.
Like several other GOP candidates, Cruz does not use his real name (how would "JONATHAN!" look on a campaign button?) and he is not what he claims to be (No, Trump is not a "beeyonair," as he pronounces it).
Rafael Cruz fits right in with the party of lies and deception.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
9
It is precisely this fear that Cruz and his radical reactionary House followers want to instill. In fact, it is fear and outrage alone that drives their base, so they must continually have a foil (like PP) at hand and must continually present the nation at a precipice of total collapse. That these people are completely shirking their governing responsibility towards the rest of the nation is not bothersome for these people, because they actually seem to revile the remaining majority of people and institutions in America. We should make it clear to them that the feeling is mutual.
12
Cruz doesn't seem to be more extreme than Obama or Hillary, just at the other end of the spectrum.
Hillary says she will use executive orders to "control" guns and Obama forced a health insurance scheme down the throats of the public when they were opposed to it. One that has the potential to once and for all push us into "bankruptcy".
I'm not defending or criticizing any of them, this is just what politics has come to in America. If you don't like what the people want you just plow ahead as if they aren't there.
Not one individual running from either party is a leader. In fact Jim Webb is the only potential candidate that has displayed any inkling of leadership.
Leaders don't use their power for selfish reasons or to divide their fellow countrymen.
I have little hope for the future of America. There is no respect for honest differences of opinion. The current situation seems to be a strong desire to destroy anyone who disagrees with you.
Harry Reid stood on the floor of the United States Senate yesterday, a place where so many honest respectable leaders of high character with a selfless love for our country have stood for two centuries, and lied openly about the opposition smearing others while summoning support to block passage of a bill to protect innocent citizens from ruthless criminals here illegally. This is what we have come to in our "leadership". He spits in the face of incredible privilege. On another day it may be a conservative "leader".
Hillary says she will use executive orders to "control" guns and Obama forced a health insurance scheme down the throats of the public when they were opposed to it. One that has the potential to once and for all push us into "bankruptcy".
I'm not defending or criticizing any of them, this is just what politics has come to in America. If you don't like what the people want you just plow ahead as if they aren't there.
Not one individual running from either party is a leader. In fact Jim Webb is the only potential candidate that has displayed any inkling of leadership.
Leaders don't use their power for selfish reasons or to divide their fellow countrymen.
I have little hope for the future of America. There is no respect for honest differences of opinion. The current situation seems to be a strong desire to destroy anyone who disagrees with you.
Harry Reid stood on the floor of the United States Senate yesterday, a place where so many honest respectable leaders of high character with a selfless love for our country have stood for two centuries, and lied openly about the opposition smearing others while summoning support to block passage of a bill to protect innocent citizens from ruthless criminals here illegally. This is what we have come to in our "leadership". He spits in the face of incredible privilege. On another day it may be a conservative "leader".
4
Texans are wondering what we have gotten into. Ted Cruz was instrumental at
blocking the renewal of the charter of the US Export-Import Bank, which facilitates the sale of US manufactured goods to foreign entities.
As Texas has double the rate of other states in export sales, this puts many jobs at risk.
General Electric Company cited the role of Senator Ted Cruz in blocking the
renewal of the charter of the Ex-Im Bank as a key reason that it was rejecting Dallas as a potential headquarters relocation site, which will cost Dallas and the State of Texas tens of billions of dollars from the loss of its exceptional corporate citizenship.
Without the Citizens United decision of the Supreme Court, Ted Cruz would not have any significant backing for his extremist positions. With the immense advertising impact of the Super Pacs fed by the Koch Brothers and others who seek to impose their views on the majority, we are far from the intent of the Founding Fathers.
As the media cannot censor ads, we have a situation in which those with immense dollar backing can determine the outcome of many elections with eleventh hour attack ads on moderate public servants that have little truthful basis.
The Tea Party extremists have correctly analyzed that with low voter turnout in primary elections, those with extreme views can gain control over a lethargic majority who are lax at turning out for the primary elections.
Low voter turnout insures troublesome incumbents.
blocking the renewal of the charter of the US Export-Import Bank, which facilitates the sale of US manufactured goods to foreign entities.
As Texas has double the rate of other states in export sales, this puts many jobs at risk.
General Electric Company cited the role of Senator Ted Cruz in blocking the
renewal of the charter of the Ex-Im Bank as a key reason that it was rejecting Dallas as a potential headquarters relocation site, which will cost Dallas and the State of Texas tens of billions of dollars from the loss of its exceptional corporate citizenship.
Without the Citizens United decision of the Supreme Court, Ted Cruz would not have any significant backing for his extremist positions. With the immense advertising impact of the Super Pacs fed by the Koch Brothers and others who seek to impose their views on the majority, we are far from the intent of the Founding Fathers.
As the media cannot censor ads, we have a situation in which those with immense dollar backing can determine the outcome of many elections with eleventh hour attack ads on moderate public servants that have little truthful basis.
The Tea Party extremists have correctly analyzed that with low voter turnout in primary elections, those with extreme views can gain control over a lethargic majority who are lax at turning out for the primary elections.
Low voter turnout insures troublesome incumbents.
7
Republicans nominated Goldwater in 1964. His conservatism was too much for most and Johnson won 44 states and 90% of electoral votes. Democrats can only hope Cruz will be selected. By the way, he was born in Canada, right?
9
I never thought that Ronald Reagan could be elected president of the US because he was way too conservative and more concerned with preening his image than responsible government. That's why I think that Ted Cruz has a very good chance of getting in.
16
All the republicans are frightening. Can you imagine any one of those clowns as President?
25
I can, which is absolutely terrifying.
1
Cruz is a smart and aggressive logician with a contrarian bent and political views that are eclectic and in some cases extreme.
As such he is definitely dangerous to his political opponents, but he's hardly an invincible bogeyman. His arguments, while clever, are wrong, and he's not very good at packaging them into palatable political positions.
Nobody's going to vote against him because he went to competitive schools or has a rich wife. They might vote against him because he has essentially all the same strengths as Hillary Clinton, but is less well-trained in using them.
As such he is definitely dangerous to his political opponents, but he's hardly an invincible bogeyman. His arguments, while clever, are wrong, and he's not very good at packaging them into palatable political positions.
Nobody's going to vote against him because he went to competitive schools or has a rich wife. They might vote against him because he has essentially all the same strengths as Hillary Clinton, but is less well-trained in using them.
5
Republicans have worked unceasingly to become the party of the bigot, the zealot, the ignorant, and the hateful. They have worked at this for a half of a century. It says quite a lot that of 15 candidates for President only one, Kasich, would be recognizable by a republican of Eisenhower's era. Maybe even the Reagan error.
So far this demolition derby represents only about 10% of US, and if We the People wake up to the reality of who has designed the mess we are in we can limit the damage to brain dead zones in the south and west, and of course Texas.
We the People must get out the vote for democrats, as unappealing as that may be for some, and remove the relevance of these tea partistas.
So far this demolition derby represents only about 10% of US, and if We the People wake up to the reality of who has designed the mess we are in we can limit the damage to brain dead zones in the south and west, and of course Texas.
We the People must get out the vote for democrats, as unappealing as that may be for some, and remove the relevance of these tea partistas.
32
Why do citizens of countries let themselves be influenced by the likes of Cruz, who prey on a spectrum of people from the weak-minded, frightened and ignorant masses who want to be protected for all things they don't, can't or won't understand to the greedy wealthy who see his potential rise as another opportunity to increase their power and influence? It surprises me that people can't see in his inflammatory, obstructionist rhetoric and behavior the same seeds that have given us some of our most heinous political figures in history. He shares many of the same characteristics: egomania, a refusal to recognize that governing requires compromise, a grotesque insensibility and lack of empathy. Despite his declarations to the contrary, he displays a personality whose behavior is psychopathic, and who lacks a true sense of moral responsibility or social conscience. Sorry for the alarmist tone, but I see a man that would do great harm to women, minorities, science, education, and by doing so harm everyone and send us back to a kind of cultural and intellectual modern-day dark ages.
18
When someone frightens the loony Left, he must be doing something right.
The Democrats are terrified that Trump will flame-out and Carson will drop out, leaving Cruz as the only actual conservative in the race for the Republican nomination. But their real fear is that clenching of their guts that tells them that neither Hillary nor Bernie can beat Ted Cruz in the general election.
The Democrats are terrified that Trump will flame-out and Carson will drop out, leaving Cruz as the only actual conservative in the race for the Republican nomination. But their real fear is that clenching of their guts that tells them that neither Hillary nor Bernie can beat Ted Cruz in the general election.
6
Can a Canadian get elected president of these United States?
Where are the Birthers? Where's the outcry?
Oh yea, Cruz is white.
Where are the Birthers? Where's the outcry?
Oh yea, Cruz is white.
7
Cruz is not a conservative, he's nothing more than a cheap, flame-throwing demagogue. Hillary would hammer him -- she would look positively rational, restrained and adult in comparison.
10
Not a very thoughtful response.
Sometimes, when someone is frightening, it is because that someone is truly frightening. The "loony left" is capable of being frightened by someone who also frightens others. Just because the "left" are among the "frightened," it does not mean that the fright is not real.
By the way, it seems absurd to use the word "loony" in your context. Ted Cruz is, if anyone, the "loony" one.
Sometimes, when someone is frightening, it is because that someone is truly frightening. The "loony left" is capable of being frightened by someone who also frightens others. Just because the "left" are among the "frightened," it does not mean that the fright is not real.
By the way, it seems absurd to use the word "loony" in your context. Ted Cruz is, if anyone, the "loony" one.
Cruz gives demagogues a bad name. The humility of Louis XIV and the personality of Torquemada. Makes one nostalgic for the moderation of Joe McCarthy. Sigh ...
16
The problem isn't with the candidates, it is with their constituents. Cruz et al. are accurately reading the "mentality" of a fear-driven segment of the population who has chosen to abandon standards of rationality and civility.
19
The scariest thing is the basic GOP platform itself, and all the support the most wingnut candidates are getting for their anti-immigrant, anti-poor, anti-gay, anti-education (that doesn't include creationism), pro-war, pro-life (only when in the womb), pro-1%, pro-obstructionist agenda!
13
Frank, your column today is enlightening, informative, and scary. President Bush's remark, "I just don't like the guy", is shared by others. I heard a colleague of yours, David Brooks, say, "When Senator Cruz entered the Senate Cafeteria alone, the room got noticeably quiet, eerie quiet." In a place where colleagues, staff, and guests enjoy food and company, Senator Cruz mere presence changes a friendly atmosphere to an adversarial "be on the lookout". Sad. Reading "Green Eggs and Ham" does not soften his persona for me. I cannot imagine him as Compassion Leader in State for those Americans who suffer adversity from war or weather.
20
It IS frightening to think there is someone out there who wants to tranform our government into one that follows the Constitution.... the document all of those elected officials swore to uphold and defend.
The more frightened YOU are, the more I like Ted Cruz.
The more frightened YOU are, the more I like Ted Cruz.
6
Read the comments. It's all snarky name calling. "Cruz LOOKS LIKE (long dead) Senator McCarthy". No relationship, nothing in common, but you know -- he LOOKS like someone bad, ergo he must be bad.
"His wife works for GOLDMAN SACHS"....you know, like Chelsea Clinton's husband. But in this case: pure evil.
I have not heard even ONE serious allegation of wrong-doing on Senator Cruz's part. Only that he's horrible, evil, awful, people in the Senate cafeteria do not like him, and (my favorite), Jeb Bush's BROTHER does not like him.
Ergo, he must be evil.
"His wife works for GOLDMAN SACHS"....you know, like Chelsea Clinton's husband. But in this case: pure evil.
I have not heard even ONE serious allegation of wrong-doing on Senator Cruz's part. Only that he's horrible, evil, awful, people in the Senate cafeteria do not like him, and (my favorite), Jeb Bush's BROTHER does not like him.
Ergo, he must be evil.
I agree that Cruz is a polarizing figure who is "broadly and profoundly disliked" and therefore would not be a good candidate for president. The same holds for Hillary, Bernie, the Donald, Jeb, Rand, and Carly. These candidates are all broadly and profoundly disliked by many. So if you don't want Cruz for this reason, then you shouldn't want Hillary either, who is perhaps the most polarizing of the bunch. Further, there is nothing Hillary can do at this point to eliminate this animosity coming from the right. Even if you love her policies, you'd have to agree she will likely be a polarizing president who will cause even more gridlock in DC. I think we need a uniting president. The only viable candidates that aren't broadly and profoundly disliked are Biden, Kasich, Carson and perhaps Rubio.
3
Carson makes Cruz look like the model of political rationality. He is profoundly disliked by anyone even vaguely aware of his positions.
1
There is a massive difference. Ted Cruz is polarizing for what he says. HRC is polarizing for things said about her, mostly by people who talk like Ted Cruz.
6
Frank, you need to rephrase your statement, " It's because he's frightening to LIBERALS".
6
This must be your Halloween column. Where's your faith? Your courage? Are you saying Cruz would be worse than Trump? That this dragon Cruz could slay knight-errants Hillary or Bernie? You of weak resolve. Get yourself a silver cross.
3
Re: "His campaign has more cash on hand than that of any other Republican in the hunt."
In case no one else has noted it in the now 350 comments: Ted "Koch" Cruz.
In case no one else has noted it in the now 350 comments: Ted "Koch" Cruz.
7
My sister-in-law is an enthusiastic supporter of Ted Cruz. She posted the right-wing report yesterday of W dissing Cruz. I'll share with you my comment: "This will only help Ted Cruz".
As you may remember, Ted Cruz rose to prominence as an appointee of W. Texas voters have enthusiastically embraced Ted Cruz. This enthusiasm is certainly not because we perceive Ted to be W's boy, but rather that we perceive Ted to have the intellect and courage to serve Texas' interests in Washington.
As you may remember, Ted Cruz rose to prominence as an appointee of W. Texas voters have enthusiastically embraced Ted Cruz. This enthusiasm is certainly not because we perceive Ted to be W's boy, but rather that we perceive Ted to have the intellect and courage to serve Texas' interests in Washington.
4
It's interesting that Texas' interest in Washington is to shut down the government over Planned Parenthood.
3
"We" who? Please back off of that "we" stuff, pardner. The only Texan you can speak for is yourself.
I'm a native Texan, born and raised, and not only did I NOT vote for Ted Cruz, I can state, unequivocally, that he does not represent me or my home state. Never has, never will.
Ted Cruz represents Ted Cruz. That's it.
I'm a native Texan, born and raised, and not only did I NOT vote for Ted Cruz, I can state, unequivocally, that he does not represent me or my home state. Never has, never will.
Ted Cruz represents Ted Cruz. That's it.
7
It is my impression that Senator Cruz has a worldview that appears to shaped his conservative religious experience. His intellect is obvious and he uses it to full effect in arguing that he has the correct interpretation of life. He is a man of strong views who makes me uneasy.
4
So,you're supporting Bush?I thought most NY Times writers favored big govt types,like Obama,Hillary and the socialist.
6
Those people are not running against Bush. Ted Cruz is running against Bush.
Cruz is merely the most obviously deceitful and cynical of a very creepy lot. In my 60+ years, the GOP always stood for conservative values (more or less), but today's GOP stands for blatant dishonesty and self-aggrandizement. Sadly, the Democratic party leadership is not far behind----which is why only Bernie Sanders resonates with thinking Americans who understand the real problems we face. The only honest candidate is the one the Times and other journals of record claim cannot win.
18
No, "the Democratic party leadership is not far behind"--those Democrats have their faults but surely are far removed from this dangerous populist demagogue Cruz as they are from reality show star Trump
1
The frightening aspect of Ted Cruz even being a factor in the electoral process is that there are people willing to support him and also donate to his campaign. If Cruz were to drop dead tomorrow, a replacement would step into his shoes without much hesitation. It is the attitude and actions of that segment of the GOP supporting him that endangers our constitutional government. Racism, fear, ignorance and selfishness are just some of the factors that seem to motivate this group. Mainstream America needs to wake up to the threat such a group is to our democracy and get back to the polls.
14
We learned all we needed to know about Cruz when he read Green Eggs and Ham on the Senate floor in an filibuster effort to shut down the government over Obamacare.
The fact that he could read aloud an entire children's story dedicated to the message of 'try it you might like it' during an attempt to prevent the country from trying Obamacare, without any sense of the irony, demonstrates conclusively that his mind is completely closed to rational thought.
The fact that he could read aloud an entire children's story dedicated to the message of 'try it you might like it' during an attempt to prevent the country from trying Obamacare, without any sense of the irony, demonstrates conclusively that his mind is completely closed to rational thought.
35
The NYT's comments sections show daily the mind-blight that sets in when slogans rule. “Liberals are evil” induces many to defend anything on the Right, even if it is antithetical to the spirit of America and its constitution. Fascism is nascent throughout the Right. Typical of fascism is rampant corporatism that allies with churches and the military.
Ted Cruz might be viewed as a godsend to Democrats, because he’ll disgust enough people to turn them off voting for the GOP. But that godsend mentality ignores the deterioration that proceeds apace in the public space, where restriction of rights (voting; reproductive) is high on the GOP agenda.
As for Frank Bruni: did he not notice Cruz before getting the word from the horse’s mouth, or whatever, GWB?
Ted Cruz might be viewed as a godsend to Democrats, because he’ll disgust enough people to turn them off voting for the GOP. But that godsend mentality ignores the deterioration that proceeds apace in the public space, where restriction of rights (voting; reproductive) is high on the GOP agenda.
As for Frank Bruni: did he not notice Cruz before getting the word from the horse’s mouth, or whatever, GWB?
8
Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, and Ben Carson -- each fit the definition of a demagogue, defined as follows:
1. noun: a person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people.
2. verb (used with object), demagogued, demagoguing. to treat or manipulate (a political issue) in the manner of a demagogue; obscure or distort with emotionalism, prejudice, etc.
Isn't it time to remind people of where other demogogues in history have led their followers and their countries?
1. noun: a person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people.
2. verb (used with object), demagogued, demagoguing. to treat or manipulate (a political issue) in the manner of a demagogue; obscure or distort with emotionalism, prejudice, etc.
Isn't it time to remind people of where other demogogues in history have led their followers and their countries?
24
So you're saying he's frightening to a bunch of establishment republicans? Hmmm...sounds good to me!!!!!
8
I think he is frightening, period. I would feel very unsafe if Cruz were elected president.
"When he breaks that habit, you perk up and wonder why."
You know what I wonder? Why he never said anything remotely like that about a Democrat. He was in office for eight years and suffered many slings and arrows from Democrats but never said anything. Maybe he prefers the company of Democrats to other Republicans. It would tend to explain why the biggest domestic accomplishments of his presidency were No Child Left Behind and Medicare, Part D - expansions of existing Democrat programs.
You know what I wonder? Why he never said anything remotely like that about a Democrat. He was in office for eight years and suffered many slings and arrows from Democrats but never said anything. Maybe he prefers the company of Democrats to other Republicans. It would tend to explain why the biggest domestic accomplishments of his presidency were No Child Left Behind and Medicare, Part D - expansions of existing Democrat programs.
3
How I hate to agree with Bush 43 about anything! But he's right. The people who know Cruz from Harvard and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals say he's brilliant. The only way a brilliant person could do & say the stupid things Cruz does & says is to be a sociopath.
13
Or simply to win an election. What bothers me about all the comments I've read (not yours in particular Michel), AND the op-ed itself, is there is little here about what Cruz or any of the other Republicans candidates actually want to DO if they get elected.
Sorry to be difficult, but what I want to know is what their platforms actually are, and even more importantly, why everyone of them seems so extreme. Call me naive, but has any really adequately explained exactly why the Republican party has become so extreme? I can't wait to hear a clear, comprehensive and logical explanation of it from ANYONE.
Sorry to be difficult, but what I want to know is what their platforms actually are, and even more importantly, why everyone of them seems so extreme. Call me naive, but has any really adequately explained exactly why the Republican party has become so extreme? I can't wait to hear a clear, comprehensive and logical explanation of it from ANYONE.
Ted Cruz his policies and personality are just horrible. He reminds me of a modern day Joe McCarthy with a little Dr. Stranglove mixed in.Hopefully the good folks of Texas will send him packing to a talking head career at Fox News.Good riddence.
9
Cruz seems like McCarthy, Joe McCarthy reincarnated. He is scary. Thanks for shedding light on him. Now, everyone eat your garlic.
13
Yes, he is a threat to you. He is a threat to the status-quo. He is a threat to compromise. He draws lines.
The past 100 years has been a continual situation where the Constitution has been compromised time and again. We now have a total mess where each of the three branches is performing part of the job of the other two.
Congress is supposed to write laws. Period. The Executive has no business writing regulations for anyone that doesn't work directly for them. Congress is supposed to set budgets. Period. They don't pick who does the work, and they don't set up hurtles that only one company or group can jump over. The executive is to administer the laws, not write them or ignore them. The executive cannot merely ignore ANY law UNLESS they can prove that the law is Unconstitutional. The Judiciary is supposed to decide those differences. They are supposed to interpret the letter of the law, as informed by the debate and discussion when it was emplaced. Period. "Precedent" is second or third in importance after considering the exact wording of the law and the debate as it was passed. Precedent must only be used as a tie-breaker. The inscrutability of the text of a law is key to the concept of "Rule of Law". When the Judiciary goes beyond that and creates laws, rules and rights, it is assuming the authority reserved to the Congress and the framers.
We have passed woefully beyond the bounds that our Framers set in the plain words of our Constitution.
The past 100 years has been a continual situation where the Constitution has been compromised time and again. We now have a total mess where each of the three branches is performing part of the job of the other two.
Congress is supposed to write laws. Period. The Executive has no business writing regulations for anyone that doesn't work directly for them. Congress is supposed to set budgets. Period. They don't pick who does the work, and they don't set up hurtles that only one company or group can jump over. The executive is to administer the laws, not write them or ignore them. The executive cannot merely ignore ANY law UNLESS they can prove that the law is Unconstitutional. The Judiciary is supposed to decide those differences. They are supposed to interpret the letter of the law, as informed by the debate and discussion when it was emplaced. Period. "Precedent" is second or third in importance after considering the exact wording of the law and the debate as it was passed. Precedent must only be used as a tie-breaker. The inscrutability of the text of a law is key to the concept of "Rule of Law". When the Judiciary goes beyond that and creates laws, rules and rights, it is assuming the authority reserved to the Congress and the framers.
We have passed woefully beyond the bounds that our Framers set in the plain words of our Constitution.
8
The constitution, like the bible, are works suited to the time that men created them in. Unfortunately, in both cases they've saddled us with documents that have no relevance at best to the 21st century and, at worst, choke off progress. There is nothing sacrosanct about either text.
2
Well, Cruz got one thing right: McConnell is a liar (who, happily, has been out of the spotlight for a while now).
5
From one who thinks Bush is the Worst President Ever - the MSM line was always "he would be a good guy to have a beer with". Remember that? Well if that kinda guy says he just doesn't like Raphael Cruz, then all bets are off. This Raphael is one scary, power-hungry and lying dude.
11
It’s somewhat amusing to watch you left-wingers squirm when Ted Cruz is the topic. You have spent years vilifying George W Bush and yet, you rely on something he may have said about Cruz as justification for your fear of the Senator. This is all quite revealing, and actually not surprising given the liberal syndrome.
7
How does your first statement justify your second statement?
1
Not at all, John. We're well aware of Cruz' government-damaging and soul-destroying outlook. To hear a normally silent (to the point of nearly invisible these days) GWB single him out as a negative influence, well, that's pretty astonishing.
1
Did it ever occur to you, John, that "left-wingers'" reasons for vilifying Dubya and Cruz could be totally different? The objections to Bush II are for his misguided wars in the Middle East. Yet he never came across as insincere. What he said he truly believed. With Cruz it's just the opposite. He is always speaking for effect and seeking to manipulate others. I never feel like I am experiencing the real Ted Cruz when he speaks.
1
There really is no mystery about Cruz. He really does not believe all that he says. Much of these outrageous statements are just tactics in a greater strategy. We need only revisit our early democratic roots to find such outrageous statements emanating from both the faction wanting a limited federal government and the faction wanting a strong centralized federal government, namely Jefferson and Hamilton.
Cruz definitely would have been for very limited federal government if he had been back in the late seventeen hundreds among these factions. The vitriolic nature of the arguments back then about the nature of government would not need to take a back seat to the arguments we hear today.
The mood in the country shows itself ready for a Donald Trump because he offers not political experience but, rather, the art of the deal. I am not a great fan of Trump but he does seem to promise that he can deliver the goods, so to speak. After all, the people did elect Ronald Reagan, actor, union leader, and ex Governor of California. His appeal was mainly celebrity and anti big government.
I do not fear Cruz but I do fear that we are going to regret almost anyone now running for President becoming our President. Where is someone like Ike when we need he or she?
Cruz definitely would have been for very limited federal government if he had been back in the late seventeen hundreds among these factions. The vitriolic nature of the arguments back then about the nature of government would not need to take a back seat to the arguments we hear today.
The mood in the country shows itself ready for a Donald Trump because he offers not political experience but, rather, the art of the deal. I am not a great fan of Trump but he does seem to promise that he can deliver the goods, so to speak. After all, the people did elect Ronald Reagan, actor, union leader, and ex Governor of California. His appeal was mainly celebrity and anti big government.
I do not fear Cruz but I do fear that we are going to regret almost anyone now running for President becoming our President. Where is someone like Ike when we need he or she?
1
President Cruz would shut down the government until Obamacare was no more, shut down the government until Planned Parenthood was no more and round up every undocumented immigrant. The fact that he is a valid presidential GOP candidate scares me. The fact that more leaders in the GOP have not called him out on his insanity scares me even more.
15
Yes, Mr Bruni, I can see how Ted Cruz would scare you and the rest of the anti-Constitution, divorced-from-America crowd in the Washington Mafia. We desperately need to return to the American principles specified in the Constitution of the United States, or we will sink deeper and deeper into the Fascist, Socialist, and Marxist mire of Democratism. Ted Cruz, along with Trump and Carson, offer an opportunity to restore America to what she was and deserves to be. That's why I, and most real Americans, will vote for him
7
Racism, misogyny, pandering to the 0.1%, pandering to energy corporations, climate change denial, more wars launched in the Middle East, cutting any vestige of social support for the most needy.. this is what has been promised by the GOP hopefuls..and this is what you would call restoring America to its greatness?
4
Most people misunderstand what Cruz is doing. For a long time, Congress has been in the business of avoiding tough votes. They want to go back to their districts with flowery stories of how they voted for the things the electorate wanted but they just did not pass or they voted against something but it passed anyway. This is how they get reelected. A good example is those fifty votes to repeal ObamaCare. They were just show votes to take back home to the rubes. Notice how they haven't had one since the GOP took over the Senate, i.e. when it might have mattered?
Cruz is exposing that by forcing them to take tough votes. If you're wondering why Cruz's recent amendment could not get a second, it isn't because they hate the guy, it's because it would've forced them all to go on record. Regardless of how you feel about funding for Planned Parenthood, don't you want to know that your elected representative feels the same way about it? By burying it in an omnibus appropriation bill, Congressmen get to avoid answering to their constituents.
If that's the kind of government you want, keep hating on Cruz. However, if you want government that is accountable to the people, you should support a process that forces your representatives to go on the record with actual votes.
Cruz is exposing that by forcing them to take tough votes. If you're wondering why Cruz's recent amendment could not get a second, it isn't because they hate the guy, it's because it would've forced them all to go on record. Regardless of how you feel about funding for Planned Parenthood, don't you want to know that your elected representative feels the same way about it? By burying it in an omnibus appropriation bill, Congressmen get to avoid answering to their constituents.
If that's the kind of government you want, keep hating on Cruz. However, if you want government that is accountable to the people, you should support a process that forces your representatives to go on the record with actual votes.
8
Anyone who shuts down the government or allows it to default on its full faith and credit should be prosecuted for treason.
21
I guess you wanted Tip O'Neill prosecuted?
the only person who can shut down the government is the President. Put the blame where it truly belongs.
I am amazed at the very negative comments made by some in response to my comment which suggests or implies that I might move to another country if a Republican is elected to the White House. Firstly, I love my country, secondly, I am not going to move to another country although I might visit one more frequently, third, I am doing and have done everything I can to help elect Democratic candidates to office, including Bernie Sanders.
If George W Bush doesn't like Ted Cruz, there must be a good reason, and for the only time ever in my life I agree with him.
I try very hard to keep my comments regarding stories in the opinion section of the great NYT civil. I would like everyone else who comments here to do the same, leaving out the insults.
If George W Bush doesn't like Ted Cruz, there must be a good reason, and for the only time ever in my life I agree with him.
I try very hard to keep my comments regarding stories in the opinion section of the great NYT civil. I would like everyone else who comments here to do the same, leaving out the insults.
17
Wow! Is this the first time you have ever agreed with Bush?
Cruz attended Princeton and Harvard, which assumes a relatively high IQ.
There are plenty of sociopaths out there with high IQs.
They are the most dangerous kind.
There are plenty of sociopaths out there with high IQs.
They are the most dangerous kind.
19
I think Bruni's point, in noting that Crux attended Princeton as an undergraduate, got a law degree from Harvard, and is married to an investment banker who's on leave from Goldman Sachs, was that his background doesn't align with his "prairie-populist pose."
I am 64 years old -- my memories of elections go back to the Goldwater-Johnson election of 1964. My grandparents (who raised me) were ardent Goldwater supporters.
I have never seen an election for President where candidates with substantial public backing, even front-runners, were so abysmally unqualified as today's Republicans.
McGovern, often considered the most feckless Democratic candidate in modern times, was a paragon of experience and reasonable policy positions compared to Trump, Carson, Cruz. Further his nomination mostly fell to him, as a result of Chappaquidick (that removed Teddy Kennedy), and the infamous "Canuck Letter" and a whispering campaign about Jane Muskie's drinking. Dirty tricks took out a viable nominee that the Republicans did not want to face.
I strongly doubt that Ted Cruz will get the Republican nomination -- and if he does I even more strongly doubt that he can get elected. Every Democrat I know perks up with glee at the idea of Cruz as the Republican nominee, because he so hateful and obviously in it for himself, also so obviously willfully taking up positions too ignorant for a man of his education. His "efforts" at self-aggrandizement have hurt his party and hurt the nation.
Ted Cruz has a 2:1 unfavorable/favorable polling rating. That's worse than everybody else in the race -- worse than Trump.
It will be an extraordinary new low in American politics, if he is the Republican nominee.
I have never seen an election for President where candidates with substantial public backing, even front-runners, were so abysmally unqualified as today's Republicans.
McGovern, often considered the most feckless Democratic candidate in modern times, was a paragon of experience and reasonable policy positions compared to Trump, Carson, Cruz. Further his nomination mostly fell to him, as a result of Chappaquidick (that removed Teddy Kennedy), and the infamous "Canuck Letter" and a whispering campaign about Jane Muskie's drinking. Dirty tricks took out a viable nominee that the Republicans did not want to face.
I strongly doubt that Ted Cruz will get the Republican nomination -- and if he does I even more strongly doubt that he can get elected. Every Democrat I know perks up with glee at the idea of Cruz as the Republican nominee, because he so hateful and obviously in it for himself, also so obviously willfully taking up positions too ignorant for a man of his education. His "efforts" at self-aggrandizement have hurt his party and hurt the nation.
Ted Cruz has a 2:1 unfavorable/favorable polling rating. That's worse than everybody else in the race -- worse than Trump.
It will be an extraordinary new low in American politics, if he is the Republican nominee.
19
"I have never seen an election for President where candidates with substantial public backing, even front-runners, were so abysmally unqualified as today's Republicans."
And yet Obama got elected twice.
And yet Obama got elected twice.
It is another testament to the ignorance of GOP/'Merican Taliban type voters that they would think a Princeton/Harvard educated lawyer who's wife works at Goldman Sachs is one of them. Ted Cruz is a phony all the way.
I wonder, how did the 'Moral Majority' come to have such bad character judgement?
I wonder, how did the 'Moral Majority' come to have such bad character judgement?
17
Why do people always assume that someone who went to Harvard and is a lawyer is intelligent? I work for lawyers. They're not any smarter than anyone else.....trust me. Some of them are dumber than a box of rocks. This man is a snake and is so transparent. One would have to be ignorant to not see through this man and what he really is about. But like I've said before - never underestimate the stupidity of the conservative voters.
15
My question.....Cruz was born in Canada. I don't care where his mother was born, he was born in Canada. If the idea that if a person's mother was born in the US, they could br president, then King Hussein of Jordan's son could be president, since Queen Noor was born in NYC. Historically, if this were true, Churchill. son of Brooklyn's own Jennie Jerome, could have been president. He never alluded to this. In his post Pearl Harbor speech to congress, he remarked that "had my father been American & my mother British, I might have gotten here on my own." In high school history, @ least, this was never mentioned. If it's true, I think Sir Winston would have mentioned it @ least in passing. Too my knowledge, he never did.
Why hasn't this been brought up? From what I understand, it's a "gray" area. It should @ least be heard in a court. Where are the left's birthers? Why isn't it talked about? Where in the constitution is it mentioned? Unlike the foolishness about President Obama, Cruz really was born in Calgary Canada
Why hasn't this been brought up? From what I understand, it's a "gray" area. It should @ least be heard in a court. Where are the left's birthers? Why isn't it talked about? Where in the constitution is it mentioned? Unlike the foolishness about President Obama, Cruz really was born in Calgary Canada
7
First let's realize that Ted Cruz is smart. So smart in fact that he probably doesn't believe 90% of what he is saying. The fact that he both looks and sounds like the late Senator Joseph McCarthy is the scary part but Cruz knows that, in the short run, McCarthy's brand of politics works. Cruz wants to parlay that short term success with the Republican "base" to a prominent spot on this year's ticket (he would easily settle for a VP nod). Just watch as Cruz tries to shift towards the center once he starts running in a general election. Perhaps in public his favorite book is "A Time for Truth" or the Bible. But in private it is undoubtedly "The Prince" by Nicolo Machiavelli. The truth is, though, that Cruz is as phony as politicians come.
5
It is not often I agree with GW- but on the subject of Ted, YES. Our country has gotten itself into a vitriolic decent into the maelstrom of misinformation. Cruz is like the temptress at the gates of hell....he encourages the evil in most of us to emerge and join hands. he is a snake charmer that is rotten to the core. Our nation needs to heal - not inflict more vitriol into the body politic. I hope the good folks realize this sooner rather than later. Ted Cruz- "Homonacissus Vitriolis".
7
One must be born in the United States of America to be the President of the US. Cruz was born in Canada. Isn't the whole birther movement based on the lie that Obama wasn't born in the US? Have they changed the Constitution or is Canada actually part of America and nobody told us. Yes, he can be in Congress but not be President. My questions are, why is he running, why is anyone funding him, why are they letting him be on the debate stage, and why is anybody wasting type face on this nasty horrible man who can't be President anyway?
5
It is not a requirement for the presidential office to be born in the US, you must just be a natural born citizen. Ted Cruz is a natural born citizen because his parents were American even though he was born in Calgary, Canada.
It is not surprising that Mr. Bruni and the readership are motivated by fear.
What is surprising is that any Hillary Clinton supporter would be bothered by opportunism, mammon, or cynicism.
What is also surprising is that the enlightened and progressive among us would be bothered by a Harvard educated Hispanic. Race is the sine qua non of the left.
Ted Cruz. What more could a modern American progressive possibly want?
What is surprising is that any Hillary Clinton supporter would be bothered by opportunism, mammon, or cynicism.
What is also surprising is that the enlightened and progressive among us would be bothered by a Harvard educated Hispanic. Race is the sine qua non of the left.
Ted Cruz. What more could a modern American progressive possibly want?
3
It takes a Republican 1. to bring up race 2. to assume that race is the only characteristic that matters and 3. to project that assumption onto others.
3 for 3! You did it!
3 for 3! You did it!
1
I think that what democrats need to do to win, is to up the hyperbole and hysteria. Yep. That's the ticket.
1
The Times's correspondent who in 2000 went totally in the tank for George W. Bush parses his dislike for Senator Jostedeph McCruzarthy without realizing something that should be obvious: Republican candidates who are promoting hatred and accusing him of being asleep at the switch don't bother him nearly so much as someone else in Texas. Think about it.
1
After all the fuss made by the Birther Movement--fueled by Donald Trump--why indeed is nothing said about foreign born Ted Cruz, the "constitutionalist"? I would like to see a copy of his birth certificate, as was provided on demand by Candidate Obama.
I must be missing something here--could someone enlighten me?
I must be missing something here--could someone enlighten me?
3
For the first time I find myself in agreement with an opinion of George the Lesser.
4
"He described Cruz as cynically opportunistic and self-serving. "
I would never vote for someone like that. I will proudly cast my ballot for Hillary Clinton.
I would never vote for someone like that. I will proudly cast my ballot for Hillary Clinton.
1
Cruz is schooled in debate. As such, he is always looking for that winning angle that wows the audience. He prepares diligently, knows what his opponents will say, and how they'll react. His team is no doubt analyzing just WHY Jeb doesn't like the guy. They are looking to push that button more. They are rubbing their hands together with snickering plans to put Jeb on his heels, "not liking" and rather than leading, complaining rather than inspiring.
"It" certainly does "follow" and will grimace in glee to continue any and all forms of absurd harassment to get attention.
Cruz will only be shown the door if he is confronted with an intelligent, steady, and relentless dismantling of his absurd ideas. If his opponents play the frustration game, like Jeb is, this shows that his tactic work, and Cruz pounces and wins the debate.
Sadly, no one in the GOP has the courage, wit or intelligence to confront those absurd and scary ideas.
Where are the Ted Cruz Halloween masks?
"It" certainly does "follow" and will grimace in glee to continue any and all forms of absurd harassment to get attention.
Cruz will only be shown the door if he is confronted with an intelligent, steady, and relentless dismantling of his absurd ideas. If his opponents play the frustration game, like Jeb is, this shows that his tactic work, and Cruz pounces and wins the debate.
Sadly, no one in the GOP has the courage, wit or intelligence to confront those absurd and scary ideas.
Where are the Ted Cruz Halloween masks?
7
The man is a haircut. There's no there there.
He's smart, he's well educated, and he's ambitious. And the guy is frightening. His heart is as black as the ace of spades.
He acts like some sort of Savonarola trying to convince Republican voters to literally tear down our institutions of government.
If that isn't bad enough, the numbers of people listening to him are what is really scary.
He acts like some sort of Savonarola trying to convince Republican voters to literally tear down our institutions of government.
If that isn't bad enough, the numbers of people listening to him are what is really scary.
10
So, Cruz is "frightening", presumably because there is a chance that he could be elected president, while being "broadly and profoundly disliked"? Sounds a bit like that famous Yogi-ism about the restaurant nobody went to because it was too crowded.
1
Anyone else out there notice that Cruz looks like a caricature drawn by Garry Trudeau? I think it's his beady little eyes.
5
The onus is clearly on Jeb or Rubio to play the obstructionists now and save this country from the reigning terror of tea party opportunists (a combustible combo); at the end of the day neither Trump will not triumph nor Carson cruise through; someone has to shake up the Republican primary voters and knock some sense into this season once and for all; Jeb has the wisdom, common sense and wealth of experience - he was groomed for this role long before his brother eclipsed him - to boot 'em all out of the running; Rubio can't be afraid to tout himself as the Republican version of Obama if the country is so desperate to continue the quest for fresh face "change."
Many of Cruz's positions are those of a majority of American voters. They just aren't shared by elites who see it as their job to oppress, rather than represent, the people. The idea that the people might actually have their voices heard is, indeed, frightening to the establishment elites.
6
I fail to understand why some want to elect people that tell us American government is irretrievably broken, and then when elected they proceed to break it some more. We need elected officials that believe in our government institutions and traditions - people that can make things better. What happened to optimism and the unique American can do spirit ? These people are small minded and despicable - not fit for public service.
7
What is there to say, Cruz is, for wont of a better word, REPULSIVE. That might sound like a simplistic assessment to some but in my view it sums him up completely. What's more, ANYONE who for a moment would even consider supporting that neanderthal is nearly as repulsive as the neanderthal himself.
9
The scary thing isn't Ted Cruz. What is scary is Texas. It is like an infection.
9
It's because of the intransigent beliefs and behaviors like those of Cruz and his ilk-- overwhelmingly citizens of the South-- that a Civil War was fought in this nation. Will it take another to finally rid America of this cancer?
6
What I find particularly scary is the utter humorlessness of conservatives. People unsuccessfully in varying degrees able to suppress their rage about their existence. And now Paul Ryan. We've been through this before. How can an eighteen year old possible be effectively in charge unless he operates as a fascist?
4
All the Republican candidates are scary, as is the Republican Party itself. If they weren't candidates for the presidency, they would just be ridiculous.
Democrats in 2016 should run against the Republican Party in toto. They can have a strong advertising campaign just quoting Republicans and showing them speaking.
The Tea Party nut jobs control the GOP. No Republican stands up to them. and that's the point that needs to be driven home by the Democrats.
Democrats in 2016 should run against the Republican Party in toto. They can have a strong advertising campaign just quoting Republicans and showing them speaking.
The Tea Party nut jobs control the GOP. No Republican stands up to them. and that's the point that needs to be driven home by the Democrats.
5
What does this say about the voters in Texas? Perry, Cruz, America's team?
3
For his succinctly accurate portrayal of Cheney wannabe Ted Cruz I nominate GW Bush for the 'Katie. Couric Unexpected Positive Outcome from Just Doing Your Job Award'. When even Bush jr. can't stomach Cruz and summons up the courage to tell the truth about Cruz you know you're staring into the heart of darkness. Hopefully enough of the American electorate will have ears to hear and eyes to see. But here's the really good news: no matter what happens We and our children will be paying and providing gold played health care for Cruz and! his Goldman Sachs wife till the day we die.
4
Democrats used parliamentary tricks to pass the ACA (a program that has never had the approval of the majority of Americans). If our President doesn't like an existing law, he simply uses Executive Orders or Presidential directives to prohibit their enforcement. In other cases, he directs Federal Agencies to twist regulatory procedures beyond or counter to the clear intent of legislation. And if states or cities refuse to enforce federal drug laws or immigration laws, this President directs his Justice Department to ignore it.
"Progressives" raise no objections because they agree with the President's the-end-justifies-the-means agenda. And now they (and establishment Republicans) are shocked, shocked I tell you, to find that non-establishment candidates like Trump, Carson, Fiorina, and Cruz are finding traction among the opposition.
They will be shocked again if one of those gets elected. After all, "nobody I know voted for him!"
"Progressives" raise no objections because they agree with the President's the-end-justifies-the-means agenda. And now they (and establishment Republicans) are shocked, shocked I tell you, to find that non-establishment candidates like Trump, Carson, Fiorina, and Cruz are finding traction among the opposition.
They will be shocked again if one of those gets elected. After all, "nobody I know voted for him!"
5
So, let me get this straight: President Obama and the Dem's created Cruz, Trump, Florin, Carson, et al? Oh yes, the Socialist in Chief did that. The Republican Party has itself and all its enablers (especially talk radio blowhards like Rush and Co.) to blame for this mess.
BTW, Obama has deported more undocumented persons than all previous administrations, so how is he "soft" on immigration, other than wanting to find some real solution beyond mass deportation?
BTW, Obama has deported more undocumented persons than all previous administrations, so how is he "soft" on immigration, other than wanting to find some real solution beyond mass deportation?
1
Senator Cruz likes to portray himself as an outsider when he and his wife are the ultimate insiders. #Pathetic
4
Well if the Republicans run with Cruz as their candidate they can forget about winning in 2016.
2
Cruz is one the nicest people you could ever meet, and definitely the smartest guy in any room he walks into. It is no wonder that the elites are terrified of him. Anyone who opposes fascism and thinks the Constitution ought to be respected, will scare the daylights out of "modern-day" politicos and pundits. He does.
Any editorial by the NYT criticizing him will be worn as a badge of honor. We would be VERY fortunate as a nation if he becomes our next POTUS.
Any editorial by the NYT criticizing him will be worn as a badge of honor. We would be VERY fortunate as a nation if he becomes our next POTUS.
5
Fear mongering, more or less. Wonder how Bush feels about Al Gore?
1
He even looks like a younger, callow Joe McCarthy. Anyway you approach him, he's disturbing, to say the least.
8
I don't think you have to worry about Ted Cruz.
The birther movement from the last two elections should be out in force, questioning why his birth certificate was issued in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. That last time I checked that is not in the United States.
Unless, of course, the Tea Party core who made up most of the birther movement are not actually serious about adhering to the Constitution, but instead want to selectively apply it only to black Americans.
But that can not be true - these are people of iron principles and rigorous adherence to the founding documents of the nation.
The birther movement from the last two elections should be out in force, questioning why his birth certificate was issued in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. That last time I checked that is not in the United States.
Unless, of course, the Tea Party core who made up most of the birther movement are not actually serious about adhering to the Constitution, but instead want to selectively apply it only to black Americans.
But that can not be true - these are people of iron principles and rigorous adherence to the founding documents of the nation.
9
Note also that most of Cruz's defenders here are essentially saying "if you loony libs are agin' him, I'm fer him."
This dynamic, which is now a primary motivator in our political choices (witness Clinton, Bush and Obama Derangement Syndromes; then try to imagine any current presidential contender being accepted as legitimate by opposing partisans), is even scarier than Cruz, or Carson, or Fiorina. I should know, because I'm not even immune to it myself; my favorite thing about Hillary Clinton is how much the reactionaries despise her.
This dynamic, which is now a primary motivator in our political choices (witness Clinton, Bush and Obama Derangement Syndromes; then try to imagine any current presidential contender being accepted as legitimate by opposing partisans), is even scarier than Cruz, or Carson, or Fiorina. I should know, because I'm not even immune to it myself; my favorite thing about Hillary Clinton is how much the reactionaries despise her.
4
Well yeah. Even has the deep-eyed look like Joe McCarthy. Scares the heck out of me.
10
Ted Cruz waves the Constitution in our faces and tells us that President Obama, Democrats in general and many of his GOP colleagues just aren't doing enough to make sure that it is getting enforced.
But, out of the mouth of this "Constitutional scholar" who did well at Harvard Law school comes the regular trope about those "five unelected judges" of the Supreme Court who have made decisions with which he, or at least the ill-informed to whom he panders, disagrees. Is there something in Article 3 of the Constitution that Senator Cruz forgot to study?
Cruz is an opportunistic fraud who certainly knows better, but who thinks we're all so stupid that we'd allow him to have it both ways. Do you disagree with Article 3 of the Constitution, Senator Cruz? Do you want a constitutional amendment that would change Article 3 so that justices are elected?
Senator Cruz, you are a charlatan, a dangerous charlatan.
But, out of the mouth of this "Constitutional scholar" who did well at Harvard Law school comes the regular trope about those "five unelected judges" of the Supreme Court who have made decisions with which he, or at least the ill-informed to whom he panders, disagrees. Is there something in Article 3 of the Constitution that Senator Cruz forgot to study?
Cruz is an opportunistic fraud who certainly knows better, but who thinks we're all so stupid that we'd allow him to have it both ways. Do you disagree with Article 3 of the Constitution, Senator Cruz? Do you want a constitutional amendment that would change Article 3 so that justices are elected?
Senator Cruz, you are a charlatan, a dangerous charlatan.
9
I can understand why Cruz has Democrats confounded.
He's actually straightforward and honest.
He's actually straightforward and honest.
4
Dude, Democrats are not confounded by Cruz. They are confounded by those of you who completely miss the signals he gives off.
Watch him speak. Listen to his intonations. He is heavily scripted, memorized, and disconnected from his words. He is acting, and there is nothing honest or authentic in his performance. He anything but " straightforward." That is what is scary about him.
Watch him speak. Listen to his intonations. He is heavily scripted, memorized, and disconnected from his words. He is acting, and there is nothing honest or authentic in his performance. He anything but " straightforward." That is what is scary about him.
I guess the author is afraid of Carson.
Apparently, really smart people scare him.
Apparently, really smart people scare him.
5
No. What's scary is people who use their intelligence to spread mis-information to further their personal agenda with no regard for the impact that it has on people of lesser means. Grover Norquist and Ted Cruz are cut from the same cloth. Entitled, wealthy and eager to see government eliminated. Carson has apparently dropped in from another planet or his brain is somewhat removed from what comes out of his mouth. Gun Control more horrific than bullet ridden bodies? Health care akin
to Nazism? The man has serious perception and analysis issues.
to Nazism? The man has serious perception and analysis issues.
1
Really stupid people scare me. I think that's what Bruni is referring to - really stupid people with loud voices and money.
2
....this Republican Primary race is beginning to be a lot like playing Russian Roulette - have a bullet in the chamber already, and spare us the anxiety of having to live through this nation's decline into Mad Max and the apocalypse.
Since when did insanity pass for public policy?
Since when did insanity pass for public policy?
4
Actually we can call it Republican Roulette. That is sort of like Russian Roulette except that all the chambers are loaded. We lose with all of them.
We Canadians are scared silly about what is going on in the USA. It seems common sense has been thrown out the window and replaced with unintelligent racist and elitist views that benefit only a few.
14
Of all the candidates, Cruz is probably the most psychopathic, the only one I would not want to be alone with in a room. Therapists can spot such people. Individuals who usually arrive criticizing your office or your attire or attacking you somehow from the start.
I ask myself: what could be behind the need to put someone on the back foot right from the get go. Why establish a negative relationship immediately? What is this person harboring deep inside, that instead of displaying a politician's first instinct to sell him or herself, Ted Cruz goes on the attack.
Except in a religious setting, when he turns on the spiritual charm - a trait, in his case, so diabolical as to prompt all but the fundamentalist unwary to think he must be some sort of blood-sucking vampire. I hear it's the fundies giving him money - like one of those TV preachers, who later end up in prison for fleecing old ladies. Or worse.
My professional opinion is to stay far away from this guy. Think of the ways people protect themselves from vampires. With a crucifix! Yes, Cruz - which means "cross" is the opposite of a Christian. I don't honestly believe in the devil, but if anyone in this race has sold his soul...
I ask myself: what could be behind the need to put someone on the back foot right from the get go. Why establish a negative relationship immediately? What is this person harboring deep inside, that instead of displaying a politician's first instinct to sell him or herself, Ted Cruz goes on the attack.
Except in a religious setting, when he turns on the spiritual charm - a trait, in his case, so diabolical as to prompt all but the fundamentalist unwary to think he must be some sort of blood-sucking vampire. I hear it's the fundies giving him money - like one of those TV preachers, who later end up in prison for fleecing old ladies. Or worse.
My professional opinion is to stay far away from this guy. Think of the ways people protect themselves from vampires. With a crucifix! Yes, Cruz - which means "cross" is the opposite of a Christian. I don't honestly believe in the devil, but if anyone in this race has sold his soul...
10
Senator Cruz is the most acceptable lunatic in the field of contenders for the Republican nomination to run for the presidency, the others being Trump and Carson.
As a Democrat, I would love to see Cruz win the nomination. A series of debates between him and Secretary Clinton would be an incredible thing to watch and listen to. I think Clinton would win the debates, for whatever that's worth, but I think with Cruz as the Republican candidate, we would have a replay of the 1972 presidential election, with Cruz losing 49 states (except, maybe Texas), just as George McGovern lost every state but Massachusetts in that presidential election.
As a Democrat, I would love to see Cruz win the nomination. A series of debates between him and Secretary Clinton would be an incredible thing to watch and listen to. I think Clinton would win the debates, for whatever that's worth, but I think with Cruz as the Republican candidate, we would have a replay of the 1972 presidential election, with Cruz losing 49 states (except, maybe Texas), just as George McGovern lost every state but Massachusetts in that presidential election.
4
Reflecting the shallow remark from George W himself ("I don't like the guy"), this article is a substance-less personal attack on Cruz. Cruz has only demonstrated himself to be a highly trained and effective Constitution-based leader who has consistently delivered on his promises to his constituents. I suppose the Left joins the Establishment in fear against a glimmer of hope for America in its most desperate hour.
2
The voters who elected Cruzie represent far more troubling trends than Cruzie himself. How many people live in Tx... about 27 Million... how many vote... about 5-10 Million so he needed at least 50% of these folks to vote him into the Senate, right?
It cuts both directions however. Not only amazing that there are that many people who agree with him but, even more amazing, that so few people can have so much influence on so many who disagree with him. When the tail wags the dog so violently, when will the dog wake up?
It cuts both directions however. Not only amazing that there are that many people who agree with him but, even more amazing, that so few people can have so much influence on so many who disagree with him. When the tail wags the dog so violently, when will the dog wake up?
9
Why doesn't anyone keep hammering at the fact that he was born in Canada?
Just keep playing the dirty pool that the constantly lying Republicans are so good at doing.
Just keep playing the dirty pool that the constantly lying Republicans are so good at doing.
7
How right (not in the political sense) you are.) Republicans in general, conservatives in particular, excel in slander, deceit, removal from context, distortion of fact, and on and on. They have succeeded in destroying the meaning of the words Freedom and Liberty.
1
Not only was he born in Canada, but his father (a Cuban citizen) entered Canada illegally.
Isn't he from Canada? Have we seen his birth certificate?
16
Yes, he is frightening. And, if Trump &/or Carson drop out, he'll gain their followers.
I do take some comfort in the fact that he would have trouble getting the vote out in the general election beyond the ultra right-wing/tea partiers. A sizable chunk of establishment GOPers would likely sit it out. These days, a "sizable chunk" only has to be a few percentage points to swing the election to the Dems.
I do take some comfort in the fact that he would have trouble getting the vote out in the general election beyond the ultra right-wing/tea partiers. A sizable chunk of establishment GOPers would likely sit it out. These days, a "sizable chunk" only has to be a few percentage points to swing the election to the Dems.
7
There may be one glimmer of a silver lining in the storm cloud that is Ted Cruz and the aura that surrounds him: he may be frightening enough to terrify somnolent voters into getting themselves to the polls to vote against this guy.
11
The Republicans in their quest for power have in essence created Ted Cruz...and now they want to more of less "take back" the gains they made by exploiting the Tea Party voter who make up the contingency that support Trump, Carson, and Ted Cruz. Where was Jeb Bush and his side of the Republican party when the Tea Party faction of the GOP were "pledging" to vote against anything Obama?
The GOP has spent a lot of time cultivating votes using the Tea Party as shills while advancing their own agenda$. The monied and established mainline Republicans (McCains, Bushes, Issa, etc.) were more than happy with their votes, but now that they've grown legs are threatened by their own creation.
How many times have we seen the Rupert Murdoch owned, and Roger Ailes run Fox news exploit imagery from 9-11, with the American flag and pictures of the smoking remnants of the twin towers after the terrorist attack in 2001? No one complained about the Tea Party faction since. In fact they have fostered and fertilized it growth in a short sighted and (surprise, surprise) poorly thought out and executed plan for vote grabbing. In their crazed quest for votes after losing to Obama the first time, they turned their faces away from the burgeoning Republican wing of the Tea Party -- all in the name of votes. The racist, regressive, uneducated, and factually poisoned minds vis a vis Fox News.
To me it is no surprise and just summarizes what have been years of exploitation of poisoned minds.
The GOP has spent a lot of time cultivating votes using the Tea Party as shills while advancing their own agenda$. The monied and established mainline Republicans (McCains, Bushes, Issa, etc.) were more than happy with their votes, but now that they've grown legs are threatened by their own creation.
How many times have we seen the Rupert Murdoch owned, and Roger Ailes run Fox news exploit imagery from 9-11, with the American flag and pictures of the smoking remnants of the twin towers after the terrorist attack in 2001? No one complained about the Tea Party faction since. In fact they have fostered and fertilized it growth in a short sighted and (surprise, surprise) poorly thought out and executed plan for vote grabbing. In their crazed quest for votes after losing to Obama the first time, they turned their faces away from the burgeoning Republican wing of the Tea Party -- all in the name of votes. The racist, regressive, uneducated, and factually poisoned minds vis a vis Fox News.
To me it is no surprise and just summarizes what have been years of exploitation of poisoned minds.
11
Pretty much any of the Republican gang makes one start to think about becoming a Canadian or something. Does anyone know if you can collect Social Security in Vancouver? Something to think about.
4
Cruz is certainly scary, but even scarier are the people who support him--what are they thinking??
9
Ted Cruz is what his Father created: An avid overly religious fundamentalist who is against nearly everything that America Stands for. For this man or ANY fundamentalist ( of any religion) be elected President the Nation is in for a nightmare. As a matter of fact, personal opinion, It is actually against the Constitution for ANY person who is a minister, rabbi, priest, etc to serve in a public office. Because, they bring their religious opinions with them and place them in the public forum in direct opposition to the separation of Church and State
7
The worst thing you can say to the Texas electorate is tell them they can't or shouldn't do something. In other words, much of his support here derives from others around they country and here saying they can't believe Texans sent him to the Senate. His power feeds on that sort of sentiment. Texans will resist something just for the sake of resisting, just to go their own way. We have an independent streak that sometimes makes us seem downright insane.
Having said that, many of us in Texas somewhat familiar with Cruz's behind the scenes antics know him to be a man who would sell his mother to satisfy his ambitions. The Republican establishment, even here in Texas, wants him gone--they know he is bad for the party in the long run. The problem is getting the electorate to vote with their heads rather than anger and paranoia. It's a challenge I don't see abating any time soon unfortunately.
Having said that, many of us in Texas somewhat familiar with Cruz's behind the scenes antics know him to be a man who would sell his mother to satisfy his ambitions. The Republican establishment, even here in Texas, wants him gone--they know he is bad for the party in the long run. The problem is getting the electorate to vote with their heads rather than anger and paranoia. It's a challenge I don't see abating any time soon unfortunately.
7
It is not reassuring to hear that many Texans (and others in the US quite obviously) would rather remain rigidly self-righteous in their opinions rather than consider altering them in pursuit of greater knowledge or more humane values. Increasingly, it seems to be the "American disease" -- my opinion is just as good as anybody else's even if its entirely self-serving, fallacious and malicious in its consequences, and you can't make me change it.
Ted Cruz had no business being elected to the Senate, but somehow he managed it. And instead of working quietly and learning how things are done, he pushed himself to the front, and tried to take over. Furthermore he tends to interfere in House decisions, which I would think is verboten. The longer he's in office the crazier he gets. He rode a wave of new Tea Party mania that has swept through TX. I can only hope that some of those people finally begin to think for themselves and see what is really going on.
12
Cruz is no fool yet those that sociopathically hoard money believe they win either way with Cruz. They can exploit his Achilles Heel, narcissism, to keep him under their thumb or failing that they unleashed a rabid dog to continue our Country's decline. A decline that ultimately means civil unrest necessary for martial law and with it the fascism they seek. Examine how the industrialist in Germany though they lost control of the low born Austrian corporal but he did make them extremely wealthy and for a time instituted the feudalism they crave.
4
What concerns me the most is that Cruz and his ilk are simply symptomatic of the voting public. Who votes them in? How does the world occur for them such that shutting down the government to defund Planned Parenthood, etc. are good ideas? It baffles me, and gives me great cause for concern about the future of our republic.
7
Yes, chill528, you are right. Cruz and his ilk do have support from some segment of the voting public. Without this support, Cruz and friends would no longer be news. Just what is it that makes these voters support these demagogues??
He scares the people in Washington who brought us unnecessary and endless war, a financial meltdown, a chaotic immigration policy and a trade policy that exports jobs. I think Cruz is the wrong guy but the right person would get the same reaction from the Washington elites and their journalist water carriers.
3
The establishment branch of the Republicans are beginning to understand that they have lost control of their Party to a radicalized group that they cultivated in order to gain votes. They thought this group would fall in line and Jeb! would be the anointed one. Trump and the other antiestablishment candidates were supposed to have faded by now. It has not happened as of yet, and now it looks as though anything could happen in the primaries. The "Southern Strategy" and cultivation of the Tea Party vote is now working against them, but it is we the public who may reap the bitter harvest of those cultivations. There is not one Republican Presidential candidate that does not make me recoil with fear. Is Ted Cruz the worst of the candidates? Perhaps because he is one of the most intelligent candidates and that makes him dangerous. Ted Cruz seems to embody the quote contributed to Sinclair Lewis "when fascism comes to this country it will be wrapped in the flag, and carrying a cross".
10
I don't like Cruz and never have. But I suspect that more than a few of the NYT educated left leaning populace will take issue with the characterization of a Harvard/Princeton candidate as necessarily belonging to 'the establishment'. (And it seems that there are one or two members of the Democratic party running for the WH who would also fall into that category.)
I agree, but outside of Bernie Sanders they are not running as outsiders. Certainly not anti-intellectuals like Cruz and his ilk.
Well said! The emphasis needs to be on what these people think, or rather what they don't think. Cruz is the epitome of the current GOP - great at getting headlines, but like all the Republican candidates so far, an emperor with no clothes when it comes to ideas. The sad truth is that the intellectual underpinning of the GOP disappeared with the retirement of the last generation of leaders and it has been filled only with vacuous naysayers. Our republic needs thoughtful alternatives to the Democrats if only to force a meaningful discussion of the issues. The Republican Party and its politicians like Cruz can not provide it.
7
For the good of our country, we need thoughtful alternatives to the LEFT of the Democrats. Having a centrist party and a far-right party isn't working out well for us.
Ted Cruz has all the appeal of something scaly that slithers out from under a rock. He's a snake selling toxic snake oil. He is, in a word, venomous.
15
I can not think of any Republican candidate that is not frightening. Perhaps we should get them all together and make a Halloween horror film that would make them all look tame.
And if one of them makes the White House the haunting will begin in earnest.
And if one of them makes the White House the haunting will begin in earnest.
4
Mr. Bruni is overreacting. Cruz cannot and will not win the Repub nomination. The continual media buzz about Trump, and Carson, and now Cruz is a symptom of the 24/7 media hunger for news, even if the news has to be manufactured. Please give us a break. Get in touch with real people. What you will find is a populace that is centrist, where Repub or Dem. Cruz is just another blip on the TV screen.
2
We have the people of Texas to thank for this guy. I am guessing they couldn't stand him either, and figure if they elect him to Congress, he needs to spend 50% of his time in Washington DC.
6
You have vilified and debased St. Jude Thaddeus.
I do observe that among the whacko conservatives I know, and Montana is chock full of them, not a one has anything good to say about Rafael Edward Cruz. Hmmmmmm.
6
The Tea Party and its poster child, Ted Cruz, both suffer from the same malady: they cannot elect (or be elected as) a Presidential candidate but they can help defeat one. They both operate on a platform of fear and imagined conspiracies, always with unrestrained anger and vitriol, which is a reflection of their intense fear of losing (again.) This description is also symptomatic of borderline personality disorder.
Mr. Bruni is correct about Mr. Cruz being "scary" but that also applies to the Tea Party as a whole, whose members would rather angrily destroy those who disagree with them rather than find common ground. Scary, indeed, but fortunately not electable.
Mr. Bruni is correct about Mr. Cruz being "scary" but that also applies to the Tea Party as a whole, whose members would rather angrily destroy those who disagree with them rather than find common ground. Scary, indeed, but fortunately not electable.
11
Cruz was born in Canada. Do we think for a second that the GOP would be silent if a democratic candidate had been born there?
13
Apparently Canada is more American than Hawaii.
You're scared of Ted Cruz. Here's what I'm scared of:
1. The flood of people coming into the country and nobody knows who they are.
2. My children and grandchildren being slaves to the debt the immoral politicians have accumulated.
3. The looming crisis in SS and Medicare.
4. The health insurance premiums that are increasing with deductibles so high the insurance is worthless unless I have a catastrophic illness.
5. 200 trillion in unfounded liabilities.
6. A school system that is not educating my children.
7. The violent criminals being released into the population.
8. The difficulty in finding the truth because the media and political class lie with impunity.
1. The flood of people coming into the country and nobody knows who they are.
2. My children and grandchildren being slaves to the debt the immoral politicians have accumulated.
3. The looming crisis in SS and Medicare.
4. The health insurance premiums that are increasing with deductibles so high the insurance is worthless unless I have a catastrophic illness.
5. 200 trillion in unfounded liabilities.
6. A school system that is not educating my children.
7. The violent criminals being released into the population.
8. The difficulty in finding the truth because the media and political class lie with impunity.
4
Well i'm scared of the ignorance you so profoundly represent.
2
1. There's hardly a "flood" coming into this country--the Tea Party era has seen many LEAVE.
2. Blame Reagan. Obama has slashed the national debt.
3. Raise the cap on contributions that causes billionaires to pay the same dollar amount that moderately well-off workers do into the system, and that's solved. Easy fix.
4. Single-payer should fix that, though Obamacare means that you ARE covered if you've got that catastrophic illness. It's at least an improvement.
5. You'll have to be more specific.
6. The public schools are excellent at educating children, usually better than charters and private schools. But children (and parents) have to be receptive for it to work.
7. We've got more adult incarceration than any other country. Violent criminals being "released" is not a major issue.
8. Want the truth? Stop listening to Republicans and FoxNews. It's usually not hard to find, if you don't cloud the issue by listening to the people telling the biggest whoppers.
2. Blame Reagan. Obama has slashed the national debt.
3. Raise the cap on contributions that causes billionaires to pay the same dollar amount that moderately well-off workers do into the system, and that's solved. Easy fix.
4. Single-payer should fix that, though Obamacare means that you ARE covered if you've got that catastrophic illness. It's at least an improvement.
5. You'll have to be more specific.
6. The public schools are excellent at educating children, usually better than charters and private schools. But children (and parents) have to be receptive for it to work.
7. We've got more adult incarceration than any other country. Violent criminals being "released" is not a major issue.
8. Want the truth? Stop listening to Republicans and FoxNews. It's usually not hard to find, if you don't cloud the issue by listening to the people telling the biggest whoppers.
2
"The Squanderer" sung to Dion's "The Wanderer"
Oh well I'm the kinda guy who's a little overwound
Where greed and money live, well you know that I'm around
I kiss 'em and I love 'em Koch's to me are all the same
I hug 'em and I please 'em just so they will know my name
They call me the Squanderer
Yeah the Squanderer
I squander round and round and round
Oh well I owe on my left and I owe you on my right
24 in billions yet I'm here free tonight
And when they ask me which Koch I love the best
I tear open my shirt and there's McCarthy on my chest
'Cause I'm the Squuanderer
Yeah the squanderer
I squander round and round and round
Oh well I squander town to town
Taxes trashed without a care
I'm as happy as a clown
Long as I've got mine I ain't goin' nowhere
I'm the lying guy who squanders all around
I never vote for you, I want your ultrasound
And when I find myself I hope it's very soon
The oval office next so I can then destroy the world
'Cause I'm the Squanderer
Yeah the Squanderer
I squander round and round and round
Repeat and fade
Oh well I'm the kinda guy who's a little overwound
Where greed and money live, well you know that I'm around
I kiss 'em and I love 'em Koch's to me are all the same
I hug 'em and I please 'em just so they will know my name
They call me the Squanderer
Yeah the Squanderer
I squander round and round and round
Oh well I owe on my left and I owe you on my right
24 in billions yet I'm here free tonight
And when they ask me which Koch I love the best
I tear open my shirt and there's McCarthy on my chest
'Cause I'm the Squuanderer
Yeah the squanderer
I squander round and round and round
Oh well I squander town to town
Taxes trashed without a care
I'm as happy as a clown
Long as I've got mine I ain't goin' nowhere
I'm the lying guy who squanders all around
I never vote for you, I want your ultrasound
And when I find myself I hope it's very soon
The oval office next so I can then destroy the world
'Cause I'm the Squanderer
Yeah the Squanderer
I squander round and round and round
Repeat and fade
11
People like to be made afraid, sort of. We make Halloween movies year-round. If Cruz shows any more signs of strength the media will inflate it because it makes a good scary story -- one that sells eyeballs/mouse clicks/papers. This is precisely what has happened with Trump, who hasn't paid a nickel for ads yet because it's in the media's interest to shill for him.
Conflict and fear sell.
Conflict and fear sell.
3
"Diabolical forces are formidable. These forces are eternal. And they exist today. The fairy tale is true. The devil (figuratively) exists. God (figuratively) exists. And for us, as people, our very destiny hinges upon which one we elect to follow."--Ed Warren
5
Interesting story about Senator Cruz. When he was at Harvard Law school he refused to participate in any study group that included students that had done undergrad work at lesser Ivy League schools. He would only study with you if you went to Harvard,Yale,Princeton,Stanford. If you went to Brown or U Penn or to one of the lesser Ivies you had the plague as far as he was concerned and you were not smart enough to study with him. Today Senator Cruz is trolling for votes and support at Liberty University and Regent University pretending he has something in common with those students academically. This is laughable and cynical. Ted Cruz is the original arrogant snob.He uses lost causes to showcase how brilliant he is. You have to question given his academic background how much of this incendiary and fact free rhetoric he actually believes.
15
Relax, Frank. Even if Cruz snatches the nomination from the Donald, the general electorate will not buy into his Elmer Gantry act.
7
Even if you disallow the New England native and Yale/Harvard Biz School grad George W. Bush, it amazes me how the Texans continually top themselves when it comes to producing utterly odious pols of national stature.
Phil Gramm was a vile guy, but he couldn't hold a candle to Tom DeLay. Vicious and awful as he was, DeLay looked thoughtful compared to Rick Perry. Frightening as I found the prospect of a Perry presidency, he's Daniel Patrick Moynihan compared to Cruz, who shouldn't be a contender for anything other than America's Most Punchable Face.
In countries without our (fraying) traditions of political sanity, his sort of narcissism and certitude can make a Pol Pot. In more enlightened places, it ensure a spot on the margins. Here... I guess we'll see. But even as a symptom of our gradual collective nervous breakdown, he's a deeply disturbing presence.
Phil Gramm was a vile guy, but he couldn't hold a candle to Tom DeLay. Vicious and awful as he was, DeLay looked thoughtful compared to Rick Perry. Frightening as I found the prospect of a Perry presidency, he's Daniel Patrick Moynihan compared to Cruz, who shouldn't be a contender for anything other than America's Most Punchable Face.
In countries without our (fraying) traditions of political sanity, his sort of narcissism and certitude can make a Pol Pot. In more enlightened places, it ensure a spot on the margins. Here... I guess we'll see. But even as a symptom of our gradual collective nervous breakdown, he's a deeply disturbing presence.
38
I don't know why someone has not taken Cruz to court. He cannot run for President. He was not born in the United States. He was born in Canada and lived there for 4 years before his immigrant father found religion and went to Texas. You can't run for President if you were not born here. Even if your mother was American. He would lose in court. Someone should take him there.
17
Uh Kevin, not sure if you realize this, but this whole not born in the USA thing?
We've been down that road. Apparently it's not a hard and fast rule.
Haha!
We've been down that road. Apparently it's not a hard and fast rule.
Haha!
He is a "natural born" citizen, that's why...because his mother was is American.
I do believe you are incorrect. You have to be a "natural-born" citizen of the US to be President. Cruz's mother is/was an American, so he qualifies as "natural-born" even though the place of birth is Canada.
I don't get it. I just don't see Cruz filling the void if and when Trump and Carson go away. There's a reason that Cruz hasn't risen in the polls, and it's the same reason that he's laid low. The reason is that extended exposure to the guy is fatal. He's creepy. His combination of self-righteousness and unctuousness appeals to a very limited group. Even Republican voters, now willing to support candidates with no visible qualifications, won't throw their support to Cruz just to fill a void. He is the reincarnation of the Wizard of Oz, Joe McCarty, and Uriah Heep. Blame Canada.
16
I am still waiting to see an explanation of how Cruz, born in Canada, as I understand, can run for President of the United States.
7
For those who nonchalantly say they are not worried about a Cruz or Rubio candidacy, let me remind them of the 2000 election.
This was pre-Tea Party and enough independents fell sway to his folksy "compassionate conservative, not a nation builder" lies that the election was a nail biter. Even though Gore won the popular vote, he lost the Electoral College vote through Florida. Surprise, his brother was Governor of Florida and though manipulation of felon lists, voting machine crashes and the butterfly ballot, (Plus SCOTUS) he became President.
We all are aware of the havoc he created.
Now Republican state legislators, in the wake of the SCOTUS decision re: voting rights, are doing everything they can to reduce Democratic voters access to the polls.
If Cruz (sociopathy defined) or Rubio (panderer in chief) win the Republican nomination IT IS POSSIBLE they could win the Presidency.
Rick Scott, the Governor of Florida is already creating a felon list, reducing voting times, demanding picture ID's, using ancient voting machines (hanging chads?) and, in general, put Florida in the Repubs win column.
Hillary is unlikely to break the 50% popular margin, so this is an electoral college election. Many southern and mid-west states are making voting much more difficult for Democrats.
Just imagine if the Republicans control the Presidency, both houses of Congress and the Supreme Court. Just imagine.
Scary IS the right word or maybe terrifying.
This was pre-Tea Party and enough independents fell sway to his folksy "compassionate conservative, not a nation builder" lies that the election was a nail biter. Even though Gore won the popular vote, he lost the Electoral College vote through Florida. Surprise, his brother was Governor of Florida and though manipulation of felon lists, voting machine crashes and the butterfly ballot, (Plus SCOTUS) he became President.
We all are aware of the havoc he created.
Now Republican state legislators, in the wake of the SCOTUS decision re: voting rights, are doing everything they can to reduce Democratic voters access to the polls.
If Cruz (sociopathy defined) or Rubio (panderer in chief) win the Republican nomination IT IS POSSIBLE they could win the Presidency.
Rick Scott, the Governor of Florida is already creating a felon list, reducing voting times, demanding picture ID's, using ancient voting machines (hanging chads?) and, in general, put Florida in the Repubs win column.
Hillary is unlikely to break the 50% popular margin, so this is an electoral college election. Many southern and mid-west states are making voting much more difficult for Democrats.
Just imagine if the Republicans control the Presidency, both houses of Congress and the Supreme Court. Just imagine.
Scary IS the right word or maybe terrifying.
20
Ted Cruz et al are not just a product of the Republican party. They found room to grow and tacit encouragement from every citizen who failed to vote, who, for one reason or another, did not exercise their responsibility and get out there and vote, participate, be a part of the process.
17
So the president that you all hated says something about another guy you hate so all of a sudden you start listening to the guy you hated. You guys are so predictable.
Every NYT editorial/oped/"news article" (in reality there is little difference between them) is a competition of who can use the most pejoratives about how "crazy" and "insane" they are. There's very little thinking behind them. There is never any attempt to understand what they're talking about, what their concerns are, why they say what they do etc...
Every NYT editorial/oped/"news article" (in reality there is little difference between them) is a competition of who can use the most pejoratives about how "crazy" and "insane" they are. There's very little thinking behind them. There is never any attempt to understand what they're talking about, what their concerns are, why they say what they do etc...
3
Usually one is judged by their enemies, not their friends but in Ted Cruz's case, it's entirely appropriate that the only people who don't think he's beneath contempt are the ones who support his cynical, self-serving agenda.
6
Scary is relative. When you put Cruz in the Republican house of horrors he is just one of the really frightening menagerie. Republicans have spent years building their castle of hostility - hostility toward immigrants, gays, women, minorities, the poor, Muslims, - in fact, anyone that isn't old, white, Christian, rich and male. Cruz is a creation and the Republican party is Dr. Frankenstein and just like in Mary Shelley's novel the creation is wrecking havoc on the creator.
12
I also do not like Cruz. That does not mean I do not agree with most of his policies, just not his personality. The only reason I would not vote for him is I do not think he could get the needed cooperation from Congress. Not when even his own side really does not like him.
2
Here are a few names to consider when contemplating Ted Cruz: Paul Crouch, Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, Terry Smith, Robert Tilton, Billy James Hargis. This is just a sample. There are others. Google them if need be.
Like Cruz, each of these men were, or considered themselves as, God's mouthpieces to the sinners of the nation. They made their millions making spectacles of themselves on TV and in mega-churches, promising untold wealth and glory, here on earth and up there in heaven, but first, send money. Their piety oozed from their mouths like pus from boils, and with about the same stomach-churning stench.
Cruz shares many things, in addition to his speaking cadences and hell-fire damnation approach, with these six men. Chief among them, a disgust and hatred of homosexuality. (Of course, all these preachers phrase their position as being against the sin, not the sinner. They are forgiving Christians, after all.) The second major trait Cruz has in common with them is hypocrisy. Third is an absolute self-assurance in their own wisdom. Belief in a supreme being is probably on the list, too. Somewhere.
Dubya, for all his shortcomings, is at bedrock an affable man who is probably as close as any Republican ever came to sharing Will Rogers's philosophy of never having met a man he didn't like. Of course, what Will Rogers didn't say was what he thought of every man he met after he met and got to know them.
And George Bush has done just that.
Like Cruz, each of these men were, or considered themselves as, God's mouthpieces to the sinners of the nation. They made their millions making spectacles of themselves on TV and in mega-churches, promising untold wealth and glory, here on earth and up there in heaven, but first, send money. Their piety oozed from their mouths like pus from boils, and with about the same stomach-churning stench.
Cruz shares many things, in addition to his speaking cadences and hell-fire damnation approach, with these six men. Chief among them, a disgust and hatred of homosexuality. (Of course, all these preachers phrase their position as being against the sin, not the sinner. They are forgiving Christians, after all.) The second major trait Cruz has in common with them is hypocrisy. Third is an absolute self-assurance in their own wisdom. Belief in a supreme being is probably on the list, too. Somewhere.
Dubya, for all his shortcomings, is at bedrock an affable man who is probably as close as any Republican ever came to sharing Will Rogers's philosophy of never having met a man he didn't like. Of course, what Will Rogers didn't say was what he thought of every man he met after he met and got to know them.
And George Bush has done just that.
11
Where has the Times been? Cruz has been frightening since he first arrived on Capitol Hill. But what's even more terrifying are the Texans who voted him into office and probably still continue to support him to this day.
On the other hand, the more hateful Cruz is, the more Americans see the true face of the GOP. And I refuse to believe a majority of voters would want THAT sitting in the Oval Office as the Face of Who We Are.
On the other hand, the more hateful Cruz is, the more Americans see the true face of the GOP. And I refuse to believe a majority of voters would want THAT sitting in the Oval Office as the Face of Who We Are.
15
OMG, I find myself in agreement with "W".
11
Maybe it will be Clinton against Cruz in 2016. Then Americans can choose between two unlikable, cynically opportunistic and self-serving candidates.
2
Cruz is simply an old fashioned demagogue, playing the role of the populist to stir up the fearful, all the while pocketing "donations" and advancing the cause of the elites.
10
God willing, Cruz will win the GOP nomination. This country will NEVER elect a man as negative as this clown Ted Cruz.
May he gain his parties nomination to insure that we have another minimum four more years of adult supervision and leadership.
May he gain his parties nomination to insure that we have another minimum four more years of adult supervision and leadership.
10
We elected Nixon, twice!
I disagree with the premise that people don't like Cruz because he's scary. They don't like him because he's a jerk with laughable ideas.
21
But it would be pretty scary if he and his inanities got into the Oval Office.
In Franks world, it's the norm to cast anything not liked as scary. I would suggest the entire political process is a carnival, with Cruz being particularly creepy.
4
Scary and creepy. That's Cruz.
The upheavals we see in the Middle East is largely due to the lack of or absence of functioning governments, which is exactly what the Republicans would like to do this country. The irony, of course, is that the Republican foreign policy wants to restore functioning governments to other people's countries.
11
To me, the scary part isn't Ted Cruz or Donald Trump, but the ignorance, prejudice, hate, and homophobia of all the people who want to vote for them.
34
Chuck Hagel is a traitor. So is anyone else who serves His Royal Imperial Highness, Comrade Commissar Obola. Mitch McConnell is most assuredly a mendacious, unprincipled snapping turtle. The fact that Sen. Cruz is despised by the likes of these evil cretins only makes me love him more. Go Cruz!
1
Perhaps this is a joke to illustrate the ugly spirit of Mr Cruz and his defenders?
Perhaps the above comment is a joke to illustrate the ugliness of Mr Ted Cruz and his defenders?
I completely disagree with everything you wrote nut your comment provided me a great laugh!
1
Where o where are all the true-blue Tea-partying patriots decrying Cruz's citizenship and demanding his "American" birth certificate? It's a matter of record that Cruz was born in Canada; and last I checked, that is a foreign country, proximity to the United States not withstanding.
15
I am laying down a large chunk of fault for the GOP meltdown to the feet of Mr. McCain. He allowed a quantum leap downwards in making Palin his running mate, a direct path allowing for individuals like Cruz et al to enter the stage.
Disgusting to what the GOP has come to, not one reasonable individual on the public platform, not one.
Decades of voter disinformation pay now. Another thank you in that instance goes to pundits like Brooks, Douthat, Krauthammer and company. One step further down we have the politainers Limbaugh and associates .
What a pathetic political landscape.
Disgusting to what the GOP has come to, not one reasonable individual on the public platform, not one.
Decades of voter disinformation pay now. Another thank you in that instance goes to pundits like Brooks, Douthat, Krauthammer and company. One step further down we have the politainers Limbaugh and associates .
What a pathetic political landscape.
19
Welcome to the emerging Feral Republic of North America.
What a pathetic political landscape. First you can start with Pelosi and Reid, the worst of political hacks and career politicians. Then move on to Bill Clinton who redefined morality in the White House. But, what about Martin O'Malley? Really, does he actually think after what he did as mayor of Baltimore and then as governor of Maryland qualifies him for a run at the presidency? Move on to Bernie and he wants another $20 trillion to spend- amazing. That leaves us with Hillary, who is the darling of Wall Street, big, huge super pacs, kick back spending unions and foreign governments who donated to the Clinton foundation. The lib political landscape is horrible. There are no good choices. What a pathetic political landscape.
Ted Cruz is a little fascist and not nearly as smart as he thinks he is.
38
I want Cruz to win.
I want to demand that the progressives worship him as their god, as they did Obama.
I want to demand that the progressives worship him as their god, as they did Obama.
According to Professor Dershowitz, who taught both Cruz and Obama at Harvard, Cruz is a whole lot smarter than Obama. Further, I don't understand what a facist is, but it sure sounds good when you use it.
Remember when Cruz frightened the three year old girl by screaming, "The world is on fire!" Whatever happened to statesmen who could give a rational speech? Cruz sounds like a preening, yelling, uneducated fundamentalist preacher. For once I agree with George W. Bush. Cruz is up to no good.
30
Reminds me of some historian (I can't remember who) describing G. Gordon Liddy of Watergate fame "a frightener of small children." Cruz is the only other public figure that I view as fitting that label.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), along with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), are the two Cuban-Americans--and the only Latinos--in the race. Neither one supports Birthright Citizenship, even though Cruz enjoyed the benefits of it. Also, neither supports college financing assistance, such as PELL Grants, even though Rubio took advantage of item.
And then there is the Cuban Adjustment Act, which enables Cubans who arrive here to stay, get Green Cards in one year, and will be on the fast-track to Citizenship. No other ethnic group[ enjoys the advantages that Cubans do--and, then, they can even travel back and forth, between Cuba and the U.S. Persecution?
Cruz is, by far, the more belligerent and obnoxious; but, they both take their advantages--even of subsidies under Obamacare--as they fight against them for others. What opportunist!!
http://thetruthoncommonsense.com
And then there is the Cuban Adjustment Act, which enables Cubans who arrive here to stay, get Green Cards in one year, and will be on the fast-track to Citizenship. No other ethnic group[ enjoys the advantages that Cubans do--and, then, they can even travel back and forth, between Cuba and the U.S. Persecution?
Cruz is, by far, the more belligerent and obnoxious; but, they both take their advantages--even of subsidies under Obamacare--as they fight against them for others. What opportunist!!
http://thetruthoncommonsense.com
33
"Birthright citizenship" has nothing to do with Ted Cruz. His mother was American. He was born American.
He is frightening and -- I don't use this term flippantly -- slightly insane, in the way that some people can become so obsessed with their internal vision and their smug certainty that they begin to lose touch with reality.
That said, I'm not sure which is scarier -- the prospect of a Cruz presidency or the American people who would line up to support him.
That said, I'm not sure which is scarier -- the prospect of a Cruz presidency or the American people who would line up to support him.
31
I agree with Bush's assessment of Ted Cruz, but why stop there? I, for one, am very much looking forward to his assessment of his own presidency and its consequences.
6
The definition of an anarchist.
19
That's just what a strict Constitutionalist looks like to people who are used to "living" documents and laws meaning whatever people want them to mean.
8
Just what is a strict Constitutionalist? or did you mean strict constructionist?
Absolutely correct. For years, liberals have used the living document or lode star of aspirations argument to skirt the the original intent of the Constitution. To them, the Founders are nothing but a bunch of old white men wearing wigs and out of touch with our reality. The Founders gave us a means of destroying the Constitution by way of amendment, but that is too hard for liberals to do, so they skirt the issue. When someone like Ted Cruz talks of holding to the rule of law, liberals scoff and call him radical.
Cruz is also an anti-elitist/establishment elitist. While at Harvard Law, he only wanted to be in a study group with those who had attended Ivy League schools. Others need not apply.
41
In that he is no different than his political bedfellow, Antonin Scalia, who readily admits a law clerk from Ohio State that he 'inherited' from his predecessor was probably the best clerk he had but has never hired a law clerk from outside the Ivy League. Elitists pretending to be populists, whose sole purpose is an entrenched plutocracy, with them - of course - as part of it.
1
Ted Cruz scary? No more than the rest of the Tea Party representatives. Cruz is just part of the conservatives’ kabuki theater that they preform every day for their voters’ benefit. He is no scarier than Congressmen Paul Ryan, Trey Gowdy or Mick Mulvaney all Tea Party darlings who have performed the act of bait and switch since the day they were elected. Their voters want stricter immigration laws with more enforcement of deportation? Bait the Tea Party voters with stronger border protection and higher deportation immigration laws promises and then switch to attempt to pass the Chamber of Commerce’s immigration law which does none of these things. Bait with the issue that Social Security should be stable and funded? Switch to sell Social Security off to the investment banks! For conservatives government is the problem. At least the people they keep electing. The conservative voters have faithfully supported their candidates who bait them with promises and then they are sold out each and every time to big corporate interests. Their answer to this problem vote for untried and no record candidates like Trump and Carson. These presidential candidates really know to play this bait and switch theater and the conservative voters are buying it again. Now that is scary.
29
Low labor participation rates, uncontrolled spending, unconstitutional executive orders, rudderless foreign policy, race baiting, and no plan to stabilize and fund social security. Now that is really scary. I prefer scary over really scary.
There's a local saying that applies well to Cruz and his GOP nutso caucus confreres:
Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.
Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.
The GOP Freedom Caucus in the House makes Paul Ryan look like the voice of reason and moderation.
The most potent advertising that Cruz is going to have is just shaping up, which surprisingly is on an issue that many thought had the wooden stake driven through its heart by the Supreme Court a few months back. ACA exchange enrollments are going to be very disappointing relative to predictions and what looks like a primary factor is that the death spiral feedback loops of people anticipating high claims buy and those anticipating low claims resisting the price that the high claims drive into the system are at work. Cruz in January is going to be crowing that he was right and the data is going to support him in ways that make it hard to say otherwise. Mind you, the Republican solutions to such death spirals are either non-existent or deeply cynical (let's rely on the chronically underfunded "high risk pool" approach), but still I think by the heat of the primaries the problems in ACA are going to be an asset for Cruz. Maybe it will be too late to help him.
The scariest thing as a Texan is the degree to which Cruz's ideologies have permeated the political culture here. The deviseness of these people creates a bitter, vitriolic war between left and right that leads to things like a campus carry law being passed against the will of nearly every president of our major public colleges.
Just this weekend at the Texas Tribune Festival, on a panel about public integrity, a lawyer with ties to dubious scandal-ridden state legislators offered to correct Rick Perry's statement of Austin being "a blueberry in the tomato soup" to "a turd in the punchbowl," a state rep nodding in approval and half of the audience applauding along. Treating opposing ideals as utter waste rather than opportunity for valid discourse.
Ted Cruz and his ilk are very clearly a product of consistently poor involvement by the Texas electorate, both in becoming informed and turning out to vote.
Just this weekend at the Texas Tribune Festival, on a panel about public integrity, a lawyer with ties to dubious scandal-ridden state legislators offered to correct Rick Perry's statement of Austin being "a blueberry in the tomato soup" to "a turd in the punchbowl," a state rep nodding in approval and half of the audience applauding along. Treating opposing ideals as utter waste rather than opportunity for valid discourse.
Ted Cruz and his ilk are very clearly a product of consistently poor involvement by the Texas electorate, both in becoming informed and turning out to vote.
38
Since when is a politician who panders to the lowest possible denominator scary? It is a feature of political life, which is too commonplace to give fright.
3
The Fear comes from understanding what they can and will do once in power. If you are secure in your privileged safety from such drastic changes, consider those who aren't so privileged and work to protect them.
Civil Rights must be protected every day for every one.
Civil Rights must be protected every day for every one.
I would describe Cruz as "crazy" , not scary. He is one of those single minded individuals who usually have a background awash in evangelical religious ideas who see the world in apocalyptic terms and act accordingly. They are never wrong about anything and can be obsessively argumentative. Their egos cannot be contained in one body because they are the center of the world. It shows the state of our country today that someone like him could even be considered for President and that is pitiful.
48
There is a psychiatric term that describes his ilk perfectly: Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
George W. Bush was alleged to have described Sarah Palin as grossly unprepared for the White House. Evidently, with his assessment of Cruz as noxious, Bush is establishing real insight into bottom-of-the-barrel candidates.
If only he had tried introspection.
If only he had tried introspection.
60
Too bad he did not use such judgment with regards to his vice presidential pick. His 'reign' might not have been nearly as bad with a competent, intelligent veep to give him good advice instead of being a conscience-free partisan hack acting the part of the devil whispering in his ear.
2
Cruz will probably end up as a VP with trump or carson. If one if the 2 outsiders win the nomination, cruz would be the only logical pick imo.
2
It's interesting that Cruz is an alum of Princeton and Harvard Law. This means that (a) he's really smart, at least in a general, high-IQ sense; (b) he has been deeply involved with excellent, main stream education, educators, and fellow students; and (c) he has had to meet high standards in developing and justifying statements that he makes and conclusions that he comes to.
The inescapable conclusion from this is that he is a completely unprincipled liar.
The inescapable conclusion from this is that he is a completely unprincipled liar.
71
Obviously, because anyone that went to Harvard and Princeton would be smart enough to know that religion and conservative ideologies don't work. How silly of Cruz to have been taught so well by rank and file liberals at the Ivy League schools and still not fall in line. He must be a liar. Fortunately you appear to not be really smart, at least logically, and your conclusion can be escaped.
Cruz is certainly scary. He represents much that is wrong in America. He is a bigot, and a danger to democracy. There are many who share his way-out views, but few with the ability to put on the front of a rational, thoughtful person. That's the scary bit--like a real axe-murderer dressing up like Ronald Reagan at Halloween.
27
It maybe scary and wacky in certain Forest Hills precincts and in CA, but down TX way, outside of Austin, he's probably pretty mainstream - he appeals to the prejudices and insecurities of the victims of the holy rollers while smiling and taking money from the oil barons.
I just don't like the guy, either, perhaps one of the few times I would agree with former President Bush II. Now THAT'S scary!
How a propos that Election Day follows so closely to Halloween.
I just don't like the guy, either, perhaps one of the few times I would agree with former President Bush II. Now THAT'S scary!
How a propos that Election Day follows so closely to Halloween.
Thank you Frank Bruni. We rarely read the true, unvarnished opinions of the media. Yours was both raw and correct. This man is the son of a father who foments hate and unrest, and he, Ted Cruz, did not move far from that poisoned tree. One would hope Republican voters would see the danger in a man like Cruz, but this has been a very strange year for the right, and they may be willing to excuse his lack of character in their quest for self destruction.
24
If you think the US has a static government now, wait until you see it under Cruz control.
12
I told my liberal Canadian friend, look we will take Harper if you will take Ted Cruz back. He said no. THen I said how about we take Harper and you take Bieber back. He said "Oh hell no."
14
Instead of the enormous time spent on covering Trump, why not reveal all of Cruz in his glory. His family background, his sources of campaign money (if possible) and his views--yes his views. The voters deserve to know what this candidate is planning for our future. We have already heard enough of Trump self-love.
26
I used to think that Cruz was just a cynic. That opinion does not do justice to Cruz's personality disorder. The man is bat guano crazy and that explains a great deal.
25
We should be more frightened of the crazy Texans that voted for Cruz. In a state with 1 in 4 children living in dire poverty, who are the rich white hillbilly voters in Texas that keep electing these loony people, who seem to hate Obama, who use their riches to scam each other and impoverish children, who support Heritage and vote in the Dick Army's and Phil Graham and all the other evil people that seek to destroy the country for their own selfish riches and perverted religious views??? Thats who we should point a spot light at, as 20,000 creepy middle class people in Dallas showed up last month to watch Trump speak. Who are these loony middle class people that are so uneducated they vote based on sound bites and racist rants? They are people in our own backyards. Its thats not a fright fir Halloween what is?
70
one should be far more afraid of the crazy Nevadans who continued to send that crook Harry Reid back to DC; or the New Yorkers who constantly vote for that dimwit Chuck Schumer.
If you look at the table
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_life_expectancy
you will find that the life expectancy of African Americans is higher in Texas than it is in Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan AND DC.
Texas is not among the top 25, but the image we have of Texas in the NYC is as much a consequence of liberals talking to other liberals as of reality.
Liberals tend to accuse Southerners of hatred but have you tried looking in the mirror?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_life_expectancy
you will find that the life expectancy of African Americans is higher in Texas than it is in Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan AND DC.
Texas is not among the top 25, but the image we have of Texas in the NYC is as much a consequence of liberals talking to other liberals as of reality.
Liberals tend to accuse Southerners of hatred but have you tried looking in the mirror?
2
Not all Texans. He surged on the strength of the Tea Party movement and a very independent bent in Texas. But many of us see him for the self serving politician he is.
The sign of moral decay and insanity coming open on many southern states is the reflection of accumulated hatread of white race against rest of the people. This culture was flourished by small small local activities like - biased police force, racist county judicial system, neglected education and healthcare programs and false propaganda of Fox media. Texas is an emerging state and lot of good things are happening here - but the people are electing Cruz as senator - why? The answer lies on those small small activities that prevented the efforts of the liberals to create the counter liberal force. We find a situation where Democratic Party is not viable in the most educated and affluent voting district like mine. And now Bush finds his senator Cruz is not acceptable to him. It is mind boggling.
20
The GOP hard right has been effective in demonizing all others in the political area, particularly Democrats. But there are large pluralities of people who don't vote in Texas, and if the Democrats can mobilize them, things will start looking much different. Also, note that much of what the Texas GOP has enacted in state government will be overturned for being unconstitutional, and at some point, that will sink in.
"The sign of moral decay and insanity coming open on many southern states is the reflection of accumulated hatread of white race against rest of the people."
Is that why both Indian American governors are governors of southern states and both are Republicans?
Why not look at reality once in a while?
Is that why both Indian American governors are governors of southern states and both are Republicans?
Why not look at reality once in a while?
1
You could liken Cruz to the demon spirit from "It Follows" but he has always reminded me of Martin Sheen's sinister Senator from the film of Stephen King's, "The Dead Zone". Creepy.
18
Dickens was a master of naming his characters to describe their persona.
For me, Cruz is the "Uriah Heep" of the Republican Party.
For me, Cruz is the "Uriah Heep" of the Republican Party.
The presidential candidate in KIng's novel was named Greg Stillson, "a young door to door Bible salesman suffering emotional issues and dreaming of greatness," (Wikipedia) who, among other sadistic acts, vindictively kicks a farm families' dog to death. Lucky for us, Stillson was a fictional character; the clearly sociopathic Cruz is unfortunately all too real.
Imagine: "Cruz vs. Clinton." It would be Harvard vs. Yale. Two top debaters. Capable of taking whatever position might win the debate. Changing positions in response to the latest polls. Ignoring the other pols on their team. Striking fear in Putin's Evil Empire. The Free World poised on the precipice of the unknown. And The Donald: Silenced at last.
1
I'm contributing to Cruz, in case Trump stumbles.
Here's a truly scary thought. Often times after listening to Ted Cruz, I have wondered, could this be the real Manchurian candidate?
16
Ted Cruz is only one scandal away from the wilderness, he will be devoured by his own. Rather than standing on principal (although that is what he would want us to believe), the man is a caricature and creation of the Tea Party, his lust for power is transparent and this will lead to his downfall.
Fear not Ted Cruz, reserve that fear for he who would adopt the man on his ticket for VP.
Fear not Ted Cruz, reserve that fear for he who would adopt the man on his ticket for VP.
17
Reserve it for the voters of Texas.
Cruz is so despicable one wonders why this newspaper covers him at all. Maybe it is because this newspaper is a very weak defender of the separation of church and state too.
7
Ted Cruz, the perfect storm, hatred, ignorance, and dishonesty.
28
I don't like Cruz, but he is a very smart and sophisticated guy. If he wanted to be President, I believe he could craft a much more promising strategy than the one he has undertaken. He can ultimately wield a lot more power over a longer timeframe as a non-term limited Senator from Texas than as President - I think his real goal is to set himself up for lifetime tenure in the Senate.
1
Then why is he running for President?
Actually, "rumor" has it that he actually wants to be a Supreme Court Justice and hopes to leverage the support he garners in his Presidential quest to gain a commitment from the eventual Republican nominee to support his goal.
1
As a democrat I love Cruz. I could run against him and win.
6
Please do...ANYONE would be better than lying Hillary or Grandpa Socialist. But when it comes to Cruz, without knowing you, I'm betting he'd win any debate, assuming an objective audience and not a bunch of Kool-Aid drinking dems.
Bruni thinks that people should be "scared" of Ted Cruz, but Cruz's appeal is very limited. A sizable fraction of highly partisan, discontented people buy into his rhetoric, but he has made little attempt to broaden his appeal. He would not do well in a national election. Those who have reason to be scared of Cruz are the plutocratic establishment Republicans, who depend on the support of the non-affluent people that Cruz appeals to. Clearly supporters of Trump, Carson and Cruz are threatening to disrupt the coalition that the Republican party has relied on for the last 35+ years.
Would Bruni be more comfortable (less scared) if the coalition remained intact and Republicans fielded a conventional candidate like Bush or Rubio, who are obviously more closely focused on plutocratic objectives?
Would Bruni be more comfortable (less scared) if the coalition remained intact and Republicans fielded a conventional candidate like Bush or Rubio, who are obviously more closely focused on plutocratic objectives?
5
The most significant thing about George W. Bush declaiming Ted Cruz is not that W is a former President but that he is a fellow Texan with Cruz. Perhaps Texans will line up behind W and not send Cruz back to Washington when Cruz comes up for reelection. Revoking Cruz's credentials would go far towards correcting Texas's penchant for sending us incompetent leaders.
10
The "brilliant legal mind" Ted Cruz shot himself in the foot with his rants over Obama's supposed illegitimacy for the presidency due to birth on foreign soil to an American mother and a foreign father. In fact, Obama was born in the USA and so qualifies unambiguously as a "natural born citizen." But what about our friend Ted? Yep, he was born in Canada (and held Canadian citizenship until very recently) to an American mother and a non-American father. Even given the well-established allergy of Republicans to facts and reason, it is going to be very hard for old Cruz to get out of the hole he dug himself into.
18
Cruz has completely ignored the needs of his constituents back in Texas with his self-serving quests and that has not gone unnoticed.
6
Republicans want to reduce US government to the size of a monarchy, of which their president the King.
1
It seems to me that everyone that's commenting is missing the scariest thing of all in Frank's article:
"His campaign has more cash on hand than that of any other Republican in the hunt. If you add “super PAC” money that’s been officially disclosed so far to the tally, he trails only Jeb and Hillary Clinton."
It's a scary thing to have low information voters agreeing with him, but it's several orders of magnitude above that, as in nightmarish, that he has very big money behind him.
"His campaign has more cash on hand than that of any other Republican in the hunt. If you add “super PAC” money that’s been officially disclosed so far to the tally, he trails only Jeb and Hillary Clinton."
It's a scary thing to have low information voters agreeing with him, but it's several orders of magnitude above that, as in nightmarish, that he has very big money behind him.
28
The Cruz missile, born of a gerrymandered district that lifted the rock from mouth of the silo out of which crawled, launched by a growing array of socioeconomic panic buttons, guided by unalloyed and highly concentrated narcissism, unchallenged by a quiescent press hungry for his big donor money, flying low under the radar of a sleeping public , gathering speed through the void left by a dying language of truth , ready and eager to deploy his payload to flatten a road to his glorious, megalomaniacal future. It takes a more camouflaged, messianic narcissist like Bush to warn us what is coming.
9
He was elected to the Senate, so gerrymandering is one thing I believe Cruz is innocent of.
Cruz's nomination should be the death knell of the GOP. The same is true of Trump's or Carson's, but there's a difference. There's more method in Cruz's madness. He's taken the trouble to gather the credentials at Ivy-league schools, on the GWB campaign team, in a US Senate seat to place a plausible resume on the table. He's amassed a lot of money and he's throwing high-octane gas on the right-wing fires.
His party this cycle seems likely to repeat the Goldwater mistake of believing that purity of conservative orthodoxy will prevail in the general election against a more centrist, saner candidate just because it's pure. Trump and Carson appear to be the mid-way barkers creating excitement among the rubes to make them easier to steer into the main attraction's tent where Senator Cruz will cast his spell on them. Have stranger things happened. See the Twentieth Century for examples aplenty.
Meanwhile in another part of the forest, the Democrats are toying with nominating a self-described Socialist. An admirable, consistent, well-intentioned gentleman who speaks his mind and with whom it's hard to disagree on most issues. But whose self-labeling with the S word would be the key to a defeat by any Republican nominee.
Yes, it's scary, Frank.
His party this cycle seems likely to repeat the Goldwater mistake of believing that purity of conservative orthodoxy will prevail in the general election against a more centrist, saner candidate just because it's pure. Trump and Carson appear to be the mid-way barkers creating excitement among the rubes to make them easier to steer into the main attraction's tent where Senator Cruz will cast his spell on them. Have stranger things happened. See the Twentieth Century for examples aplenty.
Meanwhile in another part of the forest, the Democrats are toying with nominating a self-described Socialist. An admirable, consistent, well-intentioned gentleman who speaks his mind and with whom it's hard to disagree on most issues. But whose self-labeling with the S word would be the key to a defeat by any Republican nominee.
Yes, it's scary, Frank.
11
Ted Cruz is an Hispanic born in another country; it will be interesting to see how he handles the immigration reform issue in front of an audience not handpicked and filled with right wing radicals.
8
Devoid of issues, facts. The Left and Establishment Republicans (Bush is ER#1) have always demonized Cruz, effectively. But on the issues and principles of the Constitution, no one is better or more qualified than Cruz. Plus he says what he's going to do and he does it. He is trustworthy and truthful. The antithesis of Hillary.
7
Never surprised at the opinion of the NYT and it's writers. Total hypocrisy. You could have easily substituted Hillary for many of the remarks made here. For example: "The slow torture of the Democratic party knows no limit." Look at the field: an embattled senator/Sec of State with few, if any accomplishments, a towering socialist advocating taxing and regulating us into oblivion and now, two other forgettables. Or this: "Hillary doesn't propose remedies. She performs rants." Any and all accusations or negative press continues to come from...not her words or deeds, but...a vast right-wing conspiracy. Or this: "She (Hillary) should be careful about genuineness versus phoniness." Hillary is completely choreographed, with Team Hillary fine tuning every single word, smile or cackle. Or finally: Hillary's law degree is from Yale. "Keep that in mind when she rails against the establishment and the elites." It's amazing the double standard.
5
I'll put it in writing for all to see: if Cruz is elected president, I'm moving to Canada.
4
You won't be safe there. President Cruz has plans to annex Canada shortly after he takes office.
Smarmy. That is the word to describe Ted Cruz. He looks and acts smarmy. He's down there on par with Tricky Dick Nixon. I shudder to think of what will happen to our country if he becomes president.
Smarmy. Ick.
Smarmy. Ick.
30
Sorry. Nixon was head and shoulders above any of the major Republican leaders today. And I greatly disliked him at the time.
Bush described Cruz as cynically opportunistic and self-serving.
Well, he should know.
Well, he should know.
17
Cruz is just the latest GOP crackpot and one reason of many that the party has slightly less than 25% of the American public identifying with it. Barry Goldwater in 1964 looks like a reasonable moderate in today's GOP. This country can't afford to have Cruz near the White House much less running it.
7
How can he be a candidate for president, as he was born in CANADA. Even if his mommy was American - so was Obama's mother. His candidacy is not supported by the Constitution of the US. Where are the "birthers?" Why is Trump so quiet? Is he considering a Trump-Cruz ticket?
7
Donald Trump is quiet because that's what a successful billionaire who is winning does--he maintains his lead.
Why would Trump try to engage a conversation half this country (Obama supporters) are too ignorant to understand? Whenever Trump brings anything up, the media squeals like a grade schooler who dropped his popsicle.
Trump is skillfully playing the game now. Less is more, and if you leave the news media to its own devices, they will eat their own.
Why would Trump try to engage a conversation half this country (Obama supporters) are too ignorant to understand? Whenever Trump brings anything up, the media squeals like a grade schooler who dropped his popsicle.
Trump is skillfully playing the game now. Less is more, and if you leave the news media to its own devices, they will eat their own.
When it comes to "educated" or uneducated liberal politicians, the OP-Ed pages of the NYTimes can't get enough!!! Either is praise worthy as long as the politician regurgitates tired liberal narratives.
Republicans on the other hand... are either uneducated (Scott Walker) or now over educated as in Ted Cruz!!! Yes, Cruz is brown and holds Ivy League degrees. Oy-vay!
You can't make this stuff up!!!
Republicans on the other hand... are either uneducated (Scott Walker) or now over educated as in Ted Cruz!!! Yes, Cruz is brown and holds Ivy League degrees. Oy-vay!
You can't make this stuff up!!!
3
I'm so sorry that Frank Bruni is such an entrenched Republican that he seems to lose sleep over their current state. Those of us who in years long passed might have voted R when offered a plausible candidate realize that the party is now controlled by several different factions of the ultra right, each with their own agenda (Christian Conservatives want to roll back individual rights and freedoms, the Tea Party wants to dismantle every single part of the Government, the 1% want to make sure that they pay no taxes). Until these factions beat each other out of existence or at least minimize their influence a rational GOP becomes impossible, so I and lots of others have to vote Democratic where there is still some rationality extant.
9
Democrats can only hope that Cruz is the GOP nominee. The man couldn't win a national election if only his relatives voted.
7
You have to remember that people said the same thing about Obama in 2008 before the primaries. Anyone whose hat is in the ring has a chance to be nominated.
The New Southern Strategy is working fine, friends. President Trump, VP Cruz, with Carson running the military and the Fed seems like a great plan to me. Rubio and Bush haven't got a chance in this thing, and I hope that either Trump or Cruz is elected President so that they can "fix" everything that is wrong with the USA. Clearly THEY know what is best for all of us: we will all become christians who demand that all other religions are banned; ALL social programs will go away--no more social security, no more ACA, no more Medicare or Medicaid, no more unemployment insurance, no more nothing. Every US citizen under the age of 50 will be drafted into the military immediately regardless of the impact on world business and we will go to war with every country in the world and send millions of troops there. We don't have enough guns yet, but we will make people take their own and fight and murder everyone who is not a white, christian American. Only then, after murdering everyone in the world except a few white men (women will become the slaves they should have been all along) will the world be OK for Cruz and Trump. Oh yeah, the get all the money, too, since they deserve it. Imagine a world with only white males from America. They can then destroy the lands and cultures of everyone except a few of us since only THEY talk directly to "god" and know what is best for everyone.
Works for me, why not for you?
Works for me, why not for you?
4
"When a true genius appears, you can know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in a confederacy against him." - Johnathan Swift
Given that none of the first 128 comments to this piece have anything good to say about Cruz, then one can only wonder whether Swift was prescient. It also proves that very few Texans bother to read the NYT. The fact that so many NYT readers agreed with GWB on anything is equally shocking.
Given that none of the first 128 comments to this piece have anything good to say about Cruz, then one can only wonder whether Swift was prescient. It also proves that very few Texans bother to read the NYT. The fact that so many NYT readers agreed with GWB on anything is equally shocking.
3
Dear Frank,
You have become the conscious of people of reason.The most prudent part of your article on Croz is his credentials , a Harvard & Princeton Graduate, which I suppose makes him a great Scholar, & to many makes him worthy of being our President. As I recall, Bush also graduated from Harvard & I believe Yale,& is referred to as the moron that almost threw us into a depression.Carson is a Brain Surgeon, without common sense, & a warped sense of values.I don't think Jesus ever went to School.
I agree with you completely, he is to be feared,, but only because of his fanatical Religious & Political views, which is shared by millions of Americans, it is indeed scary.
You have become the conscious of people of reason.The most prudent part of your article on Croz is his credentials , a Harvard & Princeton Graduate, which I suppose makes him a great Scholar, & to many makes him worthy of being our President. As I recall, Bush also graduated from Harvard & I believe Yale,& is referred to as the moron that almost threw us into a depression.Carson is a Brain Surgeon, without common sense, & a warped sense of values.I don't think Jesus ever went to School.
I agree with you completely, he is to be feared,, but only because of his fanatical Religious & Political views, which is shared by millions of Americans, it is indeed scary.
10
"the contradiction of their ravenous lunge to become monarchs of a kingdom that they supposedly want to topple". Cruz may be utterly wrong about nearly everything but I don't think he wants to be a monarch. He really does want to destroy the government. The GOP message that all government is bad has born its fruit.
4
Cruz recently said he would kill the leader of Iran while mocking his religion. That's disurbing.
6
Frank Bruni is right: Ted Cruz is frightening. But what's just as if not more frightening is the fact that Ted Cruz and the rest of the right wing group that's in Congress is elected. Is there something those who vote for them see that we don't? Or are the principles of those voters no different than the ones in Congress? Are those who vote for the likes of Ted Cruz also frightening?
6
Cruz scares the establishment to death. He takes clear stands. He doesn't bow to pressure from his own party, lobbyists, or the press. He is essentially a Trump without the arrogance, an insider who hasn't caught the "Washington Fever" which affects the memory of almost all elected officials (They forget why they were elected). Scary, I'll bet he is!
He's also intelligent, transparent, focused and vocal. In a few words, He's a true version of what all politicians claim to be. Refreshing.
He's also intelligent, transparent, focused and vocal. In a few words, He's a true version of what all politicians claim to be. Refreshing.
3
What is truly scary is that there are many Americans that believe this. Ted Cruz is a politician, and he is as much a liar as any other, and so it Trump. Ted Cruz too will forget why he was elected as soon as he wins.
Cruz has as much arrogance Trump. He is twice as smarmy and perhaps more cunning. Refreshing? No. Revolting more like it.
I'm just laughing that you somehow think that Ted Cruz is not arrogant. That's hilarious.
Frank, don't cluck over Ted Cruz, cluck over a large percentage of the Republican base that believes in this man. Many Americans are low information, emotional voters who believe what the hear on TV. This is the scariest part of the whole business. The dolts that call for small government don't realize this country was formed as a government by the people who are responsible for choosing men and women to represent them. The present dysfunctional state we're in is because much of the American people are lacking in education and can't rule themselves.
Because life has become so difficult, many Americans have become selfish and mean spirited, so scared that they now look to a demagogue for help, forgetting that the Founding Fathers depended on the people to choose their leaders. Now we have the reverse: future leaders sniffing out the timid, playing to their emotion and thus choosing their electorate.
Let's hope reason wins out in the next election because, Frank, I have very little faith in the wisdom of many Americans.
Because life has become so difficult, many Americans have become selfish and mean spirited, so scared that they now look to a demagogue for help, forgetting that the Founding Fathers depended on the people to choose their leaders. Now we have the reverse: future leaders sniffing out the timid, playing to their emotion and thus choosing their electorate.
Let's hope reason wins out in the next election because, Frank, I have very little faith in the wisdom of many Americans.
19
I guess you can count me in as one of those low information, emotional and "scary" voters then. Be afraid, be very afraid.
In other words, if Cruz becomes the Republican presidential candidate, which he might, many, many Republicans will vote for the Democratic ticket.
7
I mean this as a serious comment: I'm not worried about Ted Cruz because he is far, far too ugly to win the national election.
6
"What's the ugliest part of your body? some say your behind, I'd say it's your mind" F. Zappa.
Cruz should scare the hell out of progressives of BOTH party establishments.
Cruz is a libertarian/conservative who actually governs the way he promised voters when he campaigned. That makes him as rare as a unicorn in Washington.
Cruz is absolutely fearless telling the truth about how our corrupt Congress works. https://thecitizenpamphleteer.wordpress.com/2015/09/30/ted-cruzs-indictm... This is why many of his progressive colleagues hate and fear him.
Cruz is leading the GOP money race with actual cash on hand because both the voters and the conservative money guys believe he means what he says and, unlike Bush and Clinton, the candidate can keep his campaign within a budget. The latter would come in useful for a president dealing with runaway deficits.
Cruz is a libertarian/conservative who actually governs the way he promised voters when he campaigned. That makes him as rare as a unicorn in Washington.
Cruz is absolutely fearless telling the truth about how our corrupt Congress works. https://thecitizenpamphleteer.wordpress.com/2015/09/30/ted-cruzs-indictm... This is why many of his progressive colleagues hate and fear him.
Cruz is leading the GOP money race with actual cash on hand because both the voters and the conservative money guys believe he means what he says and, unlike Bush and Clinton, the candidate can keep his campaign within a budget. The latter would come in useful for a president dealing with runaway deficits.
5
The problem with Cruz and this assessment is his stick-to-your-guns philosophy is at odds with democracy. By definition, democracy involves compromise. Unless a majority believes the way Senator Cruz believes, he doesn't get to do things his way.
It is odd how blithely the chicken-hawk Ted Cruz and his fellow "Freedom" caucusers throw the "traitor" label at decorated war heroes like Chuck Hagel. John McCain and Max Cleland know all about this. It's part of the standard GOP sliming playbook now turned back upon itself.
My life often carries me back and forth across the US-Canadian border. On entering either country I am typically asked, "What is the purpose of your visit?" If I were to reply, ''to topple the national government from within," I could kiss my cross-border travel good-bye forever, and rightfully so.
Ted Cruz talks about treason! It would all be hilarious if it weren't so destructive of our national body politic.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
My life often carries me back and forth across the US-Canadian border. On entering either country I am typically asked, "What is the purpose of your visit?" If I were to reply, ''to topple the national government from within," I could kiss my cross-border travel good-bye forever, and rightfully so.
Ted Cruz talks about treason! It would all be hilarious if it weren't so destructive of our national body politic.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
24
Perhaps you haven't noticed. The national body politic is already shattered.
It happened a long time before Ted Cruz ever rose to prominence, and a long time before Obama got elected to the Illinois Senate.
It happened a long time before Ted Cruz ever rose to prominence, and a long time before Obama got elected to the Illinois Senate.
There is no doubt that Cruz is just waiting for the inevitable crash landings of Trump, Carson & Jeb. If Hillary wins the nomination Cruz will be a tough no holds barred opponent. Ted Cruz is a fanatic who at times seems reasonable but how can anyone who thinks, want a man who would shut down the government. Him and his kind must be rooted out of Congress. If he gets the Presidency never mind his love of the phase "God bless America" shortly after it would be "God help America" I expect one of his first acts will be to have a belfry erected on the White House.
12
A place to pray to God or to house his bats?
You know, Mr. Cruz has always made me feel uncomfortable... not his policies, his personality. But when I read Mr. Bruni's op-ed, I begin to feel more comfortable with the Texas Senator. Anyone who can get under the progressive skin without being a wacko is someone I might enjoy.
5
I agree with a previous comment that Cruz is our modern day McCarthy, along with many others in the GOP. What scares me the most about this group- and that includes my Congressman Garrett in Bergen County, NJ, is the lack of separation of church and state in how they govern. They talk about and wave the Constitution in their hands but it might as well be the Bible. They don't get that we are not all Christians in this country or respect that.
17
While Cruz legitimately provokes nightmares, he represents only one manifestation of the real problem. We live in an age when an entire political party has fallen under the influence of people who tend to regard the federal government as a necessary evil, suitable only for fighting every foreign country that challenges the U.S. and for imposing a narrow cultural agenda opposed by most Americans.
Even mainstream representatives of this party, such as George W. Bush, can inflict enormous harm in office. Despite the skepticism of so many NYT readers about the electorate, I do not believe for a moment that Americans will vote for Cruz or the other nut jobs, Trump and Carson. But Rubio is a perfectly viable candidate, one whose youth and Hispanic heritage cannot conceal the fact that he endorses a Republican agenda that includes lower taxes on the rich, fewer business regulations, and a more porous social safety net. A Rubio administration would almost certainly prefer military rather than diplomatic solutions to international problems.
A candidate such as Cruz, indelibly marked by his dubious character and noted for his non-mainstream views, tends to distract people from the true danger facing us. The GOP, itself, embodies an outlook hostile to the best instincts and interests of the U.S. While these comments may sound unduly alarmist, the Bush administration demonstrates their plausibility. Forget Cruz; Rubio or even Jeb Bush are the real threats.
Even mainstream representatives of this party, such as George W. Bush, can inflict enormous harm in office. Despite the skepticism of so many NYT readers about the electorate, I do not believe for a moment that Americans will vote for Cruz or the other nut jobs, Trump and Carson. But Rubio is a perfectly viable candidate, one whose youth and Hispanic heritage cannot conceal the fact that he endorses a Republican agenda that includes lower taxes on the rich, fewer business regulations, and a more porous social safety net. A Rubio administration would almost certainly prefer military rather than diplomatic solutions to international problems.
A candidate such as Cruz, indelibly marked by his dubious character and noted for his non-mainstream views, tends to distract people from the true danger facing us. The GOP, itself, embodies an outlook hostile to the best instincts and interests of the U.S. While these comments may sound unduly alarmist, the Bush administration demonstrates their plausibility. Forget Cruz; Rubio or even Jeb Bush are the real threats.
14
Amen. The GOP is the problem and the real threat to our republic.
1
The scarier specter of all the wackos running for POTUS...who are not
really representative of The Republican Party..
Especially the wackiest...Donald Trump...who...like...a clone of the
wicked witch in OZ....or ....the Queen of Hearts...would....just ..love
to take a evil an surprising swinging denunciation of you ... Frank Bruni...
So ....how can you prevent this multimillionaire egotist from becoming
POTUS...just say...this...Trump is ....out of his ....freekin' mind.
really representative of The Republican Party..
Especially the wackiest...Donald Trump...who...like...a clone of the
wicked witch in OZ....or ....the Queen of Hearts...would....just ..love
to take a evil an surprising swinging denunciation of you ... Frank Bruni...
So ....how can you prevent this multimillionaire egotist from becoming
POTUS...just say...this...Trump is ....out of his ....freekin' mind.
3
If and when Cruz becomes the Republican nominee I suggest the Dems focus on his penchant for mascara. Works every time.
1
Frank, it's misleading to perpetuate the image of Ivy League schools as "elite" and inconsistent with popular values. Yes, they are elite in terms of admissions standards, but once admitted, their students fall to all points on the political spectrum. More so than many other top ranked schools, the Ivies (especially Harvard) also strive to include individuals from low income and disadvantaged backgrounds, where "elite" in no way applies. With all that said, to prove your important point, the Goldman Sachs example works just fine.
4
The reason Ted Cruz is scary is that he has the designation of R next to his name. That fact alone means he would garner at least 45% of the popular vote in a presidential race. If Cruz was a member of a third party with other Freedom Caucus members (which is where he really belongs), then we could dismiss his rhetoric. But not to be. Instead we have a Republican Party that has become more like a reckless kid driving his parent's station wagon in drunk haze. We cringe wondering at the potential extent of the damage.
8
Cruz -- postmodern man in the arena. The man "who spends himself in a worthy cause". Himself as his cause.
6
When Donald Trump becomes President I wonder if Ted Cruz will be the first immigrant he deports? After all, he is a terrorist from Canada.
8
Well if America happens to elect a Ted Cruz or a Ted Cruz-lite to the White House, don't complain about what comes after. Next Republican President will want to appear tough and make America great again by entering in another Middle East conflict with Syria and Iran. The Republican president will look to ratchet up the Cold War with Russia. Spend another two trillions dollars which will be great for defense contractors. Domestic agenda would to be to slash and burn every entitlement program from Obamacare to Planned Parenthood. After reducing the quality of life for everyday Americans and our nation being bankrupt from foreign wars, this future Republican president will have the nerve to look us in the eye and say;"I made America great again!"
23
Which is scarier, a first term Senator who opposes the establishment reign (i.e. more Clinton, more Bush, more special interests running things who collectively brought us $19 trillion in debt and foreign policy that has set the world on fire), or a proven liar, who was also a Senator, and head of the State Dept, or a self-proclaimed socialist, who is also a Senator?
I find it hilarious that the readership of the NYT hates the oligarchy that exists within our political system, but trips over themselves to berate any conservative who opposes that very same oligarchy. And then in the same breath support that oligarchy as they applaud Hillary Clinton. And those that don't applaud Clinton, turn to a socialist for comfort - which if you know anything about socialism, puts all of the power and wealth into the hands of the politburo. If anything is scary about our politics here in the States, it's the absurdity of the Left that fails to see in it's self what certain people like Cruz see in the Right. In short, I'm glad you're scared of Cruz. The fact that a 4th place candidate makes you tremble tells me there's not much in the leftist wheelhouse other than "fear." A fear they don't even understand.
I find it hilarious that the readership of the NYT hates the oligarchy that exists within our political system, but trips over themselves to berate any conservative who opposes that very same oligarchy. And then in the same breath support that oligarchy as they applaud Hillary Clinton. And those that don't applaud Clinton, turn to a socialist for comfort - which if you know anything about socialism, puts all of the power and wealth into the hands of the politburo. If anything is scary about our politics here in the States, it's the absurdity of the Left that fails to see in it's self what certain people like Cruz see in the Right. In short, I'm glad you're scared of Cruz. The fact that a 4th place candidate makes you tremble tells me there's not much in the leftist wheelhouse other than "fear." A fear they don't even understand.
7
Exactly. Democrats cannot handle change and certainly cannot achieve it themselves. They're best at clamoring for it.
1
Cruz is more afraid of the atheists who see right through preacher-phonies like him. That is why he is obsessed to using government to crush atheism.
1
Ted Cruz does not oppose the oligarchy, he openly courts it. The proof is in the pudding. He leads the GOP in the money race and openly admits it. If he was truly opposed to the oligarchy he would be soliciting small donations like Bernie Sanders is, not accepting them from the SuperPACs. Do not believe what he says, instead watch what he does.
1
Basically, W. is fearful that his brother, another mediocrity like himself, will be crushed. Personally, I find Jeb! more scary than anyone else. All I need to know, beneath his well-heeled demeanor, is that his bosom advisors are Wolfowitz and the other war criminals who ginned up the Iraq invasion. That's all you need to know about him. Plus the fact that he lies about his brother's making us safe from terrorists. I think Trump is absolutely right about this. My only problem with Trump is that he goes mostly against W's irgnoring of the evidence of a pending attack. He also should go against the criminal invasion that W spearheaded afterwards.
13
God help us all. Is it time to move to Canada?
9
Sure, go. Ain't freedom great!
Why would one get a ticket to this year's most celebrated horror movie while the horror movie of the Republican wannabe presidents is played ad infinitum on the tele for free every day?
Just thinking about any of these clownish, dreck and hate spewing candidates possibly being voted into office by our low-education, low-information citizens, keeps me awake all night, fearing that the monster is already under my bed.
Should the pushed into a rage arch right base of the Republican party again come out in greater numbers as they did during the last midterm election than those in the center left of the political spectrum, we will end up with a government that will be akin the the fascism of the last century.
All of them declared that Obama, the supposedly foreign born Muslim Manchurian Candidate, was out to destroy the country as we know it, while at the same time they were waiting in the wings and doing just that.
Just thinking about any of these clownish, dreck and hate spewing candidates possibly being voted into office by our low-education, low-information citizens, keeps me awake all night, fearing that the monster is already under my bed.
Should the pushed into a rage arch right base of the Republican party again come out in greater numbers as they did during the last midterm election than those in the center left of the political spectrum, we will end up with a government that will be akin the the fascism of the last century.
All of them declared that Obama, the supposedly foreign born Muslim Manchurian Candidate, was out to destroy the country as we know it, while at the same time they were waiting in the wings and doing just that.
19
This is classic Karl Rove behavior. Accuse your opponent of what you yourself are doing.
1
Just look at the state of our country and world today under the leadership of the most incompetent President we have ever had . He is so bad he makes Jimmy Carter look like a statesman
How the reality of Barack Obama is any less scary than a future with Ted Cruz escapes me
How the reality of Barack Obama is any less scary than a future with Ted Cruz escapes me
7
Harry - Jimmy Carter was, and is, a statesman in his own right. As for President Obama, his main mistake was to trust the Republicans long past when it became obvious they are untrustworthy. I don't know whether it's statesmanship or not, but President Obama's instinct to minimize our entanglement in middle-eastern fights is the right thing, even though his predecessor's folly left a difficult legacy to manage.
4
Clearly your grasp of reality, not too mention your command of the English language, is a dismal thought to ponder. Are these regional issues commom to El Paso?
Reality escapes you.
Ted Cruz really really scares the **** out of me. He has this Botox, perma-smile that reminds me of Freddy Krueger every time I see him on TV thus forces me to either turn off the TV or switch to other channels. Without the presence of Donald Trump, I will be too afraid to watch the GOP debates.
I don't understand why his supporters can be both a birtherism believer and a supporter of a Canadian born candidate at the same time. What those 8 percent Republicans see in Ted Cruz scare me as well. This is the first Presidential race since 1975 that scares me straight into spending at least 10 times more time and resources on my usual share of civic duty.
I don't understand why his supporters can be both a birtherism believer and a supporter of a Canadian born candidate at the same time. What those 8 percent Republicans see in Ted Cruz scare me as well. This is the first Presidential race since 1975 that scares me straight into spending at least 10 times more time and resources on my usual share of civic duty.
5
Yes, Mr. Bruni, we underestimate Mr. Cruz at our own peril. He is a psychotic ego-maniac who cares only about himself and hates big government. He pretends to be whatever voters want to get elected then does exactly what he pleases. His ideas and behavior are reminiscent of "communist scare" Joseph McCarthy and Hitler. America is not a land of dictators and WE had better make sure that radical "conservatives" and "religionists" do not elect him. The only way to do that is to get out the progressive/independent/democrat vote in force in every election for the next 100 years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Cruz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Cruz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler
8
You seem to imply that big government is a good thing. That is disturbing.
Quite an accurate depiction of this arrogant, and dangerous, charlatan. Being uncovered by his colleagues as a rabble rouser, unliked even in his early days at Harvard, this canadian-born child of cuban immigrants is indeed a cynical individual hungry for power, undeserved of all the attention being given (by far-right groups that are knowledge-deficient, prejudiced, unable to accept one of the tenets of politics (the art of the possible), compromise. Claiming ideological purity, they do not want to govern...nor allow others to do so, so the people can be served. That the Affordable Care Act is benefiting the poor who, for the first time, have health coverage; and that Planned Parenthood benefits so many folks (abortion is just 3% of its activities and receives no federal funding), seems of no interest to Ted Cruz, who, against all logic, wants to destroy them. Cruz is a nefarious individual that does not seem to stand for anything useful to society, as he is against everything no matter what. Are we so immature, so out of our minds, as to allow this nasty individual to take the reigns of government? Lets hope not.
291
We just got rid of our own version of Cruz. The American voters should take a page from Nancy Reagan, Just Say No.
God help our Republic when such men as Ted Cruz are considered for positions of leadership.
We have had enough of devisiveness in Congress.
Time to get back to a time when STATESMEN (and women) reached across the aisle and got things done together for the good of ALL citizens.
We have had enough of devisiveness in Congress.
Time to get back to a time when STATESMEN (and women) reached across the aisle and got things done together for the good of ALL citizens.
11
We lost the Republic when we elected an atheist social justice do-nothing crusader reared by Marxist parents and grandparents and trained on the knee of terrorist Bill Ayers.
Cruz has been playing a long chess match with his campaign, carefully positioning his pieces better than the other Republican candidates.
But he is so ridiculous and reviled that I can't imagine it doing much good in the endgame. Or at least I hope so.
But he is so ridiculous and reviled that I can't imagine it doing much good in the endgame. Or at least I hope so.
4
As a Texas voter, Mr Cruz has appalled me from day one. He is a demagogue who has done nothing for the state or the country. He has been on a mission, and I say that in an evangelical sense, from the onset. His mission is Ted Cruz. I have only been able to understand him as an Elmer Gantry reared with the Boys from Brazil. He is beyond frightening. His followers are more frightening.
24
Never underestimate the capacity of the American public to get behind ( so to speak) a horse's ass posing as a second coming. We collect saviors like souvenirs. And our would-be heroes are always innocent and courageous until proven guilty. Time wounds all heels.
14
Agreed. The man-god Obama never was able to heal the planet or keep the oceans from rising.
And they thought he floated above us as a god.
And they thought he floated above us as a god.
It's not Cruz that is frightening. What's frightening is that people with a lot of money put a lot of money down to foster and advance him.
8
To me, Ted Cruz is a constitutionalist and that is likely why many reject him inlcuding progressives and establishment Republicans. I consider George W. Bush in the later group considering No Child Left Behind, Medicare expansion, bailouts, ...
In Federalist 45, James Madison, Father of the Constitution describes the Federalism of the then proposed constitution. It describes a Federal Government with little role in domestic life as follows:
"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government, are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State."
James Madison was also known as Father of the Bill of Rights which reinforces Federalism with the Tenth Amendment that reads as follows:
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
In Federalist 45, James Madison, Father of the Constitution describes the Federalism of the then proposed constitution. It describes a Federal Government with little role in domestic life as follows:
"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government, are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State."
James Madison was also known as Father of the Bill of Rights which reinforces Federalism with the Tenth Amendment that reads as follows:
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
7
Cruz denies that the first amendment bans faith-based legislation and asserts that the people somehow delegated the power to regulate the internal processes of our own bodies to government. I think the man is one extremely schizoid constitutionalist.
Well said. You expect too much though. Do you really believe the commenters and the op-ed writers here understand the first thing about Locke, Madison, Jefferson, or the Constitution?
1
Ted Cruz just loves the smell of megalomania in the morning.
7
Ted Cruz isn’t really a specter. He’s clearly the physical reincarnation of the specter of Sen. Joseph McCarthy, and our problem is that it’s been years since we’ve had an Edward R. Murrow handy.
But, then, perhaps a rookie U.S. senator could be argued to be appropriate payback for another rookie U.S. senator who was elected president.
Before anyone goes off the deep-end about Cruz or The Donald or Carson, check out the polls months before the first primary or caucus of earlier presidential elections, and note who the favorites were then. As the “Constitution Daily” recently informed us: “… if historic early polling numbers held true a year after they were published, the 2008 presidential race would have featured Rudy Giuliani against Hillary Clinton. The same would have been true for a 1980 election between Edward Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, or a 1992 election between Mario Cuomo (or Jerry Brown) and George H.W. Bush.” Nate Silver, right here in the NYT in 2011, observed that early Democratic favorites morphed into very different actual nominees from 1972 through 2008.
People are unhappy and are trying on different reactionaries for size. But eventually that gets old and someone else will point out the physical resemblance Cruz holds to Joe McCarthy. By then it might be useful to have scared up an Edward R. Murrow.
But, then, perhaps a rookie U.S. senator could be argued to be appropriate payback for another rookie U.S. senator who was elected president.
Before anyone goes off the deep-end about Cruz or The Donald or Carson, check out the polls months before the first primary or caucus of earlier presidential elections, and note who the favorites were then. As the “Constitution Daily” recently informed us: “… if historic early polling numbers held true a year after they were published, the 2008 presidential race would have featured Rudy Giuliani against Hillary Clinton. The same would have been true for a 1980 election between Edward Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, or a 1992 election between Mario Cuomo (or Jerry Brown) and George H.W. Bush.” Nate Silver, right here in the NYT in 2011, observed that early Democratic favorites morphed into very different actual nominees from 1972 through 2008.
People are unhappy and are trying on different reactionaries for size. But eventually that gets old and someone else will point out the physical resemblance Cruz holds to Joe McCarthy. By then it might be useful to have scared up an Edward R. Murrow.
3
Richard Luettgen:
But, then, perhaps a rookie U.S. senator could be argued to be appropriate payback for another rookie U.S. senator who was elected president.
****
Besides the substantive differences in style and politics between Cruz and Obama, another big difference is in their credentials. Cruz's resume reads a lot like Obama's except where the experience/accomplishments are listed, Cruz has them to list.
For starters, Cruz actually participated during his college years. For Harvard Law he made it to the semi-finals in the 1995 World Debating Championship. (He also won the top speaker awards in two nat'l debate events while at Princeton.) In addition to editing the Harvard Law Review, he founded the Harvard Latino Law Review. At Harvard, Alan Dershowitz said, "Cruz was off-the-charts brilliant." My guess is that, unlike Obama, Cruz actually published papers.
As Texas Solicitor General, Cruz argued successfully before the Supreme Court, unlike the "Constitutional scholar," Obama who cannot win a case to save his life.
Cruz's credentials are the kind that land people on the Supreme Court. Wouldn't that be something.
But, then, perhaps a rookie U.S. senator could be argued to be appropriate payback for another rookie U.S. senator who was elected president.
****
Besides the substantive differences in style and politics between Cruz and Obama, another big difference is in their credentials. Cruz's resume reads a lot like Obama's except where the experience/accomplishments are listed, Cruz has them to list.
For starters, Cruz actually participated during his college years. For Harvard Law he made it to the semi-finals in the 1995 World Debating Championship. (He also won the top speaker awards in two nat'l debate events while at Princeton.) In addition to editing the Harvard Law Review, he founded the Harvard Latino Law Review. At Harvard, Alan Dershowitz said, "Cruz was off-the-charts brilliant." My guess is that, unlike Obama, Cruz actually published papers.
As Texas Solicitor General, Cruz argued successfully before the Supreme Court, unlike the "Constitutional scholar," Obama who cannot win a case to save his life.
Cruz's credentials are the kind that land people on the Supreme Court. Wouldn't that be something.
3
You seem pretty confident, Richard. I, too, think Ted Cruz will never be president, but the nomination is not entirely out of the question. If a middle of the road Republican like Jeb! or Rubio is the nominee, the Carson/Trump/Cruz supporters may stay home. If Cruz is the nominee, you may stay home.
AACNY:
I've heard Cruz seriously argue a point, and he hasn't lost any intellectual edge that he may have had at Harvard. I've also heard him rouse the rabble with incendiary nonsense with and not the slightest remorse about it -- and I simply refuse to accept that he believes 90% of it. He's simply defined this as his path.
A lot of folks in this commenting community might find it hard to accept that Dubya is still pretty popular among Republicans of most stripes. One of the reasons for that is that he never was other than what he really was; and there was an earthiness and a realness to him that is radically different from how Cruz interacts with people. Dubya was instinctively put off by Cruz, a fellow Texan, largely because of this basic difference in their natures.
It's a shame, too. If Cruz were more temperate in his stated policies and more consistent in his approach to people, issues and the world rather than being so manifestly manipulative and convenient, his intellect probably would have me supporting him rather than Jeb! As it is, I support Jeb!
I've heard Cruz seriously argue a point, and he hasn't lost any intellectual edge that he may have had at Harvard. I've also heard him rouse the rabble with incendiary nonsense with and not the slightest remorse about it -- and I simply refuse to accept that he believes 90% of it. He's simply defined this as his path.
A lot of folks in this commenting community might find it hard to accept that Dubya is still pretty popular among Republicans of most stripes. One of the reasons for that is that he never was other than what he really was; and there was an earthiness and a realness to him that is radically different from how Cruz interacts with people. Dubya was instinctively put off by Cruz, a fellow Texan, largely because of this basic difference in their natures.
It's a shame, too. If Cruz were more temperate in his stated policies and more consistent in his approach to people, issues and the world rather than being so manifestly manipulative and convenient, his intellect probably would have me supporting him rather than Jeb! As it is, I support Jeb!
We really do have to educate ourselves about the characteristics of sociopaths. So many of them want to govern us. KA
6
The NY Times continues its War on Republicans.
Unremitting, unbalanced.
Ted Cruz could use a physical make-over Not sure who does his hair but he should be fired. Other than that, Cruz generally makes sense.
And because much of what goes on in Washington makes no sense - then, his comments on what is transpiring are out-of-step. It does not mean they're incorrect - but to Establishment politicians (and to Establishment journalists) they are out-of-step, And therefore demonized and called "frightening".
The truly frightening thing is the sell-out of the NY Times to Big Government and to the Establishment.
Unremitting, unbalanced.
Ted Cruz could use a physical make-over Not sure who does his hair but he should be fired. Other than that, Cruz generally makes sense.
And because much of what goes on in Washington makes no sense - then, his comments on what is transpiring are out-of-step. It does not mean they're incorrect - but to Establishment politicians (and to Establishment journalists) they are out-of-step, And therefore demonized and called "frightening".
The truly frightening thing is the sell-out of the NY Times to Big Government and to the Establishment.
3
No. The Times only has to repeat what Cruz et al says and that is all that is needed to demonstrate the radical nature of their view of government, democracy and logic.
Perhaps you haven't paid much attention to some of the crazy stuff Cruz and other Republican candidates are saying.
Perhaps you haven't paid much attention to some of the crazy stuff Cruz and other Republican candidates are saying.
No. Republicans are foing it, in Mitt Romney's phase, all by themselves without any government help.
Republicans prove on a daily basis that they can't manage their way out of a wwt paper bag.
Republicans prove on a daily basis that they can't manage their way out of a wwt paper bag.
Would Canada like him back?
That's it? He's "scary". Ted Cruz is bad because he was in a debating club at Princeton? If that's all you got, then leave the hatchet jobs to someone else. Your column adds nothing that a quick google search wouldn't bring up on the first 5 hits. Do your homework, Mr. Bruni, and make some effort to find out what the story is with Senator Cruz, and why he came to the point he is at now. All you have is a cut and paste attack, and that's not enough for the paper of record.
1
Jim, please give the readers several reasons why the public should elect Ted Cruz as our president. I will keep an eye out for your reply.
Ted Cruz is a principled conservative. He loves the Constitution and will defend it to the end. He is bright and articulate. He believes in self reliance, freedoms protected by the Constitution, and limited government. Basically, hes the anti hussein.
I can see why you would put out this hit piece.
I can see why you would put out this hit piece.
5
I'm torn. While I think Cruz would be a terrible president, he is effectively the "establishment" leader of the tea party. These are not people whom I disagree with on policy - they are delusional. But they will not go away as long as they remain outside of power. Let them have control and let's see what they do.
The tea party believes that we can balance the budget right now, and no "real" Americans will be impacted. We can do all of this while also cutting taxes dramatically. This comes from the "keep your government hands off my Medicare" crowd.
The tea party, and perhaps all of us as a country, are like drug addicts who have yet to hit rock bottom and take a sober look at our lives. Things will not be pretty if the tea party gets control, but the politicians will either need to admit that what they have been advocating cannot be done, or real people will feel the impact of their cuts.
The tea party believes that we can balance the budget right now, and no "real" Americans will be impacted. We can do all of this while also cutting taxes dramatically. This comes from the "keep your government hands off my Medicare" crowd.
The tea party, and perhaps all of us as a country, are like drug addicts who have yet to hit rock bottom and take a sober look at our lives. Things will not be pretty if the tea party gets control, but the politicians will either need to admit that what they have been advocating cannot be done, or real people will feel the impact of their cuts.
3
You don't need to stick your hand into an open flame to know what happens. we don't need the Tea Party to gain any more power to disrupt and demean our government institutions to know what would happen if it did. We already know.
Interesting. This is the intense pain way of learning. It might work, but will we survive the experiment?
1
Wasn't Ted Cruz born in Canada? Where are the birthers when you really need them?
9
Newsflash. If you can cross the border, you are pretty much a citizen. Let's not be bothered by trifles like the separation of powers, the Constitution, or immigration laws. Laws are for the little people.
Cruz is a stock of all things wrong with our current system, reduced to a hideous, burned mess. The heat has been too high for too long, the pot is ruined.
1
One trait W shares with Cruz: their facial expressions always contradict the words coming out of their mouths: that fake, opportunistic grin that one often sees on sociopaths and psychopaths. What makes Cruz more frightening than the circus bus loaded with GOP clowns is that he's very smart and articulate, which is a rare trait among the far right -- and reason enough for him to win the nomination. The GOP has finally produced the openly anti-intellectual, reactionary nut jobs they deserve. But note to Republicans: Revolutions always consume their children.
4
I've always been a supporter of affirmative action as the best way to bring underrepresented minorities into prominence. But for Mr. Cruz, the Canadian-Cuban migrant, I'd be willing to make an exception.
Everyone says he's smart because he went to Ivy League schools. But I suspect he got in in large part because of who he was rather than what he can do. Talk about an opportunist egomaniac.
Everyone says he's smart because he went to Ivy League schools. But I suspect he got in in large part because of who he was rather than what he can do. Talk about an opportunist egomaniac.
1
Any Republican who is extremely intelligent is labeled as "scary." Newt Gingrich, Paul Ryan, etc. Now Ted Cruz. The Times is now quoting GWB to support its view. Laughable. When the liberal media targets people this way, I always take a deeper look at that individual. I will definitely support Cruz.
1
How very off the point.
The main thing Cruz and Gingrich have in common is love of self. It takes very little attention to observe that their alleged intelligence is always bent to serve themselves first, and bolster pre-established conclusions, rather than provide any actual insight. Two sanctimonious peas in a pod for sure.
Yeah. Good luck with that.
A segment of the electorate seems to have adopted the MAD cold war doctrine and applied it to national politics. As a result we find ourselves having to contend with Ted Cruz's smirking, ghoulish presence on the national stage. He proposes nothing at all except destruction.
156
For the first time in my life, I am agreeing with W. Ted Cruz is scary and the fact that he is an elected politician is mind-boggling. My dog has more common sense and decency than Ted Cruz.
8
I'd love to see Cruz---or Trump, or Carson, or Fiorina---actually get the nomination. The last time the Republicans went this route was in 1964, and next to the above quartet, Barry Goldwater was a beacon of sweet reason.
G.W. Bush made the implicit point that Cruz is much more of a threat to his own nominal party than he is to the Democrats. And if the party of Cruz and Joe Arpaio wants to commit collective suicide, I don't see why anyone else should want to discourage them.
G.W. Bush made the implicit point that Cruz is much more of a threat to his own nominal party than he is to the Democrats. And if the party of Cruz and Joe Arpaio wants to commit collective suicide, I don't see why anyone else should want to discourage them.
8
My 23 year old son recently indicated he wasn't interested in voting this year. This is my greatest concern about the upcoming midterms and next year's national. Apathy engendered by Citizens United and dismay over the tenor of politics at this critical point in our political history is what propels unqualified candidates to the forefront. Add voter suppression laws and a toxic brew of extremism to the mix and we get what we see embodied in Mr. Cruz.
11
Cruz speaks and acts like a big mouth hillbilly idiot but is an Ivy league graduate and former SCOTUS clerk. That is why we must pay attention to him. He is definitively: a liar, a deceiver with an agenda. He cannot be trusted at all.
10
Republicans for the most part , when they say want smaller government, only mean in connection with social services for ordinary people, or any business regulation, including financial and environmental regulation.
15
I am dismayed by the fact that Trump and Carson lead with nearly 50% of the likely GOP voters approval. Neither of them are qualified to be a dog catcher, never mind president. I mean that literally since neither of them even know or have any belief in the rule of law.
Now we have Cruz as the fall back candidate if the first two loons are for some reason deemed not conservative enough. I discount Jeb since the people who actually vote in the primaries view him as a near liberal. Any policy that Cruz needs will be lifted from Tea Party talking points and that is all he will need.
I have to wonder - how can nearly half of the voters actually support any of these people? Has this country gone so far down the rabbit hole to the point that regardless of what outlandish lies are told, voters will vote for him because they like his "faith"?
don't kid yourself, the old "He might be fun to watch but we would never elect someone like that" thing does not apply. It was said in the early 1930's and it happened. It happens every two years in this country at all levels of government. People vote for a president because he seems to be someone you might like to have a beer with. We have blown right past "low information voter" to the ultimate "no information at all voter".
Now we have Cruz as the fall back candidate if the first two loons are for some reason deemed not conservative enough. I discount Jeb since the people who actually vote in the primaries view him as a near liberal. Any policy that Cruz needs will be lifted from Tea Party talking points and that is all he will need.
I have to wonder - how can nearly half of the voters actually support any of these people? Has this country gone so far down the rabbit hole to the point that regardless of what outlandish lies are told, voters will vote for him because they like his "faith"?
don't kid yourself, the old "He might be fun to watch but we would never elect someone like that" thing does not apply. It was said in the early 1930's and it happened. It happens every two years in this country at all levels of government. People vote for a president because he seems to be someone you might like to have a beer with. We have blown right past "low information voter" to the ultimate "no information at all voter".
279
It is the very scariest scenario: I couldn't understand The Shrub getting elected the first time, but after four years I couldn't believe he could be reelected! Once again the GOP (or its oligarchic masters) will foist an actor (virtually any of these potential nominees fit the bill) then use a propaganda campaign to make him seem the plausible solution for a fictitious vision.
1
they'd need to drink snake oil with cruz
You live in Colorado, and so do I, a state of mixed views. Go talk to some ranchers and business owners outside of Denver and Boulder and you'll find a chunk of populace that prefers anger. These are people who experience feeling only by being enraged. They are not just "low information voters" but people who prefer to not read or learn because that is associated with the left in their minds. They want to be angry because they feel empowered when they are. It is an aspect of the far right the left needs to come to understand if we ever want to return to sanity. By sanity I mean a two party system with reasonable arguments on both sides and a rejection of violent talk against the government. Cruz, Carson, Trump, Bush, et al. They appeal to the rage-filled, deliberately uniformed voter, and Fox News has created a lot of them. They aren't going away until we figure out how to help them feel empowered by knowledge and cirtical thinking instead of rage.
2
From watching a Republican focus group talk about why they liked the outsider candidates like Trump, Carson or Carly; the answers the group gave were confused and disjointed. The type of responses that under other circumstances would lead most people to conclude that all though the Republican Base do dress like adults, they are not capable of caring for themselves.
fwa
fwa
6
In reply to FWArmstrong who wrote- "The type of responses that under other circumstances would lead most people to conclude that all though the Republican Base do dress like adults, they are not capable of caring for themselves."
This reminded me of one of my Mother-In-Law's favorite observations about unruly children uncontrolled by neglectful parents was: "You can dress 'em up, but you can't take 'em out."
Despite dressing like adults, too many TP/Republicans shouldn't leave their homes on primary days, because they are not capable of caring about our nation or the world, let alone any self-respect.
This reminded me of one of my Mother-In-Law's favorite observations about unruly children uncontrolled by neglectful parents was: "You can dress 'em up, but you can't take 'em out."
Despite dressing like adults, too many TP/Republicans shouldn't leave their homes on primary days, because they are not capable of caring about our nation or the world, let alone any self-respect.
Ted Cruz reminds those inclined to look at historical equivalents of John C. Calhoun, the disastrous seventh vice-president, under President Andrew Jackson, our first populist president. They were Scary and Scarier.
In the fringe media speculation is now proceeding as to who Trump will choose as his vice. The name Cruz comes up quite frequently. Cruz has been relatively cautious about irritating the Donald, and pundits have opined that is with the strategy of picking up Trump's chips if he walks away from the poker table. But, Occam's Razor suggests an alternative explanation that Cruz is keeping his options open if Trump decides to tap him to secure the far right fringe, authoritarian affluent Latino vote (all 23 of them nationally?), and have the most vicious, articulate attack dog in the pack at his side rather than his throat.
Trump & Cruz could be the ticket. Twitter meet hambone.
In the fringe media speculation is now proceeding as to who Trump will choose as his vice. The name Cruz comes up quite frequently. Cruz has been relatively cautious about irritating the Donald, and pundits have opined that is with the strategy of picking up Trump's chips if he walks away from the poker table. But, Occam's Razor suggests an alternative explanation that Cruz is keeping his options open if Trump decides to tap him to secure the far right fringe, authoritarian affluent Latino vote (all 23 of them nationally?), and have the most vicious, articulate attack dog in the pack at his side rather than his throat.
Trump & Cruz could be the ticket. Twitter meet hambone.
16
If Cruz moves to secede from the Union after serving briefly under Trump, as Calhoun did from Jackson, then I hope that we let Texas go.
1
We knew that Cruz was disliked by his colleagues, even members of his own party, and that he took extreme positions opposing the federal governments programs to promote the general welfare of the people.
I would like to hear more from Frank Bruni about why he sees the Senator's rise as "frightening." I felt he left half the story out of his column. What would a Cruz Administration look like?
I would like to hear more from Frank Bruni about why he sees the Senator's rise as "frightening." I felt he left half the story out of his column. What would a Cruz Administration look like?
2
most government programs could best help "promote the general welfare" by disappearing altogether.
A modern Joseph McCarthy, I hope the birthers get going on his background, and claim he was born in Canada...the only hope for Republicans these days is to set one pack of rabid dogs on another pack....
7
Would a Cruz nomination lead to an energized rational electorate waking up? It might be time for that challenge. I think it would work. All groups who are not racist, sexist, who believe in reasonable taxes scaled according to income, and who believe in a democracy with normal check and balances would finally see that their differences pale in the face of the loony side of the Republicans. The Democrats would get Democratic and Independent and even moderate Republican support. The Republicans will be able to purge their ranks of the Tea Party after their lop-sided defeat, and we will be back with a two party system. I think it would be worth the political battle.
6
George Walker Bush who in 2001 said of Putin, “I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul; a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country.”
He finds Ted Cruz cynically opportunistic and self-serving?
Given Bush's history I'm not sure that we should attribute his Cruz comment to a healed moral compass or Bush being overcome by a healthy dose of love for his brother.
Regardless, this begs the old cliche that even a broken clock is right twice a day. Once a day?
He finds Ted Cruz cynically opportunistic and self-serving?
Given Bush's history I'm not sure that we should attribute his Cruz comment to a healed moral compass or Bush being overcome by a healthy dose of love for his brother.
Regardless, this begs the old cliche that even a broken clock is right twice a day. Once a day?
3
I know Ted Cruz personally. And Bush's assessment of him is just flat wrong. Cruz is not only nice, but polite and humble! Yes, you were right to point out that judging someone's character, isn't exactly GWB's strong suit.
Its the pot calling the kettle black time
3
At least when you go to the junk yard, the snarling dog is chained up. Ted Cruz roams free, rabid, repellent and Republican, spawned by the Tea Party and sired by the late Senator Joseph McCarthy.
What does it say about a state that elects a fulminating pit bull like Cruz as its Senator? What does it say about a Republican electorate that showers millions of dollars on him? What does it say about people's judgment that someone as obviously oily and cynically evil as Ted Cruz can count on millions of supporters if and when Trump finally self-euthanizes?
Webster's definition of a demagogue is "a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power." What does it say about a Republican Party that produces demagogues like McCarthy and now Cruz, rather than repudiate them?
What does it say about a state that elects a fulminating pit bull like Cruz as its Senator? What does it say about a Republican electorate that showers millions of dollars on him? What does it say about people's judgment that someone as obviously oily and cynically evil as Ted Cruz can count on millions of supporters if and when Trump finally self-euthanizes?
Webster's definition of a demagogue is "a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power." What does it say about a Republican Party that produces demagogues like McCarthy and now Cruz, rather than repudiate them?
12
The idea of a Trump, Carson, or Cruz presidency is scary!! People that are not willing to compromise and hinder the government to meet their own agenda is wrong and very scary.
Our country was built on compromise. These ultra-conservatives are in it to meet their own goals not the country's. Remarks that have been made on building a wall, shutting down the government, and the Holocaust are really scary.
Our country was built on compromise. These ultra-conservatives are in it to meet their own goals not the country's. Remarks that have been made on building a wall, shutting down the government, and the Holocaust are really scary.
7
What's far scarier is Hildabeast as President. And as far as compromise - this current predident NEVER compromises - it's his way or the highway - 'we won you lost' mantras.
As nasty and unpleasant a boogie man as Ted Cruz is, he'll never hold a higher national office than he holds today. He won't be president. He's the epitome of a figure popular among the Republican electorate who would be ballot box poison if he somehow made it onto the ticket.
In short, relax. There are plenty of other things to worry about.
In short, relax. There are plenty of other things to worry about.
3
Ted Cruz and the rest of the GOP party hate the federal government. I wish someone in the media ask him, what branch of the government pays his paycheck?
6
I don't think he stands a chance. There are so many things that are more frightening than Senator Cruz.
(Jerks can't win the national vote. If Cruz were smoother I'd be willing to be worried.)
(Jerks can't win the national vote. If Cruz were smoother I'd be willing to be worried.)
1
At least Ted Cruz is not leading in the polls. We should be equally scared of the one who is, Donald Trump. Recently he told a frighteningly adoring crowd that President Obama wants to sign an executive order to take away all guns. The president has never asked for more than background checks and a possible limit on assault rifles. Trump knows this, but the gun issue is a crowd pleaser and a possible call to arms for a select number in this country.
When confronted by a reporter about his source, he merely shrugged and said he had heard it from several sources. A blatant lie that is given a pass as are so many of his equally reckless statements.
Cruz and Trump are both unfit for the Presidency. They must be stopped.
When confronted by a reporter about his source, he merely shrugged and said he had heard it from several sources. A blatant lie that is given a pass as are so many of his equally reckless statements.
Cruz and Trump are both unfit for the Presidency. They must be stopped.
242
If blatantly lying is the standard for disqualification as President of the United States, don't you think that test should be applied equally?
"If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor; if you like your health insurance, you can keep your health insurance."
Blatant lies that were given a pass as are so many of its author's equally reckless statements. Therefore, Barack Obama is unfit for the Presidency. He must be stopped.
Good for the goose . . .
"If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor; if you like your health insurance, you can keep your health insurance."
Blatant lies that were given a pass as are so many of its author's equally reckless statements. Therefore, Barack Obama is unfit for the Presidency. He must be stopped.
Good for the goose . . .
The Republicans were so exercised about President Obama's birth certificate and whether or not he was born in the United States. Why aren't they asked if Ted Cruz is eligible to be president? We know he was born in Canada. I know he claims to be eligible because his mother was a US citizen, but there was never any doubt that Obama's mother was a citizen. Maybe Trump can explain the difference.
12
An endorsement for Cruz from the NYT. Doesn't get any better.
1
So, if a New York Times op-ed writer is opposed to something, your crowd is all for it? Isn't this a rather ignorant way to inform one's opinion?
Below please find a few symptoms of mental illness and see if you think they apply to Ted Cruz:
A very difficult person, who is intensely disliked by his colleagues
Megalomaniac tendencies
Extremely self-centered
Little or no empathy for those around them
Wacky excuses for his behavior.
Has accomplished little as a senator
Impervious to feedback
I am extremely afraid of Ted Cruz because he would wreak havoc on this country is he were ever elected president, I'm hoping that his shortcomings will out before he gets too far into the primary process.
A very difficult person, who is intensely disliked by his colleagues
Megalomaniac tendencies
Extremely self-centered
Little or no empathy for those around them
Wacky excuses for his behavior.
Has accomplished little as a senator
Impervious to feedback
I am extremely afraid of Ted Cruz because he would wreak havoc on this country is he were ever elected president, I'm hoping that his shortcomings will out before he gets too far into the primary process.
4
Funny- you could apply those exact same characteristics to Obama. They seemed to work out well for him!
Exposing Obamacare and winning both the houses for the republicans are big achievements.
Obama was forced to take a stand and shut down the government over ACA. As a result, he was not able to sweep the failures of ACA under the rug. Credit goes to Cruz.
Even though democrats have been trying to mislead the public by saying that ACA is republican's plan.
Obama was forced to take a stand and shut down the government over ACA. As a result, he was not able to sweep the failures of ACA under the rug. Credit goes to Cruz.
Even though democrats have been trying to mislead the public by saying that ACA is republican's plan.
NONE of those attributes apply to Cruz. One should consider the source before accepting such statements as fact. And remember that the most hated, despised and criticized person in history was Jesus Christ.....
Ted Cruz certainly is frightening. He's young, of Cuban descent, Princeton and Harvard educated, and a champion debater.
If I'm Hillary Clinton I am hoping every day that Cruz is not the Republican's candidate because not only will he be able to draw a clear distinction in age with Clinton (he's 25 years younger) but he is a true Conservative and able to convey it to others.
The fact that W doesn't like him is meaningless. He's running against his brother for heaven's sake. Do you really think Bush would say anything good about him?
A Cruz - Fiorina ticket would be the Dems (and the liberal ideology's) greatest nightmare.
If I'm Hillary Clinton I am hoping every day that Cruz is not the Republican's candidate because not only will he be able to draw a clear distinction in age with Clinton (he's 25 years younger) but he is a true Conservative and able to convey it to others.
The fact that W doesn't like him is meaningless. He's running against his brother for heaven's sake. Do you really think Bush would say anything good about him?
A Cruz - Fiorina ticket would be the Dems (and the liberal ideology's) greatest nightmare.
3
But a sure way to ensure that Hillary is President...
Do you really think that. I see Cruz turning off most of the main stream Republicans and Fiorina, well how is she even viable. She has less experience and knowledge than Sara Palin which says a lot.
Both of those candidates are loved by evangelical voters who do not make up the majority of the electorate. We need to see the field from which these polls are taken.
Both of those candidates are loved by evangelical voters who do not make up the majority of the electorate. We need to see the field from which these polls are taken.
Sorry to contradict you, Matt Williams, but a Cruz-Fiorina ticket would be considered by most Democrats as a heavenly gift.
Great column - we need to see more of this. Cruz is the ultimate far right hypocrite - the anti government demagogue who has never worked in the private sector and to this day lives off the government payroll. Deeply sickening as he is, the fact that he has so much money and support is even more troubling. As with Trump and Carson, we see the rotten fruit of decades of Republican hate mongering. And as much as I dislike G.W. Bush, I thank him deeply for speaking out against this ghastly politician.
230
Your analogy of a horror movie is apt. We go to these movies to scare ourselves, knowing that the fear will be relieved when the film is over and we return to ordinary reality. Cruz is a deep underdog to win the win the nomination, but as gamblers say, "He's a live dog." However, in the general election, he's a dead dog. He will be the final death of the GOP, sending all non crazy Republicans to vote for Hillary, or more likely, stay home on election day. If you've lost Brooks and Douthat, you've lost.
It's fun to scare yourself and your readers. But it's only your imagination.
It's fun to scare yourself and your readers. But it's only your imagination.
1
" . . . Cruz as cynically opportunistic and self-serving . . . "
Rafael Eduardo Cruz is serving someone, that part is right.
Rafael Eduardo Cruz is serving someone, that part is right.
1
I must say that Mr. Bruni reminds me a little of Chicken Little. Cruz has 8% of likely GOP voters. Since only about 25% of the nation are registered in that party, and only about 40% vote in the primaries, how many is that? 8% of 40% of 25%? And when only about 40% of Americans vote in Presidential elections (320 million only translates to about 130-135 million votes), Cruz's numbers look like he has about 1 million supporters nationwide.
Next, Cruz really isn't that different than Fiorina, Rubio, or Bush. Trump lately, with 9/11, has veered away. And, other than personality, I see no difference between Cruz, Carson and Huckabee. In fact, Cruz's main difference from other Republicans is his obnoxiousness and inability to get anything done.
As weird as this electoral season is, NO GOP candidate gets the nomination without the party leaders behind them. But Cruz has made enemies of them all.
Finally, Hillary Clinton will EASILY be able to "Goldwater" Cruz--make him look like a dangerous nut. She's no longer as damaged as she was, thanks to the true, if ill-advised revelations of Leader McCarthy, and now others.
For the GOP, Cruz may well be their version of George McGovern--a guaranteed landslide loss.
Next, Cruz really isn't that different than Fiorina, Rubio, or Bush. Trump lately, with 9/11, has veered away. And, other than personality, I see no difference between Cruz, Carson and Huckabee. In fact, Cruz's main difference from other Republicans is his obnoxiousness and inability to get anything done.
As weird as this electoral season is, NO GOP candidate gets the nomination without the party leaders behind them. But Cruz has made enemies of them all.
Finally, Hillary Clinton will EASILY be able to "Goldwater" Cruz--make him look like a dangerous nut. She's no longer as damaged as she was, thanks to the true, if ill-advised revelations of Leader McCarthy, and now others.
For the GOP, Cruz may well be their version of George McGovern--a guaranteed landslide loss.
3
Regarding Cruz: Be afraid. Be very afraid.
8
It's pretty scary when Bush - one of the scariest men in the world during his reign of terror - calls someone else out for being a scary rogue.
It's ALL scary in the Republican field. Every. Single. One. Of. Them.
It's ALL scary in the Republican field. Every. Single. One. Of. Them.
9
"When someone is as broadly and profoundly disliked"
as Hillary Clinton
"its usually not because"
she is
"a principled truth teller".
as Hillary Clinton
"its usually not because"
she is
"a principled truth teller".
1
I recently read a very good take down of Cruz which included comments by some fellow debaters at Princeton who pointed out that he wasn't quite the whiz at it that he presents or thinks that he was just as he hasn't been very good at anything else that he's done. He hasn't been a good senator whose job is work to resolve situations not make them worse or paralyze the government -- instead he's blustered to shut down the government over whatever whim passes through his reptilian brain. If the voting public is too dumb to realize that it's ludicrous to elect people to government who supposedly hate government, then our democracy is already lost. As for G W Bush, he is only angry at Cruz because Cruz isn't supporting Jebbie. The Bush clan knows all about self-serving and cynical opportunism since they helped to invent and perpetuate it and they get angry when someone turns the game around on them.
179
Senator Cruz has an ego so large he would only accept himself as a running mate.
4
W. Is right not to like the guy. He's a national disgrace but a lot less of a disgrace than our electorate. When you have a population who is content with walking around fat, dumb and too lazy to look up from their cell phone to see the car about to hit them, this is what you get.
I can accept the fact that most politicians are simply actors so in love with their own voices they forget they are making no sense. But, there are at least two Supremes who possibly may be stepping out in the next presidency and that's important to ALL of us, not just the 150 odd families providing the funding for this election so far.
I'm definitely not a GOP fan but poor Mitt and Ryan must have their heads spinning right now.
I can accept the fact that most politicians are simply actors so in love with their own voices they forget they are making no sense. But, there are at least two Supremes who possibly may be stepping out in the next presidency and that's important to ALL of us, not just the 150 odd families providing the funding for this election so far.
I'm definitely not a GOP fan but poor Mitt and Ryan must have their heads spinning right now.
1
It would appear Mr. Cruz has an 'end game' should he not be plucked from the vast crowd running for the Republican nomination: Vice President
2
There comes a time when we should choose our leaders, not so much by their ability to lead, but rather their capacity to serve. Among the GOP candidates, I see no winners.
8
Funny that Mr. Bruni arrives at the conclusion that Ted Cruz is such a terrible problem without acknowledging his own right-wing agenda as the root cause for aiding and abetting such a monster the first place.
2
Under our Constitution which Ted Cruz seems to pay great homage to, he, a foreign-born citizen, is not eligible to be President of the United States.
We could have a discussion on whether this restriction has merit but at present I believe there is no denying he was born in Canada, not on an American territory, embassy, military base, etc. Why is Ted Cruz even in the picture? Ironic when some of his most ardent supporters question president Obama's legitimacy.
We could have a discussion on whether this restriction has merit but at present I believe there is no denying he was born in Canada, not on an American territory, embassy, military base, etc. Why is Ted Cruz even in the picture? Ironic when some of his most ardent supporters question president Obama's legitimacy.
6
The Republican Party has much to fear about Ted Cruz, since there is a plausible scenario in which he captures the nomination in a fractious convention. It is difficult, however, to see Cruz winning the general election for the reason stated recently by George W. Bush: A majority of American voters will not like or trust the man.
Ted Cruz is a man with intelligence, but lacking in wisdom. He plans very carefully, but he plans to sow discord and chaos without any positive vision. He postures as a man willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the conservative cause, but try as he might, his complete selfishness shows through.
The American public will see and understand all of this, and the people will reject the crafty junior senator from Texas.
Ted Cruz is a man with intelligence, but lacking in wisdom. He plans very carefully, but he plans to sow discord and chaos without any positive vision. He postures as a man willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the conservative cause, but try as he might, his complete selfishness shows through.
The American public will see and understand all of this, and the people will reject the crafty junior senator from Texas.
1
And let's not forget that whoever occupies the White House come 2017 will have his/her finger on the doomsday button. For real, folks!!
3
I have been around a long time and this upcoming election is the first one that I cannot fine any candidate that is not scary in one way or another. Sanders is a good and capable man but he is too old and could stroke out at any moment. Hillary appears to be programmed and very robotic. Carson must be an intelligent man,as medical school is quite demanding, but he says some really dumb things. As far as Trump goes, scary may be too mild of a word. This may be a good election to sit out.
If Ted Cruz wins the presidency, we are in trouble. Not only does the man have no friends in his own party, but he also seems to have made more enemies than friends in both parties. How is going to get anything done? He personifies the word "smarmy."
Most of Cruz's supporters are ultraconservative, who prefer to use Obama's full name (Barack Hussein Obama) when referring to the President and who constanly question his right to be President since he was allegedly born abroad. I wonder how upset they'd get if the Democrats start referring to Cruz by his full name (Rafael Edward Cruz) and start questioning his right to be President as he was born in Canada. Turnabout is fair play, after all.
Most of Cruz's supporters are ultraconservative, who prefer to use Obama's full name (Barack Hussein Obama) when referring to the President and who constanly question his right to be President since he was allegedly born abroad. I wonder how upset they'd get if the Democrats start referring to Cruz by his full name (Rafael Edward Cruz) and start questioning his right to be President as he was born in Canada. Turnabout is fair play, after all.
249
Haven't heard it yet, but it needs to be done.
1
Whenever any Republican gains traction, it's time for an NYT hatchet job. Trump, Carson, Cruz they are all disasters. If these candidates are so easy for the Democrats to beat, why is The Times so afraid of them?
A nasty piece of work who is a greater threat to our country than ISIS. He should get no where near the WH.
203
He is a monster. But he is no fool. Do not misunderestimate him.
6
You didn't mention that we actually know his grades as an undergraduate, and then at law school at Harvard. Alan Dershowitz called him one of the 5 smartest law students he ever taught. I thought you liberals deified ivy league educated smart guys.
3
You can equate character with intelligence. Some of the worst people ever to walk the face of the earth were extremely bright.
1
but not Alan Dershowitz
1
As scary as the specter of Ted Cruz is the real possibility that he or Trump or Carson could easily become our next president. I hear from a lot of of people who identify as democrats that if Hillary is the nominee they will vote for either a republican or a 3rd party candidate. Truly they are not democrats but that's a different story. The people of the Democratic party need to support their candidate 100% whether it's Hillary or Bernie or we will see someone like Cruz in the White House.
4
I'm sure that everybody has met someone like Ted Cruz, especially in college. He's very bright in limited ways. He has strong verbal skills, and he knows how to play with rules of logic. He was a champion debater in college. He went on to law school, which tends to favor those with verbal and argumentative skills. He's good at standing up and worrying words until they escape down a rat hole, and then he runs after them.
His problem is that he does not display empathy or understanding for those living outside the word game. You're either on the other side of the debate (the enemy, the Devil) or you don't exist. He's more comfortable arguing about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin than he is about the practical aspects of the Human Condition.
He possesses a perfect "gamer" mentality ---- total war, no prisoners, zero-sum. If he were a basketball coach winning 100 - 0, he would not play his bench or call off the dogs, he would just try to run up the score until somebody decided to call the game. And he would be incensed. He just wouldn't "get it." He wants to be part of the all-powerful against the helpless, and he does not possess the moral wherewithal, empathy, or decency to think of the other. This is why he is often called a sociopath. But, still, he is good at the limited game he choses to focus play.
The question is, how far can this carry him?
His problem is that he does not display empathy or understanding for those living outside the word game. You're either on the other side of the debate (the enemy, the Devil) or you don't exist. He's more comfortable arguing about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin than he is about the practical aspects of the Human Condition.
He possesses a perfect "gamer" mentality ---- total war, no prisoners, zero-sum. If he were a basketball coach winning 100 - 0, he would not play his bench or call off the dogs, he would just try to run up the score until somebody decided to call the game. And he would be incensed. He just wouldn't "get it." He wants to be part of the all-powerful against the helpless, and he does not possess the moral wherewithal, empathy, or decency to think of the other. This is why he is often called a sociopath. But, still, he is good at the limited game he choses to focus play.
The question is, how far can this carry him?
268
Cruz and Carson could be villains in a Batman movie. The exaggerations required to amp them up to Batman quality villain material would be very slight.
But it is not just them that sends a shiver through the spine,, it is the extent of their underlying support that is most disquieting.
But it is not just them that sends a shiver through the spine,, it is the extent of their underlying support that is most disquieting.
10
"their ravenous lunge to become monarchs of a kingdom that they supposedly want to topple, to gain power over a system that they ostensibly intend to enfeeble" That pretty much sums it up. Nothing is more absurd than an anti-government career politician. Going all the way back to Ronnie, while President, claiming the government is the problem. Disgusting
11
He's got all the charm of an ex-brother-in-law. No sale.
8
Start listening, you fool, to what this old-timer American has to say. Bin the past recollections of other presidential elections when it would have been incomprehensible that Donald Trump and the likes of Ben Carson are running, and learn to address the realities of the present day. Sit up and pay attention to what this honorable law-abiding citizen is telling you, praising his best friend on the radio, someone called Beck, you may learn something new.
'Ted Cruz' was his choice this week. He doesn't like avocados, I bantered lightly with caution. The truth of the pudding is that I do not want to know anything about this politician. I still remember his poor timing in cracking a joke about Joe Biden in mourning for the loss of his son. Poor judgement, ill-informed, and with a mission for Americans to see the light on his agenda, if I had the misfortune of meeting him, I would remain polite
while quietly reflecting that our Country is getting ready for Halloween.
Trump and Carson to unite and drum each other out of town. The G.O.P. to remain divided until Paul Ryan takes an exit. Thanking Mr. Bruni for the trouble he is taking to slog through these fine portrayals of mediocre dangerous individuals, none of this is easy, but he may be helping some of us to sit up straight and remain on alert until further notice.
'Ted Cruz' was his choice this week. He doesn't like avocados, I bantered lightly with caution. The truth of the pudding is that I do not want to know anything about this politician. I still remember his poor timing in cracking a joke about Joe Biden in mourning for the loss of his son. Poor judgement, ill-informed, and with a mission for Americans to see the light on his agenda, if I had the misfortune of meeting him, I would remain polite
while quietly reflecting that our Country is getting ready for Halloween.
Trump and Carson to unite and drum each other out of town. The G.O.P. to remain divided until Paul Ryan takes an exit. Thanking Mr. Bruni for the trouble he is taking to slog through these fine portrayals of mediocre dangerous individuals, none of this is easy, but he may be helping some of us to sit up straight and remain on alert until further notice.
3
That the Bush Bros, the NYtimes, and all of liberal media has the long knives out for Cruz is telling. They seem him as a very viable threat to the demoplican and repubocrat parties. The establishment in D. C. wants no one rocking the boat. The taxpayer goose that lays the golden eggs of wealth on our dear pols must be controlled. Ted and others threaten the status quo of the last 70 years and the establishment is nervous and frightened. Good. It is about time the pols in D. C. remember who they work for. Hint: it's not K Street or Wall Street.
2
When enough republicans get angry that Cruz jeopardizes the republican brand of government, they will start spreading the word in Texas and Washington that the man is incompetent in his present job and would turn America into a failed state like those in other parts of the world. He will always get the "crazy" loudmouthed vote, but that is it.
5
The level of fear and hatred towards those "different than us" sweeping parts of the country is terrifying. Our willingness to turn our backs on refugees running for their lives, our unwillingness to take care of the poor in this country, accompanied with a demand to cut more taxes instead of rebuilding the roads and infrastructure of this country..... we need leaders who will nurture hope and the goodness of people and not point their fingers in anger.... like many citizens I worry about the no compromise & hatred (in the name of his God?) that people like Cruz base his politics on.
7
Nope. Sorry. Not happening here. When he compared his little ditty on the Senate floor to the Bataan Death March, I became uninterested.
2
For most of my career I've lived and worked in both Europe and the US, and my European colleagues have long joked about the US being the most powerful banana republic in the world. Republican politics since President Obama's election would seem to have transformed this half-joke into reality, with the current roster of Republican candidates this could easily compete with a Latin American presidential election. The parallels are eerily close possessing all the elements of bringing together sleazily populist politics and a plutocracy.
What's frustrating is there seems to be little that we can do to stop this devolution. It began with Gingrich, careens tragically through Bush and Cheney, becomes cynically comical with McCain and Palin, and ends up with this grab-bag roster of such clowns that not even the plutocrats can decide who would best serve their nefarious purposes.
What's frustrating is there seems to be little that we can do to stop this devolution. It began with Gingrich, careens tragically through Bush and Cheney, becomes cynically comical with McCain and Palin, and ends up with this grab-bag roster of such clowns that not even the plutocrats can decide who would best serve their nefarious purposes.
15
I live in Texas and voted for Ted Cruz. I'm a proud TP and NRA member. I believe the current laws need to be enforced before any big changes. I see where most of the politicians on both sides (including the Chamber of Commerce) wants open borders and I'm not sure how that will help the lower and middle class when 90m adults aren't working.
4
Hey Iron,
I am with you life is far too complex. What ever happened to us and them, white hats and black hats and good guys and bad guys?
I am with you life is far too complex. What ever happened to us and them, white hats and black hats and good guys and bad guys?
1
What a banal piece. The hobgoblins of the left -- Trump, Carson, Cruz, the Freedom Caucus, etc., etc. The GOP candidates are really scary. If you don't really have anything to say -- and this article says very little --, the Times would be better off leaving the space blank.
5
Speaking at the Heritage Foundation in September 2013, Ted Cruz lavishly praised the late North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms, an extreme Southern conservative and master obstructionist who relished his nickname "Senator No" and who had a particular fondness for Caucasians.
“The willingness to say all those crazy things is a rare, rare characteristic in this town, and you know what? It’s every bit as true now as it was then. We need a hundred more like Jesse Helms in the U.S. Senate,” Cruz said.
Cruz said his first political donation was a $10 donation to Helms when he was a kid.
Jesse Helms was known for his outspoken positions against gay rights, abortion rights, and race relations.
Helms voted against both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Helms filibustered the legislation creating the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday for 16 days and called the Civil Rights Act “the single most dangerous piece of legislation ever introduced in the Congress.”
Jesse Helms was a campaign strategist for the blatantly racist and successful US Senate campaign of Willis Smith in 1950 and helped design a political ad that said "White people, wake up before it is too late. Do you want Negroes working beside you, your wife and your daughters, in your mills and factories? "
During the same campaign, Jesse Helms described UNC as "the University of Negroes and Communists."
Jesse Helms was an inspiration to Ted Cruz.
Scary...disgraceful...abominable Ted Cruz.
“The willingness to say all those crazy things is a rare, rare characteristic in this town, and you know what? It’s every bit as true now as it was then. We need a hundred more like Jesse Helms in the U.S. Senate,” Cruz said.
Cruz said his first political donation was a $10 donation to Helms when he was a kid.
Jesse Helms was known for his outspoken positions against gay rights, abortion rights, and race relations.
Helms voted against both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Helms filibustered the legislation creating the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday for 16 days and called the Civil Rights Act “the single most dangerous piece of legislation ever introduced in the Congress.”
Jesse Helms was a campaign strategist for the blatantly racist and successful US Senate campaign of Willis Smith in 1950 and helped design a political ad that said "White people, wake up before it is too late. Do you want Negroes working beside you, your wife and your daughters, in your mills and factories? "
During the same campaign, Jesse Helms described UNC as "the University of Negroes and Communists."
Jesse Helms was an inspiration to Ted Cruz.
Scary...disgraceful...abominable Ted Cruz.
787
Ted Cruz is exactly what America desperately needs - someone who will go after liberalism like a pit bull on steroids. Liberals hate Cruz with a burning intensity - which proves how much he should be elected President.
4
Rick, we dislike hate, we dislike those who threaten our civil rights, we dislike stupidity, we dislike any threat to this country, and you, Cruz, and those who believe as you do are that threat.
You're mistaken if you think Cruz will do anything other than talk. Cruz will get the suckers & stooges to do the dirty work & take the fall for him.
Then he will denounce them as well. Follow Cruz at your own peril. He has no real passion nor actual beliefs, everything he says is calculated and rehearsed but he won't know he's gone too far until he's done it and then he'll blame someone else. Don't think so? Then what did he say after he helped shutdown the government?
Then he will denounce them as well. Follow Cruz at your own peril. He has no real passion nor actual beliefs, everything he says is calculated and rehearsed but he won't know he's gone too far until he's done it and then he'll blame someone else. Don't think so? Then what did he say after he helped shutdown the government?
On the eve of Halloween, you are scaring us. Amidst witch-hunts in the House's revolutionary coven, Cruz is the rabble-rouser-in-chief. He has infiltrated the other side of the Capitol while shaking up his own Senate side shaking McCain and Hatch to Feinstein and Durbin. He is very smart in taking advantage of an atmosphere fraught with anger in the country.
His clever slipstreaming of Trump is further evidence of his diabolical potential.
His clever slipstreaming of Trump is further evidence of his diabolical potential.
82
Alas! If only George W. had only felt the same way about Dick Cheney!
14
In his first presidential campaign G. W. Bush was able to pass off "compassionate conservatism".
That would never work today.
That would never work today.
5
No such thing as "compassionate" conservatism these days. Fanatical, yes. Even vindictive. But "compassionate"? Hardly.
Ted Cruz is Goebbels with a Texas twang. Railing at the establishment despite his Princeton and Harvard pedigree is right out of the Big Lie playbook.
22
Yes, Cruz is polling in fourth position but that's with less than 10 percent of Republicans or likely Republican voters. Which means that it's more like 3-4% of the general electorate. A guy so widely reviled that most of his own party can't stand him will not be POTUS but he might help continue to destroy a GOP that's gone off the rails. So I worry less about his electoral prospects than I wonder where the sane Republicans are and wonder why they aren't taking their party back from the crazies.
198
The Republicans need to purge their party of the crazies and retake it so that your great country can once again govern for all Americans. The bomb throwing anarchistic Freedom Caucus needs to be quarantined before it infects the entire government.
1
Name just one sane republican in government, just one.
There is a segment of the Republican Party who want to burn the house down because they don't like the furniture. Cruz appeals to them because he is crazy enough to start the fire. Once the fire is started, it will be very difficult to put out. I believe most of the country is sane enough to not let that happen. The media can help by revealing who his supporters are and ensuring they get publicity for their support.
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Except that most of the media benefits from money coming from that support, thanks to Citizens United. So don't expect too much coverage. Also, for the longer term, the state of Texas needs to come up with a viable Republican candidate to unseat him in the next election (I think a Democratic senator from TX is out of the question for now).
Cruz would be flirting with charges of sedition if he started on his agenda. He's smart enough to know that but probably isn't bright enough to stop. I have to put faith in the common sense of 51% of American voters that he won't get anywhere near occupying the White House.
1
He'll light the fire and run, then stand around pointing fingers and letting someone else take the blame for the destruction.
FB appears to be frightened by any politician who incarnates traditional values.No reason to feel that way. As one witty commenter put it, all TC would have to do to gain FB's confidence would be to don an OBAMA t=shirt.Moreover, TC and FB have a great deal in common: They r both in their mid forties, and both were graduated from elite, snobbish schools. FB came out of the University of North Carolina and TC has degrees from Princeton and Harvard. So what's all the fighting about?Moreover, anyone who calls that troglydite, obstructionist, Mitch Mcconell, a "liar," can't be all bad, can he? II recall FB's mocking interview with BERLUSCONI, some months ago in a chic restaurant in Rome. Instead of spending his time ridiculing SB, FB would have done his many readers a greater service by commenting on the challenge to Italian culture posed by increasing numbers of immigrants, by the shantytowns that have arisen as a result, of the growing numbers of Muslim women wearing niquabs and hijabs, as if assimilation were not on their list of priorities.Although an excellent writer, FB is so "parti pris" in favor of the shibboleths of the left that it injures his credibility.
Ted Cruz is not about "traditional values". He's about "Ted Cruz", and is good at hoodwinking angry low-information voters into voting for him.
reaW: And those who supported O without demanding he be vetted or without asking that his college and professional records be scrutinized and the results be made public, r those not low information voters? Take a class in critical thinking, which might lead you to more skeptical of all politicians, Obama included. Get real!
I think most of us have had moments wondering how a good friend could fall for a guy or a gal who was so obviously bad news.
Whatever brand of Republican Cruz is or claims to be, I attribute some of the attraction he has for people to the authoritarian strain within the Party -- people get groomed into believing they need a strongman, a philosopher king, even if paradoxically the particular would-be philosopher king says he is the anti-philosopher king and will tear down the power structure. For me, Cruz is in part the fruit of seed sown by some conservatives who sounded more reasonable to more people with their ideas about what society needs. What has cascaded from that speaks to me of the dangers of an authoritarian point of view and of too much reliance on superficial indicia of competence in the cursus honorum.
People like Jack Kemp gave people like Paul Ryan a chance. I resent that more moderate and reasonable conservatives have provided the wherewithal for conservatives who are far more extreme and harsh to have access to power. I am curious to know what they were thinking.
Whatever brand of Republican Cruz is or claims to be, I attribute some of the attraction he has for people to the authoritarian strain within the Party -- people get groomed into believing they need a strongman, a philosopher king, even if paradoxically the particular would-be philosopher king says he is the anti-philosopher king and will tear down the power structure. For me, Cruz is in part the fruit of seed sown by some conservatives who sounded more reasonable to more people with their ideas about what society needs. What has cascaded from that speaks to me of the dangers of an authoritarian point of view and of too much reliance on superficial indicia of competence in the cursus honorum.
People like Jack Kemp gave people like Paul Ryan a chance. I resent that more moderate and reasonable conservatives have provided the wherewithal for conservatives who are far more extreme and harsh to have access to power. I am curious to know what they were thinking.
10
Cruz models his speech cadences on Joseph McCarthy, sounding eerily like him. He does it deliberately to maximize the annoyance of liberals.
23
He is annoying a lot more than just liberals.
It should be noted that cicadas emerge on 13 or 17 year prime number intervals. In Chinese culture they represent rebirth. McCarthy died in 1957. Cruz was born in 1970 - 13 years later. Just sayin.......
Is "scary" liberal code for something? It's a silly word to use. Buck up if these things frighten you.
6
I'm guessing you'd prefer "ignorance is bliss".
2
"Scary" is liberal code for "frightening". If you're not frightened by what would happen to our country elected a man running for president that wants to shut down the government; a man who missed the point of "Green Eggs and Ham"; then you're "silly" (as in "weak-minded or lacking good sense; stupid or foolish" from dictionary.com).
1
You are right: Fascist is the correct term, and that indeed is scary!
2
A Republican pundit on one of the Sunday "news" shows described his party in it's current state as " a dumpster fire." Cruz has poured a lot of grease into the mix, but witness the R's debate, and you clearly understand that the entire field of candidates has been shoveling in flammable garbage for months.
Commonly dumpster fires are easily extinguished by the local fire department. This group however wants to make sure that no governmental agencies are left functioning except the bloated military and the moral vigilantes.
If this dumpster fire continues to burn, it could incinerate the skeletal remains of the functioning democracy that we began in 1776.
I believe that enough Americans see through the smoke to make these guys unelectable. But every time I see the clown caboose of Republican candidates on TV, I hear P.T. Barnum reminding me about no one growing broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.
Commonly dumpster fires are easily extinguished by the local fire department. This group however wants to make sure that no governmental agencies are left functioning except the bloated military and the moral vigilantes.
If this dumpster fire continues to burn, it could incinerate the skeletal remains of the functioning democracy that we began in 1776.
I believe that enough Americans see through the smoke to make these guys unelectable. But every time I see the clown caboose of Republican candidates on TV, I hear P.T. Barnum reminding me about no one growing broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.
258
Believe that was H.L. Mencken, not P.T. Barnum.
1
Doctor No is absolutely right, except that it was H.L. Mencken who said that no one ever went broke overestimating the stupidity of the American public. It's a sad state of affairs when a demagogue like Cruz is actually in the Senate. I'm living for a few weeks in Austin, Texas and I want to ask my neighbors how they could have elected a guy like that. But of course Austin is not like the rest of Texas, or so I'm told.
1
But they keep on getting elected as representatives/senators. As long as that keeps on happening, because of gerrymandering or whatever else, the dumpster fire will keep on raging.
1
People are uncomfortable with him because he reminds them of Grandpa from The Munsters.
43
Except that Al Lewis, who played Grandpa, was a progressive.
1
THAT'S who he reminds me of!
Poor Frank would probably be scared by Grandpa Munster! Frank, maybe you should be scared not by Cruz but by a society containing a lot of people willing to support / vote for him or Carson or Trump.
When he was in office W got everything wrong. Since he left office he's gotten everything right.
28
This is the first time I've agreed with W about anything.
Cruz is evil, plain and simple. He's a self-serving hypocrite whose over-the-top rhetoric is destructive to the common discourse and a bane to our democracy. If Texas really wants to show us it belongs in the Union, it could do nothing better than throw this devil's helper out of office, something which I understand could well happen. This reprehensible man is a complete phony and deserves the modern equivalent of being tarred and feathered. It's worth pointing out that he has never had a position not in government. The ultimate egotist. I guess that's saying something, but his star will soon burn out.
165
I could not say it any better. Ted Cruz is certifiable if one accepts what he himself says over and over. In most religious cultures, the devil represents destruction and death. Those are the positions of Ted Cruz.
I don't agree that his "star" will burn our soon. Evil people have a way of lasting far longer than good people expect. I sure hope you are right, though.
Way over the top. You comments reveal more about your own deficiencies that Cruz's
Texans elected Mr. Cruz to be their junior Senator [one has to wonder if they would do so again knowing what they know now], and a former President and fellow Texan, whose name is rarely mentioned in 'red' circles, pillories the man having apparent inside knowledge. The former is scary and the latter is telling. The $64 question, will this silver-tongued bomb thrower continue to garner media attention?
26
As a former Texan, the sad thought is that, yes, they probably would reelect Cruz. They like bomb throwers.
Texans elected Greg Abbott governor even after he sat on a campaign stage with Ted Nugent while Nugent villified the President as a mongrel and sub-human and never voiced a word of concern. Why is there any reason Texans wouldn't elect Cruz again?
1
In answer to your question, Retired Gardener, yes, I think the voters in my state would reelect Cruz. After all, while some of the details of his character have become clear only in the last year or two, Texans have long known what sort of person Cruz is. He accurately reflects the contempt many voters feel for the federal government, and his notoriety and strutting probably make them proud.
I am not saying this attitude represents the majority of Texans, but the electorate is dominated by conservatives who think the Union needs Texas more than the reverse. Such delusions help account for the prominence of politicians like Cruz, Perry and Abbott (current governor).
I am not saying this attitude represents the majority of Texans, but the electorate is dominated by conservatives who think the Union needs Texas more than the reverse. Such delusions help account for the prominence of politicians like Cruz, Perry and Abbott (current governor).
I can tell you one thing for sure: with people like Cruz and Carson parading around the political arena, it's going to be one very scary Halloween. No amount of candy will reduce, let alone eliminate, the fear they instill...in rational adults.
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Bruni doesn't begin to plumb the depths of the extremism of and danger posed by Cruz. Consider--his father is a charter member of the far-right lunatic fringe, a dominionist who thinks that Obama is a traitor. Normally, one wouldn't want to tar a candidate with the sins of his relatives, but Ted Cruz draws his father close and makes him a part of the campaign. When are journalists going to question this? Consider also--Cruz's recent statements on the campaign trail, calling Obama a socialist and claiming that the Democratic agenda will "destroy the country". In a nation awash with guns as well as very angry people, this is the height of irresponsibility. These are merely examples of the guy's deeply divisive, extremist actions and statements.
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Cruz can't legally run, the courts have said so. Look it up google citizenship court rulings concerning presidential elections.
19
Of course he can legally run. Here's a link to those of you who don't know the law. http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2015/mar/26/ted-cruz-bor...
1
You are incorrect. The rulings you cite refer to people born in the continental US, whose parents were not citizens. A person born outside of the US, who had at least one parent who was a US citizen, is also eligible. Take for example, George Romney (candidate in '68 - born in Mexico) and John McCain (candidate in '08 - born in Panama). They were citizens by virtue of parental citizenship.
Wrong and Wrong doesn't make a right. Try again.
Smarter than Dubbya Bush, faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Cruzman!
Disguised as a mild mannered Tea Party candidate, this amazing stranger from the country Cuba or Canada or Texas, or whatever. The man is a jugernaut of steel, a Superman rivaling Sputnik. Possessing remarkable
debate strength, Ted Cruz fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice. This threatening hero to legions of Tea Partiers across the red states hates gays, women, illegals, Putin, science, the poor & government regulation & loves the death penalty, guns, fossil fuels, military & his puppet masters, Koch Industries. He will bring the word of God to the Presidency & is determined to end the evil practice of dividing church & state. He is intent upon stopping the IRS from asking 'tell me the content of your prayers' & will invoke the will of God to drive it from the holy gates of the White House. Cruz vows the be the all powerful controlling nucleus of the nation's central nervous system as he will restore order to our Godless country through the sheer power of his thought waves. Be scared young comic book fans. Be very scared of the Republican party.
Disguised as a mild mannered Tea Party candidate, this amazing stranger from the country Cuba or Canada or Texas, or whatever. The man is a jugernaut of steel, a Superman rivaling Sputnik. Possessing remarkable
debate strength, Ted Cruz fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice. This threatening hero to legions of Tea Partiers across the red states hates gays, women, illegals, Putin, science, the poor & government regulation & loves the death penalty, guns, fossil fuels, military & his puppet masters, Koch Industries. He will bring the word of God to the Presidency & is determined to end the evil practice of dividing church & state. He is intent upon stopping the IRS from asking 'tell me the content of your prayers' & will invoke the will of God to drive it from the holy gates of the White House. Cruz vows the be the all powerful controlling nucleus of the nation's central nervous system as he will restore order to our Godless country through the sheer power of his thought waves. Be scared young comic book fans. Be very scared of the Republican party.
560
Thank you for the brilliant writing and insight!
In a strange way he reminds of the Texas motorist that swerved into the motorcycle caught on go pro, belligerent and itching for a fight.
1
True, Cruz and the element in American society that he represents are frightening. Thanks to Citizen's United, we may never know who is truly behind Cruz and to whom Cruz is beholden. (Hint: It won't be the easily manipulated Christian right, if Cruz is ever elected outside of Texas.)
However, W's attack on Cruz may simply be paying back Jeb! for defending W's policy while W was in office.
However, W's attack on Cruz may simply be paying back Jeb! for defending W's policy while W was in office.
12
Remember what "W" said about Putin, “I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul; a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country.” Could say the same thing about Ted Cruze
13
Seriously?
Yes I suppose one could say that about Cruz. But then one would be wrong. Ted Cruz is committed to Ted Cruz....period.
I think Rachel Maddow summed up the Shrub comment best by saying that this kerfuffle resembled a junior high school locker room spat.
Shrub is no Churchill. Let’s not make his comment into more than what it was. Big brother Shrub is the same “nothing” he always was. And Ted Cruz is unworthy of ANY comment in the NY Times.
This was Politico for gawd’s sake!
Shrub is no Churchill. Let’s not make his comment into more than what it was. Big brother Shrub is the same “nothing” he always was. And Ted Cruz is unworthy of ANY comment in the NY Times.
This was Politico for gawd’s sake!
36
You can't make Cruz go away simply by not writing about him. It is of the utmost importance to write about those who would willfully destroy our country and are zeroing in on the White House. Those of you who keep calling the Republican contenders clowns are giving innocent clowns a bad name. For the most part these men and one woman are evil and "evil lurks in the hearts of men" that support them with money and votes. I know, you know, the Shadow knows, but do the Republican voters know?
easy to name call.....what have YOU done for your country? at least W and Cruz are out there putting themselves on the line
The only GOP candidates running for president who don't literally scare the pants off me are Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, which isn't saying much. The others are a catastrophe, and the think the most catastrophic are in the lead is truly frightening. What is is about these right wing voters and being drawn to the crazies. What do they see in those candidates that's the least bit appealing? I just don't get it..
37
It's the power of propaganda. These people do nothing but listen to right-wing media all day and swallow every word of it whole. They end up deluded and very angry and have no insight at all into their plight.
Look up the words to Bruce Springsteens song "Glory Days." To me, that's a good answer to your question. Those days, in their minds, were simpler, and no one challenged their dominance in everything.
Ted Cruz is our modern day Joe Mccarthy. Who will be our modern day Joseph Welch. "Have you no sense of decency?" And if there were ever a better comparison to McCarthy 's committee to find a commie under every bed than Gowdy's committee to blame Hillary for Benghazi and anything else he can think of, I don't know what it might be.
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I watched every day how Joe McCarthy and his group destroyed lives, friendships, marriages and jobs with they relentless demanding of witnesses to admit to being a communist whether they were, had never been, or knew someone who had been a member and were being required to tell the committee or face consequences. It was awful, and Welch finally managed to turn the tide against McCarthy and his horror show.
What bothers me most about what Cruz is doing is that NO ONE will stand up and say that this man is a dangerous man, a man who seems to see no reason to listen to reason, logic or have any interest in anyone's viewpoint but his own. There has to be another Welch in the GOP surely, as the Democrats have been trying for ages to get them to see how Cruz and those like him are literally destroying the way congress should conduct business for the American people.
What bothers me most about what Cruz is doing is that NO ONE will stand up and say that this man is a dangerous man, a man who seems to see no reason to listen to reason, logic or have any interest in anyone's viewpoint but his own. There has to be another Welch in the GOP surely, as the Democrats have been trying for ages to get them to see how Cruz and those like him are literally destroying the way congress should conduct business for the American people.
He rather resembles a young Joseph McCarthy, too. Yikes!
1
D.
Cruz is not Joe McCarthy! The dumbing down of American society has left people like Ted Cruz free to operate in the dark using the scripts written long ago and far away, There is only one man that I can think of who exemplifies the political and social persona of Ted Cruz and that is Edmund Burke.
Cruz is not Joe McCarthy! The dumbing down of American society has left people like Ted Cruz free to operate in the dark using the scripts written long ago and far away, There is only one man that I can think of who exemplifies the political and social persona of Ted Cruz and that is Edmund Burke.
Cruz is one scary dude. Ugh! Belongs on a Halloween poster - not in a Presidential race.
23
Relax. This is a much bigger mess for the Republican Party than it is for the rest of us. The GOP is proving itself masterful on a daily basis at turning order into chaos, and now those proverbial chickens have come home to roost in the offices of the RNC and the halls of Congress.
And they are asking us to vote for them to "govern" 320 million people in the most powerful country in the world?
And they are asking us to vote for them to "govern" 320 million people in the most powerful country in the world?
19
On the contrary, the GOP has proven that it is open to change, which can get messy. Contrast that with the Democratic Party with its coronation of Hillary first and now its backup, Biden, in case she gets indicted.
I'll take the mess with more options over being forced to vote for someone the GOP dictates any day.
I'll take the mess with more options over being forced to vote for someone the GOP dictates any day.
5
Open to unarticulated/unformed change, however. Bomb-throwing is a better term
Cruz will succeed in today's GOP because he has figured out what "the base" wants. Demagoguery seems to be the only thing that sells within the party and so it deserves Trump, Carson, and Cruz as standard bearers.
28
Although I agree with your conclusions about Cruz, I am not happy with the personal attack! I am confident there is a better way to convey Cruz' Senatorial failures, lack of ability to govern, and lacking ability to create consensus among his peers.
Can we please try to elevate the conversation, or your signaling to others, that Mr. Cruz is not a dangerous candidate with no substance. Merely quoting 43 is not enough. How about communicating to the masses (us) his voting history, his platform, his PAC contributors. . . . . . . Then the masses (us) will be able to make our own substantive decisions of his candidacy.
We may not already like him, or all the others, as we devour our NYT at this hour (650 AM), but we want to be educated and know substantively why; not just because 43 says he doesn't like this guy.
Can we please try to elevate the conversation, or your signaling to others, that Mr. Cruz is not a dangerous candidate with no substance. Merely quoting 43 is not enough. How about communicating to the masses (us) his voting history, his platform, his PAC contributors. . . . . . . Then the masses (us) will be able to make our own substantive decisions of his candidacy.
We may not already like him, or all the others, as we devour our NYT at this hour (650 AM), but we want to be educated and know substantively why; not just because 43 says he doesn't like this guy.
18
If the tea party member in my family is an example, the NYTimes could spell out every single little fact about Ted Cruz and his followers and voters would say, as my family member did, half of that is lies just trying to take Cruz down, and the other half doesn't matter to him. What matters is that Cruz is the kind of conservative this voter likes, and he is not alone.
Knowing the facts about Cruz might be helpful to those who seem to think knowing what he stands for will make a difference in how they view him as a potential POTUS, but I'm inclined to believe that most wouldn't vote for him even before knowing the facts.
Knowing the facts about Cruz might be helpful to those who seem to think knowing what he stands for will make a difference in how they view him as a potential POTUS, but I'm inclined to believe that most wouldn't vote for him even before knowing the facts.
Just use google to see that Cruz is actually as bad if not worse than Bruni says.
2
You can learn alot about Cruz if you read more newspapers and other online sources than just the NYT. Try it, it might open your mind. You could even try FOX News. I try it every once in a while to see what is happening to "the other side".
"It follows."
A scary movie about an unkillable entity that follows you until it catches you then kills you. Sort of like the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE with the one big difference that the Republicans seem to be killing themselves with Mr. Cruz, apparently, the latest of the "boogeymen/woman" hopping out of the clown car that carries the lot of them.
They all seem to have their "turn at bat" as the media, living and dying by each tiny change in the poll numbers or who generated more donations this week (As if BOTH were a real election), anoints first Trump, then Fiorina, then Carson, now Cruz, then Jeb!...you guys never seem to get it right!
Who will it be next week, Mr. Jindal?
November 2016 can't get here soon enough!
A scary movie about an unkillable entity that follows you until it catches you then kills you. Sort of like the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE with the one big difference that the Republicans seem to be killing themselves with Mr. Cruz, apparently, the latest of the "boogeymen/woman" hopping out of the clown car that carries the lot of them.
They all seem to have their "turn at bat" as the media, living and dying by each tiny change in the poll numbers or who generated more donations this week (As if BOTH were a real election), anoints first Trump, then Fiorina, then Carson, now Cruz, then Jeb!...you guys never seem to get it right!
Who will it be next week, Mr. Jindal?
November 2016 can't get here soon enough!
6
This was indeed an extraordinary thing to wake up to. So, George Dubya called Ted Cruz, "cynically opportunistic and self serving, huh?
EXTRA! EXTRA! POT CALLS KETTLE BLACK!
I'm going back to bed.
http://www.tomdegn.blogspot,com
Tom Degan
EXTRA! EXTRA! POT CALLS KETTLE BLACK!
I'm going back to bed.
http://www.tomdegn.blogspot,com
Tom Degan
25
No! Ted Cruz isn't a "Scary Specter" at all, even though Hallowe'en is on the horizon. Face it, we've been having Hallowe'en since the Republican's first Debate with all the hobgoblins, wan folk and Jabberwocks - the neurosurgeon and The Donald up there - struttin' their stuff through the tulgey wood. Don't fret, Frank, Ted Cruz doesn't have a ghost of a chance at the Presidency. He is a Dr. Fell to the utmost, and born in O, Canada, to boot. We are heartened by Justin Trudeau's victory yesterday - Pierre Elliott Trudeau's son walking in his great Liberal father's Prime Minister moccasins, and hope his victory will be a harbinger of our election. We are still looking at our election through the distance end of our binoculars. The wee figures will change and evolve as our elections approach in the twelvemonth to come. Campaigns for POTUS should be limited to three months as they are in the UK and Canada. As for GW Bush not inserting himself into the events of the day - please! He inserted himself far too much by starting two unending wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and hasn't yet been brought to justice, he and his cronies who stole his first election from Al Gore in 2000, via his brother JEB!, Gov of FL, who threw him the frisbee of the Presidency way back then. Ted Cruz rubs him the wrong way? GWBush sure rubbed us the wrong way for 8 years. Never fear, Ted Cruz is only a scarecrow in a field of many scarecrows. I'm hoping for a one-term Presidency of Joe Biden.
10
Only the emotionally deformed attack dog of the Supreme Court, Samuel Alito, brings greater shame to a Princeton education than Ted Cruz. From an alumnus' point of view there is the glaring, appalling waste of the liberal education, the tragic grooming from the unyielding Right wing of Concerned Alumni for Princeton, to reinforce the stunted world view these hapless students pursue, against fact itself.
43
Cruz is McCarthy reincarnate without the drugs and the booze, or whatever drove that insane cynic. He is power-mad and very determined, if McCarthy was Beelzebub, Cruz is Mephisto.
But I don't think he has a chance to win the nomination or the election. While there are swaths of seriously ill-informed voters in parts of the country, and many whose wardrobe includes tin foil headgear, most Republican voters tend towards moderate. Carson and Trump will vanish, they are both unstable. That will leave Rubio and Jeb (!) as the only real candidates. And Hillary Clinton will beat them easily, IF she uses a stick instead of a mealy mouth.
The stick is:
"The GOP has ben predicting gloom and doom with Obama from day One, and none of it happened. They have wasted government time and money, have been massive obstructionists during one of the nation's greatest crises. They need to clean up their party of extreme right-wing elements and crazies before they have a crack at the WH. Democrats are stable., they have for the second time in 25 years created millions of jobs and kept the country safe."
I hope I am right.
But I don't think he has a chance to win the nomination or the election. While there are swaths of seriously ill-informed voters in parts of the country, and many whose wardrobe includes tin foil headgear, most Republican voters tend towards moderate. Carson and Trump will vanish, they are both unstable. That will leave Rubio and Jeb (!) as the only real candidates. And Hillary Clinton will beat them easily, IF she uses a stick instead of a mealy mouth.
The stick is:
"The GOP has ben predicting gloom and doom with Obama from day One, and none of it happened. They have wasted government time and money, have been massive obstructionists during one of the nation's greatest crises. They need to clean up their party of extreme right-wing elements and crazies before they have a crack at the WH. Democrats are stable., they have for the second time in 25 years created millions of jobs and kept the country safe."
I hope I am right.
25
Ted Cruz is not Joe McCarthy but I bet Cruz knows more about McCarthy and McCarthy's legacy than anyone except for a few political historians. McCarthy is alive and well and living in American politics in both political parties. McCarthyism helped put Kennedy in the White House in 1960 (which I believe was a good thing), but it also gave us Neocons, two Bush Presidencies and Fascism parading as conservatism.
1
In recent years, Americans have shown a growing curiosity in horror genre--fascination with vampires, animorphism, walking zombies...and yes, Republicans.
I'm not sure which Republican candidate is most scary, but I am certain they are all scary. We have found ourselves in a state of shock and awe as Republican candidates creep forward from a dim laboratory of anti-governance on the island of Dr. Moreau. These Republican candidates, however, are not the complete cast in this perennial Halloween season of Republicanism. More scary that the cast of candidates is the angry cast of low-information voters that have produced this horror show and continue to believe pounding a steak into the heart of our government is a good thing.
I'm not sure which Republican candidate is most scary, but I am certain they are all scary. We have found ourselves in a state of shock and awe as Republican candidates creep forward from a dim laboratory of anti-governance on the island of Dr. Moreau. These Republican candidates, however, are not the complete cast in this perennial Halloween season of Republicanism. More scary that the cast of candidates is the angry cast of low-information voters that have produced this horror show and continue to believe pounding a steak into the heart of our government is a good thing.
21
There is something inane about George Bush leveling a criticism against anyone. What gives him the right? Just the same, Cruz is deserving.
Cruz is simply an anti-government thug. When combined with Trump, Carson, and Fiorina, he completes a collection of the most intelligence insulting candidates in recent history. They don't reflect leadership but rather destruction-ship. That any of them are even being considered as leaders of our country is frightening and also very sad.
Cruz is simply an anti-government thug. When combined with Trump, Carson, and Fiorina, he completes a collection of the most intelligence insulting candidates in recent history. They don't reflect leadership but rather destruction-ship. That any of them are even being considered as leaders of our country is frightening and also very sad.
359
Harvard has a problem with Teds.
4
Ted Cruz is a blow up waiting to happen. If he ever becomes the president of the USA he will be a immensely disliked polarising figure. His legacy will be a dysfunctional country split into two distinct camps with not bridge in between.
The article is already highlighting his main traits: power hungry, bigoted and self serving manipulative truth teller.
I am unsure that this future is what we want for the citizens of the country.
The article is already highlighting his main traits: power hungry, bigoted and self serving manipulative truth teller.
I am unsure that this future is what we want for the citizens of the country.
8
Interesting tidbit is that Cruz and John Roberts were on the legal team that helped W get elected or rather appointed in 2000. Anybody who states that his childish tantrum for 24 hours on the Senate floor was equal to "the Bataan Death March" had no respect for US history and is so self absorbed that he cannot fathom the absurdity and crudeness of what he said.
Best comment about Cruz was by John Boehner when he publicly referred to him as a jacka-s who was continuously harassing Boehner.
Best comment about Cruz was by John Boehner when he publicly referred to him as a jacka-s who was continuously harassing Boehner.
8
Trump went to Fordham and Wharton (Penn); Dick Cheney got in, but flunked out, of Yale, then went on to U. of Wisconsin (Madison); W. (Yale), Cruz (Harvard and Princeton), Michelle Bachman (William & Mary). Maybe US News & World Reports should start publishing the names of the political hacks & Wall St. miscreants our top schools produce & foist upon the electorate.
15
Hey hey Frank Bruni, the person you really need to be scared about is not Ted Cruz, it is her royal highness with attitude, Evita Peron, a.k.a. Miss Pants Suit - Hillary Rodham (we know she hates to use her maiden (oxymoron?) name.
Hillary, she who fires White House staff indescriminately, hides the Rose Law Firm records for two years, lands in the Balkans and lies that there were shots when there were zero, lies about her illegal payoff of $100,000 disguised as a cattle futures trade, sets up a private email server illegally, of course, to hide favors for payoffs to the Clinton "Foundation" (wink, wink) from which Chelsea, Billy Boy, and HRC suck out funds to live like the 1 Percent she loves to trash(wink, wink).
As Hillary know, like Stalin said, "useful idiots".
Hillary, she who fires White House staff indescriminately, hides the Rose Law Firm records for two years, lands in the Balkans and lies that there were shots when there were zero, lies about her illegal payoff of $100,000 disguised as a cattle futures trade, sets up a private email server illegally, of course, to hide favors for payoffs to the Clinton "Foundation" (wink, wink) from which Chelsea, Billy Boy, and HRC suck out funds to live like the 1 Percent she loves to trash(wink, wink).
As Hillary know, like Stalin said, "useful idiots".
6
It takes Bush 43 in a speech defending Jeb! for you to realize that your party has been taken over by crazy radicals from the Tea Party to the Freedom Caucus to Cruz with his impersonation of Joe McCarthy?
This isn't the party of Ike with the 90% top tax rate or even that of Reagan who exploded the deficit or even Nixon who liked the idea of universal health care and protection of the environment. These are extremists who want to destroy our government.
This isn't the party of Ike with the 90% top tax rate or even that of Reagan who exploded the deficit or even Nixon who liked the idea of universal health care and protection of the environment. These are extremists who want to destroy our government.
536
Destroy our government? No, destroy our country in the name of some ideological purity. Bah.
1
All the while saying they love their country.
Curiouser and curiouser!
Curiouser and curiouser!
1
I suppose defunding Princeton and Harvard is not really viable.
11
@sherm
Don't forget Yale. Defunding aside (because they receive more than ample funding from private endowments), just look at some of these schools' more 'prominent' and [disproportionately] influential alumni: John Bolton, G. W. Bush (and other Bushes), Ted Cruz, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, etc. Someone needs to sue these institutions over defective products!
Don't forget Yale. Defunding aside (because they receive more than ample funding from private endowments), just look at some of these schools' more 'prominent' and [disproportionately] influential alumni: John Bolton, G. W. Bush (and other Bushes), Ted Cruz, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, etc. Someone needs to sue these institutions over defective products!
Cruz is a facist, plain and simple.
27
Was he born in the US? We haven't seen his birth certificate!
14
Some folks wonder how Cruz can be so breathtakingly ignorant with a Princeton/Harvard pedigree. I don't.
The Cruz phenomenon, aside from its iconic status as evidence of a national psychiatric disorder, demonstrates the pitiful state of higher education. Any relatively clever kid can "game" the system, assemble a pristine record of straight A's, prep for standardized tests and never encounter an ethical challenge or moment of genuine reflection. The system, as current operated for prestige and competitive advantage, allows clever sociopaths like Cruz to smugly navigate undergraduate and graduate school without detection.
Many colleges and universities are rescinding Bill Cosby's honorary degrees in response to the mounting evidence that he is a sexual predator. Perhaps Princeton and Harvard can rescind Cruz's credentials on the basis of his absolute disregard for truth, honor and dignity.
The Cruz phenomenon, aside from its iconic status as evidence of a national psychiatric disorder, demonstrates the pitiful state of higher education. Any relatively clever kid can "game" the system, assemble a pristine record of straight A's, prep for standardized tests and never encounter an ethical challenge or moment of genuine reflection. The system, as current operated for prestige and competitive advantage, allows clever sociopaths like Cruz to smugly navigate undergraduate and graduate school without detection.
Many colleges and universities are rescinding Bill Cosby's honorary degrees in response to the mounting evidence that he is a sexual predator. Perhaps Princeton and Harvard can rescind Cruz's credentials on the basis of his absolute disregard for truth, honor and dignity.
24
The Republicans fall all over themselves trying to make sure the one-percenters get to keep more and more of their lucre. At the same time, members of the Freedom Caucus and other extreme rightwingers castigate Paul Ryan for his 2008 vote in favor of the Wall Street bailout. And then there's Cruz, who wears cowboy boots and reminds me of Bela Lugosi. I have faith that the American electorate, such as it is, will not vote this guy into the White House.
153
Lugosi was hired to do a job and he did it extremely well. Cruz, not so much. Besides, he's much more than merely a vampire, he's also a robot alien zombie.
1
" I have faith that the American electorate, such as it is, will not vote this guy into the White House."
From your keyboard to God's ear. All I know is that I assured my children that this country would NEVER re-elect George W. Bush. "It's not who we are. The voters are way smarter than that," I assured them time and again. Look how that turned out.
From your keyboard to God's ear. All I know is that I assured my children that this country would NEVER re-elect George W. Bush. "It's not who we are. The voters are way smarter than that," I assured them time and again. Look how that turned out.
2
This may sound a bit crazy but Ted Cruz reminds me of Fidel Castro. Their modus operandi seems familiar. A rabble rouser with avarice in his heart. Willing, and unfortunately able, to spread his poison with little resistance and no shortage of help from our own media. Name fame is his game. This guy should be tarred and feathered and sent on his way.
10
Of course he doesn't like Cruz: Cruz made him president and we all know how that turned out.
8
Cruz, like the other extremists in the Republican party is a creature of the GOP's making. The created this monster; now they have to deal with him. It seems, though, the Texas seems to spawn these lunatics--more so than any other state. And the ones that aren't outright nuts, are simply crooked and incompetent. So we are plagued with the likes of George W. Bush, Tom Delay, Louis Gohmert, Rick Perry, Greg Abbott, and Phil Gramm.
What happened to all that talk about secession?
What happened to all that talk about secession?
30
The next generation of politicians from the Loony Star State will be even nuttier. After all, the school boards have banned the course of 'critical thinking' in their public school curricula, the argument being that such a course will harm families because their kiddies will consequently revolt against the authority of their daddies and mommies dearest.
1
The fact that the establishment ruling elites in both parties and NYTs leftists despise Cruz means that he is doing something right.
He is one of the few who tells the truth: He called McConnell a liar on the senate floor. He calls D.C. the "Washington cartel".
He tells the truth. Whether you agree with him politically or not, he tells the truth. This is why he resonates.
He is one of the few who tells the truth: He called McConnell a liar on the senate floor. He calls D.C. the "Washington cartel".
He tells the truth. Whether you agree with him politically or not, he tells the truth. This is why he resonates.
7
Cruz is a flat-out liar about many things. He will say anything that he knows will bring him adoration and praise from his followers. To him, truth does not matter.
This is like shooting fish in a barrel. Let's see. Cruz supports a balanced budget amendment. Let's see what has ALWAYS happened when we balanced the budget for a while:
The federal government has balanced the budget, eliminated deficits for more than three years in just six periods since 1776, bringing in enough revenue to cover all of its spending during 1817-21, 1823-36, 1852-57, 1867-73, 1880-93, and 1920-30. The debt was paid down 29%. 100%, 59%, 27%, 57%, and 36% respectively. A depression began in 1819, 1837, 1857, 1873, 1893 and 1929.
He also talks about our children paying off the federal debt. This has happened only once, in 1935, and was followed in 1837 by the start of our longest depression.
When does he think we "paid off" the larger (as a percentage of GDP) debt from WWII? In fact from 1946 -1973 we increased it (in dollars) 75% and enjoyed Great Prosperity. As the economy grew because we were increasing the debt, it just became insignificant.
The man is either incredibly stupid or a serial liar.
The federal government has balanced the budget, eliminated deficits for more than three years in just six periods since 1776, bringing in enough revenue to cover all of its spending during 1817-21, 1823-36, 1852-57, 1867-73, 1880-93, and 1920-30. The debt was paid down 29%. 100%, 59%, 27%, 57%, and 36% respectively. A depression began in 1819, 1837, 1857, 1873, 1893 and 1929.
He also talks about our children paying off the federal debt. This has happened only once, in 1935, and was followed in 1837 by the start of our longest depression.
When does he think we "paid off" the larger (as a percentage of GDP) debt from WWII? In fact from 1946 -1973 we increased it (in dollars) 75% and enjoyed Great Prosperity. As the economy grew because we were increasing the debt, it just became insignificant.
The man is either incredibly stupid or a serial liar.
No - he tells your truth. He doesn't tell mine. It's almost amusing to see how "conservatives" express themselves in confrontational authoritarian language.
It indicates inflexible thinking, an egotistical inability to admit or understand the legitimacy of any viewpoint unlike their own, often accompanied by some form of aggressive sneering language ("ruling elites . . . NYTs leftists"), some form of imperative, non-negotiable statement ("Whether you agree with him politically or not . . ."), and all of it wreathed in a whiff of 'Oh Yeah?'-drunk-in-a-bar threatening attitude. If given the power, Cruz and people who champion him would relish the role of political commissar.
It indicates inflexible thinking, an egotistical inability to admit or understand the legitimacy of any viewpoint unlike their own, often accompanied by some form of aggressive sneering language ("ruling elites . . . NYTs leftists"), some form of imperative, non-negotiable statement ("Whether you agree with him politically or not . . ."), and all of it wreathed in a whiff of 'Oh Yeah?'-drunk-in-a-bar threatening attitude. If given the power, Cruz and people who champion him would relish the role of political commissar.
6
Cruz wears his Napoleonic complex well, minus the hand tucked into his jacket. By saying and doing outlandish things, he gets attention. Who knows...he may try and invade Russia during the winter were he elected president.
Other than his idiotic antics on the floor of Congress or in front of microphones, he has nothing to offer the American people - and we all know it, and even he knows it. Let's allow him to finish up his 15 minutes, and then shoo him off the stage.
Other than his idiotic antics on the floor of Congress or in front of microphones, he has nothing to offer the American people - and we all know it, and even he knows it. Let's allow him to finish up his 15 minutes, and then shoo him off the stage.
7
When are the Ivies (& other top schools) going to quit foisting idiots and scoundrels on the American political process? W. Went to Yale; Cruz to Harvard & Princeton, Michelle Bachman to W & M. Geniuses all. Or maybe just cynical opportunists.
9
I live in Texas, a place I hardly recognize as the one in which I was born and raised before leaving to live elsewhere, New Orleans and later Los Angeles. Some of my childhood friends have never left the state, many of those never have lived anywhere other than the town in which we grew up.
To say that their view of the world differs from mine is almost laughable it's such a gross understatement. We talk politics at our peril. Thankfully, none has ever even mentioned the name Ted Cruz in my presence. If they should, I will ask them this: What has Ted Cruz ever done for you?
I've no doubt whatsoever, the silence will be deafening.
To say that their view of the world differs from mine is almost laughable it's such a gross understatement. We talk politics at our peril. Thankfully, none has ever even mentioned the name Ted Cruz in my presence. If they should, I will ask them this: What has Ted Cruz ever done for you?
I've no doubt whatsoever, the silence will be deafening.
30
Ted Cruz is ambitious and smart. Smart enough to know that he can't win a general election.
The only statewide elections that matter Today and for the foreseeable future in Texas are Republican primaries. By running for president, and positioning himself to the right of most candidates, Mr Cruz just secured his senate seat for minimum 3 or 4 terms.
The only statewide elections that matter Today and for the foreseeable future in Texas are Republican primaries. By running for president, and positioning himself to the right of most candidates, Mr Cruz just secured his senate seat for minimum 3 or 4 terms.
10
Lord, Frank, I can't believe how brilliant this sentence is:
All of them, with Cruz as their spiritual leader, have turned petulance into a theory of governing, or rather anti-governing, as they breezily disregard the contradiction of their ravenous lunge to become monarchs of a kingdom that they supposedly want to topple, to gain power over a system that they ostensibly intend to enfeeble."
Kudos--you got everything obnoxious about the "Freedom Caucus" (ex-Tea Party) in one sentence. I've never liked Cruz, myself. Chris Matthews calls him a rebirth of Joe McCarthy, even down to the dark hair and almost forced posture.
Cruz looks straight into the camera and gets this dazed, eerie look on his face when he goes into one of his rants. I honestly don't know if this guy is playing a part, or being "genuine," if you can use this term for these far right wingers.
But his comments border on sedition, because underneath those dulcet tones is a call to arms. I truly believe Cruz, if he could get away with it, could lead a revolution. You're right to call him out for crazy. He reminds me of something out of Dr. Strangelove, but remade for our times.
This paper has done great reporting on his background and the formation of some of his wilder views. He's apparently highly influenced by dad Rapheal who holds his own rallies that seem like pre-war gatherings.
Sitting in comfort, rich to the max thanks to wife's salary, this man wants to burn down DC. Don't let him.
All of them, with Cruz as their spiritual leader, have turned petulance into a theory of governing, or rather anti-governing, as they breezily disregard the contradiction of their ravenous lunge to become monarchs of a kingdom that they supposedly want to topple, to gain power over a system that they ostensibly intend to enfeeble."
Kudos--you got everything obnoxious about the "Freedom Caucus" (ex-Tea Party) in one sentence. I've never liked Cruz, myself. Chris Matthews calls him a rebirth of Joe McCarthy, even down to the dark hair and almost forced posture.
Cruz looks straight into the camera and gets this dazed, eerie look on his face when he goes into one of his rants. I honestly don't know if this guy is playing a part, or being "genuine," if you can use this term for these far right wingers.
But his comments border on sedition, because underneath those dulcet tones is a call to arms. I truly believe Cruz, if he could get away with it, could lead a revolution. You're right to call him out for crazy. He reminds me of something out of Dr. Strangelove, but remade for our times.
This paper has done great reporting on his background and the formation of some of his wilder views. He's apparently highly influenced by dad Rapheal who holds his own rallies that seem like pre-war gatherings.
Sitting in comfort, rich to the max thanks to wife's salary, this man wants to burn down DC. Don't let him.
864
The conservatives will reject Ted because he is squishy on immigration.
1
There is a malevolence to the man rarely seen even in the halls of our current disfunctional government. Mr. Cruz evokes a near nausea with a smarminess that evokes yelling at the TV every time he is shown. Clicker in hand, channels are quickly changed when he appears. It reminds me of the serial movies of the past with the mustachioed villain stimulating visceral fear and anger in the young crowd watching the show.
Alas, the "villain" is alive and well, spewing sufficient disdain on all who dare to question his self-aggrandizing palaver. But, the man, the hero, is soon to appear on his white charger to save the day - there's the rub. There is no hero in sight just a gaggle of wannabes looking to replace Cruz with their own version of how this serial should end. And here comes the train, heroine tied to the tracks, and those wishing to save her are attacking each other, raising money, and nowhere to be seen.
Alas, the "villain" is alive and well, spewing sufficient disdain on all who dare to question his self-aggrandizing palaver. But, the man, the hero, is soon to appear on his white charger to save the day - there's the rub. There is no hero in sight just a gaggle of wannabes looking to replace Cruz with their own version of how this serial should end. And here comes the train, heroine tied to the tracks, and those wishing to save her are attacking each other, raising money, and nowhere to be seen.
16
Cruz may be frightening but his fright is only in degree. There is not one person seeking the Presidency on the Republican side who doesn't bring some fright to surface, not because they share the same mind it seems Mr. Cruz carries between his shoulders, but for their lack of same, scheming or otherwise.
It is not difficult to observe and note what brings about these words, for there is little choice when the stone is lifted off the Republican field and those running for our highest office are exposed to the light.
No financial backer should be proud of this offering and in fact were it not for undisguised greed there is little any of these men and the one woman being touted as worthy have to bring to their donors and less to the electorate.
While this assessment is harsh and to some degree even unfair by normal standards, there is a higher bar I expect those who desire the office of the President to hurdle and none of those on this potential slate have indicated they can reach that level
We are left with the Democrats whose leading candidate has accumulated a lot of baggage.
It would be refreshing to consider our elected officials to be among the most skilled, open and forthright among us who simply want to assist in making our society a smoother running process rather than an upheaval every four years with competitors who bring their own vision of life in America.
The change we need is not in who has control, rather in the society we are asking them to guide.
It is not difficult to observe and note what brings about these words, for there is little choice when the stone is lifted off the Republican field and those running for our highest office are exposed to the light.
No financial backer should be proud of this offering and in fact were it not for undisguised greed there is little any of these men and the one woman being touted as worthy have to bring to their donors and less to the electorate.
While this assessment is harsh and to some degree even unfair by normal standards, there is a higher bar I expect those who desire the office of the President to hurdle and none of those on this potential slate have indicated they can reach that level
We are left with the Democrats whose leading candidate has accumulated a lot of baggage.
It would be refreshing to consider our elected officials to be among the most skilled, open and forthright among us who simply want to assist in making our society a smoother running process rather than an upheaval every four years with competitors who bring their own vision of life in America.
The change we need is not in who has control, rather in the society we are asking them to guide.
6
Since the heyday of American Demagoguery in the 1930's there have been only two Demagogues who have been able to have a substantial national impact Joe McCarthy and George Wallace.Ted Cruz is the third.All three men have used the tactic of demonization to capitalize on a prevalent national mood.McCarthy used the emergence of Russia as a world power to help create an anti-communist hysteria which fueled his campaign of guilt by innuendo and character assassination.Even though John Kennedy and Dwight Eisenhower despised McCarthy and his methods, his political clout made them reluctant to confront him.George Wallace captured white Southern anger over 1960's Civil Rights legislation. He used race baiting and racial code words to to carry 5 Southern states and rack up 46 Electoral votes.
Ted Cruz, whose nasal intonation stunningly resembles that of Joe McCarthy, has seized on the current anti-Washington zeitgeist to build a political following by assaulting the "Washington Cartel". His demonization of the Washington political establishment,and failure to play by the rules,has earned him the enmity of both parties. It has also earned him the support of alienated Americans. The cynical Cruz, a brilliant lawyer, who has a winning record at the Supreme Court,has a simple strategy. He believes that Donald Trump will eventually crash and burn.Cruz is positioning himself to be uniquely positioned to pick up the pieces and ride the anti-Washington sentiment to the nomination.
Ted Cruz, whose nasal intonation stunningly resembles that of Joe McCarthy, has seized on the current anti-Washington zeitgeist to build a political following by assaulting the "Washington Cartel". His demonization of the Washington political establishment,and failure to play by the rules,has earned him the enmity of both parties. It has also earned him the support of alienated Americans. The cynical Cruz, a brilliant lawyer, who has a winning record at the Supreme Court,has a simple strategy. He believes that Donald Trump will eventually crash and burn.Cruz is positioning himself to be uniquely positioned to pick up the pieces and ride the anti-Washington sentiment to the nomination.
221
Only three demagogues since 1930? How about Barry Goldwater? Here's a quote from his obit in the Washington Post:
"During his 1964 presidential campaign, Mr. Goldwater was attacked by Democrats and opponents within his own party as a demagogue and a leader of right-wing extremists and racists who was likely to lead the United States into nuclear war, eliminate civil rights progress and destroy such social welfare programs as Social Security."
Sound familiar? A lot of Goldwater's positions sound just like the far right of today. I'm not a student of history, but it does amaze me sometimes how all of us, including the pundits who could be expected to do some digging, focus on the present, as if it were totally new and unique, without bothering to put it in an historical context and thereby realize that much of what's happening is the "same old stuff". Of course, we all worry that, this time some of it may stick...
"During his 1964 presidential campaign, Mr. Goldwater was attacked by Democrats and opponents within his own party as a demagogue and a leader of right-wing extremists and racists who was likely to lead the United States into nuclear war, eliminate civil rights progress and destroy such social welfare programs as Social Security."
Sound familiar? A lot of Goldwater's positions sound just like the far right of today. I'm not a student of history, but it does amaze me sometimes how all of us, including the pundits who could be expected to do some digging, focus on the present, as if it were totally new and unique, without bothering to put it in an historical context and thereby realize that much of what's happening is the "same old stuff". Of course, we all worry that, this time some of it may stick...
1
John, Barry Goldwater was an extremely Conservative Republican,but no Demagogue.He was a successful Jewish businessman, 5 time senator,and openly opposed the Republican Right on the issues of abortion, gay rights, and religion in the public sphere. His positions on those issues were the exact opposite of the Republican Right today. "Do some digging"John.
The Republican establishment is discovering that when you mount the tiger of religious and political extremism, dismounting is nearly impossible
22
'Bush reportedly summed up his sentiments about Cruz ... with this blunt declaration: “I just don’t like the guy.”' What an insightful and thoughtful analysis by a vacuous former president! No wonder he's kept his mouth shut since leaving office. W is living proof of the validity of the quote commonly attributed to Abraham Lincoln, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.' Unfortunately, the world is still paying the price for eight years of W's disastrous administration; a Cruz administration would merely be a resumption of the catastrophe that was George W. Bush.
13
The trouble is that the rabble want a rouser. They'll take an entertaining one, and if not that, an unqualified (but Christian!) one, and if not that, Ted Cruz is waiting.
What Cruz really wants is to promote Cruz. There is a lot of ego on the campaign trail, but Cruz is the most ambitious. A Casca to to anyone who plays the role of Caesar, Cruz is in there ready to strike the first blow, as long as the rabble is roused.
It looks like a long year ahead of us.
What Cruz really wants is to promote Cruz. There is a lot of ego on the campaign trail, but Cruz is the most ambitious. A Casca to to anyone who plays the role of Caesar, Cruz is in there ready to strike the first blow, as long as the rabble is roused.
It looks like a long year ahead of us.
9
If Ted Cruz is elected president, this country will deserve the fate of Nazi Germany and Tojo's Japan: utter destruction and occupation by foreign powers.
6
The gerrymander and the influence of legislators representing a minute percentage of the total population of the country give the few far too much power. Then there are the districts in which voters are discouraged from voting which further dilute the democracy of our nation. Add to that the corporations which back politicians who have little regard for the welfare of the people. Do the rest of us really deserve destruction and occupation for the ignorance and stupidity of a minority of the voters?
GWB may not have found any WMD in Iraq but has certainly correctly identified this WMD - Worst Man's Doom - in Ted Cruz.
I never thought I'd agree with GWB on anything, but on this one he is spot on.
I never thought I'd agree with GWB on anything, but on this one he is spot on.
324
But GWB helped to bring him to prominence with his role in Florida recount.
Cruz is no scarier than other GOP "candidates," since they all agree with each other: Social Security, Medicare, and Obamacare must be ended, along with all taxes on the wealthy.
8
Frank, why are you frightened by Cruz, when you should be cowering under your bed at the thought of another Bush in the White House? One's "niceness" does not make one less frightening, when you look at their advocacy and performance. George W. Bush absolutely devastated us, as a country. If he knew which fork to use, and you are saying Ted Cruz does not, it does not make the Bush Brothers any less frightening...
Really, if you are afraid too of Donald Trump and Ben Carson, you should not travel your country. You fear too many of us out here, it seems, because Trump and Carson have been listening, and were not quite as content as you to see another Bush, possibly, in the White House.
Too bad the Democrats overpromised, renegned on their delivery, and still have drones killing on our behalf around the world. The consequences of policies like that should frighten you dearly, Frank. Would you like being followed, and judged from above? Where in our Constitution is warfare like that permitted, much less against US citizens? (Cruz, like Obama, has a fancy law degree too, apparently not worth the paper it is printed on....)
Really, if you are afraid too of Donald Trump and Ben Carson, you should not travel your country. You fear too many of us out here, it seems, because Trump and Carson have been listening, and were not quite as content as you to see another Bush, possibly, in the White House.
Too bad the Democrats overpromised, renegned on their delivery, and still have drones killing on our behalf around the world. The consequences of policies like that should frighten you dearly, Frank. Would you like being followed, and judged from above? Where in our Constitution is warfare like that permitted, much less against US citizens? (Cruz, like Obama, has a fancy law degree too, apparently not worth the paper it is printed on....)
3
Cruz would get crushed in the general election. Bring him on.
8
Has the media been issued a gag order? Ted Cruz was born in Calgary, Canada and only renounced his Canadian citizenship last year.
Please allow us to watch Birther's heads explode through contradictory explanations.
Please allow us to watch Birther's heads explode through contradictory explanations.
39
He's an American citizen, as his mother was (is?). And you assume the birthers are governed by logic. Cruz's middle name isn't "Hussein" and he's not half black, so they're not gonna worry about it.
What is truly scary about Cruz is his religious fanaticism. With the way the forces are aligning in the Middle East, I fear these ultra right wingers are ready to take their "end times" scenario to its logical conclusion.
31
Ted Cruz reminds me of Greg Stillson in the 1983 classic, "The Dead Zone". Stillson hauntingly said, "Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary, the missiles are flying. Hallelujah". I can just imagine Ted Cruz saying, "Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary, the US has defaulted on its debt. Hallelujah".
10
OMG, I have been saying that since this man came to the forefront of politics. He is scary as hell. There's something about Cruz's eyes that scare the hell out of me.
Nice of Mr. Bruni to notice, at long last, that Cruz is a demagogue
despised by his colleagues. The man says things that are not
true and it's clear he does not care.
However Cruz is today's GOP base. All anger, resentment
and no interest in governance.
IF Trump wanted to improve America he should build a wall
around Ted Cruz.
despised by his colleagues. The man says things that are not
true and it's clear he does not care.
However Cruz is today's GOP base. All anger, resentment
and no interest in governance.
IF Trump wanted to improve America he should build a wall
around Ted Cruz.
591
"All anger, resentment, and no interest in governance." You got that right. Just take a look at the WSJ commenters and you will see today's GOP base in full swing. They are repulsive. Almost all articles, even the ones that aren't necessarily political, are an opportunity and platform for them to spew their misguided hatred of all things that speak of compassion for fellow human beings.
1
Cruz's potential as a candidate is scary, and so are his signs of demagoguery. He's one more gift from the Republicans, the party that keeps on giving.
For a good analysis of Cruz's chances at nomination, see https://presidentialpoliticsblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/ted-cruz-sleeper/
For a good analysis of Cruz's chances at nomination, see https://presidentialpoliticsblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/ted-cruz-sleeper/
1
Truth be told, I find everyone running for the Republican nomination scary.
38
Excellent analysis re: Cruz, but is he a threat to America by winning the presidency, or to Republicans for being a nominee who has no chance of recapturing the White House? I, hopefully, and I hope objectively, think the latter. I can't envision him winning the general if he's the R's nominee.
5
You do a disservice to the American electorate by speculating that Cruz could become president. The odds of him actually winning the presidency are indistinguishable from zero. We - the American people - are not that far gone.
Cruz is an interesting symptom, however, of a political system that has been corrupted beyond (perhaps) salvation. I don't know where the republican party is heading, but the current glide path is antithetical to the common good.
Cruz is an interesting symptom, however, of a political system that has been corrupted beyond (perhaps) salvation. I don't know where the republican party is heading, but the current glide path is antithetical to the common good.
18
Nice try on the parallel to It Follows. It is a decent monster movie. This one, the Ted Cruz version, is just cringeworthy. No plot, no scheme, no theme, just lots of crappy gory footage left on the floor of Horror Movie Inc. and a very, very, very bad ending.
11
I was in a medical office recently, accompanying a friend, and overheard this conversation...
"Who are you going with for president?"
"Oh, I don't know.... not paying too much attention... I watch Fox News every once in a while."
"It cannot be Jeb Bush. It cannot be Jeb Bush, but Ted Cruz is a good man"
I look up. His eyes were intense. The other guy says...
"Well, I don't know..."
The conversation lags, so the first guy says.. "I like Trump, but he has a little problem with communication." Meaning, he will get beat like a drum.
No reply to this... he ventures...
"Hillary is going to go to prison." I looked up. All right, then.
"No, she ain't."
They both look at me, kind of shocked. Mr. Militant gives me a cool look over and I say.... "She's too damn rich to go to prison." I like Hillary, will vote for and support her, but facts are facts. The non-committal guy starts laughing and his militant friend gets a little peeved. He looks at me good now. I resolve to be careful with my next answer. I wait...
"What do you think of Trump?
"I think it's easy to look successful when your daddy gives you your share of fifteen thousand rental spaces in New York City. He would have done as well, maybe better, if he had put his money in a broad-based fund."
A nurse appears, thankfully. "We're ready, sir."
"Who are you going with for president?"
"Oh, I don't know.... not paying too much attention... I watch Fox News every once in a while."
"It cannot be Jeb Bush. It cannot be Jeb Bush, but Ted Cruz is a good man"
I look up. His eyes were intense. The other guy says...
"Well, I don't know..."
The conversation lags, so the first guy says.. "I like Trump, but he has a little problem with communication." Meaning, he will get beat like a drum.
No reply to this... he ventures...
"Hillary is going to go to prison." I looked up. All right, then.
"No, she ain't."
They both look at me, kind of shocked. Mr. Militant gives me a cool look over and I say.... "She's too damn rich to go to prison." I like Hillary, will vote for and support her, but facts are facts. The non-committal guy starts laughing and his militant friend gets a little peeved. He looks at me good now. I resolve to be careful with my next answer. I wait...
"What do you think of Trump?
"I think it's easy to look successful when your daddy gives you your share of fifteen thousand rental spaces in New York City. He would have done as well, maybe better, if he had put his money in a broad-based fund."
A nurse appears, thankfully. "We're ready, sir."
14
She won't go to jail because she's too rich? Now that's a solid reason to support her.
The question to ask is - why do so much of the Republican electorate believe that the "mainstream" GOP politicians don't represent their interests? If you take support for Trump, Carson, Cruz to be a cry for help from those voters to a largely uncaring world that dismisses them as fundamentally nasty, ill-informed or as a diseased electorate, maybe there is something useful to be done.
6
Think of it this way - the Republican tribe has kept going to its usual witch doctors, and their situation has only kept deteriorating. So they're seeking new witch doctors, but in the same tribe. Meanwhile, they have been taught that the other tribe is not be trusted, so much so that even empirical proof that the other tribe does better in solving their problems is ignored. Is there a member of this other tribe that can break the barriers?
The other republican candidates are either weak, crazy or both. Except Cruz who is just dangerous.
251
Sounds like a reasonable assessment of Cruz, since Cruz is a story-telling misrepresenter of the facts, but is it really a reasonable way of assessing Cruz, by highlighting George WWIII Bush's judgment of him as a cynical opportunist when Bush invaded Iraq on false pretenses? Are we trying to build up the latter's creds by consulting his wisdom and impartiality?
Here's how Bruni permits himself to be duped or uses Bush to help him to make his own, correct, point. Bush presents Bush as just offering his unvarnished gut opinion. But that is not the case. Bush is of course trying to defang the right wing of the party so that his brother will stop being snake bitten from the right.
People have to realize, Bush has made a life for himself by deeply ensconcing himself in the right and he knows better than anybody else how to occupy that position. Brother Bush is pretty good at it too, but then they got outflanked by super nut case right wingers like Cruz and their squealing like stuck pigs about it, having sold themselves out in earnest for the sake of the right wing.
But does Bruni have any knowledge of this? Apparently not as he build up the creds of the Bush people.
Bushes are as much to fear in this country as the absolute nut case right wingers. He brought us WWIII in response to one terrorist attack, which if he hadn't been concentrating ideologically on the Russian threat, he'd have been better able to anticipate. And if he weren't kowtowing to wall street
Here's how Bruni permits himself to be duped or uses Bush to help him to make his own, correct, point. Bush presents Bush as just offering his unvarnished gut opinion. But that is not the case. Bush is of course trying to defang the right wing of the party so that his brother will stop being snake bitten from the right.
People have to realize, Bush has made a life for himself by deeply ensconcing himself in the right and he knows better than anybody else how to occupy that position. Brother Bush is pretty good at it too, but then they got outflanked by super nut case right wingers like Cruz and their squealing like stuck pigs about it, having sold themselves out in earnest for the sake of the right wing.
But does Bruni have any knowledge of this? Apparently not as he build up the creds of the Bush people.
Bushes are as much to fear in this country as the absolute nut case right wingers. He brought us WWIII in response to one terrorist attack, which if he hadn't been concentrating ideologically on the Russian threat, he'd have been better able to anticipate. And if he weren't kowtowing to wall street
10
And Obama hasn't kowtowed to Wall Street as well as Eric Holder? Please spare us your diatribe. And Clinton will be no better should she be elected, with her it'll be business as usual just like her predecessor.
As a Texas voter Cruz is [sigh] one of my senators. So I signed up and get regular updates from his office and campaign.
Cruz is a master at passive aggressive whining and pointless grandstanding. He tries to make every issue into a political Alamo (yes, they all died, but they are all remembered as heroes in Texas!), where he is Bowie, Crockett and Travis all wrapped up into one.
Cruz's "Political Alamo Groundhog Day" mode of operation on every issue is infuriating to his detractors, but fits well with the arch conservatives who love to play the victim while actually being the ones in power, particularly evangelical Christians.
As Bruni correctly surmises, Cruz and his followers "confuse attention with accomplishment". One of the dangers of Cruz presidency would be, "What happens when the dog catches the car?" When he has all the attention, and the power, what would he try to accomplish? Here we have a self proclaimed Reagan acolyte who goes much further than Reagan; a man who not only says government is the problem and not the solution but spends much of his time actively trying to weaken the government. What would that man do when he becomes president? "Frightening" is a very good description.
Cruz is a master at passive aggressive whining and pointless grandstanding. He tries to make every issue into a political Alamo (yes, they all died, but they are all remembered as heroes in Texas!), where he is Bowie, Crockett and Travis all wrapped up into one.
Cruz's "Political Alamo Groundhog Day" mode of operation on every issue is infuriating to his detractors, but fits well with the arch conservatives who love to play the victim while actually being the ones in power, particularly evangelical Christians.
As Bruni correctly surmises, Cruz and his followers "confuse attention with accomplishment". One of the dangers of Cruz presidency would be, "What happens when the dog catches the car?" When he has all the attention, and the power, what would he try to accomplish? Here we have a self proclaimed Reagan acolyte who goes much further than Reagan; a man who not only says government is the problem and not the solution but spends much of his time actively trying to weaken the government. What would that man do when he becomes president? "Frightening" is a very good description.
559
I guess voting present 100 times would be a better way to get elected
Is it going to far to say that the republican party is not in the election to run the country at all but to hand it over, lock stock and barrell to the 158 or so who believe they can buy the country out from underneath everyone?
3
Mr. Cruz' efforts to depict himself as the populist everyman is disingenuous at best (given his Ivy League bona fides), but more importantly demonstrates his well-known capacity to distort the truth in the service of his unchecked personal ambitions. The latter quality is arguably what makes his behavior so particularly distasteful -- he'll do anything to win. Can we really trust a man with his character to be an ethical and principled leader? I'm not convinced.
228
You've answered you own question, of course we can't trust him.
Yes Cruz is frightening. His speaking style is accusatory, insinuating, insulting, much too close to violating the Roberts' Rule against personal remarks in Senate debate. His bodily appearance is pugnacious, threatening, bullying and sinister. For one old enough to remember vividly the televised Army McCarthy hearings back in the 1950's, Cruz's face has a scary resemblance to Senator McCarthy's face, and the self-important prosecutorial words that both senators emit chill one's soul.
619
Using G. W. Bush as an example of a man with a good judge of character damages your point, Mr. Bruni. Bush said Brownie was doing a "heck of a job" with Katrina, said Karzai and Maliki the kleptocrats were people he could work with, worst of all chose Dick Cheney as his VP.
Rather than simply trying to scaring us with Cruz, follow the money for us. Expose the billionaires supporting Cruz and the obscure non-profits paying his way. Facts are the sunlight we need to battle the darkness.
Rather than simply trying to scaring us with Cruz, follow the money for us. Expose the billionaires supporting Cruz and the obscure non-profits paying his way. Facts are the sunlight we need to battle the darkness.
25
As scary as Ted Cruz is to liberals Barack Obama is scary to loyal, hard-working, tax paying, law-abiding Americans. Unlike Barack, a Community Organizer, who finessed his way into Columbia and Harvard through playing the race card, Ted Cruz is actually smart. Unlike Barack who likes to think he is the smartest person in the room Ted Cruz will often be that person, especially when meeting fellow lawmakers.
So Mr. Bruni, much as you may dislike the guy for his politics the one thing you have to give him credit for is that he's smart.
So Mr. Bruni, much as you may dislike the guy for his politics the one thing you have to give him credit for is that he's smart.
4
I am SO TIRED of Republicans claiming they are the only moral, religious, responsible people on earth, the only ones deserving of US citizenship and representation in government.
News flash, John Smith: I am a loyal, hard-working, tax paying, law-abiding American. A majority of us sent Obama to the White House twice, check the demographics. It was your neighbor the small business owner, the church leader, and millions of other upstanding, tax paying citizens who put him there.
Your stereotype of "the other tribe" is WRONG.
News flash, John Smith: I am a loyal, hard-working, tax paying, law-abiding American. A majority of us sent Obama to the White House twice, check the demographics. It was your neighbor the small business owner, the church leader, and millions of other upstanding, tax paying citizens who put him there.
Your stereotype of "the other tribe" is WRONG.
7
If he is smart, why does he support stupid policies. e.g. the balanced budget amendment.
The federal government has balanced the budget, eliminated deficits for more than three years in just six periods since 1776, bringing in enough revenue to cover all of its spending during 1817-21, 1823-36, 1852-57, 1867-73, 1880-93, and 1920-30. The debt was paid down 29%. 100%, 59%, 27%, 57%, and 36% respectively. A depression began in 1819, 1837, 1857, 1873, 1893 and 1929.
Do you actually like depressions?
The federal government has balanced the budget, eliminated deficits for more than three years in just six periods since 1776, bringing in enough revenue to cover all of its spending during 1817-21, 1823-36, 1852-57, 1867-73, 1880-93, and 1920-30. The debt was paid down 29%. 100%, 59%, 27%, 57%, and 36% respectively. A depression began in 1819, 1837, 1857, 1873, 1893 and 1929.
Do you actually like depressions?
4
Um, no. I don't think so.
I, to, am a hard-working, law-abiding, tax-paying citizen of these United States; fascists like Ted Cruz and his ilk don't have a market on those characteristics, Mr. Smith. Guess you'll have to get over THAT particular stereotype.
So, you think that Barack Obama played the "race card" to get into Columbia? Apparently, to you, being a minority is mutually exclusive to getting into an Ivy League school on your own merits. By your paradigm, then, Cruz played the race card, too. You know that his father is Cuban, right? Ted Cruz is a MINORITY. On top of that, Cruz is an IMMIGRANT. He was born in CANADA.
Since Ted Cruz's fellow debaters have openly stated that they didn't like him, versus Barack Obama being nominated by his peers to be the Editor of the Law Review at Harvard Law, I'd say that Obama is pretty smart.
Ted Cruz, the smartest person in the room? Puh-leez. If that were true, you'd think he would have known that "Green Eggs and Ham" was a book about trying something you THINK you don't like and finding out that you like it. Not the best book to use in a demonstration against the ACA.
Try again.
I, to, am a hard-working, law-abiding, tax-paying citizen of these United States; fascists like Ted Cruz and his ilk don't have a market on those characteristics, Mr. Smith. Guess you'll have to get over THAT particular stereotype.
So, you think that Barack Obama played the "race card" to get into Columbia? Apparently, to you, being a minority is mutually exclusive to getting into an Ivy League school on your own merits. By your paradigm, then, Cruz played the race card, too. You know that his father is Cuban, right? Ted Cruz is a MINORITY. On top of that, Cruz is an IMMIGRANT. He was born in CANADA.
Since Ted Cruz's fellow debaters have openly stated that they didn't like him, versus Barack Obama being nominated by his peers to be the Editor of the Law Review at Harvard Law, I'd say that Obama is pretty smart.
Ted Cruz, the smartest person in the room? Puh-leez. If that were true, you'd think he would have known that "Green Eggs and Ham" was a book about trying something you THINK you don't like and finding out that you like it. Not the best book to use in a demonstration against the ACA.
Try again.
4
So true - but he joins a pretty scary group of Republican candidates , supported
by some pretty scary people in this country. There is something specially ugly
about Cruz , who I don't think needs a mask for Halloween. Ugly mind, ugly face,
just yuck! I can't blame President Bush for his comment - after all, he knew
the creep in the past and saw the character of the man. He appears to loom
behind Trump and anyone else who is deemed a front runner by our idiot press
mavens, ready to strike like a scorpion where he sees an openings. Please make
these people go away - They , he and their like are beyond the pale!
by some pretty scary people in this country. There is something specially ugly
about Cruz , who I don't think needs a mask for Halloween. Ugly mind, ugly face,
just yuck! I can't blame President Bush for his comment - after all, he knew
the creep in the past and saw the character of the man. He appears to loom
behind Trump and anyone else who is deemed a front runner by our idiot press
mavens, ready to strike like a scorpion where he sees an openings. Please make
these people go away - They , he and their like are beyond the pale!
6
The man has skills; ignore them at your peril.
Sinclair Lewis said that if Fascism came to America it would be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.
I wonder whether he had Ted Cruz in mind when he made this prediction.
This is a man who managed to beat the incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Texas, David Dewhurst, in a contested Senate primary. He turned Dewhurst into a tool of the establishment and won. He managed to channel the craziness of the far right in Texas into a victory.
This column is a good heads-up on someone who is trying to slither through the primaries until it is too late.
Sinclair Lewis said that if Fascism came to America it would be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.
I wonder whether he had Ted Cruz in mind when he made this prediction.
This is a man who managed to beat the incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Texas, David Dewhurst, in a contested Senate primary. He turned Dewhurst into a tool of the establishment and won. He managed to channel the craziness of the far right in Texas into a victory.
This column is a good heads-up on someone who is trying to slither through the primaries until it is too late.
29
Did you have the same reaction to Obamas campaign for senate? Just wondering
Bush "described Cruz as cynically opportunistic and self-serving."
Well, I gotta tell ya, Bruni chooses his authorities carefully, because that's a perfect description of George himself ---and of his father and of his brother.
When you get down to talking about cynical opportunism, no body has exploited race, religion and sexual wedge issues in Presidential elections more of better than Bush Rove.
I can see why Bruni values Bush's opinion. He's the authority on political opportunism in this country.
Well, I gotta tell ya, Bruni chooses his authorities carefully, because that's a perfect description of George himself ---and of his father and of his brother.
When you get down to talking about cynical opportunism, no body has exploited race, religion and sexual wedge issues in Presidential elections more of better than Bush Rove.
I can see why Bruni values Bush's opinion. He's the authority on political opportunism in this country.
11
right again frightening
5
Let's face it. Is Cruz actually much scarier than the rest of the Republican field? Carson? Trump? Fiorina? The whole Republican field is awash in xenophobia, anti-intellectualism, opportunism, religiosity, pandering, cynicism...Don't you worry, even sometimes, that if these are candidates for the president of the most powerful country in the world, you're in bigger trouble than you suppose?
12
The Republicans have been generating quite a variety of monsters with Presidential ambitions. I was wondering if one of their own would call out the monster who was most likely to actually get somewhere in their primaries and caucuses.
I have no sympathy for any of those folks. They'd eat their young if it would help them politically. Just look ant Cheney and how he treated his daughter Mary when it was expedient to do so to help his other daughter Liz.
I have no sympathy for any of those folks. They'd eat their young if it would help them politically. Just look ant Cheney and how he treated his daughter Mary when it was expedient to do so to help his other daughter Liz.
10
All the GOP candidates are cynical, scary specters, so it really doesn't matter much which one the Dem nominee defeats. Trump has the edge of being more revealing of GOP bigotry & rapacious deceit.
Go Bernie – you can beat whichever greedy clown the GOP thrusts upon US.
Go Bernie – you can beat whichever greedy clown the GOP thrusts upon US.
8
Is there any GOP candidate that isn't frightening?
Have you been watching these GOP debates?
Have you been watching these GOP debates?
12
Cruz's ability to rub his colleagues the wrong way goes back at least as far as his college debate years; he lost the election for president of the American Parliamentary Debate Society to Ted Niblock, who stated recently: “My only electable quality was that I was not Ted Cruz."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/s/70470/i-watched-ted-cruz-debate-college...
http://www.nationaljournal.com/s/70470/i-watched-ted-cruz-debate-college...
6
Why not: The Scary Specter of the People Who Voted for Ted Cruz? Mr. Bruni, as he tries to knock these GOP candidates down one by one, keeps missing the real target--our fellow countrymen. Climate scientists predict that Texas will be the canary in the coal mine in this country because it's the state that will likely be first and worst hit by climate change but also the one most in denial. But it's also the state where a voter registration drive is most likely to turn it from red to blue. So why not: The Scary Complacency of the Democratic Party?
I'm not the first to remark it, but he's Joseph McCarthy reincarnate.
10
Canadian refugee Rafael E. Cruz is a piece of work.
An anti-immigrant immigrant.
He is squatting on land stolen from Mexico at the point of a gun yet he vilifies Mexicans as alien invaders.
His companeros, the Cubans, enjoy red carpet, concierge service at immigration and are gifted, immediately, with $19K per year in SSI, Section 8 Housing, SNAP and Medicaid. Without having worked a day or paid one penny in US taxes. But Rafael is against other immigrants. He supports a Great Wall of Mexico.
Give him this, he has a ton of chutzpah.
An anti-immigrant immigrant.
He is squatting on land stolen from Mexico at the point of a gun yet he vilifies Mexicans as alien invaders.
His companeros, the Cubans, enjoy red carpet, concierge service at immigration and are gifted, immediately, with $19K per year in SSI, Section 8 Housing, SNAP and Medicaid. Without having worked a day or paid one penny in US taxes. But Rafael is against other immigrants. He supports a Great Wall of Mexico.
Give him this, he has a ton of chutzpah.
45
Ted Cruz is not an immigrant. He is a U.S. citizen by birthright because his mother was a U.S. citizen. No one stole Texas from Mexico. Texas was one of several Mexican states, including San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Durango, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Yucatán, Jalisco, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas, that revolted in 1836 when Santa Anna usurped the Constitution of 1824 and made himself a dictator. Only Texas won its independence. It was an independent republic when it joined the United States in 1845. The issue that sparked the Mexican War was a dispute not over Texas sovereignty but over the boundary between Mexico and the United States. The United States and Texas claimed the Rio Grande as the boundary while Mexico claimed the Nueces River, which runs south of San Antonio, as the boundary. The disputed area was called the Nueces Strip. The war started when the Mexican army crossed the Rio Grande and attacked U.S. troops that had marched into the Nueces Strip. Texas was not part of the Mexican Cession at the end of the Mexican War, which gave New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California to the United States. Texas isn't even mention in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war.
4
Who knew? Yet why no mention of this? I thought reporters were supposed to ask the tough questions.
1
Er, actually Texas revolted when Mexico outlawed the slave trade.
4
How can it be that I'm agreeing with W? How is it that Cruz is viable as a presidential candidate? The creepiest Halloween costume I could think of would be a Ted Cruz outfit.
49
Remember that Barbara Bush stated "We've had enough Bushes" and it is frightening to have to agree with "Dubbya" the wastrel and ne'er do well.
2
I just read a profile in the New Yorker about Donald Trump which scared me to death, almost. Carson is even scarier. And Ted Cruz is scarier than them all. What is most disturbing is that Cruz is smart, a very good debater, and with very good education credentials.
With a Republican in the White House we are weighing our options, maybe Denmark? I love France too, which we visit often.
With a Republican in the White House we are weighing our options, maybe Denmark? I love France too, which we visit often.
95
It seems that this party attracts the crazies. Mr. Davies: I moved from France to the US. France is great, good food and above all excellent bread!
I'm reminded of what a Texas congressman once said of Phil Gramm -- another charmless Texas senator. "First", he said, "you've got to got to remember that he's mean as a snake. And second, that he's smarter than you are."
7
You can join Alec Baldwin and Barbra Stresisand in Australia, oh wait they just threatened to leave the country....................but didn't when Bush occupied the WH.
3
You're too kind, Frank.
Cruz is worse than you have portrayed him here. He has no limits.
There is no position too extreme for him. He would shut down the government in a heartbeat as a congressman, and he would do far worse if elected president. This is the man you don't want to have his finger on the button of our nuclear arsenal. This is the person you don't want to trust with your grandfather's healthcare. This is the person you don't want to trust with your granddaughter's health care. This is a man you cannot trust. Period.
Cruz is worse than you have portrayed him here. He has no limits.
There is no position too extreme for him. He would shut down the government in a heartbeat as a congressman, and he would do far worse if elected president. This is the man you don't want to have his finger on the button of our nuclear arsenal. This is the person you don't want to trust with your grandfather's healthcare. This is the person you don't want to trust with your granddaughter's health care. This is a man you cannot trust. Period.
456
But....what? Not one person here has given a solid example of what terrible stuff a President Cruz would do. Would he drown kittens? Make black people second class citizens? Take away the right to vote? WHAT?
Do you have evidence Mr. Cruz has taken bribes? Is in the pay of a foreign dictatorship?
Is it perhaps that real fear is that Cruz is an educated Harvard grad, and a good debater, who might challenge Empress Hillary and Holy Bernie, and give them a run for their money?
BTW: am I the only one here who remembers 1980? Reagan too was held up as the devil incarnate. Lefty liberals all over were swearing they would move to another nation if he was elected (usually Canada). Of course, no internet -- all the high talk had to be done in letters to the editor, or on talk shows. But I remember the talk VERY well: Reagan was a warmonger....Reagan would start WWIII....Reagan would use nuclear weapons....Reagan would end welfare....Reagan would undo Roe v. Wade.
8 years of Reagan (and 4 of Bush 41) and not one of these things occurred. NOT ONE.
The President who ended welfare, as we used to know it? Liberal Democrat Bill Clinton.
Do you have evidence Mr. Cruz has taken bribes? Is in the pay of a foreign dictatorship?
Is it perhaps that real fear is that Cruz is an educated Harvard grad, and a good debater, who might challenge Empress Hillary and Holy Bernie, and give them a run for their money?
BTW: am I the only one here who remembers 1980? Reagan too was held up as the devil incarnate. Lefty liberals all over were swearing they would move to another nation if he was elected (usually Canada). Of course, no internet -- all the high talk had to be done in letters to the editor, or on talk shows. But I remember the talk VERY well: Reagan was a warmonger....Reagan would start WWIII....Reagan would use nuclear weapons....Reagan would end welfare....Reagan would undo Roe v. Wade.
8 years of Reagan (and 4 of Bush 41) and not one of these things occurred. NOT ONE.
The President who ended welfare, as we used to know it? Liberal Democrat Bill Clinton.
3
The damage done by Reagan was of a different nature. As soon as he stated "government is not the solution, it is the problem", he set the stage for the current generation of Republicans.
4
CC: Let's not forget that Reagan ended federal funding for state hospitals for the mentally ill, which created the crisis of homelessness, since states could not carry on without federal help and closed the facilities. He also ended the HUD mortgage assistance to heads of household who had lost their jobs and were looking for employment. That put a lot of families in the streets.
2
The possibility of a Ted Cruz presidency or any other of the Republican candidates is truly frightening because it promises even greater destruction of the federal government, small d democracy and greater inequality.
However, as the world order crumbles, the thought of any of these candidates representing American interests in a world inflamed by groups like ISIS, where the Middle East has imploded, where Putin wants to expand Russian influence by any means necessary and climate change and cyber security action that are not nearly keeping up with the threats they present becomes a truly terrifying one.
When we look at Cruz or Trump or even worse, Ben Carson, handling the scope of the problems facing the next president, we are seeing a nightmare in the making.
However, as the world order crumbles, the thought of any of these candidates representing American interests in a world inflamed by groups like ISIS, where the Middle East has imploded, where Putin wants to expand Russian influence by any means necessary and climate change and cyber security action that are not nearly keeping up with the threats they present becomes a truly terrifying one.
When we look at Cruz or Trump or even worse, Ben Carson, handling the scope of the problems facing the next president, we are seeing a nightmare in the making.
211
As commentor Kevin Rothstein just wrote, one of our best friends was a classmate of Cruz's at Harvard Law. He told us many years ago (and has recently reiterated the story) that Cruz created an "all ivy study group" as a first-year – ie, a study group that was limited to those students who had yes attended an Ivy League undergraduate institution prior to coming to Harvard Law school. Our friend said that he was snobbish and universally hated.
9
I would not put John Kasich, for example, in the same category as a Ted Cruz!
2
As opposed to whom? Obama? The current Adm is completely clueless on foreign policy and has been a dramatic failure. Anyone else elected, including Hillary, cannot help but improve as they actually like their nation and it's citizens unlike a certain resident in the White House.
3
Cruz supposedly looked down at his fellow Harvard law students if they were not a Harvard, Yale, or Princeton undergrad.
Here's hoping Tailgunner Ted, the Joseph McCarthy lookalike and soundalike gets the nomination.
I can't see Cruz winning the presidency.
Here's hoping Tailgunner Ted, the Joseph McCarthy lookalike and soundalike gets the nomination.
I can't see Cruz winning the presidency.
107
Try thinking about what would happen if he does.
45
No thanks, N B.
The world is a scary enough place as it is.
The world is a scary enough place as it is.
47
There is a huge difference between McCarthy and Cruz. If you are going to criticize Cruz, and he well deserves some criticism, do it for the right reasons.
1
The GOP field, in general, ranges from scary to scarier to scariest (with a few saner members like Bush & Kasich).
What scares me the most is that a fair percentage of the Republican voters actually support some of these wing-nuts. When they tell me that 75% of the GOP says they could imagine voting for Carson for president, I am desperate for information about that poll. Surely they cannot have asked ALL of the GOP voters? Maybe they just asked the primary voters in certain states (please say it is so)? I know more than a few sane Republicans, so I know that they are out there. On planet Tea Party, the three top candidates are Trump, Carson, and Cruz. "Dream" tickets named are Trump/Carson; Carson/Trump (the latter would never be #2); Trump or Carson with Cruz. A few sprinkle in Ms. Palin as a possible VP. What happened to sanity?!
What scares me the most is that a fair percentage of the Republican voters actually support some of these wing-nuts. When they tell me that 75% of the GOP says they could imagine voting for Carson for president, I am desperate for information about that poll. Surely they cannot have asked ALL of the GOP voters? Maybe they just asked the primary voters in certain states (please say it is so)? I know more than a few sane Republicans, so I know that they are out there. On planet Tea Party, the three top candidates are Trump, Carson, and Cruz. "Dream" tickets named are Trump/Carson; Carson/Trump (the latter would never be #2); Trump or Carson with Cruz. A few sprinkle in Ms. Palin as a possible VP. What happened to sanity?!
438
It is because you on the left have drifted so far out of the America political norm that you see reality in this manner. You are completely blinded by lib ideology; so much so in fact that you cannot understand your fellow Americans.
1
Better question: What's G about this OP of yours? Yes, I said yours. As Madge the Manicurist would say, you're soaking in it.
1
Anne-Marie, you are so on the money with this comment. Who and Where are the nuts who actually believe and support these people. What type of an alternative universe do they live in?
My thoughts are that the impact of Fox news and hard-core conservative Talk Radio (daily rants for for 3 hours or more) has a durable impact on the supporters - its a kind of perpetual brainwashing that eventually has them believing in pixie dust. You can begin to understand how the German population was lead down this path in the 30s
My thoughts are that the impact of Fox news and hard-core conservative Talk Radio (daily rants for for 3 hours or more) has a durable impact on the supporters - its a kind of perpetual brainwashing that eventually has them believing in pixie dust. You can begin to understand how the German population was lead down this path in the 30s
11
And remember that when someone is as broadly and profoundly disliked as Cruz is, it’s usually not because he’s a principled truth teller.
McCarthyism/Cruzism
McCarthyism/Cruzism
268
Doesn't Cruz resemble Joe McCarthy some, both physically and politically?
8
In Bizarro World a/k/a Fox News, broad disdain is PROOF of principled truth-telling.
2
REVINCENT Who says Cruz is broadly disliked? He is popular enough to have been elected a US Senator, and capable enough to have served as solicitor general.Not bad for a 44 year old man who was elected to the Senate on his first try.My hunch is that what you know about former Sen. Mccarthy, "tail gunner Jo," because of his heroics in WWII would not be enough to fill a paragraph. Mccarthy's contention that John Paton Davies, Owen Lattimore whom Mccarthy accused of having sold out China to the Communists has never been disproved.Both men, Cruz and the late Joseph Mccarthy served their country wisely and well,and TC continues to do so.
2
Ted Cruz is reviled by most of his Senate peers because his bombastic and mendacious rhetoric hides his true agenda...the promotion of a radical and authoritarian government with him as the centre of power. Using the easily swayed and rabid tea party base as a stepping stone, he has given free reins to his ambitions no matter the political consequences. Most of his peers are wise to him and to his fascist tendencies, and I commend Mr. Bruni and president Bush for reminding us of the reasons why Mr. Cruz, and his self serving agenda, represents a clear and present danger to our body politic.
787
I'm just waiting for Ben Carson to make some sort of Nazi analogy that pertains to Cruz.
1
Wowserrs!! Talk about your projection!! Buddy it is you on the left that are the threat to democracy. Your President Pen and Phone doesn't give two wits for the Constitution or limited gov't.
4
If elected (a long shot IMHO), Senator Cruz would have no more ability to be a dictator and impose his political will, than would Senator Bernie Sanders.
I think it is really troubling so many people do not apparently understand the division of power in our government. It is structured so that NO President -- no matter his party nor his popularity -- can "rule" as a King or tyrant or dictator.
IF a President Cruz (or anyone) went off the rails, the Congress can impeach him. The House impeached Bill Clinton, after all (and for lying in an investigation, NOT for having an affair with Monica Lewinsky).
I think it is really troubling so many people do not apparently understand the division of power in our government. It is structured so that NO President -- no matter his party nor his popularity -- can "rule" as a King or tyrant or dictator.
IF a President Cruz (or anyone) went off the rails, the Congress can impeach him. The House impeached Bill Clinton, after all (and for lying in an investigation, NOT for having an affair with Monica Lewinsky).
7
Nobody likes George W. except his mom. He is in fact wanted by the World Court in the Hague for war crimes. He is in fact scared to fly abroad in case he is arrested and handed over to the World Court. That means Jeb is abeting and harboring a known criminal and as such should not be allowed to run for the Presidency of these United States. Where is our Justice Department on this? Why is NY Times even letting this criminals name appear on its Front Page beats me!
195
However, the ICC "has not issued warrants for any American citizen, let alone for Bush, Cheney, or anyone else," said Anthony Clark Arend, Georgetown University professor of government and foreign service.
You are sounding like Ted Cruz, state facts don't rant.
You are sounding like Ted Cruz, state facts don't rant.
1
I am no George Bush fan and despise his adventurism in Iraq but to claim nobody likes him is way overboard. If the World Court is going to start trying people for war crimes I think George will be well down on their list. And Jeb is harboring him, how? By allowing him to live in the state of TX? Not sure Jeb can do much about that. As for the NYT's front page, there are a whole lot of people a lot worse than George on the front page. Lighten up on George, history will take care of his decision making.
4
As Americans, we often have a short memory. W and Cheney are war criminals for sure, so too bad he dislikes Cruz. I mean is that the standard now? Pretty low bar.
6
No worry the convention will be deadlocked and Romney will emerge and will take down Hillary. The fix is in.
9
Funny.
2
In your dreams.
3
I posited 'Romney as compromise /saviour candidate' months ago.
Relax, nobody wants this guy. You seem to be terrified of his pile of money, but money knows how to pick up and walk away.
26
If you think Ted is crazy look into his buddies the Wilks. With that said the dems ain't no better.
1
Right. Cruz is a true demagogue—today's McCarthy. Responsible politicians and journalists need to take him down before he inherits the base supporting Trump & Co. currently ahead of him.
272
If you haven't seen his photo for awhile, check out Joseph McCarthy. The resemblance to Cruz is freakish.
5
The only way to remove the stench of conservatism is to let it have a run for a while. Americans touch that hot stove of Fascism, and the GOP will be in the wilderness for at least 2 generations.
Or, we can elect Bernie who will so energize and enthose America that the GOP will just slink out
Or, we can elect Bernie who will so energize and enthose America that the GOP will just slink out
145
Or we turn into a Fourth Reich.
36
@Pinin Farina: Conservatives "had a run" during the George W. Bush years. For a while, they controlled all three branches of government, and they seriously screwed everything up. As a result, they lost the White House to the Democrats for eight years, not for "at least 2 generations," as they deserve.
The Republicans are relentless and skilled in their determination to rewrite history. Case in point: Jeb's insistence that his brother "kept America safe." Dubya received specific warnings that Bin Laden was determined to attack our country more than a month before 9/11. He did absolutely nothing with this information and nearly 3,000 Americans were killed. Fox News has just started a new propaganda campaign to shift the blame for this tragedy to Bill Clinton.
A large percentage of the voters in this nation are willing to believe the Republican lies because of stupidity and partisanship. Regardless of whether Bernie or Hillary or someone else wins, the GOP won't be slinking away as you predict. Like herpes, they'll keep coming back.
The Republicans are relentless and skilled in their determination to rewrite history. Case in point: Jeb's insistence that his brother "kept America safe." Dubya received specific warnings that Bin Laden was determined to attack our country more than a month before 9/11. He did absolutely nothing with this information and nearly 3,000 Americans were killed. Fox News has just started a new propaganda campaign to shift the blame for this tragedy to Bill Clinton.
A large percentage of the voters in this nation are willing to believe the Republican lies because of stupidity and partisanship. Regardless of whether Bernie or Hillary or someone else wins, the GOP won't be slinking away as you predict. Like herpes, they'll keep coming back.
13
I'm a liberal, and I sadly note that even liberals can fall prey to Godwin's Law: that as any argument progresses, someone is bound to mention Hitler - and that means that the argument is a bottom-line failure.
Surely there are other metaphors one could use?
Surely there are other metaphors one could use?
4
Every human's experiences some degree of irrational thinking. Our mental state can best be described as a pendulum swinging about a fixed center point. The breadth of that span and the duration of time spent at the ends of the arc, determine the extent of emotional disturbance or mental illness a person or a crowd experiences. The dead or those that are drugged into a stupor don't swing at all.
Cruz and those that support him have arced beyond acceptable bounds. The madness of crowds is nothing new. Cruz, Trump, the bankruptcy queen, Fiorina, et al. are points on a greater circumference. Are they also symptoms of a terrible pathology?
Cruz and those that support him have arced beyond acceptable bounds. The madness of crowds is nothing new. Cruz, Trump, the bankruptcy queen, Fiorina, et al. are points on a greater circumference. Are they also symptoms of a terrible pathology?
97
SQ22
Thanks for reminding me of a very popular book published in 1841 Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles MacKay. From the book:
"Of all the offspring of Time, Error is the most ancient, and is so old and familiar an acquaintance, that Truth, when discovered, comes upon most of us like an intruder, and meets the intruder's welcome."
There are thousands of popular delusions in current culture, some so horrible I can't mention them. We must be able to discover the truth about politicians and pretenders like Cruz, Trump, Carson, or we will be destroyed.
Thanks for reminding me of a very popular book published in 1841 Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles MacKay. From the book:
"Of all the offspring of Time, Error is the most ancient, and is so old and familiar an acquaintance, that Truth, when discovered, comes upon most of us like an intruder, and meets the intruder's welcome."
There are thousands of popular delusions in current culture, some so horrible I can't mention them. We must be able to discover the truth about politicians and pretenders like Cruz, Trump, Carson, or we will be destroyed.
18
Mr. Bruni, a week ago, your colleague on these very pages, the estimable David Brooks (I'm trying very hard to be polite), came "out of the closet" with his great "mea culpa" about the Titanic that is now the GOP. He even dropped the line "President Ted Cruz" yesterday in another lamentation about America's turning away from the binding center. Now "it follows" (if you'll allow me) that it's quite rich that W. would caution anyone about running into an iceberg. Thanks to his stewardship of the Ship of Fools, millions of Americans are floundering in the frozen waters of wage stagnation. W., with Iago (Richard Cheney) at his elbow, blessed us with two wars and his rich class with tax cuts. Comes now his fellow-Texan, the foreign-born Cruz, and all W. has to say is "I don't like the guy?" Mr. Bruni, that tepid phrase is not enough. W. and the GOP "establishment" (like his dad), simply cannot bring themselves to declare this absolute moron (his Ivy League "credentials" notwithstanding) a menace in no uncertain terms. Cruz is not news. Where was W. when Texas sent Cruz to Washington? In hiding from his own disastrous legacy. He's exponentially worse than the current front-runners Trump and Carson. The sign on the beach warns "No swimming: Sharks"). And foolish America is giggling at the water's edge.
683
As dim as George could be he knows a snake when he sees one. Cruz won't go away until he has his two presidential terms.
27
I agree with W's appraisal in this one instance, but his mindboggling misread of Vladimir Putin's cold, dead eyes made me forever doubt his character judging skills.
5
You can blame a lot on GW, but wage stagnation (for the middle class) started about 30 years ago.
4
>
I've waited a very long time before I could agree with G. W. Bush about anything.
I've waited a very long time before I could agree with G. W. Bush about anything.
981
Heck, I agree with a stopped clock twice a day....
3
It is a pity that W. was not as perspicacious about others when he was in office.
320
@Frank Bannister: Dubya was always perspicacious when it came to the only thing he really cared about: politics. He and the Bush team of advisors are masters at manipulating the public. That's what his calculated attack on Cruz was about. Cruz is the biggest political threat to Jeb until Jeb gets the nomination. Then all the Bushes will unleash their venom on Hillary Clinton, no holds barred. Even the old man. Watch.
10
Right. But more significantly, even BEFORE he was in office (viz his vice-president selection!). Thanks.
6
At times when at a distance from the noise of politics, I indulge in some unlikely scenarios of tragedies. The invasion of Iraq for one comes to mind with Dick Cheney informing George Bush that the American public is stunned and numb after 9/11, and wants an explanation and act of retaliation at all costs.
Iraq has always been an historical thorn in our side, advises Cheney, so what better time to take care of this country since few of us know our geography. Strike while the iron is hot, while Bush pauses. 'It's now or never, George, and the public at large is too confused and lost over good Americans that have died for no reason to understand our Administration's foreign policy with the Middle East'.
Bush tries to put a good face on it and it does help to wave the banner of 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' and May the Force with With Us. Where fools rush in and angels fear to tread, Pandora's box has been opened. The Pope brought this up at the United Nations, Nobody listens to the President and when these two humanitarians meet, one senses a quiet understanding between them of the lost of humanity among our people.
Let's all follow this spiritual leader, Ted Cruz, and let this self-proclaimed truth teller do our thinking for us and show us the way to a Better America.
Iraq has always been an historical thorn in our side, advises Cheney, so what better time to take care of this country since few of us know our geography. Strike while the iron is hot, while Bush pauses. 'It's now or never, George, and the public at large is too confused and lost over good Americans that have died for no reason to understand our Administration's foreign policy with the Middle East'.
Bush tries to put a good face on it and it does help to wave the banner of 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' and May the Force with With Us. Where fools rush in and angels fear to tread, Pandora's box has been opened. The Pope brought this up at the United Nations, Nobody listens to the President and when these two humanitarians meet, one senses a quiet understanding between them of the lost of humanity among our people.
Let's all follow this spiritual leader, Ted Cruz, and let this self-proclaimed truth teller do our thinking for us and show us the way to a Better America.
4
Frank Bruni should be head script writer for a political horror show TV miniseries. The cast of characters is all lined up. As are the sponsors of both the show and of the 2016 election.
Is the voting public finding this campaign repugnant or are they adapting to it and getting getting more cynical and calloused?
Is the voting public finding this campaign repugnant or are they adapting to it and getting getting more cynical and calloused?
27
The statement by W. lacks any substantiation. It would be news worthy if W. had provided specific instances where Cruz has failed to lead or solve problems. "I don't like" is just a way to downgrade a speech to street brawl level and throwing shade, like a gossipy co-worker.
19
That's about as substantive as The Shrub can or could muster on any subject.
30
Putting the shoe on the other foot, perhaps you could provide any specific instances where Cruz has led anything but a revolt or solved any problems that he didn't himself create first.
20
Ted Cruz is the best bi-partisan candidate in this race- he arouses feelings of "fear and loathing" on both sides of the aisle.
496
The idea that the worthiness of a candidate is proportional to the dislike they inspire is not clever or even-handed, it is simple-minded and perverse.
2
Cruz is a predictable and necessary part of the Modern Republican Party, which has been claiming for decades now that "government is the problem." If we want to destroy the United States, all we have to do is continue to elect the likes of Ted Cruz and his fellow Republicans.
388
Government is the problem only when it's not.
For example, where a woman's body is concerned, or when the immigrants have brown skin, or when voting fraud is the focus, or support payment purchasing options need to be limited, or where Hillary Clinton is involved, or, or, or...
For example, where a woman's body is concerned, or when the immigrants have brown skin, or when voting fraud is the focus, or support payment purchasing options need to be limited, or where Hillary Clinton is involved, or, or, or...
6
Ted Cruz isn’t scary. He’s merely a symptom of a diseased electorate, a spasm of a devastating autoimmune illness in which the body politic is attacking itself. What’s scary is the realization that we’ve devolved into a democracy that can’t trust its voters to recognize their self-interests.
Even W. is scared of Cruz, and W. worked with Cheney to wreck the economy and incubate ISIS. When the day comes that a majority of the voting public doesn’t know why Ted Cruz is a bad idea, then we can run down the flag, and fold in into that somber triangle that attends a military funeral.
We’re not there quite yet. Cruz is end-stage disease, and he’s poling in single digits. That’s worrisome, but it's Trump and Carson who are vying for the title of the first president to lead the lemmings over the cliff. Normally they would be swatted down by a candidate as strong as Hillary, but she’s in the process of being railroaded in a North Korean-style show-trial.
Of the leading Republican contenders, Carson is the most frightening. He’s slightly insane, but people think he’s “nice” because he doesn’t yell. We must remember that he’s the one who helpfully redirected a convenience store gunman to the cashier by saying, “I’m not the one. You want the other guy.” That should be Carson’s campaign slogan.
The G.O.P. is a scary bunch, Dementors all. Tell ghost stories in which they jump out from the shadows. Wear their masks for Halloween. But for God's sake don't vote for them.
Even W. is scared of Cruz, and W. worked with Cheney to wreck the economy and incubate ISIS. When the day comes that a majority of the voting public doesn’t know why Ted Cruz is a bad idea, then we can run down the flag, and fold in into that somber triangle that attends a military funeral.
We’re not there quite yet. Cruz is end-stage disease, and he’s poling in single digits. That’s worrisome, but it's Trump and Carson who are vying for the title of the first president to lead the lemmings over the cliff. Normally they would be swatted down by a candidate as strong as Hillary, but she’s in the process of being railroaded in a North Korean-style show-trial.
Of the leading Republican contenders, Carson is the most frightening. He’s slightly insane, but people think he’s “nice” because he doesn’t yell. We must remember that he’s the one who helpfully redirected a convenience store gunman to the cashier by saying, “I’m not the one. You want the other guy.” That should be Carson’s campaign slogan.
The G.O.P. is a scary bunch, Dementors all. Tell ghost stories in which they jump out from the shadows. Wear their masks for Halloween. But for God's sake don't vote for them.
1250
I think you are talking about a zombie type deal.
"I'm not the one. You want the other guy" as Carson's campaign slogan just made my morning more bearable. Thank you.
30
This ostensibly diseased electorate's most recent choice to be president is a biracial man who identifies as black; whose middle name is Hussein; who had to run first against a war hero and then against a wealthy businessman; who regularly uses words with more than two syllables, in sentences of appreciably more than a few words; who has the mental habits and speaking style of your favorite college professor; and who, refusing to be a cheerleader for his country, challenged the electorate, from the very beginning, to aspire to a "more perfect Union," and not merely to aspire, but to do the work necessary to achieve it.
The GOP candidates for president are abysmal, yes, I agree, with a couple or three exceptions who are running well behind the clowns, idiots, and (in Cruz) power-mad. But steady on, folks. All things considered, we've done pretty well up until now, and the man currently in office has taught us the wisdom and benefits of keeping a cool head amid the sound and fury of the present moment.
The GOP candidates for president are abysmal, yes, I agree, with a couple or three exceptions who are running well behind the clowns, idiots, and (in Cruz) power-mad. But steady on, folks. All things considered, we've done pretty well up until now, and the man currently in office has taught us the wisdom and benefits of keeping a cool head amid the sound and fury of the present moment.
43
A McCarthy redux at heart
A cynic, real evil and smart,
With SuperPac backing
No cash is he lacking,
As villain and threat stands apart.
A cynic, real evil and smart,
With SuperPac backing
No cash is he lacking,
As villain and threat stands apart.
363
Larry I haven't seen your name in a while
You always left my face with a smile.
Please be well
What the hell, its only castles burning,
Just find someone whose turning,and you will come around.
You always left my face with a smile.
Please be well
What the hell, its only castles burning,
Just find someone whose turning,and you will come around.
3