The rub for Cruz is that in order to appeal to those who are not religious zealots, he would have to offend those zealots. Compromise or moderation of any nature would not be viewed favorably by zealots. Then again, he could just pray for a victory and we'll see how that works out for him.
3
No Ted Cruz! I would rather have Trump if there must be a radical Republican as the next US President.
3
Dear God,
Please don't let Ted Cruz be the President of the United States of America.
Thanks for your help
We're getting desperate,
America's 99%
Please don't let Ted Cruz be the President of the United States of America.
Thanks for your help
We're getting desperate,
America's 99%
11
For better or worst: The Republican Party periodically requires a Barry Cruz or Ted Goldwater to remind itself of where lies the center.
1
I hope you are right about Cruz. I consider him worse than Trump, because while Trump deals in lies, Cruz deals in half truths and innuendo.
8
One thing I have learned over the years about politics is. The person the opposition attack the most. Is always the one they fear the most.
This is something everyone should think about when they comment.
The opponent thus gets a lot of media attention, they might not have otherwise gotten. Just look at all the free media exposure Trump has gotten so far.
This is something everyone should think about when they comment.
The opponent thus gets a lot of media attention, they might not have otherwise gotten. Just look at all the free media exposure Trump has gotten so far.
1
s of America I am absolutely convinced that Ted Cruz is a psychopath. . Just remember his rantings and ravings in the Senate. Read his biography. You might also want to read Martha Stout, "THE SOCIOPATH NEXT DOOR". She claims that one in every twenty-five people is a sociopath. I also believe that his religious views are extreme. A few weeks ago Cruz, Huckabee and Jindal participated in a Conference organized by Rev. Swanson, a Theonomist who believes that gay people should be condemned to death. Ted's father Rafael, is also a Thenomist. Theonomists believe that the Laws of God, both of the Old and New Testaments, including the punishments, should become the laws of our country. Adultery, for instance, should be punished by death. Ted may not go as far as his father but his father often speaks at his campaign rallies and he has prophesied that Ted will become the president of our country. By the way, Rafael Cruz is an evangelical pastor who claims that Obama is a communist who was born in Kenya. I am also an Evangelical pastor, but I believe that Evangelicals make a grave mistake when they vote for the likes of Trump or Cruz.
10
Why start the GOP primary process with Iowa, one with very conservative voters? How about move both vital swing state Ohio and Florida primaries ahead of Iowa so that the GOP focus over the 12 months prior is on attracting swing voter support in those states rather than rabid right wingers in Iowa. Make Ohio and Florida very important parts of the GOP process.
All this right-wing rhetoric and chest-thumping as candidates try to "trump" - haha - each other with more outrageous comments about immigrants, Putin, veterans, disabled reporters, has been fun and entertaining to a point - my wish from months ago, where is the pizza guy?! has been more than answered. Thank you America. But continued for many months as it has, I think it may be doing serious long-term damage to US politics.
Time for the GOP to move to the center and moderation, which is what they need to have a chance to win the election. Do I really want them to win? Naaahhhh. But I think long-term damage may be occurring and that's when progressives have to encourage the GOP to become more moderate. Make Ohio and Florida the early focus for 2020.
All this right-wing rhetoric and chest-thumping as candidates try to "trump" - haha - each other with more outrageous comments about immigrants, Putin, veterans, disabled reporters, has been fun and entertaining to a point - my wish from months ago, where is the pizza guy?! has been more than answered. Thank you America. But continued for many months as it has, I think it may be doing serious long-term damage to US politics.
Time for the GOP to move to the center and moderation, which is what they need to have a chance to win the election. Do I really want them to win? Naaahhhh. But I think long-term damage may be occurring and that's when progressives have to encourage the GOP to become more moderate. Make Ohio and Florida the early focus for 2020.
11
Demagoguery sells, that is how the Third Reich came to power. There are enough voters who can be convinced that Cruz speaks for them.
They are the disaffected below median income voters, hi school only education, who believe the right wing propaganda machine. It is Joseph Goebbels resurrected, it is the technique of enforcing the opinions of bigots, jingoist, creationists, and others who are convinced their problems are due to the machinations of others.
That is how Mussolini came to power. He was tough, he was going to make Italy great again. he would take on their enemies. Cruz is today's Mussolini, we should call him Benito Cruz, it fits him. He is even disliked by his fellow GOP senators, but Texans like his tough talk, they think they need another Alamo.
Let us hope enough Americans see him for what he is, if they do not, they deserve the consequences. More dead young men, another deep recession, political gridlock, and a coalition of hate groups reminiscent of kristallnacht.
They are the disaffected below median income voters, hi school only education, who believe the right wing propaganda machine. It is Joseph Goebbels resurrected, it is the technique of enforcing the opinions of bigots, jingoist, creationists, and others who are convinced their problems are due to the machinations of others.
That is how Mussolini came to power. He was tough, he was going to make Italy great again. he would take on their enemies. Cruz is today's Mussolini, we should call him Benito Cruz, it fits him. He is even disliked by his fellow GOP senators, but Texans like his tough talk, they think they need another Alamo.
Let us hope enough Americans see him for what he is, if they do not, they deserve the consequences. More dead young men, another deep recession, political gridlock, and a coalition of hate groups reminiscent of kristallnacht.
12
The largest part of the Tea Party are conservative evangelical voters - the overlap is already so great that joining them won't bring much to Mr. Cruz in votes. He may well win the Republican nomination but he can't possibly win a fair National election - he will get tepid support from the party because it is widely known that he is not well liked among those will have to get out the vote for him. Their reward if they would be successful would be living in a party controlled by someone they loathe who is supported by people they loathe as well.
5
Should we thank Nate Cohn and the New York Times for handicapping Cruz's chance's in the poll/press horse race? I don't think so.
Had Cohn drilled down into Iowa politics and profiled its “Very conservative” voters we perhaps could have learned something. As it is we are treated to a considered opinion based on polling models that have often proved incorrect. What we seldom if ever read in the Times is clear cut declaration that the groups behind Cruz are deep Tea Party. This not very conservative readers opinion is that The Upshot is useless filler.
In the Republican senatorial primary, Cruz ran against sitting Republican Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst. Cruz was endorsed first by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and then by the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative political action committee, Erick Erickson, editor of prominent conservative blog RedState, the FreedomWorks for America super PAC, nationally syndicated radio host Mark Levin, former Attorney General Edwin Meese, Tea Party Express, Young Conservatives of Texas, and U.S. Senators Tom Coburn, Jim DeMint, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, and Pat Toomey. He was also endorsed by former Texas Congressman Ron Paul, George P. Bush, and former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania Rick Santorum.
Had Cohn drilled down into Iowa politics and profiled its “Very conservative” voters we perhaps could have learned something. As it is we are treated to a considered opinion based on polling models that have often proved incorrect. What we seldom if ever read in the Times is clear cut declaration that the groups behind Cruz are deep Tea Party. This not very conservative readers opinion is that The Upshot is useless filler.
In the Republican senatorial primary, Cruz ran against sitting Republican Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst. Cruz was endorsed first by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and then by the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative political action committee, Erick Erickson, editor of prominent conservative blog RedState, the FreedomWorks for America super PAC, nationally syndicated radio host Mark Levin, former Attorney General Edwin Meese, Tea Party Express, Young Conservatives of Texas, and U.S. Senators Tom Coburn, Jim DeMint, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, and Pat Toomey. He was also endorsed by former Texas Congressman Ron Paul, George P. Bush, and former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania Rick Santorum.
4
I often think Ted Cruz is the reincarnation of Joseph McCarthy, who the Times reminds us was censured 61 years ago today. He sounds, looks, and takes positions so similar to the late, malevolent Senator.
And, as an Iowan, I wish our state did not have this outsized importance where these "Evangelical" right wing extremists have such sway with their misogyny, homophobia, and selfishness.
And, as an Iowan, I wish our state did not have this outsized importance where these "Evangelical" right wing extremists have such sway with their misogyny, homophobia, and selfishness.
44
Scott, your "wishing" won't change anything. The only way you can fulfill your wish for improving Iowa politics is to get off your wishful duff and go to work energizing your moderate and progressive Republicans to become more actively engaged in the process until they outnumber their more conservative neighbors at the caucuses. Wishing it to happen, or wishing someone else would do the organizing work, won't get you anywhere, sorry.
3
It is incredible that the elderly people would like what Cruz says since he would take away their medicare, social security and most of what is left of the social net. Really weird how people are led to the slaughter as lambs, but the only solution to bringing sense to this type of person is what would happen if Cruz ever was elected: a total collapse of the economy and culture.
28
I think that the candidates who back changing social security are careful to exclude the current generation receiving now or in the near future. What it does tell us is that these voters are willing to put their descendants into a Darwinian world.
11
This sorry man is hiding his true identity even as he runs for president. His real name is Rafael Edward Cruz, pronounced "Croos." Rafael is obviously ashamed of his real name. He tries to pretend he is a cool champion of the people. He goes by "Ted Cruz," to rhyme with "Cruise" - as in Tom Cruise?
Rafael Cruz is no more a man of the people than the Koch brothers. He is a pampered rich reactionary who reminds a lot of us of Joe McCarthy. It's a shame he refuses to use his real name. We do not need this person in public life.
Rafael Cruz is no more a man of the people than the Koch brothers. He is a pampered rich reactionary who reminds a lot of us of Joe McCarthy. It's a shame he refuses to use his real name. We do not need this person in public life.
50
I just keep waiting for Senator Cruz to pat the breast pocket of his suit jacket and say, "I have a list here with the names ..." Since he's a Harvard trained lawyer, he is his own Roy Cohn.
42
Quit reminding me that Cruz graduated from Harvard Law. So did I, and it makes me ashamed of it to be reminded that such a piece of garbage did, too.
2
Mr. Trump, Dr. Carson, Ms. Fiorina, and possibly Mr. Cruz all have serious mental problems considering their cognitive dissonance, delusional claims about seeing things that no one else sees or their extremism. With Mr. Cruz, it could be 50/50 with political exploitation. However the Dominionism in his background and the way his father raised him to think he was the anointed one, as well as his denial of his education and economic class to pretend to be some good old American boy are questionable.
So many of the tele-evangelists turned out to be major hypocrites with sex scandals or embezzlement, that his alliance with them is probably a natural one.
At this point, I am very tired of all the inflammatory hate speech from Republicans, Cruz's threats to shut down the government as currently about Planned Parenthood, and his grandstanding. Do they never once consider doing something for the good of real Americans.
Every Democratic presidential candidate would make a fine president who would protect the rights of women, minorities and immigrants. All would support gun control, infrastructure support, and jobs. All would move the country forward, based on Pres. Obama's legacy, instead of sliding it back into some primeval muck.
This past Thanksgiving, once again I thought about H. L. Mencken's quote: "In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."
So many of the tele-evangelists turned out to be major hypocrites with sex scandals or embezzlement, that his alliance with them is probably a natural one.
At this point, I am very tired of all the inflammatory hate speech from Republicans, Cruz's threats to shut down the government as currently about Planned Parenthood, and his grandstanding. Do they never once consider doing something for the good of real Americans.
Every Democratic presidential candidate would make a fine president who would protect the rights of women, minorities and immigrants. All would support gun control, infrastructure support, and jobs. All would move the country forward, based on Pres. Obama's legacy, instead of sliding it back into some primeval muck.
This past Thanksgiving, once again I thought about H. L. Mencken's quote: "In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."
63
My grand daughter had pens at our paper placemats at Thanksgiving so that we could list what we were thankful for--on my list--I am a Democrat...
13
Since Mr. Cruz was born in Canada - why has there been no 'birther' outcry about him like there was about Obama? I never see it mentioned and, I do believe, he is the only person born outside of the US who has seriously run for President that I can remember. What have I missed?
35
John McCain was also born outside the country in Panama. The reason there is no birther craze for Cruz is because, as long as one parent is an American citizen, the child is considered to be an American citizen unless they overtly surrender citizenship. Ted actually held dual citizenship until he was called out on it in the past couple of years.
At the end of the day, it didn't matter where Obama was born because his mother was an American citizen. The birthers know this and don't want to remind those of us, who are not liars or hopelessly insane, that they are hypocritical bigots.
Why does Rafael go by Ted rather than his given name? Why did the GOP insist on announcing Obama's middle name at every turn during rallies in the '08 campaign? It's just identity politics.
At the end of the day, it didn't matter where Obama was born because his mother was an American citizen. The birthers know this and don't want to remind those of us, who are not liars or hopelessly insane, that they are hypocritical bigots.
Why does Rafael go by Ted rather than his given name? Why did the GOP insist on announcing Obama's middle name at every turn during rallies in the '08 campaign? It's just identity politics.
34
That's not quite right. That's true if both parents are US citizens ala McCain. If only one is, then to be a natural born citizen that parent must have lived in the US for a certain amount of time in the years immediately preceding the birth. It's not clear Cruz's mother did. It's not a huge issue for me (plenty of other reasons to not vote for Cruz), but him being a natural born citizen isn't clear. He may be, but he might not be.
7
Obama's mother was a citizen, too. Remember that?
While traveling over the Thanksgiving holidays, I talked to several adamant Cruz supporters in New England--all older white guys of widely differing class and educational backgrounds.
All of them were strangers who started a conversation with me at an airport, in a small store, or at a highway service center, and their monologues and themes were remarkably similar.
They started their conversation with me by spouting off how this country was going to hell, which was "that idiot in the White House's fault," who is "ruining this country" (same phrasing used by all).
Then on to how disrespectful, lazy, and stupid kids are these days--just like their liberal parents (if you didn't know English, you would think "liberal" was a curse word as they uttered it).
Next, it was we need a strong president to "straighten out this country" before the "liberals" kill it with "their political correctness" and "too much government." I asked, "Who do you like of the presidential candidates?"
Not Trump, not Rubio, certainly not Bush. "CRUZ" came the very enthusiastic answer. Cruz "knows what he is talking about," "is strong," and "will get rid of the liberals and set this country straight."
Thinking over these conversations, it seems ironic that those who claim to love their freedom and hate government gravitate to Cruz, the most demagogic and repressive GOP candidate in a contest of authoritarian types.
Cruz's appeal goes beyond evangelicals & embraces angry authoritarians
All of them were strangers who started a conversation with me at an airport, in a small store, or at a highway service center, and their monologues and themes were remarkably similar.
They started their conversation with me by spouting off how this country was going to hell, which was "that idiot in the White House's fault," who is "ruining this country" (same phrasing used by all).
Then on to how disrespectful, lazy, and stupid kids are these days--just like their liberal parents (if you didn't know English, you would think "liberal" was a curse word as they uttered it).
Next, it was we need a strong president to "straighten out this country" before the "liberals" kill it with "their political correctness" and "too much government." I asked, "Who do you like of the presidential candidates?"
Not Trump, not Rubio, certainly not Bush. "CRUZ" came the very enthusiastic answer. Cruz "knows what he is talking about," "is strong," and "will get rid of the liberals and set this country straight."
Thinking over these conversations, it seems ironic that those who claim to love their freedom and hate government gravitate to Cruz, the most demagogic and repressive GOP candidate in a contest of authoritarian types.
Cruz's appeal goes beyond evangelicals & embraces angry authoritarians
71
Lately I do not worry too much about comments by a dying breed that are angry and bitter on account of their irrelevance. Their time is up...
22
Cruz et al don't seem to know or care that there's a general election ahead of them. There are a lot of uninformed conservative people out there but not enough of them to elect someone like Cruz.
14
Don't underestimate them. Never. It's dangerous.
3
Is 'very conservative' a euphemism for reactionary bigot?
56
I am very saddened by this observation because my first thought was "yes it does". I used to describe myself as "very conservative" but thought of myself along the lines of the sit com character "Alex P Keaton", not a daytime TV preacher. It's like my party demands we check our brain at the door.
11
Good reason to tun in your membership card and become an Independent.
11
"It's like my party demands we check our brain at the door."
That's ok because the party has a brain surgeon running for President.
That's ok because the party has a brain surgeon running for President.
6
Are any of the Republican candidates worth a pinch of salt?
13
No, I wouldn't make that trade.
7
According to Donald Trump, he has "Many, many pinches of salt... so many you won't believe it..."
6
The photograph with this report brilliantly reveals how a fan of Ted Cruz "mirrors" his facial expression. She is, to use Konrad Lorenz's word, imprinted!
28
@jbgrossman - the woman in the photo is also the epitome of everything Cruz hates. It is amazing. Who in that room wouldn't he push out of his way? I want to stop reading and watching this circus, but just can't.
3
Did Cruz' father enter the country legally.
4
Yes, he entered with a student visa. He came here to go to college.
Wasn´t he persecuted by communists and had to walk all the way,
even over water, to the usa ? Or, Why Canada ?
even over water, to the usa ? Or, Why Canada ?
1
"Liberal Republicans" almost made me snort my coffee through my nose.
35
As someone clearly to the left of center, I'd much rather the Democrat face off against Cruz than Rubio. The former will turn off many more moderates than will the latter. I think with a little luck and skill Rubio could beat Hillary. In terms of where the country over all is, the pendulum swings. Recent terror fears certainly pull that pendulum to the right a bit as fear always does. Best case scenario from where I sit is for the GOP to nominate one of their selection of extremists.
10
Rubio would need a lot of luck since the skill isn't there.
12
so far he is the shadow candidate benefiting by the lack of serious media scrutiny. That is his life story. Too bad that Jeb!! lacked the wit to slap him down and exposed him as the demagogue he is. Let's see if Mr Bland can withstand the attention to his lack of professional accomplishments questionable ethics and legislative record. He is like the parrot repeating his handlers lines.
6
Two problems with that thought.
The republicans have a history of stealing elections. The supreme court gave the election to Bush. Reagan secretly negotiated with iran to hold the hostages until after the election to further his candidancy. Nixon secretly negotiated with the Vietnamese for the same reason.
The second problem is that there is little difference between Cruz and Rubio.
The republicans have a history of stealing elections. The supreme court gave the election to Bush. Reagan secretly negotiated with iran to hold the hostages until after the election to further his candidancy. Nixon secretly negotiated with the Vietnamese for the same reason.
The second problem is that there is little difference between Cruz and Rubio.
1
I predict that the New York Times will endorse Ted Cruz for president in 2016.
You heard it here first.
You heard it here first.
4
I am terrified at the thought that this religious hypocrite can one day be elected to POTUS. Thankfully, one recent Minnesota study found that the average American can only stand 4 seconds of watching him speak according to the New Yorker.<br />http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/study-average-american-ca...
35
Geez - four whole seconds?!? That's twice my limit; any longer exposure to Cruz and I begin retching violently.
19
T3D, for me it's hives. Fulminating hives. Very ugly.
3
Cruz isn't eligible, anyway, and he knows it. He's just buffing his image to become a lion of the senate lol.
7
The label "very conservative" obscures more than it illuminates. Cruz, like Trump, has all the makings of a fascist demagogue and he seems well positioned to capitalize on Trump's predictable decline as his entertainment value wears thin and people start thinking more seriously about how they actually intend to vote. The rise of crypto-fascists like Cruz deserves more serious critical journalistic attention than this sort of empty horse-race style reporting.
63
I've also grown tired of this type of reporting. It's as if every ridiculous thing these clowns fart out of their mouths is suddenly a must report moment. The debates have been a farce and the interviews are increasingly annoying, given the fluffy questions being asked by a very timid media. Never thought I'd say this, but Fox's Chris Wallace seems to be the only one willing to go after these knuckleheads. Of course, then it makes one wonder what Roger Ailes has up his sleeve.
10
When Huckabee, Santorum, Carson eventually drop out, Cruz will reap a windfall of support.
7
Why does he look like he's about to cry in every single photo taken of him?
18
Just take a look at his supporters.
11
I cry every time I see a photo of Cruz. Even the possibility of him in the White House drives me to thoughts of suicide.
3
If Cruz combed his hair just a little differently, swooped straight back, he'd be the spitting image of Joe McCarthy. How appropriate. When will someone call him on his lack of shame?
12
If the Republicans had banned refugees from Cuba, including "Pastor" Cruz:
There would be no Rafael Cruz spouting his ugly and un- American rehetoric in this election cycle.
There would be no Rafael Cruz spouting his ugly and un- American rehetoric in this election cycle.
30
This is a man that spoke at a conference held by a man that advocates for the government executing gays and lesbians! He also supports a man linked to Operation Rescue, who have advocated for the killing of abortion providers Why are these things not being reported widely in the media? The idea that he could be the GOP nominee tells you all that you need to know about today's Republican party.
82
Run, Rafael, Run! Right to a 40-state sweep by Hillary Clinton. That'll teach those darn GOP mushy moderates what's right for the Party.
On the other hand, his candidacy probably won't produce a rupture in the Party the way that Donald Trump's would, so at least the GOP would survive his washout and maybe be able to change its tune at least somewhat and capture the Presidency come 2020 or 2024.
On the other hand, his candidacy probably won't produce a rupture in the Party the way that Donald Trump's would, so at least the GOP would survive his washout and maybe be able to change its tune at least somewhat and capture the Presidency come 2020 or 2024.
3
Careful. The GOP might (?) come to its senses...
Nah. But if it did, the ticket could very well be headed up by Chris Christie, with Marco Rubio slated for VP. Christie is perceived as a more polished and nuanced Trump, and Rubio a Senator who is not universally disliked by his brethren if he ends up presiding over the Senate.
That could be an interesting election if opposed by a Clinton/Sanders ticket. We might even hear some decent debates. Probably too much to hope for. Instead, more name-calling and bald-faced lies.
Nah. But if it did, the ticket could very well be headed up by Chris Christie, with Marco Rubio slated for VP. Christie is perceived as a more polished and nuanced Trump, and Rubio a Senator who is not universally disliked by his brethren if he ends up presiding over the Senate.
That could be an interesting election if opposed by a Clinton/Sanders ticket. We might even hear some decent debates. Probably too much to hope for. Instead, more name-calling and bald-faced lies.
1
George M. King - That's a fascinating thought but Rubio isn't particularly well liked either and a more polished and nuanced version of Trump isn't saying much.
2
Proof positive of why Iowa should no longer or evermore be the lead off hitter in the primary season. Nearly a full year of campaigning that adversely impacts the political discourse for MOST of the people of this nation.
Imagine if one of those other states near the middle of the chart was the so called early battleground?
Imagine if one of those other states near the middle of the chart was the so called early battleground?
22
I can explain why such an insignificant state matters that much. By the way what happened to that rising star elected to the senate by Iowans two years ago. Where is the "It" girl that was going to make the liberals squeak?
5
Cruz is also quite popular, reportedly, with fans of Dr. Seuss' "Sam, I Am".
Fortunately for the rest of the country, most of them are too young to vote.
Fortunately for the rest of the country, most of them are too young to vote.
15
I beg to differ. I can't imagine any child feeling comfortable around someone so slimy and mean spirited.
37
This is what confounds me with the Republican party---you cannot win the White House from Iowa, yet they continue to double down on a state that demographically is out of the mainstream of American public. The entire party keeps thinking that demography is not destiny.
22
In theory, you could have GOP moderates who duke it out in spite of the base, producing a winner with a real shot of winning. But the inclination to gain ground by appealing to the ignorant base has gone to an extreme. That's how we got John McCain and Sarah Palin. But McCain looks like a giant of moderation by comparison even to Jeb Bush, this time around.
15
Yeah Nate, but using the same type of reasoning, none of the Republican candidates have broad appeal. But, we know someone will be chosen and I bet next November that person will get 50% give or take 5 of the electoral votes and the popular vote will be close as well.
Sadly the fix is in for the Wall Streeter Hillary and Democrats will grudgingly cast their default prevent (any Republican) vote.
So it will be any Republican vs the HRC and where will we be then? I strongly suggest a redux of the last 20 years of bitterly divisive politics which always leads to gridlock on any positive initiatives and programs for the 99%.
So far, nobody has convinced me that this election cycle will change anything. The plutocrats already control all three branches of the Federal government and most of the state houses. Next will be control of all major city governments. You can't say the rich aren't getting a fabulous return on their investment in politicians.
Obviously, next November almost no one will be voting for someone who can actually make their lives better. The war is over - the 99% lost!
Sadly the fix is in for the Wall Streeter Hillary and Democrats will grudgingly cast their default prevent (any Republican) vote.
So it will be any Republican vs the HRC and where will we be then? I strongly suggest a redux of the last 20 years of bitterly divisive politics which always leads to gridlock on any positive initiatives and programs for the 99%.
So far, nobody has convinced me that this election cycle will change anything. The plutocrats already control all three branches of the Federal government and most of the state houses. Next will be control of all major city governments. You can't say the rich aren't getting a fabulous return on their investment in politicians.
Obviously, next November almost no one will be voting for someone who can actually make their lives better. The war is over - the 99% lost!
12
You are, unfortunately, correct. Though I support Bernie Sanders, being a fellow socialist of his own age, I assume I am in the end going to hold my nose and vote for Hillary.
Ted Cruz is a demagogue. Anyone who could say and be quoted as saying that sharia law is a growing problem in the United States is either certifiably insane or manipulative to a fault.
It's obviously the latter given the growth of his base to include the most conservative evangelical Christians who would love his attempt to legislate aspects of Christianity into the law of the land. Ted Cruz might have been a great debater at Harvard Law has a lousy understanding of the Constitution when it comes to the First Amendment and exactly what the protections regarding freedom of, and freedom from, religion precisely translate into.
It's obviously the latter given the growth of his base to include the most conservative evangelical Christians who would love his attempt to legislate aspects of Christianity into the law of the land. Ted Cruz might have been a great debater at Harvard Law has a lousy understanding of the Constitution when it comes to the First Amendment and exactly what the protections regarding freedom of, and freedom from, religion precisely translate into.
54
I'm sure Cruz understands the First Amendment completely. He just doesn't approve of it.
1
Mr. Cruz is (not exactly a wolf in sheep's clothing but), a slickly packaged a very conservative conservative in Brook's Bros. clothing.
7
He understands the Constitution quite well. He wants to tear it up & institute his own peculiar theofascism.
1
Don't count out Jeb. Look at the states on the bottom of the list in the graphic. Massachusetts, NJ, NY, California, MD, Illinois. All with a lot of Republican voters who are not far-right teahadists or evangelicals. Those are states that Jeb can win.
So come convention time, don't be surprised if Jeb is in the thick of it, courtesy of Republican voters in blue states.
So come convention time, don't be surprised if Jeb is in the thick of it, courtesy of Republican voters in blue states.
6
I don't know what you're basing this on. Jeb isn't doing well anywhere in the country and with good reason.
17
Dream on. The first state primary on your list is Massachusetts, on March 1. Then Illinois in Mid-March. Next up are NY and Maryland, in late April. California will be early June. By then Bush donors will have long abandoned him and Democrats will be partying like it's 1964.
4
Jeb?
Alas, Mr. Cruz is neither viable nor a candidate.
Pretending that he is makes fools of people who read daily newspapers and shun cable TV. In case the NYT hasn't noticed, only the most extreme fringe of the other folks vote, tho they apparently are (incorrectly) considered a significant demographic by the news media.
Pretending that he is makes fools of people who read daily newspapers and shun cable TV. In case the NYT hasn't noticed, only the most extreme fringe of the other folks vote, tho they apparently are (incorrectly) considered a significant demographic by the news media.
11
I hope he wins the republican nomination so that his brand of fear mongering, income inequality defying ultra conservatism can be fully repudiated in the general election.
21
It might not be. Are you willing to risk that?
2
Two years ago, I was taking a driving trip around the Deep South. On the Fourth of July weekend we came across a large billboard if front of an equally large Pentecostal Church. The sign said," God blessed America because America blessed God". I was absolutely dumbstruck at the temerity, the complete audacity, with which very Conservative religious groups see themselves and God. We blessed God so he deigned to bless us?? It is clear that Cruz and his followers see him as the second coming. The second coming of WHAT is the question.
56
He is 'slouching toward Washington to be born' even as we speak.
My understanding is that Cruz has great support from the "Tea Party" people, which is a formidable bloc of Republican primary voters. Why the emphasis in this article on his support from the "very conservative"?
1
around the Thanksgiving table I found out they are one & the same now - anyone considering themselves a very conservative republican is part tea party or they would run the the heck away from that political affiliation. it's sad to see people who used to be relaxed fiscal conservatives become oppressive social activists and faithless religious zealots. i guess that is whay 30 years of talk radio does.
10
The sad picture at the top of the article tells it all - weepy folks looking for deliverance (from modernity and tolerance?). And there's Reverend Cruz, tending his flock. Iowa and Cruz are, in every way, outliers.
46
Clearly, Cruz has positioned himself for the much anticipated "fall of Trump". Cruz can pick up these supporters without alienating the pious hypocrites with Trumps' vulgar, crypto-fascistic "brutalism". All Cruz has to do is get that special "One of us 'Jesus twinkle'" in his eye, and present the Republican insiders with a fait acompli.
9
One must give Rafael Cruz credit for temerity.
A Canadian refugee squatting on stolen Mexican land, who regularly vilifies Mexicans as alien invaders.
A Harvard law grad who clerked for Chief Justice of the Supremes William Rehnquist, with an investment banker wife, late of Goldman Sachs.
He has successfully convinced the god fearing sheeple of the cow country that he is a political outsider.
The Bernie Madoff of Iowa.
Say amen and pass the collection plate.
DR,
Donde esta usted the last month?
A Canadian refugee squatting on stolen Mexican land, who regularly vilifies Mexicans as alien invaders.
A Harvard law grad who clerked for Chief Justice of the Supremes William Rehnquist, with an investment banker wife, late of Goldman Sachs.
He has successfully convinced the god fearing sheeple of the cow country that he is a political outsider.
The Bernie Madoff of Iowa.
Say amen and pass the collection plate.
DR,
Donde esta usted the last month?
65
Thanks, Craig, for your [routinely] brilliant post!
There is also the hardly mentioned issue that Cruz was not born in the U.S. There is at least a plausible legal argument that he is not eligible to be President. Given that Cruz is appealing the the same demographic that generated the "Obama Birthers", it is perhaps not surprising that there are no "Cruz Birthers".
77
Cruz can do OK wherever eligible voters don't vote, like in Texas. That makes room for the fervently misguided evangelicals who somehow see the message of Jesus in the celebration of greed and xenophobia.
In the 2014 elections, only 23.8% of eligible voters in Texas voted (Indiana was even lower so no bragging rights for Texas), which means you can achieve a majority with only 12% of adults participating.
Even in WA State, where voting involves only a brisk walk to your own mailbox, only half of adults vote. Apathy is a vote for the likes of Cruz.
In the 2014 elections, only 23.8% of eligible voters in Texas voted (Indiana was even lower so no bragging rights for Texas), which means you can achieve a majority with only 12% of adults participating.
Even in WA State, where voting involves only a brisk walk to your own mailbox, only half of adults vote. Apathy is a vote for the likes of Cruz.
99
Lopsided Support? Yet polls also show he could handily beat Hillary Clinton.
1
Which polls are those?
28
The polls are increasingly unreliable, Israel, the UK, Canada and even Louisiana are recent examples. An article in the Times awhile back had pollsters admitting that they had to make 10 times as many calls to get results similar to what they achieved just 10 years ago. Cell phones, caller ID, public skepticism have all contributed to this and will continue to do so.
6
Quinnipiac recently had Cruz +3 over Clinton with a sample of over 1000 registered voters. Fox has Cruz at +4 with a similar sized sample, not that you probably care. RCP average of polls has Clinton at +1.3% with a continually narrowing gap. Considering most polls have repeatedly understated Republican support (see the recent Kentucky governors race, which understated R support by 14%) recently, and Clinton may not actually be leading anywhere.
Anyone born with a brain and a pulse should realize this fraud was tried once already here in America in the likeness of Joseph McCarthy. Once given more spotlight people will see the two faced fraud that Cruz really is, plus a father that begs for media attention in the style of Westboro Baptist Church.
64
Please. The Westboro Baptist Church is far more liberal than Cruz, pere et fils.
Thanks for the insights. Nice to get beyond jjust the polling numbers to what they really represent.... Sen. Cruz is an empty suit constituently.
11
a phony lier. he is a sickening nightmare. when i see that smirking face, i worry about not sleeping.
20
Donald Trump will make America great again! I pray that Ted Cruz will offer his support as Vice-President. God will Bless America once again!
1
We don't need God to Bless America again!
What we need is to get the guns off the streets, and put in place incentives so that manufacturing jobs sprout again in the land of the free and the home of the poor - assuming you're not part of the 1%.
What we also need is a fair and reasonable tax code so that the .1% and the companies they own and operate pay their fair share. And if they commit the sin of tax inversion by moving their supposed headquarters offshore they get taxed even more.
While we're at it, we need Medicare for all so that there isn't a soul in the country without access to health care.
Public university educations should be more or less free of charge, which might mean we'll have to pare back our absolutely over-the-top-hell-bent-for-leather spending on the military.
Come to think of it, that would be God Blessing America again.
I stand self-corrected, fellow reader. Or as we used to say, "Right on!"
(OK, I'm not on the same Trump/Cruz page you are, but that's immaterial would you say? After all, we are talking about "blessing," "God," and "America!")
What we need is to get the guns off the streets, and put in place incentives so that manufacturing jobs sprout again in the land of the free and the home of the poor - assuming you're not part of the 1%.
What we also need is a fair and reasonable tax code so that the .1% and the companies they own and operate pay their fair share. And if they commit the sin of tax inversion by moving their supposed headquarters offshore they get taxed even more.
While we're at it, we need Medicare for all so that there isn't a soul in the country without access to health care.
Public university educations should be more or less free of charge, which might mean we'll have to pare back our absolutely over-the-top-hell-bent-for-leather spending on the military.
Come to think of it, that would be God Blessing America again.
I stand self-corrected, fellow reader. Or as we used to say, "Right on!"
(OK, I'm not on the same Trump/Cruz page you are, but that's immaterial would you say? After all, we are talking about "blessing," "God," and "America!")
44
The idea that a god would bless one country over another is beyond hubris. This sickening ultra-nationalism and exceptionalism rhetoric has to stop, as it increases the likelihood of creating a fascist state.
81
The Onion? Or just generic sarcasm?
18
Once production of the next installment of "Batman" is announced my bet is Cruz will leave politics to take on the acting role of "The Joker". He has the sickly smile, sneer and deranged sensibility to succeed in the role without even reading the script.
104
I think he looks more like the Penguin...that nose is a dead ringer.
4
Yep, but he looks more like Dracula, actually exactly like Dracula.
The demagogue to end all demagogues will indeed have trouble gaining support outside the paranoid coterie that loves him so in Iowa.
57
Excellent article. This is the reason I think Cruz will win the nomination and get killed in the general. He is the new "Goldwater Candidate". He has no chance from New England to North Carolina and then Florida. He'll get destroyed in the Midwest and have a hard time in the Mountain States before losing the West Coast convincingly.
34
Kind of like Romney eh? He lost because he was a lousy candidate and most of his support came from states that had single or low double digit electoral votes. (And yes, I know about the few exceptions like Texas and Indiana.
4
The relatively small support such candidates as Cruz or Trump garner (in terms of the entire electorate) is good for the country. We need an exchange of ideas, no matter how bizarre, to help purge our society of the infection.
9
I would agree with you if Cruz, Trump et al were actually putting forth ideas but they're not. They're spouting lies and hate speech and that does nothing but harm.
90
"I would agree with you if Cruz, Trump et al were actually putting forth ideas but they're not. They're spouting lies and hate speech and that does nothing but harm."
Empty campaign promises, I am still HOPING for the CHANGE President Obama promised us!
Empty campaign promises, I am still HOPING for the CHANGE President Obama promised us!
Ben Alcala - You might want to try and read some financial news, especially if you own a home or have a 401k.
While you're at it, read a bit about the Republican obstruction that's been occurring.
While you're at it, read a bit about the Republican obstruction that's been occurring.
3
Good article, but I would like to see more, a discussion of what it means in Iowa to be "very conservative." Is it religious, or is it some specific partisan issues? It must have a meaning to those self describing that way, for the effect to be so marked.
72
It means they're from Iowa. ["That's where the tall corn grows."]