Trump is unfit. It’s obvious.
Cruz is also unfit. It’s obvious.
Who is fit?
Isn’t that the question?
5
Cruz is the odds-on favorite.
What he is not is, a shoo-in.
The result of this race could very well be the determining factor of America's direction after the 2020 election.
Every. Vote. Counts.
6
On immigration Ted Cruz would do well to remember his father received asylum.
7
Cruz's voice reminds me of the sheriff of Nottingham in Disney's Robin Hood, and his political portfolio is exactly like him, also
5
My favorite is what Lindsey Graham said about Cruz:
"If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you."
8
Texas is changing and is leaning away from "Machine Gun Bacon" Ted. The strength of the state still calls to its heritage as a former republic. But most Texans are not ready to tear apart its civic pride for an ambitious opportunist who relishes his negative barbs and reactionary footholds on problems that will he never understand. The needs to stay in Whoville.
I hope every toady that enabled Trump gets voted out or recalled. Justice served. Of course it will be kind of strange to have only Democrats and a few Independents in Congress.
2
What good has Cruz done for the people of Texas, and I do mean ALL people of that state?
That should be the deciding factor whether he gets reelected.
If I were a Texan, I am not impressed. Consequently, he wouldn't and shouldn't get my vote.
3
Representative Beto O’Rourke is a much better candidate for Texas. Senator Cruz is as unreliable as the weather.
I hope everyone who wants an intelligent immigration law, who wants tax cuts that actually benefit working people more than the super rich, will be looking for the Democrats to get Congress back in shape.
Good Luck to Beto O'Rourke.
4
Cruz will have to walk a fine line when the Chinese tariffs on imports of US beef and US shale oil hit Texans, We will see how cozy he is with trump then.
2
Cruz is a totally political creature. He is not a statesman. He barely represents Texas, since doing so takes time away from his self aggrandizing activities. He plainly wants to run for President, and if Texas voters are willing to essentially endorse his presidential campaign in November, they truly deserve him. They are throwing away a Senatorial slot, since he will give them little or no attention.
6
Mr. Flegenheimer pens interesting insights into the Cruz/Trump contretemps; however, this piece ignores an important fact that has nothing to do with the Senator's relationship with the White House:
Cruz is nearly universally disliked - even hated - in the Senate. His apparent strutting pomposity and self-righteous phoniness is not an artifact of the TV camera, it is who the man is.
In December 2014, I was int Senate gallery for 15 hours over two-day "Cromnibus" government funding fight, and was transfixed with the interpersonal dynamics on the floor. Unlike 99% of Senate sessions, every Senator was on the floor for a seemingly endless series of important votes.
I was transfixed with the social nature of the chamber, as Senators formed groups, told jokes, and held animated, engaged discussions during the vote roll-calls.
That said, most were thoroughly annoyed with the retiring Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, because he was blocking consideration of a veteran's anti-suicide bill that had unanimously passed the house, and had 99 Senators lined up in support.
And yet, Coburn had more human interactions with his colleagues than Ted Cruz, who generally sat or stood by himself, arms crossed, with a disdainful, imperious scowl frozen in place.
If Cruz ends up in a close race and needs help from his friends, my guess is, he could call them all in 5 minutes.
4
Mr. Flegenheimer pens interesting insights into the Cruz/Trump contretemps; however, this piece ignores an important fact that has nothing to do with the Senator's relationship with the White House: Cruz is nearly universally disliked - even hated - in the Senate.
His apparent strutting pomposity and self-righteous phoniness is not an artifact of the TV camera, it is who the man is. In December 2014, I was in the Senate gallery for 15 hours over two-day "Cromnibus" government funding fight, and was transfixed with the interpersonal dynamics on the floor. Unlike 99% of Senate sessions, every Senator was on the floor for a seemingly endless series of important votes.
I was transfixed with the social nature of the chamber, as Senators formed groups, told jokes, and held animated, engaged discussions during the vote roll-calls. That said, most were thoroughly annoyed with the retiring Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, because he was blocking consideration of a veteran's anti-suicide bill that had unanimously passed the house, and had 99 Senators lined up in support.
And yet, Coburn had more human interactions with his colleagues than Mr. Cruz, who generally sat or stood by himself, arms crossed, with a disdainful, imperious scowl frozen in place.
If Ted Cruz ends up in a close race and needs help from his friends, my guess is that he could call them all in 5 minutes.
Having visited TX once years ago for two weeks I learned enough about racism to last me a lifetime for staying no where near the place. I don't mean to slam all Texans...I know many of them are good and decent people.
Sen. Cruz and Trump have their history. They deserve each other. Neither of them is a fine human being.
If TX wants to move forward and do well by the citizens who work hard to make it great they will send Beto to the Senate and reject Cruz and Trump. Progress and attending to peoples' needs instead of the oil and corporate masters might place TX in the greatness column.
Sen. Cruz is a deterrent as are his childish feuds with toddler president.
2
Cruz has absolutely backbone. As others have said Trump mocked his wife’s appearance called him names yet he grovels. He needs to go home and stay there. He’s way past his sell by date.
3
Can the most hated man in the Senate become the least trusted as well? Unwavering support for Trump's position of the day (ever changing) shows a complete lack of a guiding philosophy other than self-preservation. Vote Beto.
7
There's nothing "serious" about a liberal challenge to a sitting Texas Republican senator.
Had Cruz and Rubio had the decency to not run for an office they couldn't win, then perhaps we would have had Kasich in the White House instead of Trump.
1
The question remains: What kind of voters elect the likes of Ted Cruz? What kind of voters elect the likes of Donald Trump?
Lest we forget, Cruz got nearly 8 million votes nationwide as runner-up in the race for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, to Trump's 14 million. That's an awful lot of political cancer cells.
4
Lots of reasons to vote against Ted Cruz, but one impossible-to-beat reason: The vision of Cruz trying to find honest work has a humor value that would last into the next century.
2
What's so complicated ?
His platform is "I'm a giant hypocrite", which gives him 52 percent of the vote in his state.
"My dad may have shot Kennedy" gives him another 5 percent.
5
"Mr. Cruz, 47, is now facing career mortality in a re-election fight back home." What? The polls show him with a comfortable lead and he even leads among Texas Hispanics. Why do writers for the NYT always have to do spin? I don't like Cruz, but most of Texas does and nothing Trump does will change that. Cruz is probably better off not even having the President campaign for him. He doesn't need it to win. And remember what happened to Roy Moore.
5
They want to appear unbiased, so they will go after Republicans who are locks to win.
Then when they go after vulnerable Democrats and flip close races for their Republican overlords, they can say "but we went after Ted Cruz, didn't we".
Cruz is the missing link between Republicans and Trump.
In November, every Texan should do three things: first, they should remind themselves that Donald Trump called him a liar, then slandered and humiliated Ted Cruz' wife (in the most personal possible way), and then accused Ted Cruz' father of having a part in the murder of John F Kennedy.
Second, they should review the picture linked below, of Ted Cruz campaigning for Donald Trump *after* Trump slandered Cruz, Cruz' wife, and Cruz' father.
Third, they should ask themselves: can I vote for this man?
Link to photo of Ted Cruz campaigning for Donald Trump:
http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/blogs/the_slatest/2016/10/06/ted_...
12
I don't see how Cruz can expect Texas voters to respect him when he does not respect himself. When Trump accused his father of being part of the Kennedy assassination, when Trump threatened Cruz's wife, when Cruz had it right that Trump is a pathological liar, how can Cruz now support a lunatic?
It shows a lack of backbone, a lack of principles, a willingness to sell one's soul. I wish more Texans could see Cruz as a total sellout without any redeeming character.
13
Cruz, after Trump viciously insulted his wife, and accused his father of involvement in JFK's assassination, refuses to show any spine at all. He's truly pathetic, and not fit to serve.
9
Ted Cruz is a loathsome Nixonian political figure whose basic political instincts are the gutter. He is a con artist reactionary , who represents the interests of the 1 percent. As a person, he is detested for his lack of honor and decency. He is really a much more intelligent version of Trump. I pray that Texas puts him in the political graveyard and in the dustbin of history, a fate he richly deserves.
13
People question the use of comparisons of Trump Republican conduct to the rise of Nazi Germany. Images of children being separated from their parents in America are too close to those same images we have seen in Nazi Germany. If we wait until we see the smoke of the crematoriums rising in the distance before we Act we have waited too long.
There are simply too many comparisons between the rise of fascism in Germany and the conduct of the Trump Republican Party to ignore. We simply cannot wait to speak out and to do so would be immoral for all of us.
4
Go Beto!
8
my sentiments exactly
From most loathed person in the Senate, to lyin Ted, to a shoe in. Redemption is possible for anyone who prays hard enough. Nice to know.
2
Ted Cruz is easily one of the most dishonest people in the country.
7
Cruz is a coward. Trump has said things about his father, wife and children that in the old Texas would have called for a duel with pistols at dawn, but in the end, Cruz always cowers before the bullies. Everyone who votes for him honors obeisance to fools over intelligence and courage.
10
Why anyone on their right mind would vote for Nixon reincarnated as a lizard is beyond me. Oh but I forgot: it's Texas.
7
Austin is its own island, but... I am truly heartened and excited about the spread of the Beto enthusiasm.
Ted Cruz cannot hide or disguise his disgustingly sleazy odiousness, his queasy making creepiness, his utter lack of dignity, ethics, or admirable human values. I cannot wait for the debates. Vamanos Beto!!! Humans Against Ted Cruz!!
10
Why any intelligent human being would vote for this odious, craven, reptile reincarnation of Nixon is beyond me.
Oh but then again I forgot: it's Texas.
2
Prediction: Cruz will take a job with Fox News at the conclusion of his Senate career. Oh boy!!!!!
3
Despite his odious personality, I’m sure Cruz will be handily re-elected. His homophobia and bigotry are in perfect sync with Texas’ status as the crown jewel of the Evangelical Welfare Empire of Hate and Racism that are the red states.
6
Ted Cruz will make a splendid ambassador to North Korea.
5
Fellow Texans, vote for Beto!
6
Native Canadian "Lyin' Ted" Rafael Cruz needs a new career outside of government.
3
Please, Ted, just go away.
5
So in our new fascist america, Ted Cruz is now our reasonable liberal alternative?
2
Ted Cruz has no honor. Trump was rudely critical of Cruz' wife's appearance, now Cruz acts like it never happened. I'd rather sleep in a tent than kiss up to someone who publicly humiliated my wife.
28
Does the word smarmy ring any bells?
20
For a guy that shut down the government which cost us $25 billion of our taxes, reading his kids bedtime stories, Cruz' career is still budding.
Cruz is still looking for a seat with the Supremes.
For Cruz along with most of the rest of them, their reelection function is is their most crucial factor for their survival and tops everything else. Every introductory political science course teaches that!
PS Never try to get between most of them as they are being interviewed and a camera!
7
The ONLY thing that deeply concerns federal-level politicians in the 21st Century is getting re-elected.
They are sincerely terrified of losing all of that access to power.
7
Trump stole the evangelicals away from Cruz. Trump, a lying, vituperative adulterer got the Christian vote. It shows how difficult it is to defeat Trump, when Cruz's base veered off course to the immoral Trump.
There are enough trumpkins in the Republican Party that Republican candidates have to cater to their churlishness. But when Trump leaves, there will be chaos in the not-so G.O.P. as candidates vie for the trumpkins. The one who understands and adopts Trump's behavior will follow him, such as McCarthy or Nunes. Cruz's two Ivy League degrees are a disadvantage to him in the Trump crowd. He has to learn to continually lie. Continual lying is hard to do for him, his having a good education.
11
IF "Trump leaves".
1
Ted, go out and get a real job, one that involves expending labor, one for which you have genuine aptitude, like selling at Home Depot or delivering pizzas. We saw what you can do when you were running for president and that is nada. You are not cut our to be a US senator.
21
I had no idea that Nancy Pelosi was running for office in Texas. And I currently live there. Who knew?
3
One word: Beto!
13
I think Ted is Cruzin' for an electoral brusin'. Texas, his insincerity and willingness to compromise his position reflects poorly on your values, doesn't it?
5
Run, TED, Run. Lose, TED, Lose. Seriously.
16
A horrible man with no morals who came crawling back to supporting Trump even after Trump mocked, insulted and slandered his wife and his elderly father.
Has stooped as low as anyone in public life. A snake could take lessons from Ted Cruz.
21
Cruz was once asked to take a blood test to see if he was human. This person has no heart, but only in Texas he would survive as a U.S. Senator.
15
I don't like anything about this guy. Not one thing. He is a waste in the Senate.
9
I have read that no one in the Senate likes him. Bi-partisan dislike of Cruz.
3
Like Moore in Alabama, Blankenship in West Virginia, 'lil Marco in Fla. et al these 'legends in their own minds' just won't fade away. Same with Donny when he's finally 'out'.
6
Cruz did not stand up for his wife nor father. He will,not stand up for the AMERICAN people. Cruz like the rest of the GOP are traitors to Americ
20
What was it Trump called Cruz .....Lyin Ted. I doubt we could ever forget this. Cruz has been a bit of a disaster in Texas and brings great shame to the State.
17
Perhaps. But Texans, being what they are, will happily reelect him. By a lot. He represents them perfectly.
2
Back in 2016 when Cruz ran for president, I thought he was one nasty piece of work. Nowadays ...Trump is SO evil that he makes mere nasty seem quaint.
15
Ted Cruz ran the first chance he got with this wife to dinner at the White House with Trump even after Trump made fun of his wife. He has no morals and hopefully Texans vote O'Rourke!
23
Ted Cruz is going to have to wait until Donald leaves the White House for any Presidential Bid. And he has done what was and is expected of him, kneel before The Donald and do whatever it takes to avoid the 'mean tweet'.
Texans and Cruz deserve each other and he'll probably win with immigrant hate. His one moment of moral character when he defended his wife was quickly replaced with political expediency as per usual.
Trump will keep Ted where he wants him.
4
I'll go back to a comment which I wrote nearly two years ago, during the 2016 Republican Convention. During the second half of 2015, Cruz could have conceivably nipped Trump's candidacy in the bud, but instead chose to cozy up to him (remember, among other instances, their joint rally in September 2015 to condemn the Iran nuclear deal?) because he fully expected Trump's candidacy to eventually collapse on his own and sought to position himself to capture the bulk of Trump's supporters when "the inevitable" happened. He didn't count on Trump's staying power - or on his own lack of popularity within Republican circles, never mind the general electorate as a whole. Many at the time saw Trump as the lesser of evils compared to Cruz. A significant number still do: I'm willing to bet that even today, there is no shortage of voters and representatives who at least think privately, if they don't say publicly, "At least we didn't get stuck with a President Cruz."
(For what it's worth, I thought then, and still think now, that Cruz lacked the cross-over appeal that Trump was able to put together in 2016, and thus would have been crushed by Hillary if he had won the Republican nomination that year. But Hillary is such a polarizing figure that I could have been proven wrong about this and she could have lost to even Cruz. We'll never know for sure.)
1
Ted Cruz is the most hated and despised member of Congress, even among his fellow Republicans. It’s astonishing that anyone in his district would vote for a man that is so despised that he is unable to accomplish anything for them, because no one will work with Ted. Cruz voters continue a long and proud tradition of simply voting the hatred in their hearts, and prolonging the obvious problem of Congressional inaction.
Also, according to Donald Trump, Ted’s father killed Kennedy.
8
An empty suit without a shred of dignity but a great deal of malice.
12
Cruz will do or say anything to get re-elected. He has no morals or character to speak of. His constituents will re-elect him if they realize that the rest of the country hates him. They hate the rest of the country.
4
I hope someone (PACs) is running Trump’s quotes about Ted Cruz in TV ads.
There’s enough Trump material for many ads.
Beto doesn’t need to do it. He should present the alternative vision.
But, Ted Cruz fights dirty and deserves to see the “Lyin’ Ted” ads.
7
You do have to admit that Cruz is a living example of why we should hate Canada and an argument for closing our borders.
It's a wonder Trump doesn't bring him to the White House to show why Trump's policies make sense.
2
There are often multiple Beto yard signs per block in Houston. 7 on my block alone, including mine. I have yet to see a single Cruz sign.
Even Republicans don't like Cruz. He's all about Cruz and Cruz only, using his Senate seat merely as a stepping stone to the presidency (he hopes). You should have seen him glad-handing in the aftermath of Harvey -- which you could have if you looked at his Facebook page, 1000s of pictures of himself, while other officials and politicians were posting information flood victims needed to know and appeals to volunteer and donate.
Meanwhile, Beto is a three-time Congressman (and two terms on City Council before that) who remains very popular amongst his El Paso constituents.
Don't count Beto out yet.
7
When the history of this era is written it will note that the Republicans had two choices. One was to have some integrity and break with President Trump, no matter the personal cost. The other was to disregard all his moral shortcomings and embrace him. And Senator Cruz is an example of the extremes a person could go to do that, in view of how Trump trashed his family and how he had once made a clean break.
And I think history will also show that as individuals such as Senator Cruz and the party as a whole pick this second path this will prove to be a long-term disaster, and the damage they will do to their brand will be huge.
4
Beto O’Rourke is an amazing candidate. (let alone Democrat)
I have seen him multiple times across several platforms talking about multiple issues. He speaks with such a candor and sincerity within a candidate, that I have not seen before,
President Obama was much the same, but the incessant pauses sometimes were a distraction. Representative O"Rourke just tells it like it is in real time to any question.
I really like him. (and not just because of the heritage)
13
Ted Cruz was frequently humiliated during his campaign for president by the current president, including one defenseless jab at his wife yet when the time came he rallied support for Mr. Trump and continued in lock step as long as his far right agenda was supported. For that alone it says he has no spine or moral center. He's always been a rabble-rouser first and a conscientious legislator second. His threats to shut down the government benefited no one; it's a bully tactic that does harm.
Having heard Beto O'Rourke on a few talk shows it seems that district would do itself a favor by sending him to Washington instead.
13
"Mr. Trump wiped out a generation of Republican talent on the way to his 2016 victory, including Mr. Cruz and Senate peers like Marco Rubio and Rand Paul."
That this is the GOP's 'talent' says a lot about where the GOP is today.
Like Trump, Cruz is an awful human being, albeit for different reasons. He is smarter, but just as evil if not worse.
15
I knew when I heard that nasal evangelical preacher voice the other day on the news that it was Cruz. The only reason he trotted in front of those cameras and pulled that 'but think of the children' garbage is because he is up for reelection, and he needs something good to use as a clip in his ads. This man does nothing for anyone and uses any incident or potentially good press for himself.
Don't elect this man. There's a reason why he has no friends or support in office.
7
Most Texans, conservative or liberal, respond to warmth and wit and a kind of folksy charisma. Ted Cruz has none of these qualities. All he has is a devotion to extreme right wing dogma and the financial support of the rich. He should be worried.
9
During the campaign, Trump implied Cruz's father was involved with the JFK assassination, and mocked his wife's looks, but now Cruz grovels before him.
No wonder he is considered one of the most craven, unlikable people in the Senate, even by other Republicans.
60
Yes, I don’t get it. I guess the only explanation is that like so many in our modern political world his integrity is zero, and he’d do and say anything necessary to cling onto his little job—that’s his only value.
4
"From Jan 2013 to Jun 2018, Cruz missed 223 of 1,610 roll call votes, which is 13.9%. This is much worse than the median of 1.5% among the lifetime records of senators currently serving." (govtrack.us) " ... a dismal legislative track record. Through almost five years in the Senate, Cruz has carried exactly two bills that became law. " (Texas Monthly, Jan 2018) (and both were pretty minor) But he does not miss a chance for a photo op. "As he spoke to both the business leaders in Pasadena and to the Kingwood Area Republican Women later that day, [Cruz] subtly turned himself into a minor hero of [Harvey]." (Texas Monthly, Jan 2018) More recently: "Ted Cruz introducing legislation to keep migrant families together ... Cruz' proposed legislation comes a week after defending Trump's policy of family separation ... " (Houston Chronicle, 18June2018) Aren't you supposed to beep when you back up like that, Mr. Cruz?
22
Ted Cruz's "problems" are self imposed. He has neither intellectual maturity nor moral character. I look forward to his defeat. Beto O'Rourke has all that Cruz lacks, and more.
84
Whatever O'Rourke has there is one thing he doesn't. The slightest chance of winning this race. He's not getting enough Hispanics and that's fatal for his campaign.
Yes, the Hispanics must LOVE the republicans. /s
1
Political partnerships are crafted from common ground, a common purpose, a common view of the world. Such partnerships can be the origin of good ideas, even revolutionary ideas that positively influence the lives of millions. Unfortunately, the Cruz-Trump alliance is not stable since the only commonality is egocentricity, bombast, the a love of the lie. Who will mistrust the other more? The Cruz-Trump alliance will only be a nidus of ideas but not the place where great ideas are born. It is more like the origin of a disease or a place where bacteria grow. No, it is not true that "fair is foul and foul is fair" and we should not be confused. America, beware and have zero tolerance for this alliance where bad begets worse.
21
I should end on a more positive note. We do have Mr. Beto O'Rourke, a bright light, running in opposition and we must always be positive.
1
Ted Cruz is the perfect modern Republican -- willing to bend the knee despite the insane level of abuse Trump has leveled in his direction.
Sure, it's pathetic, but the GOP isn't a place for people with dignity.
30
Wake up, Texas! Our country as we know it is under attack. The Republican Party is no friend to the poor and middle class. It's determined to change the middle class to poor (tax cuts for the wealthy, no support for wage hikes, destruction of Obamacare, etc. etc.) and destroy the planet along with it. To Republicans, as we see more and more clearly, ANY means justifies the end, and the end is unlimited power, forever.
The deck is now clearly stacked. We have a president who is destroying our country, being enabled instead of checked by Congress, with a significant portion of the media committed to repeating lies. Is it any surprise that we see more laws restricting voting, and more gerrymandering?
Ted Cruz is one of the worst. He'll say and do anything--anything--to keep his power and gain more.
VOTE BLUE in November! Take back Congress! Or things will get even worse over the next two years.
24
Trump insulted the character of Ted's wife and father during the campaign. Cruz retaliated by licking Trump's feet. If Cruz cannot stand up for his own family, how does one expect him to stand up for his constituents? Beto for Texas!!
74
When yew make fun a mah wahf we...become fray-ens fo-evah...
Macho cowboy polítics in Tejas.
16
I am a voting, active, heartsick Texan:
The nightmare of how these Central American immigrants are being treated is UNBELIEVABLE. They have already suffered an unimaginably dangerous and tortuous journey; then they arrive--with whatever hope they have left--at the U.S. to be imprisoned and have their children ripped away from them. *And* the psychological and logistical torture continues since they do not know where their children are and if they will ever see them again. We are in the midst of a Trump-inflicted, non-fiction, horror movie here.
If Senator Cruz can even WONDER what he should do about our inhuman, immoral, terrifying Border situation, he deserves to be VOTED OUT. GOD BLESS YOU, BETO O'ROURKE!
38
While I hope Sen. Cruz's Senate's run is successful, I cannot support his future presidential run as he is not an Art. II, § I, Cl. 5 natural born citizen.
An Art. II, § I, Cl. 5 natural born citizen is a person born exclusively under U.S. sovereignty, with no foreign allegiances or attachments at birth.
4
His family along with him should have been stopped at the border and sent back.
2
If a Democrat had made mention of the Ides of March, you can be assured that Fox News would be screaming about that that person was calling for the assassination of Trump (remember the controversy over the Public Theater's production of "Julius Caesar" because the actor who played the title row was styled to look like Trump).
And in the "you've never seen this before" category, who would ever think that man would express fealty to a man who accused that man's father of participating in the assassination of a president. If you don't even have any loyalty to your own family, how can anyone expect you to have loyalty to anything or anyone else.
17
Cruz has been hiding behind fake 45's ties for so long I forgot he was still a Senator. Go BETO!
17
Cruz could have been president (out of the frying pan and into the fire) had he challenged him when he insulted his wife and father. A REAL TEXAN, those that I have known, would have told him to apologize, NOW. If he didn't, and we know he can't bring himself to apologize, Ted should have knocked him on his keester at their next debate. It is not a very presidential way to go, but look where we are discourse wise today. TC would have had the satisfaction, and tump would have disappeared.
7
Ted Cruz cares nothing about being a public servant. If there were any doubt about that he proved it by spending more time as a senator running for president than serving his adopted state. His highest priority clearly is obtaining political power.
A man who will betray his wife and father has no honor. I hope my fellow Texans who voted for him (I was not among them) the first time will not allow themselves to be fooled again.
24
Jimmy Kimmel shouldn't have let himself be manipulated into providing a commercial for Cruz.
Don't forget that Ted Cruz promotes lies about climate change/global warming and suppression of knowledge and cooperation in avoiding its worsening consequences. Surely a state that hosted Hurricane Harvey could pay a little attention; there are other floods/fires/droughts aplenty to show how things are changing.
The chupacabra is a mythological creature, but Ted Cruz is in the flesh ugly inside and out. His hypocrisy over Trump is just one small data point in a lifetime of manipulation to serve the powerful at the expense of the rest of us.
Beto O'Rourke personifies morality and conscience. In a just world that paid attention to real Christianity, the kind that admires Jesus and heeds his teachings as described in the Gospels, Cruz would be outed for his servile groveling to power and harm. It's enough to make one an unbeliever, the things "Christians" claim their "god" supports: hurting, excluding, power and wealth. Try the Gospels: enough with the moneychangers in the temple, whited sepulchers, casters of first stones.
30
Here is a good takedown of the lies (unfortunately, Ted Cruz is in charge of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCSnKNoyWtw
(And that was before the 2014-16 El Nino which ushered in a new era of warming; dangerous!)
7
Poor Ted has always had a tough time steering his sailboat. Having no moral compass, he has to wait and see which way the wind blows.
Beto for Texas!
115
Sakes, what a spectacle!
I still remember Mr. Cruz from the 2016 Republican convention. All those die-hard Trump supporters screaming "Endorse! Endorse!" Mr. Cruz appealing to this maddened throng to "vote your conscience."
VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE?
Gimme a break.
I was struck by the words of that worthy Senator--and how he characterized his sometime nemesis, later friend and ally, and now his. . . .His WHAT, exactly? Hard to say!
"A pathological liar--a serial philanderer--an amoral conspiracy-monger and a peerless narcissist." (Have I got all that right? Or was I quoting some reporter's VERSION of what he said?)
Every single word of the foregoing! True as gospel.
And now--more or less. Sort of. In a manner of speaking--
--the two are bosom buddies. H-m-m-m-m. Interesting.
Like Clemenceau--French premier during World War I. And President Poincare. They detested each other. But for a short while, they were friends. Sort of.
"Raymond, old chum!" cried Clemenceau. "Shall we have an affair?"
They didn't.
I don't see an affair in the offing between Mr. Cruz and Mr. Trump. Though they DO have this one thing in common.
Millions of Americans--including me. . . .
. .. utterly abhor and detest the two of them.
Please God--sometime or other--we'll be rid of them both.
Sometime or other.
Soon.
I hope.
12
Cruz loves himself more than America.
He has nothing useful to offer Texas or America.
He is a lying bag of wind.
Send "Shut Down the Government Cruz" Back to Canada!!
24
While Trump is the more visible target for the wrath of decent Americans, we can’t forget that the “awe-shucks,” basketball-tossing Senator from Texas and his Republican brethren are the ones voting for the legislation that’s poisoning our future. The President is the side show—“Lyin’ Ted” is part of the main act.
Go Beto!
48
What kind of Texan cozies up to a guy who called his wife ugly?
68
One from Canada.
2
Mr. Trump, he said then, was a “pathological liar” and a “serial philanderer,” an “utterly amoral” conspiracy-monger and a peerless narcissist.
The above statement, as best I recall, is the only moment of complete truth that I've heard or witnessed from Ted Cruz.
Besides, who can trust a man who failed to disclose from Citibank ($250,000) and Goldman Sachs ($500,000). Are you kidding me? He didn't remember?
17
I remember fondly the days when a gaffe or an inconsistency in a politician’s message was enough to destroy their career. Can anyone tell me what Ted Cruz really stands for? Even after reading the entire article, I have no idea; only that his entire campaign hinges on sucking up to Trump. I can’t believe a majority of Texans are feckless enough to vote for this guy.
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They're not voting for Ted, they're voting against Democrats, who they see as the greater of two evils. Same reason Trump was elected - people hate Hillary. The massive gerrymandering in Texas doesn't help either.
2
I can tell you. Ted Cruz stands for Ted Cruz.
2
Why would Texas voters reject a Canadian Carpet Bagger? Texans have a history of electing eastern elite carpet baggers like George W. Bush. Ted Cruz is just another.
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Cruz is such a pathetic opportunist, I’m always disappointed to see how many Texas voters find him credible. If there were a progressive majority in his state, he’d suddenly transmute into a socialist. Then he would filibuster to demand universal health coverage. He only truly believes in his own furtherance.
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Cruz is of course a carpetbagger from Canada who will say or do anything for his own self interests. Hopefully both Cruz and Trump will both find their special places in hell.
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Ted Cruz could be dubbed the King of Hypocricy.Does he believe in anything? Does he have any principles? Does he really believe Trump has any redemptive qualities? This born in Canada American should be benched by Texas voters.
7
You wouldn't consider taking him back, would you?
2
NO!!!
1
Ted Cruz hasn't accomplished one thing in his years in Washington - not one thing. There is not one piece of legislation you can point to that this guy actually led or passed. He is a phony and it just galls me that Texans put their faith in this man. Other than saying "no" and putting up roadblocks he has not done anything except beating Jimmy Kimmel. He's just there to get a paycheck - pure and simple. Despite his fancy degrees this guy wouldn't last five minutes in corporate America.
18
I wonder about the poll numbers. Most latinos I know, gardeners, nannys and caretakers for the elderly, and most millennials, only use cell phones, not land lines. I wonder if this affects the polls. Given that a lot of people in these two demographics don't vote, pollsters might be comfortable in ignoring them. My hope is that the Democrats do a good job of making sure these individuals are registered to vote and turn out in November. As to Beto O'Rourke, after having a healthy skepticism, his articulate and humane response to the refugee crisis has put me squarely in his corner. And I send money for his campaign. Truly an impressive individual.
13
The only poll that counts is the one on election day. It is absolutely vital that every possible voter register and then get there and cast the ballot. Our republic is in danger.
4
Don't just sit there reading this article feeling helpless amidst all the hate...light a proverbial candle and help Beto. Look, I've make it easy. Click below (Yeah, unfortunately, help = money and money helps get out the vote). I have no ties to campaign, just some want to do my part to ensure a rising tide.
https://betofortexas.com/
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Thank you, Rob for the link in your post. My first time to contribute to an out of state campaign. The Beto web site is great. Quick and easy to donate with a credit card. Thinking, caring people must help Beto oust Cruz.
4
Force Cruz to confront Trump's claim that Cruz's father assassinated John F. .Kennedy. Every day.
8
I've watched Cruz for 15 years. He is not to be trusted.
15
Buy a tshirt that supports Beto O'Rourke. I bought one on St. Patty's day - it shows support and gives him attn outside of his state. And the tshirt looks great too!
10
Beto 2018. Cruz is not accountable to the people of Texas. He will never meet with ordinary constituents.
14
It seems like every year about this time, a NY Times article is written advancing the proposition that an unforeseen blue wave is about to sweep over Texas only to have it reported a few months later that the waters barely came in at low tide.
O’Rourke is running for the U.S. Senate simply because it would have been difficult for him - even with his family's wealth - to have continued to be elected to a seat that was drawn by the Texas Legislature to ensure the election of native Mexican American candidate.
I will vote for O'Rourke but "Lying" Ted will be reelected by 750k - 1M votes. The demographics of Texas are changing but not as fast as some would believe.
4
If everyone like you talked one or two friends into Beto, that would turn it around. Hoping that some who don’t like all his positions will see that he’s still a worthy alternative to the sly, self interested Cruz. Smart, measured, practical, & sincere.
7
Hard to believe that when Beto won his 2016 primary with over 85% of the vote against an opponent with a Hispanic surname.
He's always pledged that he would term-limit himself, both as a Congressman and, now, if he's elected Senator.
https://ballotpedia.org/Texas%27_16th_Congressional_District
1
Republican part basically became a party of white supremacists, Christian fundamentalists & bigots, lobbyists for big businesses and rich people and NRA. There is not much difference between Cruz and most other GOP leaders. But it's Trump who actually represent the party to its true spirit and ideology, more than Cruz or anyone else in the party. Now let's see how majority of American voters like the party in its actual form without much pretension, hypocrisy, and typical political lies that sometimes confuse and mislead many traditional GOP voters. We all are waiting for Nov 2018 to know if American actually deserve a sensible and able political leader (like Obama) to lead our country.
5
Anything for a vote and another term, Rafael?
3
Cruz was already burdened by a broad, self-made repulsiveness, but his willingness to align himself with the trump cabal is one of the contributing factors to my decision to, for the first time in my life, decide to vote for a Democrat, Cruz's opponent Beto O'Rourke. Cruz has done absolutely NOTHING for his Texas constituents; his contribution to the American people is negative quantitatively and quantitatively.
54
Thank you. Every vote counts.
1
Ted Cruz is not so much a conservative as he is an opportunist. Beto O'Rourke is a true Texan, who's only special interest is representing the people of his district, whether it's his El Paso district or the entire State of Texas. Please send him to Washington and send Rafael back to wherever it is he came from.
176
Beto O'Rourke changed his name from Robert so he would fit in better. That's a 'true' Texan, whatever that means.
I just sent money to Beto's campaign - 1st time I've ever donated to a candidate out of my state. But Cruz is THAT horrendous.
133
I did the same two months ago. Cruz is in a bad spot this year; I think he can be toppled
6
I did the same thing!:)
Just goes to show how fickle Cruz is. It shows how his ambition takes precedence over his moral beliefs.
Someone this ambitious and willing to be one of Trumps supporters, regardless of what said and did, is not qualified to be a Senator of the United States, let alone President.
27
It's really too bad that Sen. Cruz still can't find his backbone since he's running for reelection, unlike Bob Corker and Jeff Flake. I wonder what that does to a man:letting the world's most obvious malignant narcissist bully you again and again? I have no love for Sen. Cruz but it really pains me to see these people bow down to Dear Leader.
34
No doubt he cares much less about his wife than his career.
6
Beto is a great campaigner and cares about Texans, unlike the incumbent. We just need to get out the vote, the bigger task!
82
The future of the Republic is counting on Texas having enough sense not to re-elect Ted Cruz...
Remember the Alamo?
62
In Cruz's years in office, I contacted his offices loads of times to ask about his position on various votes that have mattered to me in the Senate, and to offer my opinion as his constituent. Not once in the many years I tried did I ever hear back from the office of my senator unless it was a campaign mailer asking for money. That, to me, is the clear sign of someone not representing the people. Who would have thought it so difficult to respond to your constituents?
101
I had the same experience here in New York. In fairness to my Senator, Chuck Schumer, I did encourage him to advocate for single payer.
1
OMG, really???!!! Even if I say I don't need a response, I hear back from my Senator (Indiana).
Where can I find this 40-minute interview that's referenced in the article? Is there a video and/or transcript available?
7
So Cruz will cozy up to the jerk who slandered his wife and father. Why would anyone vote for a guy who will throw his nearest and dearest under the bus?
92
Ted Cruz showing loyalty to Trump to get elected comes just after signing a deal with the Devil, walking over his dead mother and publishing another op ed article pledging unconditional, undying fealty to Israel.
14
If Cruz wants to look for Trump to support him then he had better make sure that DJT keeps his mouth shut and fingers off his cell phone until the midterms are over, because every day that he tweets something or says something it rocks the nation and usually not in a good way.
6
When being forgiven by Trump is a badge of honor. He ought to make that his campaign slogan.
6
I noticed that every Republican politician, in talking about the uproar of separating children from their parents, called the situation "heartbreaking", usually at least once in every sentence, and then proceeded to explain why it was completely necessary.
Beto in '18!
136
Like "thoughts and prayers" from NRA's bought and paid for vigilantes and the growing militias arming themselves to provide "second amendment solutions" to democracy.
6
If you live in Texas vote for Beto, if not send him a few dollars. Even an outside chance to get rid of Cruz is worth it.
117
"Whose harder to defend, Trump or me?" Why you, Ted! Trump just slithers around on his belly for fun. He was trained by Roy Cohn and he was good at his lessons. You, Ted, on the other hand, a United States Senator from a very influential state have chosen to say, "Come on in. The slime is fine!"
36
It’s amazing how every glowing article about Cruz fails to mention a few things. Cruz repeatedly defends Trump, despite the fact that Trump called his wife “ugly”, and said that his father killed JFK. What kind of man would support someone that says those things about their family? Like all modern day conservatives, Cruz is just in politics to get on TV to sell his “the libs this and that” books, and make money on speaking fees telling conservatives everything they hate about their life is someone in LA or NY’s fault. Cruz blocked Hurricane Sandy aid, but then demanded billions for Texas after Hurricane Harvey. He made fun of Joe Biden the night his son died, and ran away when asked why he did that by reporters. He bragged on the Senate floor last year about how happy he was to raise taxes on people in blue states with the new tax law (which will be paid for by working and middle class families). He is a vile person, that lobs crude comments all the time. For all his “America” talk, he waited until after he began his presidential run to become an American citizen. I hope the decent people of Texas realize what a fraud he is by November.
125
I agree with everything except that second to last sentence. Cruz cannot be a naturalized citizen and run for President.
3
Cruz was an American citizen prior to running for President, but he did wait until then to renounce his Canadian citizenship. Whether he meets the constitutional requirement as a "natural-born citizen" to serve as President is another matter.
2
Ted Cruz is just another cowardly invertebrate who stands for absolutely nothing. He will kiss whichever backsides he needs to get re-elected. Pathetic.
72
Cruz has done nothing other than create one distraction after another. His narcissism is constantly on display. His forte is not as an elected represented but rather it is as a lobbyist. Why he has continued to pursue politics when he is such a misfit is beyond my ability to understand.
60
Beto O’Rourke 2018
And send Ted Cruz back to Canada where he was born where he can learn about good government, single-payer healthcare and a market-economy that includes respect for society.
Register, vote and donate to democracy.
https://www.voterparticipation.org/support-our-work/donate-to-vpc/
Enough of the mindless Republican nihilists supporting billionaires, shredding the safety net, voter suppression, Christian Shariah Law and a national shooting gallery.
November 6 2018
Vote in record numbers, Texans, Latinos and Americans.
198
Please do not ship Cruz to Canada. We already have our quota of gutless hypocrites on the right.
The National Shooting Gallery had not occurred to me before but it's spot on.
Beto O'Rourke is taking NO corporate pac money in his race against Cruz. It is a brave thing to do when resources will be needed to take on Cruz and his 1% supporters who will spare no expense to keep the Trump policy wheels grinding.
206
I do not live in Texas and I have sent money to Beto. I admire what he represents which is the Anti-Cruz. Cruz is destructive to our country, has not accomplished anything in congress, and after being belittled by Trump still gets on his knees to comfort him. He represents the worst in the congress and needs to be removed from congress.
11
I've sent my modest contribution to Beto. Wish I could do more. Maybe Mr. Bloomberg can help?
1
Beto is the real deal.
2
I don't understand how any Texas man could vote for this guy. Trump tried to trash Cruz's wife on her looks for god sakes. In Texas a real man would never have spoken to this guy again let alone endorsed him, but then again Cruz isn't a real Texan.
177
Yes, Cruz will win easily, because he, like all Republicans, has abandoned his humanity and embraced the king of crude and cruelty. Trump is the embodiment of the Republican party's long trek to plutocracy and dismantling of the New Deal and Great Society. And the DNC stood by spinelessly while it all went down, abandoning their base who called for the common good and conceding races they thought too "red". Hence the reason there are not enough Democrats in Texas to propell a quality candidate to a win. Hard to grow flowers when you've let the weeds take over.
46
I live in an affluent, highly educated, predominantly white suburb of Dallas. My district went for Clinton in 2016 by a point or two. Historically Republicans have carried this district by 15-20 points. I am seeing enormous numbers of Beto yard signs; I have not seen a single Cruz sign. Cruz is still likely to be re-elected (despite him being completely spineless), but the tides are turning in this state--particularly in the metropolitan areas. Certainly some of the issue is Anti-Trumpism, but the Republican party is doing itself significant damage with voters in these suburban districts. It is truly only a matter of time until this state flips blue.
81
"highly educated" is the key here. More out to the uneducated parts and they love Trump.
6
Ted Cruz is a perfect example of what is wrong with the Republican Party. He has been insulted and denigrated countless times by Trump yet keeps coming back for more. Cruz cares more about winning re-election than standing up to the demagogue in the White House, and if that means bowing to the erratic whims of Trump, you can count on Cruz. If all these Trump defending Republicans lose their seats it will be sweet justice.
61
I am here in Houston and I can say that at least in the suburbs, Beto O'Rourke signs are popping up in normally safe Republican districts.
Normal Bush voters do not like what is happening on the border and Cruz is trying to maintain his hard right base without alienating Republican moderates.
While O'Rourke has a tough fight ahead especially in rural Texas, Texas cities do not like Trump. I am getting phone calls from the Cruz campaign (clearly they haven't checked that I am a Democrat and have donated to O'Rourke) looking for donations and trying to use the argument about the Supreme Court. Sadly, it seems that any behavior is acceptable to the hard right to get that next justice.
That being said, I sense, however, some nervousness from Cruz if someone like me is getting calls for donations.
83
I'm watching this race closely & hesitate to even be hopeful for Beto, because TX. I can't tell you how heartening it is to hear about the support for Beto, at least from the suburbs.
The numbers still favor Cruz, but if there's enough to make Cruz nervous, that's something to work with.
8
I -- a registered as well as passionate Democrat -- will occasionally get phone calls from Republican campaigners, and I get great satisfaction telling them, "Oh, honey, someone is playing a terrible practical joke on you!"
5
Beto has already campaigned in all 254 counties in Texas, many of which probably haven't seen a Democratic candidate in years. His profile and name recognition are steadily increasing. As you have said, Beto will do well in Texas cities. By campaigning throughout the state, Beto can win the election by losing the rural counties by a smaller margin than previous candidates. Smart strategy.
3
Hopefully this vacillation by Cruz will be his undoing. That voters in TX will recognize he's a deeply entrenched swamp dweller and will do what it takes - abandon his criticism, lack of a true moral compass to name but 2 - to keep his benefits ($$$) laden job.
Even if he took the right position on Trumps Separation-gate, and has actually proposed the logical idea of putting more judges on the problem of the various processes - he's still a duplicitous, political hack. Who cares most about his pocketbook...sorry campaign coffers, then much else.
Also, Repub voters in general need to come to grips with the facts about their party and its new leader. They will not improve your life while they pander to Corp interests. The two are not compatible. Not today in this environment, not when they are continually handing them ever expanding loopholes to easily stride thru. While limiting the citizens rights to pursue justice.
4