Ted Cruz is a carpetbagger who has never had anything to do with the Lone Star State and merely used us to further his (now failed) presidential ambitions.
In response to the PAC attacks, please note that I would rather vote for a drunk Beto than a sober Ted Cruz any day of the week because Beto, an imperfect but clearly brilliant human, actually cares about the people of his state.
Slamming Beto for things he did as a kid doesn’t change the fact that Cruz consistently emerges from his DC crypt only long enough to “smile” for slimy photo ops, and does nothing for the Texans he has sworn to represent.
The Beto rally I went to last month in conservative, rural Llano County had Beto speaking compassionately for over an hour (he gave three other speeches in other cities that same day) to a standing room only crowd.
Beto is a LEADER for ALL Texans, and should not be tribally dismissed by the polarized right until after actively listening to his inclusive and caring message.
I’ve listened to Cruz’s toady, faux conservatism for years, and all I can say is: Go Beto, GO!!
11
I live in a town of about 200k people a couple hours drive from Houston and Austin. In my 18 years in the same subdivision (about 400 homes) I have never seen a yard sign during a midterm election year, and I have seen maybe four signs during presidential election years. There are Beto signs *all* over the neighborhood, and not one Ted sign. Something is afoot. But, for Beto to win the folks in the Rio Grande Valley have to get off their butts and vote. The get-out-the-vote effort costs money. Please donate to Beto's campaign. I do, every month. Every little bit helps.
22
Wow, Ted Cruz, senator for Texas, was actually in Texas?
Gee, did he go meet any of the people he is supposed to represent, besides the fat cats in the Snifter and Cigars Club? He didn't, you say? What a surprise.
He only spent time talking to rich white men with a lot of money? Nothing newsworthy about that.
By now, nearly everyone in Texas knows that Cruz and his vote are for sale to the highest bidder. Just like most of the other Republicans in Congress.
15
The second happiest day of my life will be when this oleaginous creep loses. The first, of course, will be when Trump is removed from the Oval Office. In ANY fashion. Seriously.
19
This Minnesotan just decided to send some money to Beto. God, I loved Ann Richards and Molly Ivins and I have a couple of great friends from Texas. This could be such a turning point for that state. Go Beto!!
18
Trump broke congress and I hope the Texas Democrats can remove this other polarizing problem from the governments payroll. During the Presidential election there were allegations of extra marital affairs I hope they are brought up and finishes his time in office.
4
Ted Cruz needs to go. The people of Texas deserve better than a man who is corporate funded, venal, and mocking. Also Cruz's weird relationship with Trump (who trash talked Cruz's wife and family). Obsequious, sequacious and vile, Cruz represents the worst of American politics. Even his Republican colleagues disdain his presence.
12
"Democratic voters’ history of low turnout has helped Republicans maintain their grip on power."
Take this to heart!
To get rid of Ted, we need more people to vote. And we need to get rid of Ted because it's his beliefs that are unlikeable. In fact, they're pretty much odious.
11
In the primary, Ted Cruz alone got more than double votes than all of the Democrats combined. For Texas to elect a gun grabbing liberal Democrat is indeed a pipedream. Put your pipes down.
@Johnny: Very true. Texans are notoriously lazy voters, especially in primaries. However, the Democrats doubled their turn-out in the last primary, while Republican participation was about the same as it always is. And many people also switch parties to vote in the opposition camp in the primaries, then switch back for election day itself.
6
So trump and Cruz engaged in horrible insults and name calling, but it's the media's fault. I get it.
That's all you need to know about republicans.
11
Cruz’s biggest donor was Adelson who was being investigated by the Obama administration.
People under investigation should not be able to donate excessive amounts for elections
Adelson neutered Cruz which is reason enough not to vote for him but the whole donor donor/ halting investigation thing is quite another
7
I have my Beto sign and am getting more to give to voters in the area. Cruz only represents the super rich and his own ambitions. He just uses the Senate to run for president. Beto listens to regular people.
13
"Mr. Cruz said he has been approached by voters who say they are Democrats but are supporting Mr. Cruz now." I find this highly doubtful. As Al Franken said in his book (I paraphrase) "I probably like Ted Cruz better than any any other member of the Senate. And I really hate Ted Cruz."
16
The elimination of Ted Cruz from the Senate would be one giant step for civilized, bi partisan, constructive politics that are NOT based on licking the boots that kicked and your wife (trumps of course) or pandering to religious dogma.
20
I haven't had much love for Texas, but if they put Beto in over Cruz it will raise my esteem for the state considerably.
30
I was born in Texas, San Angelo, in 1944, to be exact. I don't know where Fidel Cruz was born but I believe he grew up in Canada.
Put all that aside; full disclosure I didn't grow up in Texas, but currently have family all over the state, Austin, Houston, Dallas. Fidel Cruz is what used to be known as a "Carpetbagger".
In his case, an immigrant, yes! peddling hate to advance his own place in life.
Vote like you recognize the carpetbagger when you see one.
17
Strong evidence has emerged so far that almost everyone Trump taps on the shoulder eventually pays the price of a downfall.
People associated directly or indirectly with Trump have lost their livelihoods, or their integrity, if they ever had it in the first place,
or both.
Cruz had no integrity to start with,
and if history is our guide, he will loose his job with Trump’s help in November.
Besides supporting Beto O’Rourke,
please support Andrew Janz running against that weasel Trump sycophant, Devin Nunes in the 22nd District California House Race.
27
“When there’s extreme anger and hatred on the other side, don’t respond in kind,”
- Ted Cruz, aka senatorial beacon of unity, sweetness and light to all.
14
It’s a fight between an energetic Jack Russell and a plodding and dislikable St. Bernard. Texans should warm to the opportunity that now have the chance to hire a person who will actually look out for them instead of the creep that no senator at all likes.
Beto!
18
Texas hasn't always been red: remember titans like Lyndon Johnson and Ann Richards. Houston voted with both Obama and Hillary. Our biggest hurdle is decades of systematic gerrymandering.
Beto's message has been resonating because he's talking about Texans and policy - and not talking about Ted or politics. He's meeting people and walking neighborhoods. Ted on the other hand is a smarmy, unlikable opportunist.
25
They said all these same things about Wendy Davis and Greg Abbott. Look at the results. Look at the numbers from the primaries. There are too many Republicans, and not enough Democrats for O’Rourke to get elected. If buzz and cool were votes,...
After Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz is most deserving of being voted out of office.
20
Did he mention the relation between Fossil Fuel and deadlier hurricane seasons at the Petroleum Club?
Or is that just an East Coast thing this week?
15
Nothing says more than that pic of Cruz at the Petroleum club in Houston, sniveling up to the wealthy conservative Texans who try and keep this state's working classes poor while they reap the benefits of oil money. Cruz is as bad as Trump, Mr. Bone Spurs, whom he despised while campaigning in the primaries against him. Now, Cruz wants Trump to come save him due to his die hard fan base. Eating a bit of crow would do Cruz some good. Losing his senate seat would help Texas move in a positive direction. I hope he loses and I hope we never hear of him again. He does not represent me, a Texan, but the men in that picture, white men who will grease his hands if he can stay in the senate. Goodbye, I hope, Ted Cruz.
22
Yes, in the 2016 presidential campaign Trump called Cruz "lying Ted", alleged his father was involved in the assassination of JFK and ridiculed the looks of Cruz's wife. Of course Cruz had only bad things to say about Trump. Now however they are best friends. Shows how badly Cruz needs to be in the party of Trump and that Trump needs to senate to be republican controlled. Also that anything they both say in public can't be relied upon. I guess as political speech it doesn't have to be the truth or something you will stand behind in the future.
11
Cruz does not represent his constituents. He panders to big money and he ignores the Texans who need good representation in Congress. His agenda is not to represent the voters of Texas. He cannot even run a campaign that is for something worthwhile. He can only slander and demean others as a way of representing himself. Beto is actually interested in meeting voters and listening to them and representing them. It is no wonder that Cruz may lose, he really deserves to lose if he cannot stand for something that helps the people of Texas and not just billionaires. Having Cruz as my congressman is having no representation at all. I am tired of it. I pay taxes and I vote. I certainly deserve someone to represent me, even in my gerrymandered district.
24
All eyes of our USA are upon you, Texas! Do us proud, Texans! Rid our political scene of this odd, annoying, sanctimonious, consistently wrong zealot Sen. Rafael "Ted" Cruz. Beto O'Rourke, what a wonderful improvement!
20
It's astounding that Texas would even come close to supporting a guy like Cruz, who, along with his wife, was disgustingly insulted by the boy king Trumpolini-- and now is dedicated to groveling at his feet. If this is the "leadership" Texas is looking for... boy howdy. Not much concern about integrity or human decency in Texas.
21
Hmm, Cruz is corrupt as they come, does not mind Trump trashing his wife or father, he will still bow down to Trump, especially after the Mercers gave up on him and ordered him to do phone donation begging for Trump.
He is known to do anything and everything for the ultra wealthy and nothing for the average person in Texas. He is the most disliked and distrusted guy in the senate, so why do brave and strong Texans want to elect this fellow to another senatorial term? Oh right, the hatred for those pesky Democrats.
But Beto is not your usual corporate Dem. Nope, he takes no dark money, he actually wants to help the poor and middle class and have health care for all, fix the immigrate problem, get a livable minimum wage and represent all of the people, even those cranky old white men who still want to run things which benefit mainly themselves. Well of course the corrupt people in both parties cringe when they hear how well Beto is doing, if he gets into office, they would have to give up their bribes for serving their big donors, They would look so bad next to an honest Senator. And they would be outed, like sexual predators using their power have been outed lately.
Ronan, here is your next beat.
20
Cruz needs laundered Russian money from the NRA to stay in Congress. I like candidates who don’t need NRA money.
26
Beto signs on highway 84 on the way to Mexia, TX....and this area is red and red can get!
26
Ted Cruz in trouble?
Be still my heart!
18
Once Cruz looses, he’ll probably
quit before his term ends, just like Eric Cantor did, and end up selling
his govenment experience to a Hedge Fund.
Meanwhile, Lyin’ Ted is out on the trail when he’s out of the Houston Petroleum Club, trying to out Trump Lyin’ Trump.
The only reason Trump is flying down to Texas is because he doesn’t like his particular brand of Nasty to be ‘out-trumped’.
Once the WH Daycare Staff shows Trump pictures of the BETO Lawn Signs springing up all over Texas,
I’m betting that Trump backs down.
He doesn’t like loosers.
13
Beto's supporters are not Democrats in a fit of rage, we are the people of Texas, and we are Democrats, Republicans and Independents. We are over politics as usual and want someone who isn't bought by corporate interests, doesn't think shutting down the government is a great way to get things done, and isn't a liar.
33
Is this the revenge of excessive gerrymandering in Texas biting back at Cruz ? The amount of voter suppression by various means has kept the state red for some time . A Beto win would be the beginning of breaking the stranglehold of the Texas Republican and tea party faction . Go Beto !
12
There is always the possibility that some Republicans are crying “danger” just to get out the vote. At the moment not only don’t Beto’s numbers say he’s going to win, they’re sufficiently within the margin of error that even if he were ahead it would be easy to steal. (It’s not like Texas is unknown for stolen elections; LBJ made an art of it.) The odds of Beto winning are lower than the odds of Donald Trump announcing “I’m a compulsive liar.”
1
“...about a dozen of Mr Cruz’s former staffers work in the White House or on Mr Trump’s campaign..”
I believe that. Working for Cruz and his agenda would be so much worse.
6
Please don't forget that Ted Cruz triumphed over former TX Lt. Gov. Dewhurst in an off-year, very lightly attended election for the Senate seat. That was then, but a lot has changed. Mr. O'Rourke has combined old-fashioned "stumping" by physically visiting all 254 counties in TX with new-media "stumping" by live-streaming on social media.
Combine that with the notion that Mr. Cruz might possibly be the smarmiest politician ever to call TX home; and the making for an upset seems VERY possible.
15
Concerning the refuting of the point by Mr. Cruz's staff that the senator is 'not likeable', I am reminded of former Republican House leader John Boehner's comment when asked why so many people take an instant dislike to Mr. Cruz. "It just saves time", Mr. Boehner responded.
22
As a Texan, for me it's not even about red vs. blue. It's about having a representative who genuinely cares for his constituents, will listen to their feedback, and will try to enrich his constituent's lives rather than his own pocketbook. Cruz is absolutely not that man.
20
Ted Cruz is in office precisely because Texans don't bother to turn out to vote. Little mention is made of the fact that Ted Cruz lost the 2012 Republican primary to David Dewhurst by slightly over 10 points. Unfortunately for Mr. Dewhurst, a crowded field forced a runoff that even fewer Texans bothered to show up for. That, and complacency in the Dewhurst camp, led to Senator Cruz.
And yet, he is somehow portrayed as having the support of Texans. Only of the paltry few Texans who bothered to vote in 2012. Beto is out talking to voters, not lobbying groups. I think that you will see a bigger uptick in Texas voting this fall, and increased turnout does not favor Mr. Cruz.
14
Cruz is one of the worse Senators serving today.
18
I sent Beto $100 the other day when the NYT reported that he might have a chance to win.
Good luck Texas !
35
Me too! About a month ago. Everyone who can send money should overcome inertia and make the effort. Go on line directly to Beto O’Rourke’s campaign website.
Congress will NOT change until the country, especially Texas, starts sending their best people to Congress. What kind of a person
refuses to stand up to a president who constantly fires off insults like missiles with impunity, and reigns them down on that person’s own family?
14
"I’ve got a job to do. My job is to represent 28 million Texans. I take that job deadly seriously.”
If that were true, he would not have immediately run in the 2016 presidential race immediately after being elected to the senate. He would have sat that one out. Cruz had the opportunity to show he took his job seriously and blew it. Go Beto!
33
@Remiliscent
He also led the completely unnecessary 2012 government shutdown just for publicity.
Cost us taxpayers millions!
I do not condone name calling but everytime I look at this man, I see a weasel. Can't help it.
His fellow Senators cannot stand this guy.
12
A refreshing, smart candidate pushing out a right-wing talking head who is so out of touch that he's painful to listen to. I predict a win for Beto.
Texas isn't as red as people think. The cities are mostly blue, but the republican politicos have gerrymandered districts to minimize democratic influence.
Typically, the right is rife with cheaters and poor losers. Or just losers.
11
John Boehner called Cruz Lucifer in the flesh, I think he was way too kind.
This is the guy who voted against hurricane relief for NY/NJ, yet was the first one, asking for Federal $ for Texas.
24
No matter where you line up on issues with Ted Cruz, I doubt you'd want to go out for a beer with him.
7
Al Franken famously wrote in his book "Giant Of The Senate," "I like Ted Cruz more than most Senators, and I hate Ted Cruz." Cruz has zero charm to anyone other than those who will vote Republican no matter what. Every word that comes out of his mouth sounds phony, he spouts nothing but conservative Christian cliches, and he would go down in flames in a debate with Beto.
21
This Texan is voting for Beto. An honest, principled candidate who treats people with respect and visits them in every district in the state. A candidate who rejects PAC and NRA money, who rejects fear of the other, and who rejects stooping to the deceptive mud-slinging that makes up Cruz's entire strategy.
26
Ted Cruz is often described as the most hated man in the Senate. Why do so many people vote for despicable people in political office? Texas this is your chance to show some plain common sense and vote for the good guy for once.
28
I live in California and I want to put a Beto sign in my yard, be it that patch of brown hillside passing for a yard.
17
@Garrett Clay they're just $10 + shipping in Beto's store!! Go get one! Www.betofortexas.com
6
I'm reading the comments here and all I can say is "Wow Texas! You've got spunk! And values! I like you!" (I did have a wonderful second visit this past spring too.)
16
My great fear in the upcoming election is Democrats taking polls which suggest a blue wave too seriously and getting complacent, while Republicans go into panic mode and work harder to get out the vote.
Thus, I am heartened to see the Texas GOP so confident that Cruz will win, because confidence can breed complacency.
13
For what it’s worth, here in Dallas, the yards are resplendent with Beto signs- including ours. Keep up the blue streak!
22
I’ve been seeing them pop up everywhere, from yard signs to bumper stickers. All I know is that I’m going to vote for him in November. I hope that all this enthusiasm shows up in the polls.
13
Here in Houston, where Cruz lives, I have seen precious few Cruz signs. I see Beto signs everywhere. Maybe it’s just my neighborhood—highly educated, near Rice University and the Medical Center—but the Dems seem energized. I would love Houston, my new home—to adopt some of my NY values. The number of transplants here makes that seem more feasible. My kids and I counted 17 Beto signs to 2 Cruz ones. Go Beto!
15
It's only a matter of time before Texas turns purple and then blue.
The problem for down ballot GOP candidates this year is that Democrats and Independents are energized because Congress is making effort to control Trump's outrages or investigating possibly illegal acts.
13
This line leapt out at me: "Democratic voters’ history of low turnout has helped Republicans maintain their grip on power. "
As the late David Foster Wallace wrote, there is no such thing as no voting. IF you don't vote, you help the minority win the Senate. I hope the voters of Texas will see that they have the power to get rid of the Petroleum Club toady this November.
19
@S North Not voting is worth two votes. One to replace your lost vote, and another to prevail over the opponent.
1
So Lyin Ted can swallow his pride and play nice with Lyin Trump even after Trump seriously dissed Cruz`s wife and his father. How much backbone does Cruz have ?
Patriots must get the vote out and put the Dems in charge.
24
My neighbors tell me they do not put Cruz signs out in their yards because they don't want psychos torching their house or raping their daughters and wives. I live in Clear Lake, southeast suburban Houston. They are serious. Quietly going to vote in 54 days.
9
Voting for Beto. Outstanding!
5
This bewildering and extreme assertion demands proof. Facts, please.
2
They live in, and for, fear. What they should be feeling is shame.
3
"No man in the wrong can stand up to a man in the right who just keeps on a-comin'." — The Texas Ranger Creed
Go Beto!
23
“When there’s extreme anger and hatred on the other side, don’t respond in kind,” Mr. Cruz told the audience beneath the glittering chandeliers. “Have fun. Be a joyful warrior." If this is not the pot calling the kettle black, I don't know what is! Cruz is the one running negative, dishonest attack ads. Beto is running a positive campaign. Cruz has done nothing except shut down the federal governemnt. That is it. Go Beto!
32
I’ve been to a Beto event to see what the buzz was about and would say he is charismatic—a bit like Obama but more energy. I’ve heard the polls count likely voters—and that is the problem with the polls. It’s the unlikely people that will put Beto over the top is what I am hearing.
34
Can even Texans acknowledge and reject the dishonesty of Cruz and Trump? One can only hope so.
How can anyone forget or forgive Cruz's temper tantrum filibuster, closing down the government and costing the country $24 Billion by some economists' estimates.
24
Cruz is in trouble. Oh, he'll get the votes of those 'reliable Republicans' who pull the "R" lever out of reflex but cannot tell you one other thing about the candidate. I'll grant you that description covers a lot of voters, but hardly the majority in a state of 28 million. Beto O'Rourke has been to every one of Texas's 254 counties, met and talked with Republican, Independent and Democratic voters. He has raised $23+ million in small donations (averaging about $35/contribution). Cruz goes to the Petroleum Club, yuks it up with billionaires and the checks, all with a comma in the figure find their way into his campaign. Every one of those billionaires may very well vote for Ted Cruz. I guarantee you those donating 35 bucks are voting for Beto and, unlike the presidential contest with its electoral college, every vote for a US Senator counts.
As for Cruz's likability factor, we're supposed to see Lyin' Ted's pickup basketball games with his "current and former staff members" as proof of his warmth and interest in his 28 million constituents? He's never been to the county in which I live. My son, who lives in an adjacent county, population about 35,000, has a picture of Beto shaking his hand. Ted Cruz has never been there, either.
By begging Trump to come to Texas to campaign (in the "biggest stadium in the state" according to Trump), it shows what really is worrying the Republican Party in Texas is, how long are Beto O'Rourke's coattails?
17
Ted has already shifted gears with a distorted or pure fiction smear and gutter campaign against Beto, modeling Lee Atwater/Karl Rove techniques. Doing so proves Cruz isn’t on the right side of issues important to the public so he’s going, ‘low.’ Let’s see how desperate he gets. Unlike Trump, the average Texan cares about Cruz’ positions, his sandpaper personality and are well aware his personal political ambitions are his #1 priority. We need Beto to fight for what matters to the average person, instead of what corporate America wants. The only thing those folks will never have enough of - is enough!
21
"...You reap just what you sew.
That old saying is true.
Yeah... you reap just what you sew
that old saying is true.
Just as you mistreat someone,
someone is going to mistreat you." (Bobby Blue Bland)
It's a shame the right didn't pay attention to the populace. Now they reap what they've sewn.
3
For the people who say "it can't happen - Texas is too conservative", I'd like to say that the past (and polls!) are not a great guide right now.
Boston folks are still stunned that Ayanna Pressley beat a better-funded, scandal-free, ten-term, ideologically acceptable incumbent who had a lot of campaign assistance and endorsements from Washington folks - John Lewis etc.
Votes are following energy. Women, millennials and people of color are coming out in droves. It is an exciting time.
18
@Cousy
No we're not. At least not those of us who aren't losing their politically-connected jobs and aren't qualified to do anything else.
I wish I could vote for Beto, I live in the wrong state
35
@mary
There's always "Democratic" voting fraud so why not?
@mary Do what the oligarchs do, send money!
1
To all you wonderful Beto commentators...thank you! While unfortunately I can't vote for this amazing candidate, I can do the next best thing. A donation is on the way. May all his hard work, grit, grace and intelligence pay off for Texas in November.
30
When Ted Cruz ran for president Donald Trump chewed him up and spit him out. As much as anything that will hurt him even with Mr. Trump coming with likely lukewarm support. He will make it about himself, again leaving Mr. Cruz in the dust.
Habits die hard and Mr. Cruz may pull it out but demographics are changing and locking up children might cause some to wonder if status quo is morally sound.
12
If anyone truly thinks Cruz will lose, it's simply not going to happen
3
@Steve P
It would be too good to be true.
2
Two years ago, we though Clinton couldn't lose.
8
As long as Republicans keep up their efforts to disenfranchise and minimize turnout, you’re probably right. If you can’t win, cheat!
3
I regret to say that win or lose -- barring substantial Democratic successes in the House and Senate races in November -- Cruz will be Trump's next nominee to the Supreme Court.
3
@A. Stanton - Bite your tongue. I can barely manage to get out of bed these days and the last thing I need is one more reason to end it all.
18
I'm with you!
Don't see Texas voting Cruz out. I just don't see it. If you look at the demographics in El Paso you can understand why O'Rourke was able to get elected to TX-16, but in a state-wide election Cruz has a big advantage. He doesn't need yard signs or even big advertising budget. He has the support of most Texans without even having to campaign hard.
10
@Frank
That's what Republicans thought in Alabama the last time also.
8
If he has the vote of most Texans how do you explain a single digit lead?
11
@Frank
Democratic Texan voters have the numbers
All they have to do is vote.
Is that too much to ask? The future is at stake here.
Not just for Texans,
and not just for Americans
2
Something is happening here in Texas and at least in Houston, Beto yard signs are popping up everywhere--including in strong Republican neighborhoods.
O'Rourke is organized, his ads are positive, and he communicates a general respect for differing viewpoints and perspectives. You have to give credit to someone who is really trying to meet state residents by visiting all 254 Texas counties in a large state--including some counties which have very few people.
"No PACs, just people"--is a theme in Beto's ads and it's great to have a politician who actually wants to represent voters versus special interests.
64
A dogfight, and it looks like he's going to get bit hard.
This is one f the times that I sorely miss Molly Ivins' perspective to help us outlanders see the whole picture. But, the Texans in the comments have added considerable perspective. Go Beto!
36
When Trump comes to Texas to stump for Beto will he call him lying Ted?
How can he resist?
19
This is politics. Think of McCain's funeral, where Republicans and Democrats had no real issue with one another.
1
Like the Aesop Fable, scorpion on the back of the frog, Trump will use the term because, it’s in his nature and even if it sinks the Republican majority in the Senate.
3
Actually, there is a group that will erect a billboard with a screenshot of Trump tweeting "Why would anybody in Texas vote for Cruz? He has accomplished nothing!" Truth!
11
Misleading as usual. Cruz is ahead in essentially every poll. Like Trump saying the NYT is a failing newspaper.
2
@Mike Livingston
Every poll had Hillary ahead in 2016. The energy seems to favor Beto here, just as it did Trump 2 years ago.
14
@Mike Livingston
Nowhere in this article does it say that Cruz isn't leading in every poll. Did you read the entire article?
8
You folks are quick to dismiss polls when it comes to Clinton’s perceived lead in 2016. Not so much now, huh?
1
Cruz showed that he might possess unassailable core principles when, if I'm remembering correctly, he took the stage just before Trump received the GOP nomination to, in essence, ask his party if it was in its right mind to support such a man as president. My attitude toward him changed - for a moment - and I thought he's going to have my support in the 2020 Republican primary.
Then Ted backed away like most every other prominent Republican.
10
@DSL - I couldn't believe how many people were fooled by Cruz's ten seconds of rational behavior.
11
Someone says your dad was practically the spotter for Lee Harvey Oswald, doesn't apologize, and you are still fine working with him - for the sake of the well-being of Texans.
I think the well-being of Texans would be better ensured by sending his opponent to the Senate.
40
@Ganesh S. Never mind publicly mocking Cruz’s wife’s appearance. What a spineless coward Cruz is.
25
It's Texas..of course Cruz will be re-elected.
3
If there is one senator (running this year) I'd love to see get the heave ho it's Lyin' Ted.
A post-election bonus will be to see him grovel before Trump begging for a job.
33
I sympathize with Cruz' plight: he needs to work with the Trump Administration in order to achieve his legislative priorities: dismantling government regulation of health care, dismantling medicare and medicaid, cutting corporate taxes, and appointing judges of a certain stripe. At the same time, a person of principle would never fall in line, supplicant, in the way Cruz has in support of common causes.
Conservative Texans need to think hard about whether Cruz has earned re-election.
19
"...a meeting in July in Washington between Texas leaders and Mr. Trump’s political staff. The July 25 meeting at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building..." I thought it was illegal to use government facilities for political purposes?
18
As a native Texan, I actually hope Trump does hold a "giant rally" for Ted Cruz. The Texans I know and love are really good at spotting fools, and our President has been slipping into that category at an accelerating pace lately. His standup comedy routine is approaching "Professor" Irwin Corey in craziness. I make this comment a-now-nish-shly, of course.
37
This article starts with a crucial point in our current political scene. "They hate us, so duty compels us to hate them," goes Cruz's chant. It has made public life in this country almost unbearable.
The right's intellectual cowardice is mind-blowing. Beto is a brilliant solution.
Vote!
41
Ted better get a lot of white male votes or he is definitely not going back to the Senate. I'm guessing but I think Beto's policies and looks might attract the vote of most of the ladies in Texas.
22
@Jenifer. His looks? Wow. I happen to believe women vote on substance, not looks. Just...wow.
9
Why would you assume "ladies" are a monolithic block vote? Plenty of "ladies" voted for Trump.....I used to think the candidate with the better hair usually won but the Trump election put paid to that theory.
12
It's not going to happen, but it would be wonderful if he lost.
2
There are 34 million people in Texas and only 3.4 million voted in the primary
As Beto says, “Texas is a non voting state”.
It shouldn’t take much to beat Cruz but if I were Beto I would have Poll watchers everywhere. Cruz is a cheater with no ethical boundaries. His embrace of Trump is due to towing to donors. Vote for Beto, vote for democrats and vote for Medicaid expansion
49
Ted Cruz was running for president well before the votes were counted in the 2012 election. That is all he has ever wanted. Since entering the Senate, he has expressed no less than a "bite me" attitude toward the citizens of the state he ostensibly represents.
No wonder he is in a dogfight.
41
So looking forward to this clown exiting the stage. I can't believe anyone can stomach him. But then again it's Texas.
16
has there ever been anyone with less self-respect? dt slandered cruz and family back in 2016, now he asking for his help...he's and embarrassment for the state of texas.
52
Regardless of the outcome, Beto is a key figure in the Democratic Party. I truly hope he’s our next president. He has the magic touch. I live in Tulsa, OK and a house down the street from me has a Beto yard sign.
53
@AG - It usually drives me nuts when liberals are too quick to want to hand someone the presidency but in this case I think Beto is the one to watch. I've been reading up on him and he's an impressive person with the right skills.
16
Ted Cruz is ... likeable???
No one can spin that one. Sorry.
Remember the time Carly Fiorina, Ted’s running mate, fell off the stage and Ted Cruz couldn’t even be bothered to care about whether she was ok, let alone help her?
And this was someone on his own, small, team... why would he care about the people of Texas??
Video to refresh memories:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uObvOSoWg7c
47
@Patrician - Carly is Awesome! I voted for her!
@Rangerdoggy: Carly Fiorina was appalling; I wouldn't admit it if I had voted for her. Why do people overuse the word "awesome", there are so many other words that could be used instead? Why capitalize words randomly?
2
@bustersgirl
Now, now. Let’s play nice.
Carly’s voters fall under the classification of endangered species...
3
Beto ! Stay on message!! Democrats are the party of Dignity and the protection of other universal human rights. And how about a video on your children's science projects? Maybe it will go viral?!
39
What upsets me about Cruz (and the republicans in general) is his use of violent words and phrases. From this short article:
Extreme anger
Hatred
Joyful warrior
Ted Cruz ate my son (a quote from someone else)
This attack or that attack
Deadly seriously
But Ted doesn't measure up to other republicans.
My wife and I have noticed up to three violent words in one sentence from some of these conservatives.
Job killing
Death panels
War on...
Fight for...
Battle
Thugs/Rapists
Attack on...
He is trying to scare people into voting for him.
56
@Van Good points. Although the "Ted Cruz ate my son" is kind of out of place, and I can't imagine why Cruz would bring it up, because it's so obviously a joke and not even a very good one. Sort of like Cruz's "liberal whataburger" remark about Beto. Half the time you can't even figure out what he means.
3
“When there’s extreme anger and hatred on the other side, don’t respond in kind,” Mr. Cruz told the audience...".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thing of it is Teddy, Beto doesn't talk about you, he talks about real issues that affect the "28 million Texans" you supposedly work for (didn't realize there were so many Petrolum Club members)...
YOU, on the other hand, spread rumors and lies about Beto - you are the 'hate monger", just like your buddy, trump.
The ONLY reason people know who you are is because of your failed government shut down publicity stunt several years ago. That caused a lot of people significant grief.
Other than that, you have done nothing useful or truly beneficial for those "28 million Texans" but you sure have made those who've bought and paid for you happy - can you say "petrolum Club"?
As we say in west Texas, "that boy's as useless as teats on a boar hog". You Teddy are that boy.
137
@NativeSon WOW!! yours may be the best comment I have ever read on one of these thing....Beto for Texas
23
We all know that Texas will elect a Republican for senator, no matter who he is. Cruz is a shoo-in.
5
As a long-time Democrat, I'm pretty tired of hearing about the 'rage' we allegedly feel; about trump, his incompetence and massive corruption, republican dishonesty and bad government.
I don't feel rage: I feel depression, disappointment, and astonishment that such awful people can be running the government of the United States.
I also feel extremely motivated to vote these creeps out of office.
149
Cruz is in deep trouble.
My mother, 92, is a born-again Republican evangelical whose finger usually hits the All-Republican button at the voting booth. She let me know how angry she is at Cruz and Trump and she's voting for Beto. The only signs on lawns in her neighborhood are for Beto. I saw no signs for Cruz anywhere in the Dallas area when I was recently there.
Cruz's embrace of everything Trump in the face of being memorably named "Lyin' Ted" and then after the election, taking his wife to dinner with the same man who said nasty, terrible things about her during the campaign has not set well with anybody. Naked ambition and stupid ideas will sink poor Lyin' Ted this November.
Beto is more likely to win than anyone might guess.
Oh, and by the way, my mother is also appalled over Texas trying to shut down Planned Parenthood. Change is in the air, folks. Blue state soon? Maybe not. But not so red as one might think.
161
@Honey - thanks for sharing that. Please give your mother my regards. My mom would have been 94 now and I know she would have felt the same way.
16
@Honey Bless your mom! She remembers the days of back alley abortions and "homes for wayward girls."
2
Ted Cruz is one of those people who did well in school because he was bright and could memorize all the rules and give the teachers what they wanted. And when the political game is by the rules, he does well. But when someone throws out the rules (Trump) the champion debater looks like a deer in headlights, helplessly ranting 'Donald Trump is a compulsive liar' to laughs and scorn.
Here's hoping that the positive campaign of Beto does the same thing.
23
So the Ted Cruz who very angrily said that trump was a "serial philanderer" and a "pathological liar" now say "“When there’s extreme anger and hatred on the other side, don’t respond in kind,” Mr. Cruz told the audience beneath the glittering chandeliers." So which is it Ted.
25
Bet Cruz is really looking forward to his best buddy, Trump, coming down to Texas to stump for him.
20
What I’m reading here is Ted Cruz—and Mick Mulvaney, the president’s budget director—are starting to use the word “hate” to describe opposition to the Trump administration and other red state senatorial and House candidates. They’re playing the victim—boo hoo.
All Donald Trump—and Ted Cruz—have done while in office is not govern but rile up the “hate” that is so prevalent on the Republican side, the party that disdains compromises, all in the name of ideological purity.
Cruz came on board in 2012 as a bona fide “hater.” He led a Confederate flag-filled protest and rally outside the White House. I don’t suppose that’s hate though, given that the incumbent president then up for re-election happened to not be white.
Since 2010, when the Tea Party washed over Capitol Hill, driven by a race-hatred badly disguised as a nationwide protest against the Affordable Care Act, Republicans have not spared the vitriol for any Democratic candidate or policy. But now they’re yelling “ouch” when they’ve been touched where it’s tender.
Beto O’Rourke happens when the incumbent simply rubber-stamps big oil and gas and big pharma and big med and obscenely-lowered taxes for the already well-heeled.
Cruz has a lot of hate left in his tank. When it runs dry, the Right will be right there for a free re-fill. It’s what they do best: stoke up the fear and resentment to fool the easily-duped that they’re really the ones getting mashed by Trumpian policies.
Bring on the hate, Ted. It’s all you have.
66
@Soxared, '04, '07, '13 - I think Democrats do hate. As a Democrat I hate ignorance, bigotry, greed, cruelty and injustice. I don't understand why Republicans don't hate these things as well.
14
As a native Texan it's exciting to witness Beto O'Rourke taking the Lone Star State by storm. I subscribe to Texas Monthly online and in every Beto article his supporters are cheerleading their candidate energetically. On the other hand Cruz's supporters express such vile hatred for Beto, calling him Robert Francis (They hate his nickname), belittling him, but never really saying much about Cruz's positives except policies. It's day and night, positive versus negative, hope or anger. Go Beto!
63
Im so excited to see the demographics of representation shifting in Texas and beyond.
18
O'Rourke should employ tv ads to repeat over and over Trump calling Cruz "Lynin Ted" in the 2016 primaries and Cruz's comeback dubbing Trump a "pathological liar," a "sniveling coward" and the "biggest narcissist" in American history.
Hypocrisy is a powerful tool especially when it is seen as a recorded reality and not a fake news clip.
30
Cruz is unprincipled and unworthy of support. After Trump trashed the wife and father of Cruz unmercifully during the nomination campaign Cruz cozied up to Trump after he got the nomination. Clearly Cruz has no core values just like his new best friend Trump.
38
I hope he loses by a wide margin. He’s accomplished nothing.
58
Nice article, buy you really have to be here to see it in action. The best part of it is that Beto is waging an almost unthinkable type of campaign: a positive litany of progressive ideas and policies, with little focus on his opponent and almost no negativity. His message is one of hope for all Texans, not just the top 1%.
And what about Cruz? Well, he's out there sliming Beto at every turn, and saying little else. The venom and vitriol go on 24/7. He even slimes O'Rourke's nickname. When he's not sliming he's lying, just like Trump said. In other words, he's running a standard Republican campaign, again, and it might work, again.
If all of Beto's supporters vote, he'll win. And all of Texas will win.
325
@Tom
Beto will be Wendy Davis 2.0. The national party powers have sent out-of-state campaign people, just like they did with Wendy. Out-of-state "help" is the kiss of death in Texas. More importantly, the numbers just aren't there. Look at the primaries. There aren't enough Democrats for Beto to win, even if you found the dead ones who voted for LBJ in any election all the way back to 1948. Ted is annoying (he's the guy who cooks fish in the office microwave), but there's too many reds for him to lose.
1
@Tom. We are seeing the same dynamic in Maine, in the race for the second Congressional district. The Trump sycophant, incumbent Bruce Poliquin is attacking his young challenger, Jared Golden,for everything up to and including having tattoos. Meanwhile, the challenger is staying above it and talking issues. It shows how scared they are.
17
@Tom Wow, such good news from the front! Thanks for your clear analysis. Even if Beto loses, he has not lost. He has opened a beneficent Pandora's box. All those good things cannot be stopped. And I feel Beto is only getting started in his political career. We the people who want all to thrive are hungry and thirsty for your Beto. I hope you do not mind sharing him? But he will always be known as a great and brave and free wheeling Texan! Here is to Texas who formed such a man known and loved by the nickname BETO!
2
I'd love to believe O'Rourke can take this race, it could make a huge difference in the Senate, where Cruz is the most disliked man, and disliked by both parties. From what I'm reading, Texas is slowly turning purple. But maybe too slowly; we'll see.
16
I'm intrigued by Cruz's comments about the "extreme anger and hatred on the other side." In my experience most of the "extreme anger and hatred" has emanated from the GOP and extreme-right for several decades. This includes Cruz's notion that his brand of far-right conservatism is somehow more "Christian" than those he opposes on "the other side." As a Liberal Democrat and a Christian I challenge Sen Cruz to stop using his Faith as a political weapon to use against people like me. That would be a welcome repudiation of the kind of anger and hatred Republicans have been expressing for a very long time!
44
voting his democrat opponent into power will be better for balance of power in congress, and for restoring the balance in the supreme court in the future.
14
Those who try to typify the Senator's visit to the Petroleum Club may have missed that his purpose there was to give a speech to the American Petroleum Institute, which is a proper political thing to do in a campaign, especially in Texas. I'm sure they would welcome Representative O'Rourke to come do his unpartisan, joyful act for them if he wants to. This article failed to note whether these two will debate; will they?
3
@David Godinez
Cruz is trying to avoid it by making demands on O'Rourke that are patently ridiculous and he knows nobody would agree to. The last time I checked Cruz wanted to have the debates on Friday nights so he could be sure everybody would be out watching football instead of comparing him with Beto.
9
I am amused by Cruz's parroting of the current GOP characterization of Democrats: "just consumed by rage and fury". It's a familiar Trump strategy. To deflect from your own negatives, accuse the other side instead. We saw GOP "rage and fury" directed at Barack Obama during the entirety of his presidency. Every legislative initiative, as per Mitch McConnell's instructions, was rejected. A Supreme Court nominee was not even allowed a vote. And now that Obama is out of office, the GOP is determined that every accomplishment of his will be undone, regardless of the impact on the environment, the deficit, healthcare, our allies. If that isn't "rage and fury", I don't know what is. We Democrats are quietly determined to stand up against a corrupt and cowardly GOP. "Rage and fury" describes the toddler-like behavior of our President and his party, including the sniveling Ted Cruz, not the Dems.
37
I've joined phone banks for Beto here in NYC, reaching out across these many miles to connect to voters in Texas to help get out the vote. Next month I'll be going there in person to do so, going to Dallas where my cousin lives to help Beto O' Rourke oust Ted Cruz. Maybe Houston too if I have time. I'm not a member of the Petroleum Club; just the club of US citizens.
When Ted Cruz led the way as a freshman Senator to shut down the government over nothing but partisan grandstanding, costing our economy approx. 20 billion dollars and a downgrading of our national credit rating just so he could get some Tea Party street cred and attention, this affected all Americans.
When Ted Cruz voted to deny aid to New Yorkers and New Jerseyans following Superstorm Sandy at a time when scores of people were homeless and dispossessed and displaced from the storm and winter was coming, this affected all of us in the New York metropolitan/Mid Atlantic coast area.
When Ted Cruz went along with denying Merrick Garland a hearing for Scalia's vacant seat, and confirmed Gorsuch and now will vote to confirm Kavanaugh who has lied numerous times under oath, this affects me and my family personally.
We in the US are all in this together and together we can change the tide. That's why I am going to Texas to help get out the vote for Beto O'Rourke, a person worthy of Democratic investment. I encourage others to donate, or make calls or text for Beto.
Texans deserve better and so do we all.
109
I wonder when Texans will reclaim an identity that is as huge and important as the land they live on - that doesn't focus on oil and exploitation of resources and suppression of the vote. If O'Rourke wins they'll be taking a stab and being what they have not been for a long time, principled.
16
Regardless of who wins it may be a photo finish.
2
I think Cruz's vulnerability rests less in Ted himself (though he is a polarizing figure), than in a base of people, many conservative, who are appalled by the harm Trump has done to the country and Congress' unwillingness to serve its Constitutional role as a check and balance. I'm be aghast at positions Beto and the new liberal crowd propose, but I see them as far less a threat to America than 2 more years of unfettered Trumpism.
96
I live in the Dallas suburbs and am seeing many Beto signs v. one Cruz sign. Like others, I am counting the days to cast my vote for Beto O’Rourke. My die-hard Republican husband agrees that Beto is the better candidate, and has decided to sit out of this election.
221
@Laura
There was a local news story saying Cruz didn't believe lawn signs doesn't translate to voters. He decided to save money on them.
1
"Abstention" will not be seated in the US Senate.
Staying home is nearly always a vote for the incumbent.
5
@JoeG - Interesting. Cruz has raised less money than O'Rourke, perhaps he can't afford them.
1
I could never vote for anybody whose father participated in the
Kennedy assassination.
54
"Democratic voters’ history of low turnout has helped Republicans maintain their grip on power."
And you think there's nothing that could prompt higher Democratic voter turnout? Like the Republican President calling innocent people rapists? How about his peddling of the racist birther lie? Or ripping little children out of the arms of their parents because the Republican party now stands for Make America White Again?
Or how about the history of beyond-the-pale corrupt behavior by Republicans here? The Republican AG is up on felony charges and he is running for reelection. Tom Delay was supposed to go to jail for his money laundering, which rigged the districts here, but the Republican appeals court let him off.
And I'm not saying Ted Cruz is the Zodiac Killer or anything (that's another saying here), but Ted Cruz getting more aggressive is allegedly the solution? Wow. Go ahead and try that.
I've never seen more PO'd voters in my life than I have since November 2016. I wouldn't count on that low Democratic turnout in Texas.
99
"[T}here are Beto signs all over deep-red parts of Texas that are unexplainable." Really? You're a trained professional, and you can't figure this out?
1. It's the stupidity, stupid. Oh, and also the corruption. The Republicans here are awful. Take Governor Oops. He ILLEGALLY sent State troopers to seize Democrats elected to the Texas Legislature to force a quorum as part of Tom DeLay's money laundering to rig the districts in this state! And then the Republican Court of Criminal Appeals protected DeLay from his money laundering. And, do you know that the sitting Republican AG is up on felony charges? They're running him for reelection.
2. How creepy can you get? Beto can smile. Ted Cruz can't.
3. How racist can you get? Sessions' diversion of federal emergency response dollars to rip little children from the arms of their parents -- because the Republican party stands for Make America White Again -- you bet we have a Beto yard sign, because the Republicans have sold their souls to Satan and count this white girl out. It's sickening what Sessions has done. You expect people to believe that Jesus would vote Republican? Have you ever read the New Testament?
In conclusion, you cannot defend the machinations of the Republicans in Texas. There is a blue wave coming and it's long, long overdue.
79
@Ann
This 77 year old 3rd generation Texan stands with you all the way. So would my husband, whose ancestors came here in the 1840's from Germany, had he survived till election day. May many other true Texans cast a vote for him!
11
As unlikable as Ted Cruz is, his prob ain't his likability. It isn't even his hypocrisy in attacking Goldman, Sachs (which the wife works for) or the endless sad attempt to pass himself off as plain country folks. Isn't even his gutlessness in kissing up to Trump after all the attacks on his family and dad.
It's his uselessness. What has he accomplished? Zip.
87
I am a Texan. I hate everything Ted Cruz stands for and would vote for anyone who ran against him. Beto is a good man and he's running a good race. But for the love of God, NYT, he ain't the favorite. The likelihood of a Democrat taking Texas is virtually nil. To paraphrase our demented president, Ted Cruz could shoot an unarmed child in the streets of Laredo and probably still get elected. So let's not help the Russians send Ted back to the Senate, OK? Cut the stories suggesting that Beto has a real chance. I hope I'm wrong, but sadly, I'm not.
4
@DC Unless you know the mind of every voting Texan, then you cannot say that Cruz will win. Sounds to me as though you are a Cruz supporter and you want the voting public to think this is a done deal, so there's no need to vote.
Sir, this is not a done deal by far.
19
@Susan Salyer Well, there you're wrong. I've made three financial contributions to Beto's campaign, there's a sign in MY yard, and I volunteer. My point is that it doesn't help when the NYT lends its voice to that of panicked GOP oligarchs in drumming up support for "Machine Gun" Cruz. Beto's an underdog, face it. That gives him an edge, esp when the GOP is trying to recast Cruz as the underdog. Geez.
1
Cruz is Nixon reincarnated as a reptile. Vile Republican Koch Brothers NRA toady. Cost the economy billions of dollars when he shut the government down to defund Planned Parenthood. Despicable liar and crook who belong in jail like ALL Republicans, not running a government he hates, representing people he has secret contempt for, on behalf of his plutocrat owners.
22
"Yet, being 'likable' is something Mr. Cruz has struggled with for most of his life. Growing up in Houston in the 1970s and 1980s, Mr. Cruz spent his elementary-school and junior-high years as a 'geeky kid' and 'the unpopular nerd' who was lousy at sports, he writes in his 2015 biography, 'A Time for Truth.'"
Just when you think that you couldn't possibly find another reason not to like Ted Cruz, you find out that he wrote his own, personal version of 'Mein Kampf'.
17
Ah, Cruz went to the Petroleum Club in downtown Houston, eh? Well that explains a lot to me: his slipperiness and his unctuousness come immediately to mind.
36
Texas is not going to send a Democrat to the Senate, just like America was not going to send a misogynistic bully of a conman to the White House.
18
David Guier....Texas does not have an Electoral College like the USA does that routinely sends Republican Morons-In-Chief to the Oval Office.
However, Texas does have an impressive statewide voter suppression network...and a rigged Republican legislature that may find a way to reject the will of the Texas people.
The least Texans can do is vote in record numbers and eject another amoral Republican from elected office.
30
Rafael is late to the party. Beto has been campaigning hard for a long time, is taking no PAC $- even from liberal sources like the ACLU. Ted just now noticed the blue wave on his door step only a few months out and ran to big connected doners with deep pockets. He will be beholden to them if he wins and Texas knows it. All of Ted's ads are negative mud slinging and all of Betos adds are positive and and about his policies. Ted look pathetic. He is bathing in the orange taint and thinks it will help him- it will not. Every other SM post I see is a graphic of Trump tweeting why would Texas trust Ted. Time for Crus to update his resume and start shoppping it to the gun lobby.
31
Nice to see the oleaginous Ted Cruz hanging out at "the Petroleum Club of Houston" as another Gas-Oil-Pollution-steroided hurricane prepares to wipe out another part of America.
There are things we Americans can do to make America a better and more civilized place .... stop abusing our ecosystem, stop denying science, raise taxes to pay for civilization, support affordable healthcare, NOT suppress the vote, etc.
Ted Cruz supports none of that common sense.
Beto O’Rourke, the El Paso congressman, does support all of those things and more.
D to go forward; R for reverse.
November 6 2018
VOTE
98
@Socrates
Early voting starts October 22 in Texas. Vote early!
11
Hmm. This sounds suspiciously like the "Hillary can't lose" narrative. Keep on deluding yourselves, Republicans. We have a passionate candidate that inspires passion in others. No one beats that.
25
“When there’s extreme anger and hatred on the other side, don’t respond in kind”, says Ted Cruz, desperate to hold on to a once-safe Senate seat in Texas.
The extreme anger and hatred was manifest in 2016 in the Republican primaries when a business mogul and Cruz traded personal insults laden with pure venom as they sought to out-nasty and out-hate each other in appealing to the rabid Republican base. Cruz’ anger and track record of the entire GOP, headed by this toxic president, is so odious to most Americans that they have had enough of the Republican Party.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley were seen as long-shot candidates earlier this year but they won their campaigns are Congressional hopefuls in November. Cruz and Republican strategists are whistling in the dark if they assume that Texas will remain a red state. If Doug Jones could win a US Senate in Alabama, certainly Beto O’Rourke could pull another surprise in Texas.
27
The reason Ted Cruz will lose is because he's a liar and a fake. Beto O'Rourke is running the happiest, most joyful, least partisan campaign in Texas history. Visiting every single county, sleeves rolled up, Beto talks to anyone and everyone--supporters, opponents, undecided. He doesn't stand behind a lectern at the Petroleum Club making up lies and talking trash. He's not the one legitimately loathed for being a phony.
48
Cruz may triumph just because of name recognition but Beto is giving him a run for his money. Creepy Cruz has done nothing for his home state except run for President and crawled back up to Trump and lick his hand. Beto is worth a chance.
16
The election of Donald Trump and its aftermath proves to voters that character counts. They are hungry to elect who represent them personally as Americans (not just as democrats or republicans). If I were in charge of O'Rourke's campaign, I design an ad that exposes the disgusting alliance between Ted Cruz and Donald Trump. I would highlight Trump's calling Cruz, a lying Ted, his wife ugly and his dad having something to do with Kennedy assassination. I would then show Ted criticizing Trump as a pathological liar. I would then show their current political alliance and conclude by this appeal - 'Ted is so power hungry and devoid of morals he is willing to cozy up to Trump who called his wife ugly'. Do you really want Cruz to represent you in the senate? I think many people can related to this appeal. People already know ... but it is good to remind how disgusted they are with Donald Trump and Ted Cruz who are debasing our beloved country.
18
The article says the Republicans have been able to win elections because of low turnout by Democrats. If Trump as president doesn't get a mass turnout of Democrats to dump Republicans then the braindead deserve what they get.
11
November will be the time for Texans to show whether they really want someone as mean-spirited as Ted Cruz to continue to represent them in the U.S. Senate. Cruz is just another venal Republican politician who cares more about his own survival and that of the Republican Party than doing what is best for his country.
11
Wasn't Cruz often called the most hated man in the Senate?
Watch the video of his daughter pushing him away. His own family doesn't like him.
13
The nickname "Lyin' Ted" is the ONLY thing I agree with Trump about: Cruz says he's focused "on what the people of Texas say", but he hasn't covered 1/10 of the 254 Texas counties that Beto has traveled to, listening to the needs of real Texans. Texans needs middle class jobs, not a snide oligarchy that terrorizes them with social issues while robbing them of decent, family-raising wages. Beto will fight for the people of Texas, and he will WIN. WHY? Beto knows that putting Texas to work, not minimum wage welfare, level jobs, takes REAL work, not lip service.
45
Hey Texans! When you vote, please remember the great "Green Eggs and Ham Speech." One of US's great moments in leadership! (yes I really was born in Dallas!)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0HJuaQL3KRI&feature=share
12
@VM
Ted Cruz , the senator who had a leading role in the government shutdown in 2013, told reporters back in January 2018 that he has “consistently opposed shutdowns.
10
During the last election we know that Mr. Cruz did not like, respect or get along with the current occupant of the White House. He called him a “pathological liar” and “a sniveling coward" going out of his way to call him out for going after his father and especially his wife. But now there is no program or executive order that Mr. Cruz doesn't like. Who benefits from this love fest, it isn't the everyday working Texans! Its the wealthy the same ones that have membership in Houston's Petroleum Club. Mr. Cruz is doing exactly what other incumbents who have lost secure seats have failed to do. Meet with and explain to their consultants why they need and want their votes and what they will do for them. The deficit is at an all time high, this has an impact on everyday Texans. Cruz was at the forefront of decreasing taxes for the wealthy not once but now twice. He doesn't visit small towns or talk to working class Texans and he wants to be reelected? Beto as the article points out is hungry and he listens to the silent majority. This could be the year Texas elects a Democrat to the Senate, it just takes votes and this may be the midterm that pulls everyday people into the voting booth. Republicans better realize that this is not a normal off year election. Everyday people see this as a last stand against tyranny and despotism that is why you see Beto signs in rural areas.
14
Voted "least likeable" by his teammates.
10
There’s a place called the Petroleum Club? Is it like Skull and Bones for oil execs? No wonder our climate is on the brink.
40
Yes there is a Petroleum Club in Houston and the likes of me and thee would not be welcome there even if we could afford the membership dues.
5
Cruz entered the Senate projecting the rude and outrageous image of the institution rattling outsider before Trump but Trump elbowed him off the stage in Washington and across the world. Now it’s Trump’s unpopularity that he’s facing. I have to say that underneath his knuckle dragging image Cruz has a brain and the training to use it and he’s being dragged down by an egocentric narcissist who has no intellectual skills at all. It’s very ironic. Cruz chose the low road and it was a mistake.
9
So, we have a president coming to campaign for a candidate whom the candidate has called a pathological liar. There is absolutely no reason to believe that the pathological liar has changed ...the latest tally indicates over 4,000 lies uttered since being inaugurated. My question is why anyone would now believe anything this president says about the candidate?
16
@Tom Q If this rally for Ted Cruz is anything like trump's previous rallies it will be 95% about trump and his "accomplishments" and 5% about Cruz.
8
Born and raised in the Texas Panhandle, I'd allow that Ted Crus is about as poor a representative of the Lone Star State as I can imagine. Trump calls him a liar, insults his wife as ugly and accuses his dad of helping murder JFK. But still Cruz begs the president to come save him. Now Beta O'Rourke is my idea of a Texan. He could have ridden with Sam Houston or talked politics with Molly Ivens.
255
@james haynes
Or Ann Richards.
2
@james haynes
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is my idea of a Texan. He sends his foes to hospitals, mental institutions, prisons, urns and coffins with a smile and smirk on his face.
Donald Trump and Rafael Cruz are not Texas with their fancy and unmanly tweeting and speaking snarling and snarking.
1
Ted Cruz links to Trump will be his demise if Mueller concludes his investigation before the mid-term elections.
Trump's popularity is sinking and more recordings and links to Russian banks and the Russian mob will make Ted very vulnerable, especially is Beto O'Rourke political ads use facts, humor along Trump's criticism of Cruz's wife and father.
11
Beto brings a new voice that articulates the message that Texans deserve a senator who speaks for all with emphases on health, education, immigration and yes, voting rights. I think it is more important than ever to have a voice from the other side with our state officials almost ALL REPUBLICANS as well as the federal government with Trump at the helm. Who has cared more for all of us in this state made of a great many who will never get to the Petroleum Club in Houston (just remodeled), who lack good educations because of disparities in schools, and with no look at progress in rapid rail, regulation of the environment (the very weak TCEQ had a do-nothing reputation), and other signs of a state that is rich in some ways, but which lacks the real benefit of policy based on a future, not just the great old Texas myth. I"m ready to cast my vote for Beto and see Cruz et al overturned.
47
The silver lining for complacent wishful thinkers is the traditional "low turnout" model, helped along by aggressive suppression tactics. Let us leave these people alone in their fool's paradise. Three points of interest. Voter registration is surging among the young and minorities. If they bother to register, they are planning to vote. Second, by their very nature they are not being polled in either the likely or registered voter models. If they did not vote in previous elections and are newly registered they do not show up at all. Finally, the enthusiasm is palpable and exists on just one side. My prediction is a win for Mr. O'Rourke and less of a squeaker than Alabama.
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Beto has campaigned in every county in Texas--every single one. He appeared long ago at a function in Deep East Texas where the turnout amounted to less than twenty people. And Beto did it happily, posing for pictures and taking questions.
Beto has bet his career that real grass-roots politicking can win in Texas. He's tried to literally cover the map. Most Texas politicians don't do that--Texas is big. Lyndon Johnson was the last one who tried, and he had his own helicopter.
All politics is personal. Beto O'Rourke has by now met and spoken with hundreds of thousands of voters. We will see if Ted Cruz can overcome Beto, not the other way around.
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It is interesting in these time flush with data that lawn signs and their ubiquity may be better than polls. I predict Beto wins. Unfortunately, I saw that same phenomenon in 2016 with the current White House occupant.
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If Mr. Cruz and his colleagues are counting on low Democratic turnout to win, they might be in for a big surprise. Cruz is thoroughly unlikeable; O'Rourke is not. Sometimes that is enough.
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There are ai least two things Sen Ted Cruz should do to strengthen his candidacy: Distancing himself from Trump and supporting the impeachment. To start with, vote "No" against the rigged nomination of Judge Kavanaugh, and decline Trump's offer to go to Texas in October.
The Texans' "welcome" of the would be felon will certainly not helpful to Cruz's re-election.
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Ted Cruz continually portrays Beto O’Rourke supporters as filled with extreme hatred and rage. As a volunteer with the Beto for Texas campaign, I can tell you that nothing is further from the truth. Beto’s supporters are filled with optimism, hope and positive energy. Beto focuses on issues important to Texas residents while Ted spends too much time sifting through Betos’s past looking for imperfections and spreading misinformation. The only anger and hatred I’ve observed is from the Cruz base who call our office.
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@Emcee
When regressives decry something, anything, the opposite is usually true. Rafael Edward is just another regressive Republican being a Regressive Republican.
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Cruz speaking at the Petroleum Club personifies his commitment to Texans. He is in a dog fight and the Republican Party knows it, otherwise, they would not be flying Trump to the state and suddenly scraping up cash from the Kochs and other reliable sources. The short-shortsightedness of Cruz and the Republican Party is evidenced by the impression that Cruz "should've been campaigning sooner." That idea totally ignores the fact that Beto O'Rourke has been drawing huge crowds all over the state because Texans are sick of big money, corporate politics. It ignores the fact that Ted Cruz barely won his own state in the Republican party primaries in the last election. He may eke out a victory, although as a 64 year old native Texan, I am encouraged that he may lose. Nevertheless, the slumbering GOP does not realize that there are a lot more of us "have-nots" out there who have never even been to the Petroleum Club than there are those who actually detest Ted Cruz and hold their noses as they vote to protect oil and gas interests and wealthy benefactors.
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It's good news for Beto that Trump is going to campaign for Cruz. Texans (I was raised in San Antonio) have a feel for slimy types like both Trump and Cruz, and can't stand to be around them. They prefer people like Ann Richards- and Beto O'Rourke.
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@Mike Roddy
Dan Patrick and our pal Paxton aren't slimy?
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@Mike Roddy
Mr. Roddy, you just destroyed my mental image of Texas as The Lemming State. I'm glad that a good percentage of Texans are able to see Trump and Cruz as the slimy con men that they are and not the patriots they pretend to be.
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@Mike Roddy How did that 'feel for slimy types' impact his election in 2013? Would he have gotten even more than 56% of the vote had Texans not been aware of sliminess?
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The next time millions of Texans are stuck in traffic, which is every blessed day, perhaps they will consider everything Ted Cruz has done for them. He has been far more interested in grandstanding stunts like shutting down the government than keeping our infrastructure in good shape. Ted Cruz will waste billions on Trump's wall, helping Trump trample the rights of thousands of landowners with eminent domain foreclosures, before he looks around and cares a whit about the real needs of Texans.
Ted Cruz's supporters, and Beto O'Rourke's supporters, have many pre-existing health issues. They will be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions if Ted Cruz and others like him are re-elected. Texas has more uninsured than any other state. Cruz doesn't care. Beto O'Rourke does care.
I don't know if Ted Cruz really is Lucifer the Devil, as some Republicans have said, but Cruz is doing the Devil's work. Ted Cruz doesn't care if Democrats and Republicans hate each other. Like Trump and Fox News, he thrives on hatred and won't lift a finger to stop it.
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Cruz was the only one who could have stopped trump, but Ted didn't have the backbone when trump insulted his father and wife. I guess I know a different kind of Texas man! The men I worked with, in the same situation, would have walked down that stage, demanded an apology, and if it was't forthcoming it would have been game on! A missed opportunity Ted, and it will define the rest of your political life!
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@Jack Frederick. I have also wondered how the men of Texas have felt about Cruz letting Trump insult his wife and father. Has the word coward crossed their lips?
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Don't worry about this Texas Republicans. Cruz has got this race sewn up. Like the man said, there is no way Texas will ever elect a Democrat to The Senate. No point in even bothering to vote really. I mean, come on, Beto O'Roarke. The guy was in a punk band.
Just relax everyone. Trump and Cruz are best buds, and they will take care of everything.
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@Rick .
Thank you Rick. I am so relieved.
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@Rick
Isn't it more important to look at the person running and what he/she stands for rather than a party label? This comment is a perfect example of why people foolishly vote against their own best interests. I remember someone many years ago, who certainly could have used the benefits of health care, always voting Republican because the rich vote Republican and they know better because they are rich.
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@Zoned Your Sarcasm detector is broken. Check where I am from for a clue.
Ted Cruz should hang up his hat. It's time. His politics represent only a fraction of a changing Texas demographic. In his arrogance and stupidity, he is not equipped to deal with serious issues facing the state and the nation, and believe me, Texas has had its share of this lately. Vote Beto fellow Texans! He is the future of Texas and our country.
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This is what I find interesting. I live in Austin and no candidate ever advertises here, but Beto is a whole lot on TV. Maybe he is doing this everywhere in Texas to make sure all of us that would vote for him this year show up at the polls, all of us. No staying home and leaving it to other people, get out the vote and he could win.
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Counting down the days until I cast my vote for Beto!
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@Cathy B
I live 1,500 miles away but have been sending donations to the O'Rourke campaign fund. Thanks for your vote.
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I’m with you, just sent in another donation. Hope to be writing postcards soon.
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@Kosher Dill
Thanks to YOU from a 77 year old Texan, born and bred, who has been donating too!!!
Of course Cruz is at the Houston Petroleum Club speaking to the American Petroleum Institute (i.e., his owners/handlers) while Beto is out going to every county in Texas meeting as many people as possible. Could the contrast be any clearer?
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@Caveat Emptor It’s about policies, not personalities. Robert Francis O’Rourke wants to raise taxes and take from the people that earn and give to those that don’t. I don’t care how many counties Beto visits — it’s the policy that matters. The economy is booming, especially in Texas; why would any rational person vote Democrat now? I wish we could have Cruz here in California.
Anyone voting on “likeability” should deservedly have their sanity questioned. Only policy matters. You aren’t electing a best friend, you’re electing someone to represent your interests. Low taxes and reduced regulation are in my best interests and I vote accordingly.
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@Brian Dear your comment about lower takes and less regulation suggests that you are not in it for the greater good of our country. I'm sure you know that taxes are necessary to keep commerce moving, improve roads, schools, pretty much everything that everyday people depend on.
Many people feel like less regulation is primarily beneficial to big business, like the petroleum and gas industry. I'm guessing that you don't live in an area where fracking is done, near your neighborhood or a water source that you rely on. Even the EPA could not say that it was safe and that it didn't contaminate groundwater, despite the pressure to do so. But I guess it's okay since it's just the folks in Texas that will need to deal with it.
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@Brian Dear
"The economy is booming, especially in Texas; why would any rational person vote Democrat now?"
You make it sound like you believe Democrats are good at picking up the pieces when the economy crashes. I agree - and that's why I'll vote mostly or all Democrat when the economy is good.
It wasn't the content that irked me here but rather the structure and packaging of the piece. Where normally the NYT bends way over backwards in its commitment to the on-the-one-hand-this-on-the-other-hand-that dynamic, here the article was largely stuffed with 'that ain't happening' denials by Republican operatives. There's a passing reference to lawn signs for Beto in places you might not expect them, and a newly elevated national prominence via talk show appearances, but the article is largely a litany of confident, 'nothing to see here' denials of even the chance that the Democrat has a shot.
What's struck me in watching the race from afar is O'Rourke's insistence that he keep presenting alternative ideas for mitigating the country's challenges, even in terrain where a more cautious pol - dare I say Cruz? - might back down on that particular message. So it's a full-throated argument in favor of Medicare for All, it's a well-expressed defense of the right of athletes to protest during the anthem. As best as I can tell in listening to Cruz's speeches, it's 'They want to come 'here' and make you like tofu.' Contrast that with a guy who's rattling off substance in any of his six speeches a day and maybe the explanation for this race's apparent closeness starts to come in to clearer view.
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@E.Dougherty
Cruz's tofu/silicone/hair dye remark is so hilarious.
Desperate times beget desperate measures.
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O'Rourke is holding town halls across the state talking to ordinary people and Cruz is talking to the Petroleum club. Cruz continues to say he represents all Texans but he has never represented my views and I'm a born and bred Texan.
I'd happily crawl over broken glass to vote for O'Rourke.
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@SZ. I'm also a Texan, I'll go one step further -- I'll crawl over broken glass NAKED !! When I ask my neighbors too teach me (tell me) what exactly has lying ted done for you or me, they just stand there - no words come from there mouths. If you don't vote then you don't count.
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@SZ
We don't need you to crawl over broken glass to vote, we need you (and your fellow Democrats) to help GET OUT THE VOTE. Year after year, Texas ranks near the bottom nationally in electoral participation. Please call your local Democratic headquarters and offer to drive neighbors to the polls. Make phone calls. Post/Share/Like on Social Media. Without every Democrat actively involved, O'Rourke may not win.
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@SZ- I’m going to try and order a Beto sign, if they will ship to CA.
If Cruz loses who is the anti-Christ, and don’t say Trump, he’s not smart enough for the job.
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A dog fight requires two dogs. I see one dog and Beto O'Rourke. Can this be the end of Ted Cruz? Or as his president, Trump has described him; Lyin' Ted?
How appropriate that Ted would frequent the Petroleum Club of Houston.
His American Energy Renaissance Act would, among other things;
Leave regulation of hydraulic fracturing in state hands, Streamline the permitting process for upgrading existing and building new refineries,
Phase out and repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),
Exclude greenhouse gases from regulation by the EPA and other federal agencies,
Stop certain EPA regulations that will adversely impact coal and electric power plants,
Expand energy development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and on Indian Lands.
This particular dog has had his day.
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@interested party I pay $4 per gallon here in Silicon Valley. I welcome Cruz’s efforts to reduce that burden. I also pay some of the highest rent in the country and some of the highest taxes. We need more Cruz ideas because frankly, I can’t afford more Democrat ideas; I live in ground zero for Democrat ideas and paying for those ideas is fast becoming unsustainable.
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@interested party Right on the mark!!!
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And why do you think Republicans in the Senate are going to help you have more affordable housing in California? They keep lowering taxes on the wealthy and making local areas pay for more services.
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