# Ted Cruz Presidential campaign discussion thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 23, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774 "2015-03-23T14:47:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2015, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/341 "2015-12-24T15:16:46Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Okay, he was a _two_ trick pony. Military procurement reform as well. Until he ran for president he really was a reformer. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/342 "2015-12-24T15:20:19Z")
He was a reformer when he ran for President too. The messaging was at fault. A guy who had never been a reformer but was instead a very ordinary politician with an ordinary record, ran circles around McCain in terms of messaging. McCain was also standing firm against torture, against tax cuts that weren’t paid for, and against the GOP’s big spending ways under Bush/Delay/Hastert/Lott. Obama’s differences with party orthodoxy on the other hand had been pretty much, well, nothing. Down the line party man. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/343 "2015-12-24T15:49:41Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > He was a reformer when he ran for President too. He sure was going to reform the office of the Vice President!! ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2015, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/344 "2015-12-24T19:32:54Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > Could the cartoon be redeemed if the girls were portrayed as little girls at the end of leashes rather than monkeys? Cruz could still be an organ grinder making the girls dance, but they wouldn’t have to be monkeys. Girls on leashes wouldn’t work. As suggested, puppets maybe. He opened the door by their prominent usage in the ads, delivering lines. Don’t want your girls targeted, don’t paint bullseyes on them. > [@adaher](#): > > So we can portray Presidential candidates(and Presidents) as monkeys now? There is a long history of portraying black people as monkeys, so any political ad aimed at a black Presidential candidate and using monkeys would be seen as racist. There is not a history of protraying white people as monkeys in a racist manner, so portraying white Presidential candidates as monkeys doesn’t carry the same racist tone. But you knew this already. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/345 "2015-12-24T20:14:08Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Don’t want your girls targeted, don’t paint bullseyes on them. It is reprehensible to shoot at children, even if their parents dress them as targets. Try to be _better_ than your enemy. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/346 "2015-12-29T03:02:17Z")
[Cruz Taps Evangelicals, Tea Partiers To Fuel Campaign: > [@](#): > > When Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz first ran for U.S. Senate in Texas, the only thing lower than his name recognition was the expectation that he’d win. > > Then the state solicitor general, Cruz amassed a coalition anchored by tea party conservatives and evangelicals on his way to defeating a sitting lieutenant governor who entered the primary with the financial and organizational muscle of the GOP establishment. > > Now Cruz is trying to take the model nationwide, even as some of his White House rivals, especially Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, compete for the same voters in a scrambled GOP race. > > The son of a Southern Baptist preacher, Cruz will continue his efforts this week with a two-day meeting at a remote Texas ranch that began Monday and was expected to bring together about 300 Christian leaders and key financial backers for a fundraiser. ]([http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_GOP\_2016\_CRUZ\_ORGANIZATION\_TXOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-12-28-12-44-01](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GOP_2016_CRUZ_ORGANIZATION_TXOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-12-28-12-44-01))If every one of those people backed Cruz, how much of a gain towards Trump would that be? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2015, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/347 "2015-12-29T05:56:25Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > I think Cruz opened the door for mockery by using them the way he did. Also, I think the intent of the Washington Post cartoon was to mock Cruz and the way he used his daughters, not to mock the daughters themselves. > > However, portraying the daughters as trained monkeys seems to point it a bit at them. Any efforts to mock the situation should be solidly aimed at Cruz, not derogatory towards the children. I think that cartoon was poorly chosen. Could it be that the cartoon was aiming at Cruz as the organ-grinder? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2015, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/348 "2015-12-29T14:44:26Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > McCain-Feingold, anyone? Overturned almost entirely by SCOTUS (sadly). Though I guess the argument wasn’t whether he was an _effective_ reformer. > [@Baker](#): > > Since Cruz used the girls in an ad they are fair game. > [@Dr.Drake](#): > > It is reprehensible to shoot at children, even if their parents dress them as targets. Try to be _better_ than your enemy. I am with Dr. Drake on this. The girls have no choice about being in Cruz’ ads. Leave them alone. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/349 "2015-12-30T07:19:15Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Overturned almost entirely by SCOTUS (sadly). Though I guess the argument wasn’t whether he was an _effective_ reformer. > . McCain’s biggest weakness, in my view, was his total unconcern about the Constitution. That’s one of the problems with a lot of people who see reform as a moral crusade: rule of law becomes less important than “doing the right thing”. The constitutional issues with McCain-Feingold were not only raised very early on and completely ignored by McCain, but the first court ruling on BCRA that let it stand made it clear that the justices thought there were serious issues as well, but due to the problems BCRA was trying to fix, were willing to see how it would be applied in practice. Legislation that is that constitutionally infirm should never be championed by anyone. And that’s Ted Cruz’s one good quality: he’s very serious about the Constitution and rule of law. I don’t think he’d make a good President, but a Supreme Court justice or Attorney General would be a great place for him to end up. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/350 "2015-12-30T13:49:07Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Legislation that is that constitutionally infirm should never be championed by anyone. And that’s Ted Cruz’s one good quality: he’s very serious about the Constitution and rule of law. I don’t think he’d make a good President, but a Supreme Court justice or Attorney General would be a great place for him to end up. He advocated for _ignoring_ the SCOTUS decision on same-sex marriage. Disqualified. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/351 "2015-12-30T14:05:11Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Forget involving kids. I thought monkeys were off limits for portrayal of politicians now? Hey, look! Another thing you’re wrong about! Why in the world would you think that “monkeys were off limits for portrayal of politicians now”? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/352 "2015-12-30T14:11:30Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Legislation that is that constitutionally infirm should never be championed by anyone. It wasn’t “constitutionally infirm.” In fact, until _Citizens United_ was actually decided the smart money was on the law being upheld. ---
**Author:** ![JG4747](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a5b964/32.png) [@JG4747](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JG4747)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/353 "2015-12-30T16:58:09Z")
Hello, All I hope you and yours are doing well and having happy holidays. I’m new here. Didn’t see a place to do an introductory post, so this will have to suffice unless Mods decree otherwise. I’ve read this thread with interest. Seems to be a bit one sided. I think that it would be beneficial for you to understand the views of a conservative libertarian, as we would appear to make up a sizable chunk of Senator Cruz’s supporters. Please let me know if you would like more. If not, take care. All the best, regardless ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/354 "2015-12-30T17:21:53Z")
We’re all out of gilt-edged invitations so whenever you’re ready. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Lowry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/355 "2015-12-30T17:24:31Z")
> [@JG4747](#): > > Hello, All > I hope you and yours are doing well and having happy holidays. > I’m new here. > Didn’t see a place to do an introductory post, so this will have to suffice unless Mods decree otherwise. > > I’ve read this thread with interest. > Seems to be a bit one sided. > I think that it would be beneficial for you to understand the views of a conservative libertarian, as we would appear to make up a sizable chunk of Senator Cruz’s supporters. > Please let me know if you would like more. > If not, take care. > > All the best, regardless If you are a Cruz supporter, and want to explain why you support him, then this thread is a perfectly fine place to do so. I’d be interested to hear what you have to say. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/356 "2015-12-30T17:31:59Z")
Wouldn’t get ten minutes into it before another “libertarian” comes along and explains that he’s got it all wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/357 "2015-12-30T17:35:09Z")
> [@JG4747](#): > > Hello, All > I hope you and yours are doing well and having happy holidays. > I’m new here. > Didn’t see a place to do an introductory post, so this will have to suffice unless Mods decree otherwise. > > I’ve read this thread with interest. > Seems to be a bit one sided. > I think that it would be beneficial for you to understand the views of a conservative libertarian, as we would appear to make up a sizable chunk of Senator Cruz’s supporters. > Please let me know if you would like more. > If not, take care. > > All the best, regardless I’m all for libertarians. Cruz, however, is creepy and a fucking asshole. I long for a politician who can simply say why his or her ideas have advantages over their opponent’s. But we get people like Cruz saying stupid things like: > [@](#): > > “We’ve never seen a federal government come after the Bill of Rights like this administration.” > [@](#): > > “The Obama economy is a disaster. Obamacare is a train wreck. And the Obama-Clinton foreign policy of leading from behind, the whole world is on fire.” ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/358 "2015-12-30T17:51:56Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Wouldn’t get ten minutes into it before another “libertarian” comes along and explains that he’s got it all wrong. Libertarians are like buses around here- miss one and another comes along in five minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/359 "2015-12-30T19:51:31Z")
Cruz isn’t a libertarian by any reasonable definition, since he is all for government intervention so long as it doesn’t conflict with his personal views. He would be better described as an isolationist conservative. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/360 "2015-12-30T20:06:37Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Cruz isn’t a libertarian by any reasonable definition, since he is all for government intervention so long as it doesn’t conflict with his personal views. He would be better described as an isolationist conservative. Any way we can isolate him from the rest of us? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774.md?page=19)