# 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:** 24
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/461 "2016-01-15T22:21:59Z")
nm. it was gonna be stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/462 "2016-01-15T22:32:35Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Yeah, because the guy who went to Princeton and Harvard would be above all that east coast liberal elite stuff. And despite attending Harvard Law School (and apparently doing well there), he had this to say in reaction to the Supreme Court verdict allowing same-sex marriage nationwide, “Five unelected lawyers have declared themselves the rulers of 320 million Americans.” As if he’s shocked to discover that the Justices aren’t elected and their decisions affect Americans. (Even more surprising, given that he was a clerk for the Chief Justice.) ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/463 "2016-01-15T22:38:15Z")
I don’t see any inconsistency there. ---
**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:** [January 15, 2016, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/464 "2016-01-15T22:38:45Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > And despite attending Harvard Law School (and apparently doing well there), he had this to say in reaction to the Supreme Court verdict allowing same-sex marriage nationwide, “Five unelected lawyers have declared themselves the rulers of 320 million Americans.” As if he’s shocked to discover that the Justices aren’t elected and their decisions affect Americans. (Even more surprising, given that he was a clerk for the Chief Justice.) And of course, in such cases as Hobby Lobby, Citizen’s United and the 2000 Presidential election, he had no problems with “five unelected judges”. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/465 "2016-01-15T22:50:38Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Yeah, because the guy who went to Princeton and Harvard would be above all that east coast liberal elite stuff. Not to mention the Goldman Sachs employee who sleeps in the bed next to him. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/466 "2016-01-15T23:03:32Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Nitpick: “free rein.” Damn it, one demerit for me -1 ☹ ---
**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:** [January 16, 2016, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/467 "2016-01-16T05:13:31Z")
I don’t think anyone else has posted yet that [a lawsuit has been filed](http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/ted-cruz-citizenship-lawsuit/424425/). However, since it’s filed by a random Houston attorney who probably doesn’t have standing to sue, the suit will probably be thrown out. But even so, it could bring more attention to Cruz’s Canadian birth and cause him problems. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2016, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/468 "2016-01-16T08:26:23Z")
Doesn’t any voter have standing here? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2016, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/469 "2016-01-16T08:38:57Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Not to mention the Goldman Sachs employee who sleeps in the bed next to him. And you shouldn’t mention him because his wife doesn’t know. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2016, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/470 "2016-01-16T13:08:31Z")
> [@Sam\_Lowry](#): > > I don’t think anyone else has posted yet that [a lawsuit has been filed](http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/ted-cruz-citizenship-lawsuit/424425/). However, since it’s filed by a random Houston attorney who probably doesn’t have standing to sue, the suit will probably be thrown out. But even so, it could bring more attention to Cruz’s Canadian birth and cause him problems. [This article](http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/ted-cruz-eligibility-memo/424206/) was the most thorough I’ve seen so far on the subject. The author identifies as a Republican, and a libertarian-leaning one at that, but despite those two red flag seems to have sound scholarship. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/471 "2016-01-16T14:00:12Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > [This article](http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/ted-cruz-eligibility-memo/424206/) was the most thorough I’ve seen so far on the subject. The author identifies as a Republican, and a libertarian-leaning one at that, but despite those two red flag seems to have sound scholarship. The conclusion of this article is that the Supreme Court would likely rule Cruz eligible. Still, I find it obnoxious to use the denigrating word “birther” in the Cruz case, as it seems like a genuinely involved issue as to whether Cruz is eligible or not. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2016, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/472 "2016-01-16T14:03:48Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Doesn’t any voter have standing here? Read this thread [Who can sue Ted Cruz - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=780836) and the linked references then get back to us. The general legal consensus is that no, voters as individuals, or as a class, don’t have standing. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2016, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/473 "2016-01-16T14:26:06Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > The conclusion of this article is that the Supreme Court would likely rule Cruz eligible. Yes, but not because of anything in that article. The Supreme Court consists of political appointees. Justices do sometimes rule against the majority view of their party on a particular case/issue. But when it comes to party control of one of the branches of government, I can’t see them ruling against their own party. The current Supreme Court is 5-4 GOP. As long as there is a GOP majority, Cruz, assuming a November win, is rock-solid safe. Here’s another factor that comes into play: Justices feel not only a party affiliation, but also an affiliation to the Supreme Count as a whole. Overturning a democratic election would damage the reputation of the court, regardless of how brilliant the justification in the written ruling. I don’t see how, after Bush v. Gore, anyone would think this kind of case would be decided on the merits. But to each his own. I will say that, if Cruz was a principled follower of the original intent of the Constitution, he would, because of his foreign birth, not be running for President. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/474 "2016-01-16T14:30:44Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I will say that, if Cruz was a **principled** follower of the original intent of the Constitution, he would, because of his foreign birth, not be running for President. I see where your reasoning went wrong. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/475 "2016-01-16T15:03:28Z")
His apology to New Yorkers: [http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/15/ted-cruz-apologizes-to-new-yorkers-again-and-again/](http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/15/ted-cruz-apologizes-to-new-yorkers-again-and-again/) From the article: “So today, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City all demanded I apologize,” he said theatrically, eliciting some grumbles. “Who am I to say no?” He went on: “I apologize to the millions of New Yorkers who’ve been abandoned for years by liberal politicians.” And on: “I apologize to all the hardworking men and women in New York who’d like to have jobs, but Gov. Cuomo has banned fracking.” And on: “I apologize to all the New Yorkers who are pro-life and pro-marriage and pro-Second Amendment.” And on: “I apologize to all the small businesses that are fleeing New York City because of the crushing taxes and regulations.” And so it went, with Mr. Cruz displaying an impressive handle on New York politics. (He also referenced Mr. de Blasio’s past clashes with his own Police Department and proponents of charter schools.) Wrapping up, Mr. Cruz said he hoped “that was the apology they were looking for.” He’s so smug, he is. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/476 "2016-01-16T15:39:23Z")
It’ll either work brilliantly, or be a total flop. We have to give him points for going all in on this one. In combat there’s a maxim that the only way to survive an ambush is to immediately counterattack into the face of the ambush. Admittedly Cruz ambushed himself with this one, but he’s got the right idea for a response. Time (and the NY Daily News) will tell whether that was wise or foolhardy. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/477 "2016-01-16T16:20:42Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Yes, but not because of anything in that article. > > The Supreme Court consists of political appointees. Justices do sometimes rule against the majority view of their party on a particular case/issue. But when it comes to party control of one of the branches of government, I can’t see them ruling against their own party. > > The current Supreme Court is 5-4 GOP. As long as there is a GOP majority, Cruz, assuming a November win, is rock-solid safe. > > Here’s another factor that comes into play: Justices feel not only a party affiliation, but also an affiliation to the Supreme Count as a whole. Overturning a democratic election would damage the reputation of the court, regardless of how brilliant the justification in the written ruling. > > I don’t see how, after Bush v. Gore, anyone would think this kind of case would be decided on the merits. But to each his own. > > I will say that, if Cruz was a principled follower of the original intent of the Constitution, he would, because of his foreign birth, not be running for President. I think the decision would unanimous in favor of Cruz. This is not a party issue, and The Supremes are not always partisan anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/478 "2016-01-16T16:22:16Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > It’ll either work brilliantly, or be a total flop. We have to give him points for going all in on this one. In combat there’s a maxim that the only way to survive an ambush is to immediately counterattack into the face of the ambush. Admittedly Cruz ambushed himself with this one, but he’s got the right idea for a response. > > Time (and the NY Daily News) will tell whether that was wise or foolhardy. It’ll work to his benefit. The Republican party went from venerating the tough guy into venerating the caricature of a tough guy into venerating being a dick. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2016, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/479 "2016-01-16T19:46:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I think the decision would unanimous in favor of Cruz. This is not a party issue, and The Supremes are not always partisan anyway. Agreed – they would basically say “It’s up to the voters.” ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774/480 "2016-01-16T20:26:22Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > …in most parts of the country potential Cruz voters are not pro-NYC to say the least. I think the New York media may be giving Donald too many points on that one. The JEW media is upset about Cruz’s attack on JEW values? Heavens to Betsy, who’d a thunk it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-presidential-campaign-discussion-thread/715774.md?page=25)