Sen. Ted Cruz - what do Republicans think?

[Anonymous]

I am a Democrat, but have many Republicans in my life that I love and respect. We may not agree on everything but we have far more in common than our differences. So, when someone from the Republican party behaves like Ted Cruz (freshman senator from Texas) has, I wonder if Republicans feel embarrassed by him? His actions and comments really seem beyond the pale to me – Republicans, do you think he is the future of your party? Or is he the fringe that doesn’t really represent the present day GOP? (FWIW, I’ve certainly disavowed and rebuked Democrats that have behaved badly)

For anyone that doesn’t know about Senator Cruz, here are a few choice quotes/facts regarding his short time thus far in the Senate:

*one of the 22 senators who voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act
*among the 34 who voted against raising the debt ceiling
*one of 36 who opposed a relief package for the regions hit by Hurricane Sandy
*one of 3 who voted against John Kerry’s confirmation as Secretary of State
*stated regarding why he voted against Kerry’s confirmation, “ I was compelled to vote no on Senator Kerry's nomination because of his longstanding less-than-vigorous defense of U.S. national security issues” (John Kerry is a highly decorated Vietnam War Veteran; Mr. Cruz has no military service)
*criticized Chuck Hagel by stating that he had been ‘endorsed’ by Iran; his basis for this assertion was a statement from Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast in which he had expressed the hope that Hagel, as Secretary of Defense, would help to improve relations between Iran and the United States, noting that Hagel has opposed the use of a military strike to stop Iran's nuclear weapons program (Chuck Hagel is also a highly decorated Vietnam War Veteran)
*suggesting that Mr. Hagel might have received compensation from foreign enemies, although gave no evidence supporting his assertion

[Anonymous]

What are you , a racist ?

[Anonymous]

Oh no that kind of behavior could lead to a senate majority leader accusing Romney of not paying 12 years of taxes without any evidence.... Oh wait.

[Anonymous]

Oh gosh, someone who doesn't agree with OP!!

OP, you're aware of his path to the Senate correct? I'm assuming no. It was straight thru establishment Republicans and Rick Perry's machine in TX. And before you bring up Perry's national performance, you should review how he handled KBH.

Like Rubio, Cruz will be a Cuban American Republican in the US Senate until he choses not to be or is promoted to AG.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who went to Cruz events, whether in TX or here in town, like myself would have heard him say what his plan was:

To go against the grain, rile the establishment and not wait in line.

I'd say he's a man of his word. And no, the Austin Statesman nor the Dallas Morning News are an accurate depiction of the TX voter.

[Anonymous]

14:52 No

14:54 As I stated, I do call out bad behavior of Democrats, and I think that was one of Harry Reid's worst actions/statements/moments in the senate. I didn't agree with it then or now. It's interesting that instead of addressing the question I asked, you pulled a, "I know you are but what am I?!" type of response. Maybe you can try again to answer what I actually asked instead of deflecting. If you can't, then why bother posting at all? Do you feel Senator Cruz represents your beliefs as a Republican? Does his type of Republican thinking stand for the future of your party (in your opinion) or does his thinking represent the fringe? Are the George HW Bush, Rockefeller Republicans the party of the past, with the Tea Party candidates representing the future of your party and where things are going?

15:11 I wasn't posting this to hear from people that agree with me anyway. Yes, his past does align with his current thinking, but I'm not asking about who he is - I'm asking if his behavior, thoughts, ideas, etc represent what republicans see as the current or future platform of their party? Further, do republicans think anyone that works with the president (Hagel is a Republican) is immediately the enemy of their party? Does that apply to Republican ideas as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who went to Cruz events, whether in TX or here in town, like myself would have heard him say what his plan was:

To go against the grain, rile the establishment and not wait in line.

I'd say he's a man of his word. And no, the Austin Statesman nor the Dallas Morning News are an accurate depiction of the TX voter.

Does his going against the grain trump what is right? As in, will he oppose something just to be the opposition without regard to the actual issue? Do you find this to be an admirable or wise method of governing?

[Anonymous]

No. Going against the grain does not of itself trump what is right. However, if he means standing on his own principles, that is different.

In my mind, the jury is still out on Cruz.
I am a Republican, but I do not agree with his stand on all issues. If he is sincere, and speaks his mind and is not just grandstanding, he will get my respect. That does not mean he would necessarily get my vote if I lived in Texas.

I greatly disagree with Dennis Kuchinek--but I greatly respect him because he is honest and (at least it appears) true to his convictions.

It would be so much easier if these Congressmen would follow their consciences along with the wishes of their constituents. I find it disturbing that the Dems are supporting Hagel after that gosh awful hearing. He is NOT competent to lead the Defense Department. Anyone who watched that hearing would know that. If he couldn't prepare for a hearing how could he run DOD? He wasn't too clear on policy, either.

[Anonymous]

Love me some Cruz!

[Anonymous]

He's on a power trip right now, drunk with attention and the delusion that he's going to make a difference. That balloon will come crashing down soon enough when he realizes there are 99 other senators with whom he needs to work and that he'll need some of them to get things for Texas. Regardless of whether they're a Republican or Democrat, folks don't like to work with an arrogant publicity whore.

[Anonymous]

He is an establishment republicans. Just getting some tea party cred till he can get the pork flowing to his state. He is not right wing enough to go any higher.

[Anonymous]

A counter balance to the radical left. It's a new and necessary phenomenon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A counter balance to the radical left. It's a new and necessary phenomenon.

Right, there are tons of "radical left" senators. Like who, Tom Harkin and Barbara Boxer? Sorry but those people are not "radical left".

[Anonymous]

"Republican Sen. John McCain then further criticized Cruz, declaring: "No one on this committee at any time should impugn [Hagel's] character or his integrity." Even Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who's in the midst of anti-Obama chest-thumping ahead of a 2014 primary, said that many of Cruz's accusations and demands were "out of bounds, quite frankly." One Republican senator told Politico anonymously that Republican senators are getting "annoyed" by Cruz's tactics."

http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/13132/ted-cruz-is-the-michele-bachmann-of-the-senate

There are also Republicans who think he can run for President, despite having been born outside the U.S. to one U.S. citizen parent and one non-U.S. citizen parent. The birthers really shot themselves in the foot on that issue, and I can't wait until Cruz has to be hoisted on his party's own petard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's on a power trip right now, drunk with attention and the delusion that he's going to make a difference. That balloon will come crashing down soon enough when he realizes there are 99 other senators with whom he needs to work and that he'll need some of them to get things for Texas. Regardless of whether they're a Republican or Democrat, folks don't like to work with an arrogant publicity whore.

+1