In a field of largely anti-gay presidential hopefuls vying for the Republican party nomination in 2016, Ted Cruz may just be leading the pack. Iowa insiders say that trio of endorsements gives Cruz a powerful surge among social conservatives and evangelicals, a key group that Cruz is working to appeal to both in Iowa and nationally.
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“Number one, I like Donald, but number two, everywhere Donald goes, he brings 100 television cameras with him”, Cruz said.
“What I have said many times is particularly in the wake of the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, that the American people are looking with greater seriousness and gravity at a commander-in-chief”, Cruz said. “Not only have we secured the endorsements of prominent conservatives across the state of Iowa including Bob Vander Plaats, Steve King and Steve Deace, we have almost 3,000 volunteers working with 99 county chairmen and a terrific leadership team”, said Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler.
“Who am I comfortable having their finger on the button?” Ted Cruz questioning Donald Trump’s judgment was released.
“I think I’ll win the Hispanic vote”, Trump told reporters after touring the bridge. During the press conference Vander Plaats called Cruz, “the extraordinary leader that we need for these extraordinary times”.
The first state contest will be fascinating insofar as we will get some handle on who Trump voters really are, whether they turn out to vote and how strong the antipathy toward him from other Republicans may be. He’s a kingmaker. If nothing else, this should accelerate the defection of evangelicals from Carson’s campaign to Cruz’s, which means a bigger lead for Cruz over Trump there. But comments by the Texas senator questioning Trump’s “judgement” from a private fundraiser earlier this week were leaked to the New York Times. “He’s playing a very long game organizationally on the ground”, Brock said.
“The Establishment’s only hope: Trump & me in a cage match”, he tweeted.
Drawing contrasts with some of his Republican rivals, Cruz opposed expanded surveillance powers, saying the ones that exist already threaten civil liberties.
Likening the fight against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, and other extremist groups to the Ronald Reagan-era Cold War on communism, the Texas senator said the focus should be on radical Islamic terrorism. “You get a lot of guys who say they want your help when you’re running, and then they forget about you when you get there”. Trump tweeted Friday morning. “Thank you Phil Burress”, Cruz told the crowd in a five-minute video shared with CNN.
“Looks like @tedcruz is getting ready to assault”, Trump wrote. I have no special interest.
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‘I would say that we would certainly have things in mind for Ted, ‘ he said. Vander Plaats may not be a household name but if you follow conservative politics, especially presidential politics as most of us who read blogs do, you know who he is.
