2016 Election

[hog88]

From Jan 2013 to Jul 2015, Cruz missed 103 of 908 roll call votes, which is 11.3%. This is much worse than the median of 1.6% among the lifetime records of senators currently serving.


Remember Cruz's stunt that allow Obama's nomineees approved?

Republicans are furious with Ted Cruz when a stunt designed to block President Obama’s immigration actions backfired, opening the door for Harry Reid to push through numerous Obama nominations.

Several Republicans are criticizing the move by Cruz that ultimately led to Reid being able to finish work on the nominees.

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) likened Cruz’s actions to his role in the 16-day government shutdown last year, stating: “I’ve seen this movie before, and I wouldn’t pay money to see it again.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) told reporters: “Suffice it to say I’m not happy with the strategy [Cruz] has come up with, I think it’s totally counterproductive,” adding “This reminds me very much of the shutdown last year where the strategy made absolutely no sense and was counterproductive, and I believe we’re in the same kind of situation today.”

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said, “I wish you hadn’t pointed that out,” when asked if Cruz had created an opening for the Democrats, adding “You should have an end goal in sight if you’re going to do these types of things and I don’t see an end goal other than irritating a lot of people.”

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) said “I was in the House for 14 years, and I’m not opposed to lonely tactics, but if you’re achieving something, that’s the test, and I don’t see what we’re achieving here. I just don’t.”

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) said “The other concern I have here now is the nominations that are going to get through that otherwise wouldn’t.”

Still, how would he be worse than Hillary?

 

[1972 Grad]

So he ticked off a bunch of Rinos?

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

From Jan 2013 to Jul 2015, Cruz missed 103 of 908 roll call votes, which is 11.3%. This is much worse than the median of 1.6% among the lifetime records of senators currently serving.

That's a bit of a broad brush Gramps, so here's a few more details...

POTUS (R) senator candidates for the last 12 months:

1. Rubio - 31% missed
2. Graham - 24% missed
3. Cruz - 21% missed

POTUS (R) senator candidates from Dec '13 - Dec '14:

1. Graham - 10% missed
2. Cruz - 9% missed
3. Rubio - 9% missed

POTUS candidates for the 2008 election:

1. McCain - 54% missed
2. Biden - 37% missed
3. Obama - 33% missed
4. Paul - 27% missed
5. Clinton - 18% missed

So Cruz' record is actually better than Graham's... the person you are referencing for attacking Cruz... and also better than most others who have ran for the POTUS office. And as far as the quotes you included, most of those (Orrin Hatch... cough, cough) are some of the "life long" politicians that need to be shaken around a bit imo.

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/presidential-candidates

And as hog88 as mentioned, I'm still not sure how he could be viewed as worse than Hillary.

 

[1972 Grad]

Hatch has only been in the Senate for almost 40 years, and Susan Collins ( maybe the most liberal Repub) for 18. They don't like their perfect little world disrupted. They are part of the problem.

 

[Gramps]

Still, how would he be worse than Hillary?

As far as Cruz and Hillary, his views are farther right than hers are left. He is the Bernie Sanders of the right. Extremist are dangerous to America if they can get their policies through be they right or left.

Let’s Be Serious About Ted Cruz From The Start: He’s Too Extreme And Too Disliked To Win | FiveThirtyEight

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

As far as Cruz and Hillary, his views are farther right than hers are left. He is the Bernie Sanders of the right. Extremist are dangerous to America if they can get their policies through be they right or left.

Based on where Sanders is positioned, this would seem to be fairly accurate... and certainly doesn't portray Cruz as an extremist.

Each dot in the chart below is a member of the Senate. The dots are positioned horizontally according to our progressive—conservative ideology score and vertically according to our leadership score (leaders toward the top). Sanders is shown as a purple triangle. (analysis methodology)

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/bernard_sanders/400357


https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/ted_cruz/412573

 

[Gramps]

Based on where Sanders is positioned, this would seem to be fairly accurate... and certainly doesn't portray Cruz as an extremist.

Cruz is about as far right as one can get. Yes he is an extremist and so is Sanders. If you want to support Cruz, I have no problem with that, it is your right to support who you choose. I am posting why I will not support him.

 

[PKT_VOL]

I had read Graham's comments earlier, and am still a bit confused regarding him "hitting the nail square on the head" regarding Cruz. Other than having different opinions on abortion (which I would actually think Gramps may be more in line with Cruz), this was his primary comment...


Since you bumped the post, do you or Gramps have any additional information on what "hateful rhetoric" Cruz may have used against Hispanics? I'm well aware of Trump's comments, but am not aware of anything Cruz may have said.

Graham's speech came on the heels of Cruz's speech to the Jews. In Cruz's speech, he was talking about evangelicals being the key to success. Graham, who had a different speech prepared, decided that such foolishness needed to be addressed rather than his foreign policy speech.

The demographics of this country are changing. The average voter for a presidential race is vastly different than a midterm voter, let alone an off-year voter. The GOP has to start building a broader coalition to win the White House.

Hispanics, which are a rapidly growing demographic segment, are natural Republicans on other issues. GOP immigration proposals make no sense on a number of levels (with respect to enforcement, finances, and wooing Hispanics). Further, extreme abortion stances unnecessarily turn off potential female voters.

His overarching, more subtle point, is that social issues are way less important than fiscal issues and are actively preventing the GOP from creating a viable coalition that could change the direction of the country on the important matters (fiscal issues).

Like I stated earlier in this thread, Cruz is the Obama of the GOP. Both are smart, idealogues, and considered insufferable assess by those who work with them. As the Obama administration demonstrated, the latter two are toxic for governing.

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

Cruz is about as far right as one can get. Yes he is an extremist and so is Sanders. If you want to support Cruz, I have no problem with that, it is your right to support who you choose. I am posting why I will not support him.

Thanks Gramps. Again... I appreciate your continued feedback. And as I said previously, I have not yet decided who I will vote for which is why I continue to seek out more input and information.

I did read the article you quoted, and from which your chart was provided, and to be honest it sounds a bit more like an opinion piece. Much of what it claimed has already proven to be false as Cruz is absolutely a viable candidate at this point. Further, I can't find any information (other than it's very generic comments) as to how it determined it's "how conservative" chart, but considering it seems to be part of an ESPN website I think the site I provided might be more credible as it fully explains it's process for voting and sponsorship records.

In fact, your article quoted McCain as the type of moderate candidate that the GOP should be promoting but according to the site I've referenced, Cruz is only slightly more right than McCain.

 

[hog88]

As far as Cruz and Hillary, his views are farther right than hers are left. He is the Bernie Sanders of the right. Extremist are dangerous to America if they can get their policies through be they right or left.

Let’s Be Serious About Ted Cruz From The Start: He’s Too Extreme And Too Disliked To Win | FiveThirtyEight

Are you going to answer the question or not?

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

Graham's speech came on the heels of Cruz's speech to the Jews. In Cruz's speech, he was talking about evangelicals being the key to success. Graham, who had a different speech prepared, decided that such foolishness needed to be addressed rather than his foreign policy speech.

The demographics of this country are changing. The average voter for a presidential race is vastly different than a midterm voter, let alone an off-year voter. The GOP has to start building a broader coalition to win the White House.

Hispanics, which are a rapidly growing demographic segment, are natural Republicans on other issues. GOP immigration proposals make no sense on a number of levels (with respect to enforcement, finances, and wooing Hispanics). Further, extreme abortion stances unnecessarily turn off potential female voters.

His overarching, more subtle point, is that social issues are way less important than fiscal issues and are actively preventing the GOP from creating a viable coalition that could change the direction of the country on the important matters (fiscal issues).

Like I stated earlier in this thread, Cruz is the Obama of the GOP. Both are smart, idealogues, and considered insufferable assess by those who work with them. As the Obama administration demonstrated, the latter two are toxic for governing.

There's not much I would disagree with regarding your comments above on demographics, voting, and the GOP... but none of that addressed my question. Graham made a specific comment about "hateful rhetoric" toward Hispanics and I am still curious as to any comments Cruz may have made to fit that description.

As far as your comment I've bolded above, I don't think Obama is even in Cruz' league when it comes to intelligence... and from the little research I've done tonight the only people who have seemed to have an issue with Cruz are some lifelong politicians who have made a living off of our taxes and don't appreciate being challenged by new Senators. In fact, many articles also have suggested that those new to the Senate have worked very closely with Cruz and have encouraged him to run for POTUS.

 

[PKT_VOL]

There's not much I would disagree with regarding your comments above on demographics, voting, and the GOP... but none of that addressed my question. Graham made a specific comment about "hateful rhetoric" toward Hispanics and I am still curious as to any comments Cruz may have made to fit that description.

I don't know which comments he is specifically referring to as he didn't mention them. Some Hispanics find his/GOP comments on immigration as hurtful and coming from a place of hate (however skewed or valid that perception is).

As far as your comment I've bolded above, I don't think Obama is even in Cruz' league when it comes to intelligence... and from the little research I've done tonight the only people who have seemed to have an issue with Cruz are some lifelong politicians who have made a living off of our taxes and don't appreciate being challenged by new Senators. In fact, many articles also have suggested that those new to the Senate have worked very closely with Cruz and have encouraged him to run for POTUS.

Both graduated from Havard Law School. They're smart.

If you think he is well-liked in the Senate/House of Representatives, I dunno what to tell you. I would assume there are delusional people on the left that think the same thing about Obama.

 

[Gramps]

Thanks Gramps. Again... I appreciate your continued feedback. And as I said previously, I have not yet decided who I will vote for which is why I continue to seek out more input and information.

I did read the article you quoted, and from which your chart was provided, and to be honest it sounds a bit more like an opinion piece. Much of what it claimed has already proven to be false as Cruz is absolutely a viable candidate at this point. Further, I can't find any information (other than it's very generic comments) as to how it determined it's "how conservative" chart, but considering it seems to be part of an ESPN website I think the site I provided might be more credible as it fully explains it's process for voting and sponsorship records.

In fact, your article quoted McCain as the type of moderate candidate that the GOP should be promoting but according to the site I've referenced, Cruz is only slightly more right than McCain.

View attachment 103879

That article and the chart I posted came from Nate Silvers site, fivethirtyeight. That has been one of the most dependable sites in presidential elections.

Cruz is far right in his views. Any poster on here that has been following DC politics will tell you he is far right in his views, if they are being honest.

I am a moderate, I will not support a candidate that is far right or far left. I have voted for Dems, I have voted for Repubs and I have voted 3rd party. I vote for the person I think will be the best answer for America. Ted Cruz is not that person.

 

[Gramps]

Are you going to answer the question or not?

I did hog. The actions he has shown in the Senate and his far right wing extremist views makes him as bad a candidate for Potus as Hillary Clinton , if not worse.

 

[PKT_VOL]

He wrote this post a few months ago (which I thought was a very good read) in which he basically said that he is planning to run in 2016. And it's not like the Libertarian Party has any other alternatives who actually have a proven record like Johnson.

I miss that. Thanks for posting.

It made my 2016 vote a foregone conclusion.

 

[1972 Grad]

That article and the chart I posted came from Nate Silvers site, fivethirtyeight. That has been one of the most dependable sites in presidential elections.

Cruz is far right in his views. Any poster on here that has been following DC politics will tell you he is far right in his views, if they are being honest.

I am a moderate, I will not support a candidate that is far right or far left. I have voted for Dems, I have voted for Repubs and I have voted 3rd party. I vote for the person I think will be the best answer for America. Ted Cruz is not that person.

I would think that another Clinton or Bush should suffice for you. More of the same.

 

[Gramps]

I would think that another Clinton or Bush should suffice for you. More of the same.

You would think wrong.

 

[1972 Grad]

You would think wrong.

I thought that you liked good, safe, middle of the road, status quo type candidates.

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

Both graduated from Havard Law School. They're smart.

If you think he is well-liked in the Senate/House of Representatives, I dunno what to tell you. I would assume there are delusional people on the left that think the same thing about Obama.

Feel free to read my post again. I did not say Obama was not smart... I said Cruz was more intelligent than Obama imo.

Also, I did not say Cruz was "well-liked" in the Senate/House. In fact, I admitted just the opposite. But it does not surprise me that a new Senator, with ambition to make changes, would ruffle the feathers of some life-long politicians. That said... Cruz' ability (or inability) to effectively work with others is one of my concerns with him. I admire drive and determination, but if it leaves a path of destruction behind it then ultimately it will fail.

 

[Gramps]

I thought that you liked good, safe, middle of the road, status quo type candidates.

I like middle of the road candidates but I think we have had all the "help" we need from the Bush's and Clinton's.

If the TN primary was tomorrow I would vote for John Kasich. Good solid governor with a good record who leans right.

 

[Franklin Pierce]

I like middle of the road candidates but I think we have had all the "help" we need from the Bush's and Clinton's.

If the TN primary was tomorrow I would vote for John Kasich. Good solid governor with a good record who leans right.

Kasich will likely not be around for the Tennessee primary, which will be Super Tuesday, March 1, 2016.

Kasich is left of center.

 

[1972 Grad]

I like middle of the road candidates but I think we have had all the "help" we need from the Bush's and Clinton's.

If the TN primary was tomorrow I would vote for John Kasich. Good solid governor with a good record who leans right.

You mentioned Sen. Susan Collins of Maine earlier when speaking of Cruz. Sen. Collins has one of, if not the, highest ratings of any Republican by the pro choice group Naral for all of her pro-abortion votes. They rate her at 83%.

 

[Gramps]

You mentioned Sen. Susan Collins of Maine earlier when speaking of Cruz. Sen. Collins has one of, if not the, highest ratings of any Republican by the pro choice group Naral for all of her pro-abortion votes. They rate her at 83%.

I copied and pasted from an article what Republican Senators were saying about Cruz when his stunt opened the door for Reid to get a number of Obama's nomineees through.

I would classify Susan Collins as a centrist Dem with a R beside her name.

 

[PKT_VOL]

Feel free to read my post again. I did not say Obama was not smart... I said Cruz was more intelligent than Obama imo.

They are both idealogues. You identify with one ideology more than the other. You can make a case for Cruz being wiser than Obama based on ideology, but values are not synonymous with intelligence.

Also, I did not say Cruz was "well-liked" in the Senate/House. In fact, I admitted just the opposite. But it does not surprise me that a new Senator, with ambition to make changes, would ruffle the feathers of some life-long politicians. That said... Cruz' ability (or inability) to effectively work with others is one of my concerns with him. I admire drive and determination, but if it leaves a path of destruction behind it then ultimately it will fail.

Then we more or less agree.

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

They are both idealogues. You identify with one ideology more than the other. You can make a case for Cruz being wiser than Obama based on ideology, but values are not synonymous with intelligence.

Presume much? Seriously???

My belief that Cruz is more intelligent than Obama has nothing to do with ideology. For one thing, it is known that Cruz received an A in the same Harvard law class that Obama took, but Obama won't reveal his grades. For another, all one has to do is listen to them speak. Cruz could speak for hours, on various topics, at a moments notice. Obama can barely speak and formulate complete sentences, without numerous pauses, uhms, etc., and the use of a teleprompter.

Obama refers to someone in the Navy as a corpse-man, but I apparently think he's less intelligent than Cruz because of "ideology". Seriously PKT... your post above is very LG'esque in terms of "knowing what I think and why I think it". I would not expect that from you.