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Ted Cruz on Principles & Values
Republican Texas Senator
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I hear, "I didn't vote for you but you did what you said"
Texas provided my family with hope. Here, my mom became the first in her family ever to go to college. Here, my dad fled Cuba and washed dishes, making 50 cents an hour to pay his way through the University of Texas. When I ran for Senate, I promised
27 million Texans I would fight for you every day, and not for the Washington bosses. As I travel the state, Democrats tell me I didn't vote for you, but you're doing what you said you would do. As president, I will do the same.
Source: 2016 CNN-Telemundo Republican debate on eve of Texas primary
, Feb 25, 2016
FactCheck: Yes, Cruz speaks Spanish & understands Univision
Marco Rubio accused Ted Cruz of being unable to understand Univision (a Spanish-language TV station); Cruz demonstrated Rubio wrong by responding in Spanish:- CRUZ: Marco went on Univision in Spanish and said he would not rescind Pres. Obama's
illegal executive amnesty on his first day in office.
- RUBIO: Well, I don't know how he knows what I said on Univision because he doesn't speak Spanish.
- CRUZ: ¨Marco, qu‚ quieres? Ahora mismo, en espa¤ol: ¨Qu‚ quieres? ["Marco, what do you want?
Right now, in Spanish, what do you want?"]
- RUBIO: Look, this is a disturbing pattern now, because for a number of weeks now, Ted Cruz has just been telling lies. And here is the truth, Ted Cruz supported legalizing people that were in this country.
Both Senators accused each other of lying; we won't comment on the other accusations, but Rubio was clearly incorrect in his assertion that Cruz speaks no Spanish.
Source: OnTheIssues FactCheck on 2016 CBS Republican debate in S.C.
, Feb 14, 2016
FactCheck: McCain was born in US territory, not Panama
Ted Cruz asserted, "If a soldier has a child abroad, that child is a natural-born citizen. That's why John McCain, even though he was born in Panama, was eligible to run for president."We checked the facts and Ted Cruz is wrong--McCain was NOT born in
Panama, but in the Panama Canal Zone, which at that time was a US. territory. Cruz claims, falsely, that McCain was the child of soldiers abroad--that would have been the case if McCain's parents had crossed the border to the country of Panama, but they
chose to stay in U.S. territory.
On the constitutional term "natural-born citizen", OnTheIssues follows the "stamp rule": What stamp would one use at the place one was born? McCain's parents would have used US stamps in the Canal Zone, so McCain is
eligible. Barry Goldwater was similarly questioned in 1964 because he was born in Arizona territory before it became a state--he also passes the "stamp rule." George Romney, born to US parents in Mexico, does not pass the "stamp rule"--nor does Cruz!
Source: OnTheIssues FactChecking on Fox Business 2016 GOP debate
, Jan 15, 2016
$1M campaign finance scandal: "I made a paperwork error"
Just about all of the establishment opposed me in the senate race in Texas and my opponent in that race was worth over 200 million dollars. He put a 25 million dollar check up from his own pocket to fund that
campaign and my wife Heidi and I, we ended up investing everything we owned. We took a loan against our assets to invest it in that campaign. I made a paperwork error disclosing it on one piece of paper instead of the other.
Source: Fox Business Republican 2-tier debate
, Jan 14, 2016
NY values means not a lot of conservatives from Manhattan
Q: You criticized Donald Trump for having "New York values." What does that mean?CRUZ: I think most people know exactly what New York values are. There are many wonderful working men and women in the state of New York.
But everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro- gay-marriage, focus around money and the media. Not a lot of conservatives come out of Manhattan. I'm just saying.
Source: Fox Business Republican 2-tier debate
, Jan 14, 2016
OpEd: attacking "New York values" is anti-Semitism
[OnTheIssues editor Jesse Gordon, who is Jewish, writes]: We accuse Senator Ted Cruz of anti-Semitism because of his repeated comments on "New York values," in which he includes long-established code words against Jews.Cruz said, "Everyone understands
that the values in New York City are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro-gay-marriage, focus around money and the media."
The code words are "money and the media." Those false concepts--that Jews control the banks and control the press--are key
concepts of "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," a fictional attack on Jews published in the 1920s, and cited as "fact" by anti-Semites ever since.
It is generally true that NYC Jews--and all New Yorkers--are socially liberal. But Cruz chooses
instead to hint darkly at stereotypes of Judaism rather than saying it openly--because saying it openly is political suicide. In the 1980s, presidential candidate Jesse Jackson never recovered from his "Hymietown" reference--and neither should Cruz!
Source: OnTheIssues FactCheck on Fox Business Republican debate
, Jan 14, 2016
We the people can turn this nation around
58 years ago, my father fled Cuba. As he stood on the deck of that ferryboat with the wind and salt air blowing, he looked back at the oppression and torture he was escaping. And yet he looked forward to the promise of America. His story is our story.
What ties Americans together is we are all the children of those who risked everything for freedom. If we get back to the free market principles and constitutional liberties that built this country, we can turn this country around.
Source: Fox Business/WSJ Second Tier debate
, Nov 10, 2015
I'm not guy to have beer with; I'm the guy to drive you home
I'm a fighter. I am passionate about what I believe. I've been passionate my whole life about the Constitution. For six and a half years, we've had a gigantic party. If you want someone to grab a beer with, I may not be that guy.
But if you want someone to drive you home, I will get the job done. And I will get you home.
Source: GOP "Your Money/Your Vote" 2015 CNBC 1st-tier debate
, Oct 28, 2015
How about talking about the issues, unlike mainstream media
The questions that have been asked so far in this debate illustrate why the American people don't trust the media. This is not a cage match. And if you look at the questions: Donald Trump, are you a comic book villain?
Ben Carson, can you do math? John Kasich, will you insult two people over here? Marco Rubio, why don't you resign? Jeb Bush, why have your numbers fallen? How about talking about the substantive issues?
Source: GOP "Your Money/Your Vote" 2015 CNBC 1st-tier debate
, Oct 28, 2015
I've been taking on government and my party
Who has stood up not just to Democrats, but to leaders in our own party? When millions of Americans rose up against ObamaCare, I was proud to lead that fight. When millions of Americans rose up against amnesty, I was proud to lead that fight.
When millions of Americans rose up against Planned Parenthood, I was proud to lead that fight. If people are promising they're going to take on Washington and cronyism, you need to look to who has been doing it.
Source: GOP "Your Money/Your Vote" 2015 CNBC 1st-tier debate
, Oct 28, 2015
Religious liberty: Don't lock up Christians like Kim Davis
[On day one as President, I will] instruct the Department of Justice and the IRS, and every other federal agency that the persecution of religious liberty ends TODAY! That means that every service man and woman can worship the Lord God Almighty, with
all of his heart, mind and soul, and his Commanding Officer has nothing to say about it.Kim Davis is here. Just a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Kim in a Kentucky jailhouse. A year ago, if I had come and said that a Christian
woman was going to be locked up in jail for living her faith, the media would have dismissed me as a nutcase. That's where we are today. Kim and I embraced, and I told her, 'Kim, you are inspiring millions across this country by standing for your
faith.' What I told Kim is that you are being lifted up in prayer by millions of believers. You may have thought you were alone in that jail cell, but you didn't understand how crowded it was. And Kim smiled and pointed up and said 'to God be the glory.'
Source: 10th Annual Value Voters Summit - 2015
, Sep 27, 2015
Oppose Surrender Politics: instead, stand for our principles
What happens in politics when one side is absolutely committed to its principles, willing to fight for them, and the other side reflexively surrenders on every issue? We have modern-day Washington. Today, President Barack Obama fights relentlessly for
his liberal priorities. And Republican leadership responds to every challenge by surrendering at the outset.The core of this capitulation comes from Republican leadership's promise that "There will be no government shutdown." On its face, the promise
sounds reasonable. Except in practice it means that Republicans never stand for anything. If Republican majorities in Congress will acquiesce to the identical Big Government priorities that Obama supports, then what difference does it make who is in
charge of Congress?
When Reagan was president, there were eight partial shutdowns. The world didn't end. But that's what happens sometimes when a leader fights for his principles. The alternative is to surrender on everything. We can do better.
Source: Politico.com article by Ted Cruz
, Sep 23, 2015
I'm a consistent conservative, not a campaign conservative
I'm the son of a pastor and evangelist and I've described many times how my father, when I was a child, was an alcoholic. He was not a Christian. And my father left my mother and left me when I was just three years old. And someone invited him to Clay
Road Baptist Church. And he gave his heart to Jesus and it turned him around. And he got on a plane and he flew back to my mother and me.Scripture tells us, "you shall know them by their fruit." We see lots of "campaign conservatives." But if we're
going to win in 2016, we need a consistent conservative, someone who has been a fiscal conservative, a social conservative, a national security conservative.
There are real differences among the candidates on issues like amnesty, like ObamaCare, like
religious liberty, like life and marriage. And I have been proud to fight and stand for religious liberty, to stand against Planned Parenthood, to defend life for my entire career. And I will be proud to continue to do so as president.
Source: Fox News/Facebook Top Ten First Tier debate transcript
, Aug 6, 2015
Domestic policy adviser to George W. Bush campaign
[In 1999, I attended] a fundraiser for Governor Bush. I then met with [Bush campaign staff] and next thing I knew I had a job on the campaign. As one of the domestic policy adviser to George W. Bush. Within two weeks, I had packed up my things and headed
for Austin. When I arrived, the campaign was nascent; most of the staffers sat in cubicles. My portfolio was domestic policy, basically anything that touched on law.
It included criminal justice, tort reform, judicial appointments, civil rights, abortion, gay rights, religious liberty, immigration, gun rights, and campaign finance reform.
Governor Bush intended from the outset to run a campaign that was policy-driven and substantive. There was a lot of pressure on those of us on the policy team to help develop meaningful policy proposals that would underpin the political messaging.
Source: A Time for Truth, by Ted Cruz, p.103-4
, Jun 30, 2015
Attended private grade school which had Jewish founders
Houston was a booming oil town when we arrived, and it was where I spent the remainder of my youth. For grade school, I attended West Briar, a small private school that had been founded by a number of Jewish doctors. It was a terrific school, and
I was fortunate to have a fantastic teacher, Miss Jennings, for both third and fifth grades.
She taught more grammar in elementary school than you'll find in most high school English classes (it seemed we would diagram sentences endlessly). Roughly half the school was Jewish, which led me to believe until I was ten that half the world was
Jewish. Every year, we'd play with dreidels, enjoy latkes, and celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas side by side, and think nothing of it.I went to the Awty International School for junior high. Awty, located in Houston, was half French.
Source: A Time for Truth, by Ted Cruz, p. 33
, Jun 30, 2015
First Amendment's purpose is not hostility toward religion
In 2003, the Supreme Court reviewed a decision that the Pledge of Allegiance cannot be recited in public schools. A lower court ruled that, because the pledge says "one nation, under God," it violates the First Amendment clause about "establishment of
religion."The decision was deeply misguided. It was typical of those on the left who are intent on eradicating any vestige of religion from the public sphere. The First Amendment was not adopted to create government hostility to religion; rather, the
First Amendment exists to protect the religious liberty of every American.
Texas proudly took the lead in defending the Pledge of Allegiance. My team and I wrote an amicus brief that all fifty attorneys general signed, the first time that every state
has signed a single brief submitted to the Supreme Court. And five months later, the Court unanimously reversed the decision of the lower court. We won, and children were once again free to pledge their allegiance to "one nation, under God."
Source: A Time for Truth, by Ted Cruz, p.147-8
, Jun 30, 2015
Politicians from both parties have let us down
In our first benchmark poll, we asked a series of questions to assess where I stood. One of those questions would become famous internally in our campaign: Question 10.
It asked voters if they would be more or less likely to support me if they knew that "Ted Cruz understands that politicians from both parties have let us down.
Cruz is a proven conservative we can trust to provide new leadership in the Senate to reduce the size of government and defend the Constitution."
Among Republicans, those two simple sentences polled north of 80 percent. At the same time, they garnered a majority of Independents, and even 20 percent of Democrats. They became the centrepiece of our campaign.
Source: A Time for Truth, by Ted Cruz, p.200
, Jun 30, 2015
I'm despised by GOP establishment, but so was Reagan
Though Cruz is loathed by the GOP establishment, conservative activists love him. Concerns about his electability are his biggest problem. After 8 years of Obama, conservatives are eager to win back the White House--and to many, Cruz just seems too
extreme to win a general election.His response: Essentially, Cruz argued that he is the reincarnation of Ronald Reagan, and that those foolish doubters would have impeded Reagan's rise. "It was 40 years ago at CPAC that
President Reagan said the path to victory is not pale pastels but bold colors," he said, as some in the crowd shouted those last two words along with him. "I am convinced 2016 is going to be an election very much like 1980," he said.
Translation? Don't worry about electability, because the glorious GOP landslide is imminent. "It's worth remembering, when Reagan ran, Washington despised Reagan," he added. The subtext--that Cruz himself is similarly despised--was obvious.
Source: Vox.com coverage of 2015 Conservative Political Action Conf.
, Feb 27, 2015
We win elections by bold principles & a positive agenda
How do we win elections? In the contrast between corrupt Washington and the American people, we stand with the American people. We stand with a straight-forward and bold and positive agenda to inspire the young, to inspire women, to inspire Hispanics--
to inspire everybody.- Defend the Constitution--all of it.
- We need to abolish the IRS. We need to adopt a simple flat tax.
- We need to expand energy in this country and expand high-paying jobs all over America.
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We need to expand school choice.
- We need to repeal Dodd-Frank.
- We need to audit the Federal Reserve.
- We need to pass a strong balanced budget amendment.
- We need to repeal every single word of ObamaCare.
- We need to stop the lawlessness [of
Obama and ObamaCare].
- We need to end the corruption.
A friend of mine suggested a bumper sticker slogan, "Republicans, we waste less." You win elections by standing for principle, inspiring people that there is a better tomorrow.
Source: Speech at 2014 CPAC convention
, Mar 7, 2014
Obama believes redistribution of wealth betters the world
In a reply to a question on President Barack Obama in a Time magazine interview, Cruz the diplomat replied, "I think Barack Obama is an extraordinary politician.
And I respect Barack Obama a great deal. I think he is committed to his principles, which is rare in politics. Now I also think that the principles he believe in are profoundly dangerous.
I respect that he believes, I think genuinely, with all of his heart, that government control of economy and redistribution of wealth betters the world. I think moving in that direction has wreaked havoc to the American economy.
The people who suffer in the Obama economy have been young people, African Americans, Hispanics, single moms.
Source: Cruzing to the White House, by Mario Broes, p. 96
, Mar 7, 2014
Republican motto: our ideas work; theirs don't
In a speech in November 2012 at the Federalist Society's annual conference, Cruz told the audience that conservatives failed to make their case to the American people, leaving Romney no choice but to move toward the president.
Throughout much of 2012, "We didn't win the argument, we didn't even make the argument," Cruz said.
Except for the first debate, Cruz argued: "It was the one time we actually contested ideas, presented two viewpoints and directions for the country. And then inevitably, there are these mandarins of politics who give
the voice: 'Don't' show any contrasts. Don't rock the boat." Cruz said centrist strategies were doomed to fail Republicans, who should instead focus on a simple motto: "Our ideas work. Theirs don't."
Source: Cruzing to the White House, by Mario Broes, p. 50
, Mar 7, 2014
Not "purity," but commonsense
"It's not a question of purity," Cruz told The Register. "It's a question of standing for common-sense conservative principles that are shared throughout this country that have been part of the American fabric of every small town and every small
business and in families all across this country." He sees "a new paradigm in politics, the rise of the grassroots."Cruz has said every modern Republican presidential candidate who ran as a strong conservative won--Nixon in 1968 and 1972, Reagan in
1980 and 1984, George H.W. Bush in 1988, and George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. Those that ran as an establishment moderate lost--Ford in 1976, George H.W. Bush in 1992, Dole in 1996, McCain in 2008 and Romney in 2012.
"After looking at that
40-year pattern," Cruz said, "the D.C. strategists all say we need more establishment moderates because they haven't won I four decades, but the next time, trust us, they're going to win. That's not a pattern to electoral success.
Source: Cruzing to the White House, by Mario Broes, p. p.162-3
, Mar 7, 2014
2013: Renounced Canadian citizenship
In Aug. 2013, to head off criticism that he is ineligible to run for president, Cruz released his birth certificate. It shows he was born in Calgary, Canada, in 1970 to an American-born mother and, as such, is a US citizen. Cruz also became a citizen of
Canada "the moment he was born" and according to Canadian authorities and legal experts, would need to renounce his Canadian citizenship.Cruz's spokeswoman disagreed that the senator has dual citizenship. "To our knowledge, he never had
Canadian citizenship, so there is nothing to renounce." Less than a day after this story ran, Cruz announced he would renounce his Canadian citizenship. Cruz said in a statement. "I will renounce any Canadian citizenship. Nothing against Canada, but
I'm an American by birth and as a US senator; I believe I should be only an American." In Dec. 2013, Cruz said "I have retained counsel that is preparing the paperwork to renounce the citizenship."
Source: Cruzing to the White House, by Mario Broes, p. p.178
, Mar 7, 2014
Two heroes in life: my father and Ronald Reagan
"Want to understand where the Tea Party champion's hardcore views come from? Meet his father, Rafael," wrote one pundit. At the age of 74, the elder Cruz is now a Tea Party celebrity, a sought-out speaker at conservative organization meetings. Always a
fixture at Ted Cruz's political events, 74-year-old Rafael Cruz, the ex-entrepreneur-turned preacher is distinguished by a smile that reveals "two false teeth to replace those kicked out during the week he spent imprisoned in a Cuban military jail in
1957."During Ted Cruz's 2012 Senate campaign, his father was sent to rallies across Texas to whip up those Cruz votes. Along with his son's political rise, Rafael has become a conservative star in his own right. He is invited to speak at events held
by many right-wing organizations.
For Ted Cruz, the celebrity speaker recognition that his father acquired is an enjoyable by-product of his own political success. "I've really had two heroes in my life," he said. "My father and Ronald Reagan."
Source: Cruzing to the White House, by Mario Broes, p. p.188-9
, Mar 7, 2014
Favorite novel: Atlas Shrugged; & movie: The Princess Bride
Cruz said his favorite novel was Atlas Shrugged, admitting that he likes to read biographies and that he had, for example, read about thirty biographies of Ronald Reagan. He singled out Edmund Morris's Dutch as "a profound disappointment." His favorite
Reagan biography was the one by Dinesh D' Souza, in which Reagan is born on page 38 and is working for General Electric by page 52. His favorite movie is The Princess Bride, a cult classic comedy from 1987.
Source: Cruzing to the White House, by Mario Broes, p. 52-3
, Mar 7, 2014
Washington would be better with more farmers & fewer lawyers
Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz waded into an ugly Senate battle. Last week, Iowa Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley denigrated Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley as "a farmer from Iowa who never went to law school." Braley suggested that made Grassley unqualified to be
chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The speech was made to a group of lawyers; Braley himself is a trial lawyer. The backlash was severe, and Braley apologized.In an opinion piece published in The Iowa Republican,
Cruz, a lawyer himself, touted Grassley and his accomplishments in the Senate. "Well, let me tell you something. Washington would be a lot better off if we had more farmers in Congress and a lot fewer trial lawyers," Cruz writes. "I'm a constitutional
lawyer who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and in my opinion Chuck Grassley--that Iowa farmer whom Braley was denigrating--would make an outstanding chairman of that committee," he went on.
Source: Daily Caller 2014 coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls
, Mar 4, 2014
OpEd: definition of "natural born" has wiggle room
Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, two years after it became a state, while Ted Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Thus Barack entered the world as a "natural born" American, and Ted a Canadian.The American Constitution is explicit as to the
qualifications for those who would be its leader: Article II, Section 1, "No person except a Natural Born Citizen...shall be eligible to the office of President."
A definition either enacted by Congress, or imposed by the Supreme Court, could define
a "natural born" American as being one whose mother is American [like Cruz]. The term "natural born" has a degree of legal wiggle-room because it is a terminology from the latter 18th century which does not allow for the scientific-medical realities of
the 21st century.
The words "natural born" refer to where he was born, and the possible influence of who his parents were, or where they were citizens and why a child was born where they were.
Source: President Ted Cruz, by Lawrence Lipton, p.
, Dec 12, 2013
Great Awakening: response to mess from career politicians
Since 2010, something extraordinary has been happening, something that has dumbfounded the chattering class. What is happening all across America is a Great Awakening. A response to career politicians in both parties who've gotten us into this mess.
This national movement is fueled by what unites us: a love of liberty, a belief in the unlimited potential of free men and women.Today, many in Washington seem content to saddle our children with a financial debt larger than our nation has ever seen.
Government is out of control, and we're going broke. But I'm here with a word of encouragement. Millions of Americans are standing up, saying we want our country back.
Republicans, Democrats, and independents. We will not follow the path of Greece; we will not go quietly into the night.
Source: 2012 Republican National Convention speech
, Aug 28, 2012
OpEd: His law firm donated $200,000 to Obama's campaign
During the Q&A portion of the debate, Dewhurst needled Cruz for not going on record to support Sen. John Cornyn's bid for a GOP leadership position.The filing deadline for the first quarter of 2012 was Sunday. Dewhurst raised $1.7 million and
Cruz raised $1.3 million.
The night before the debate, the Texas Conservatives Fund, Dewhurst's Super PAC run by Dewhurst's former chief-of-staff, put out a new attack ad on Cruz. "Shattered Vision" calls
Cruz a "false conservative" whose law firm has donated over $200,000 to Obama's campaign, sides with Chinese businesses over American ones, and opposed lowering property taxes in 2006. The ad's epic graphics, dark imagery and daunting music make
Cruz out to be some sort of Manchurian candidate. Essentially, standard Republican fare, but a sign nonetheless that Dewhurst will be hitting Cruz back hard until Election Day.
Source: BurntOrangeReport.com on 2012 Texas Senate Debate
, Apr 20, 2012
Defend Ten Commandments and "under God" in the Pledge
Ted Cruz repeatedly defended the right to free speech and religious expression, including in a landmark decision protecting the Texas Ten Commandments monument. That US Supreme Court victory set a vitally important precedent for the right to display
similar monuments across the nation. In addition, Cruz led the way on several cases that preserved the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and allows students to observe a moment of silence in schools.
Source: Campaign website, www.tedcruz.org, "Issues"
, Jul 17, 2011
Endorsed Member of the Tea Party movement.
Cruz is endorsed by the Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is a populist conservative social movement in the United States that emerged in 2009 through a series of locally and nationally coordinated protests. The protests were partially in response to several Federal laws: the stimulus package; te healthcare bill; and the TARP bailouts. The name "Tea Party" refers to the Boston Tea Party of 1773, the source of the phrase, "No Taxation Without Representation."
Source: Tea Party movement 10-Tea on Aug 11, 2010
Page last updated: Jun 02, 2019