CNN "State of the Union" interviews during 2017: on Government Reform


Ted Cruz: Government is corrupt; so don't give them more power

CRUZ: In the course of the campaign last year, I would talk with a lot of young people who supported Bernie. And I'd say to them, "You know what? I agree with Bernie." And they sort of look at me, startled. I'd say, "Bernie talks about how Washington is corrupt, how both parties are in bed with big business and big money and it is a corrupt system benefitting special interests. I agree absolutely and entirely." And what I tell folks is where I disagree is in his solution. If the problem is government is corrupt, why on earth would you want more power in Washington? I want to take power out of Washington and empower the people. When it comes to taxes, what I want a simple flat tax of 10 percent for everyone and abolish the IRS. That ends the power of lobbyists. It ends the power of Washington. That's a solution empowers the people.

SANDERS: In the midst of massive unprecedented income and wealth inequality, Ted's plan, according to "Wall Street Journal" would give incredible tax breaks to top 1%.

Source: CNN 2017 Town Hall debates: Ted Cruz vs. Bernie Sanders Feb 7, 2017

  • The above quotations are from CNN "State of the Union" interviews during 2017
    (Jake Tapper and Dana Bash interviewing candidates for 2017-18 races).
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Government Reform.
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  • Click here for more quotes by Mike Pence on Government Reform.
2016 Presidential contenders on Government Reform:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI) 		Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Jan 06, 2019