Monday, March 18, AD 2024 9:50pm

Cruz Endorses Trump

 

Well, he says he will vote for him.  Here is the text of what Cruz said:

 

This election is unlike any other in our nation’s history. Like many other voters, I have struggled to determine the right course of action in this general election.

 

In Cleveland, I urged voters, “please, don’t stay home in November. Stand, and speak, and vote your conscience, vote for candidates up and down the ticket whom you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution.”

 

After many months of careful consideration, of prayer and searching my own conscience, I have decided that on Election Day, I will vote for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump.

 

I’ve made this decision for two reasons. First, last year, I promised to support the Republican nominee. And I intend to keep my word.

 

Second, even though I have had areas of significant disagreement with our nominee, by any measure Hillary Clinton is wholly unacceptable — that’s why I have always been #NeverHillary.

 

Six key policy differences inform my decision.

 

First, and most important, the Supreme Court. For anyone concerned about the Bill of Rights — free speech, religious liberty, the Second Amendment — the Court hangs in the balance. I have spent my professional career fighting before the Court to defend the Constitution. We are only one justice away from losing our most basic rights, and the next president will appoint as many as four new justices. We know, without a doubt, that every Clinton appointee would be a left-wing ideologue. Trump, in contrast, has promised to appoint justices “in the mold of Scalia.”

 

For some time, I have been seeking greater specificity on this issue, and today the Trump campaign provided that, releasing a very strong list of potential Supreme Court nominees — including Sen. Mike Lee, who would make an extraordinary justice — and making an explicit commitment to nominate only from that list. This commitment matters, and it provides a serious reason for voters to choose to support Trump.

 

Second, Obamacare. The failed healthcare law is hurting millions of Americans. If Republicans hold Congress, leadership has committed to passing legislation repealing Obamacare. Clinton, we know beyond a shadow of doubt, would veto that legislation. Trump has said he would sign it.

 

Third, energy. Clinton would continue the Obama administration’s war on coal and relentless efforts to crush the oil and gas industry. Trump has said he will reduce regulations and allow the blossoming American energy renaissance to create millions of new high-paying jobs.

 

Fourth, immigration. Clinton would continue and even expand President Obama’s lawless executive amnesty. Trump has promised that he would revoke those illegal executive orders.

 

Fifth, national security. Clinton would continue the Obama administration’s willful blindness to radical Islamic terrorism. She would continue importing Middle Eastern refugees whom the FBI cannot vet to make sure they are not terrorists. Trump has promised to stop the deluge of unvetted refugees.

 

Sixth, Internet freedom. Clinton supports Obama’s plan to hand over control of the Internet to an international community of stakeholders, including Russia, China, and Iran. Just this week, Trump came out strongly against that plan, and in support of free speech online.

 

These are six vital issues where the candidates’ positions present a clear choice for the American people.

 

If Clinton wins, we know — with 100% certainty — that she would deliver on her left-wing promises, with devastating results for our country.

 

My conscience tells me I must do whatever I can to stop that.

 

We also have seen, over the past few weeks and months, a Trump campaign focusing more and more on freedom — including emphasizing school choice and the power of economic growth to lift African-Americans and Hispanics to prosperity.

 

Finally, after eight years of a lawless Obama administration, targeting and persecuting those disfavored by the administration, fidelity to the rule of law has never been more important.

 

The Supreme Court will be critical in preserving the rule of law. And, if the next administration fails to honor the Constitution and Bill of Rights, then I hope that Republicans and Democrats will stand united in protecting our fundamental liberties.

 

Our country is in crisis. Hillary Clinton is manifestly unfit to be president, and her policies would harm millions of Americans. And Donald Trump is the only thing standing in her way.

 

A year ago, I pledged to endorse the Republican nominee, and I am honoring that commitment. And if you don’t want to see a Hillary Clinton presidency, I encourage you to vote for him.

This was doubtless a bitter pill for Cruz after Trump attacking his wife as ugly and his surreal attempt to tie the father of Cruz to the Kennedy assassination.  Why did he do it?

  1.  I take him at his word that he views a Clinton presidency as a vast disaster for the country.
  2. Cruz thinks that Trump may very well win.
  3. If Trump loses this eliminates the problem of Cruz being blamed for it in 2020 by bitter Trump supporters.
  4. Cruz has been convinced by Mike Pence and other supporters of Trump that Trump is not the lunatic that Cruz thought he was during the primaries, but a man with whom one can work with for the good of the country.
  5. This takes the steam out of a possible challenge to Cruz for his Senate seat in Texas by Trump forces.

What will the impact be?  Probably marginal, but Cruz might bring a precious point or two in solidifying Republican support for Trump.  If he decides to take an active part in the campaign, Cruz could be effective in getting grass roots conservatives to begin working with the Trump campaign in get out the vote drives.  This might be crucial in blue states like Michigan, Wisconsin and, perhaps, Pennsylvania, where Trump is either in striking distance or might be by election day.  Here is Trump’s reaction to the endorsement:

  “I am greatly honored by the endorsement of Senator Cruz. We have fought the battle and he was a tough and brilliant opponent. I look forward to working with him for many years to come in order to make America great again.”

Politics:  no permanent friends, no permanent enemies.

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T. Shaw
T. Shaw
Saturday, September 24, AD 2016 6:02am

Hopefully, truly Cruz realizes that Hillary will inflict fatal damage to the Republic. The rest of the lame never-Trump crowd needs to get off their high horses and help stop Hillary.
.
Didn’t they also take the pledge? The Bushes, Kasichs, et al need to get with the program.
.

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Saturday, September 24, AD 2016 6:39am

As I posted on Facebook, I would prefer a GOP candidate other than Donald Trump, but … I shall vote for Trump even if I have to pinch my nose, suppress my gag reflex and tighten my sphincter. I can excuse Jimmy Carter (an incompetent idiot), George H. W. Bush (senility), William Jefferson Clinton (an adulterer and the husband of the lying murderess opposing Trump) and Barack Hussein Obama (a traitor who merits the punishment reserved for treason). But I cannot excuse George W Bush whom I respected and admired. That he too has revealed he will not support Trump as the GOP candidate means that he will knowingly and willingly vote for a murderess and a pathological liar. Trump may be thrice married, a gambler, and a foul mouthed opportunist, but compared to Poppaea Sabina Caesar, he is a saint. And PS, Trump never denies what he is. About that he has been honest, a virtue rare if not non-existent in anyone running for political office.

Father of Seven
Father of Seven
Saturday, September 24, AD 2016 7:20am

“…a murderess and a pathological liar…” Well said. There is no choice. Glad to see Ted Cruz agrees.

Suz
Suz
Saturday, September 24, AD 2016 9:26am

Pulling the lever against Hillary gets easier by the day. Lists of priority issues may vary, but that woman’s promises are just plain horrifying. And what if she dies in office—plausible—and her wonderfully devout Catholic veep becomes our overlord? Shudder…

Michael Dowd
Michael Dowd
Saturday, September 24, AD 2016 10:30am

This is good news. Nice to have the family getting back together again–sort of.

I understand some Trump supporters are upset about Cruz’s endorsement. Just because it was slow in coming and back handed should be no reason for such childish peevishness.

Greg Mockeridge
Greg Mockeridge
Saturday, September 24, AD 2016 1:49pm

This strikes me as strange coming this late in he game. I think it could possibly hurt Trump because it can make him look desperate. Trump made it a point the day after the convention that he didn’t want Cruz’s endorsement. Now it looks as though Trump is groveling. In the short term it makes Cruz look like he caved. But it’ll be long forgotten two years now when Cruz seeks reelection for the senate, let alone four years from now. In any event, I think it proves once again that Cruz’s political acumen is highly overrated.

.Anzlyne
.Anzlyne
Saturday, September 24, AD 2016 7:01pm

I think the impact will be very good– along with the Catholic advisory board which includes a guy I really like – Rick Santorum.
Cruz and The Catholic advisors are showing leadership at a time that a lot of mugwumpers looking for someone help them decide to vote for Trump.

CAM
CAM
Saturday, September 24, AD 2016 8:25pm

Lucius, Did “W” actually say that he would vote for Hillary? Saying that one will not vote for Trump does not mean that there will be a vote for Hillary. IHO I don’t think Pres. George W. Bush would vote for Hillary as he has integrity. I agree with you about his father.
.Anzlyne, thank you for bringing up the Catholic advisory board. I do believe they are quietly working behind the scenes with results.

Stephen E Dalton
Stephen E Dalton
Sunday, September 25, AD 2016 5:32am

As far as I’m concerned, the only reason why Cruz got on the Trump Train is to secure his reelection to the Senate two years from now. He may not get re-elected, because a lot of folks in the Lone Star state despise him,

Foxfier
Admin
Sunday, September 25, AD 2016 8:54am

Funny, that doesn’t look like an endorsement to me…. it looks like a natural development on party unity and trying to figure out who is the least bad option.
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Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus- wasn’t that story in the same vein, but even less supported? Some guy who went to a small group event reported W said he was worried about stuff?

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