Tag Archive for ted cruz

Why Ted Cruz shouldn’t take on Rubio over Immigration Reform

April 22, 2013 2016, florida politics, immigration, marco rubio, Uncategorized No comments
Ted Cruz Immigration

This morning POLITICO published a story that pitted Texas Senator Ted Cruz in a potential fight over Immigration against Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Ted Cruz, he’s got a lot of similarities with Rubio. Family ties to Cuba, Tea Party favorite, dynamic speaking ability, and a bright future.

These ties would make him the obvious favorite to oppose Rubio on his “Gang of 8″ legislation as the article says.

Not so fast.

Cruz has got the ambition. You see it when he speaks. A forceful delivery that means business and demands results.

But he’d better think twice before becoming the face of opposition for this immigration reform plan. I’ll explain why.

He just got there and doesn’t have the Rubio’s national name ID: Rubio has had two books released, been on the cover of Time, been vetted for Vice-President, and spoofed on the Simpsons and Saturday Night Live. He’s already feuding with Jay-Z and Pitbull (kinda) and has Jeb (Bush) singing his praises. He also broke the “Full Ginsberg” record by appearing on 6 Sunday morning talkers on the same day.

Cruz spoke at the RNC and did a terrific job but he’s still a stranger to the average voter. Rubio has more credibility at this point.

Texas is not Florida: Don’t mess with Texas, I know, I know but Texas is red for the foreseeable future. The GOP needs Florida and that means they need Rubio to put up a valiant fight during this immigration battle, to at least convince the I4 corridor that they’re serious about the issues that effect the growing Hispanic population, in one of the country’s biggest swing states.

His efforts would hurt the GOP with the entire demographic.

At some point, politics becomes a finesse game: The smoke throwers always find this out eventually. There is no way to oppose this immigration plan without eventually positioning yourself as a major media antagonist. Cruz would have to accept openly voice his support for a plan that deports 11 million undocumented immigrants. Not only is this not practical but there are no alternatives. Ask Mitt Romney how that worked out.

He’d become the “big bad” in the mainstream media and that eventually crosses over to the moderates. That’s not the reputation you want.

Working with Rubio and conditionally supporting the legislation would pay dividends in the future: What Cruz should do is trim the legislation here and there, then get behind it. Think about it. As compelling as showdown between Cruz and Rubio sounds, imagine a united front between the two. Cruz could pick up the phone, throw some conditions into the debate and get this legislation passed. There is plenty of room for winners in these talks.

There is a lot of negative, and very little positive for the rising star from the lone star state, in fighting this legislation. He would be far better off putting his mark on this historic reform, than trying to destroy it.

RNC Review Part 1: The Rise of Ann Romney, Christie Impresses

August 29, 2012 Uncategorized 2 comments

Aside from addressing those terrible comments about stay at home moms not working from a couple of months, Mitt Romney’s wife Ann, has stayed fairly quiet on the campaign trail.

All of that changed last night.

Ann Romney energized the GOP faithful in Tampa last night, by doing exactly what she had to. Telling the story of her family that the country was waiting to hear. A story of love, overcoming challenges, and the man who wants to be President, her husband Mitt.

Romney spoke about meeting her husband of 43 years at a high school dance, and told the story of how both sides of the family came from modest beginnings. She mentioned the buzz of “story book marriages” and asked the national audience what kind of story book marriages included a basement apartment, and 5 screaming kids, what kind of story book marriages included overcoming MS and surviving cancer.

This was the real story the country was waiting to hear. The human Mitt Romney that didn’t speak of such things on the stump or in front of cameras.

After taking the crowd to a very personal part of her life, it was time build them back up. She started talking up her husband like only a loving wife could, not with numbers, or political bullet points, but with only a personal promise from the person that knows him the most.

“I promise you, no one will work harder”

By the time she ended her speech to a standing ovation, and her husband’s on the spot decision to join her on stage, the night was already a victory.

Your turn Big Guy.

How the heck was New Jersey Governor Chris Christie suppose to top that? Well, he wasn’t suppose to but, he did take the dialog of the evening to another place, and like the Romney before him, he succeeded.

In a speech that was political strategy gold, the straight talking guv, told the audience “how it was”. He illustrated the President’s divide and conquer strategy. Turning the Hispanic community against each other with the immigration debate, elders against each other with “mediscare” tactics, and finally the female vote with the war on women. The keynote speaker not only inspired but educated, exactly what he had to do.

“Real leaders don’t follow polls, real leaders CHANGE polls!”

Expect that line to be repeated over and over.

Overshadowed were great speeches by Texas’s Ted Cruz who demonstrated why he’s the big show in the lone star state, Rick Santorum who finally gave Romney the nod after a long, contentious primary, and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley who, spoke and attacked with precision that I haven’t seen from her before.

Tonight we get Condoleezza Rice, Tim Pawlenty, Pam Bondi, and Veep Nominee Paul Ryan. It’s going to be a tough night to follow, last night was huge for Republicans in Tampa.

Could Ann Romney be the top speech from this convention?

Wednesday Morning Political Headlines: Paul Ryan, Pam Bondi speak tonight at the RNC

August 29, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

Last night set the speech bar pretty high in Tampa.

What started out as a slower night really kicked into high gear when the marquis speakers walked behind the podium. Former candidate and Senator Rick Santorum, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and Texas Senate candidate Ted Cruz all crushed their speeches with great personal stories and energizing messages to get the crowd going and excited for the main speakers.

Those headliners, Ann Romney, and Chris Christie are both receiving high marks this morning for their speeches. More on that later today.

Today, the conversation turns a little more academic. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Former candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty take the stage. Then you’ve got Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi taking the stage in what could be a national coming out party for her. All setting up Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin Congressman who will be taking his place as the Vice-Presidential candidate in what is promising to be a rocking night in Tampa.

These stories lead your Tuesday morning political headlines.

WESH 2: Double Play!

(Video) Republican National Convention Live

Orange Co. considers measure to block sick pay initiative

Orlando Sentinel: Mitt Romney gains GOP nomination, but his wife steals the night

WOFL FOX 35: Republicans nominate Mitt Romney for president

WFTV 9 Eyewitness News: (Video) Republican convention is in full-throated roar

WKMG Local 6: Romney officially clinches GOP nomination

CF News 13: Bondi, Rice and Ryan headliners at RNC today

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi takes the stage tonight in Tampa on the 2nd night of the RNC

Sandy Adams hopes Cruz magic leads to victory over John Mica

August 1, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

Political junkies all over the country, including here in Florida, were talking about the Texas GOP Senate run-off that saw Tea Party Favorite Ted Cruz run right through establishment backed David Dewhurst. The contest is drawing comparisons to Florida Senator Marco Rubio’s rise and energizes a Tea Party that will seize the momentum and try to pull off more upsets later this month.

A possible upset here in Central Florida? That would be Freshman Tea Party favorite Sandy Adams taking on longtime Rep. John Mica.

There are plenty of comparisons. Cruz was outspent like Adams will be. Dewhurst had powerful allies in the Texas government similar to Mica’s connections in Washington. Cruz was also the beneficiary of a Sarah Palin endorsement like the one Adams received last month. The one difference? Cruz demonstrated polling power. Sandy Adams hasn’t been able to demonstrate a close race in any polling.

She does a have strong team on the ground. Grassroots is what she does. However, unlike 2010 where she enjoyed strong name ID during her time in the state house, she’ll share a ballot with an opponent many of voters will also recognize and that’s where the battle will really be fought in this race.

“I recognized both of these names. Who do I like more?”

It will also be a test for the Tea Party in Central Florida. There still not fond of Mica’s Sunrail initiative and while Adams also voted for the commuter train, she’s got a far better relationship with the movement than Mica and is far more likely to be accessible and vote their way in the future.

The day belongs to Ted Cruz and in a couple of weeks, Adams will hopes her nationally watched primary has the same ending they watched in Texas last night.

Adams hopes her grassroots campaign can produce Ted Cruz results