Debate: Cruz vs. Rubio
At the GOP debate, Cruz and Rubio spar over immigration, with Rubio saying his view on immigration was the same as Cruz’s. Cruz responds:
I led the fight against his legalization and amnesty like suggesting the fireman and the arsonist have the same record because they were both at the scene of the fire…I have never supported legalization, and I do not intend to support legalization.
On national security, Cruz:
One of the problems with Marco’s foreign policy is he has far too often supported Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama undermining governments in the Middle East that have helped radical Islamic terrorists,” Mr. Cruz said. “We need to focus on killing the bad guys, not getting stuck in Middle Eastern civil wars that don’t keep America safe.
Rubio responds that while President Obama and Hillary Clinton wanted to “lead from behind,” Cruz was suggesting “not to lead at all.”
Criticises Rubio in Breitbart interview
In an interview with Breitbart, Cruz criticizes Marco Rubio over the “Gang of Eight” amnesty bill. Cruz:
Border security is national security. No candidate who has advocated amnesty, who has advocated leaving our border unsecured, who has advocated giving President [Barack] Obama the ability to bring in tens of thousands of Syrian refugees with no background checks can plausibly claim to be an effective leader on national security. An unsecured border and millions coming into this country illegally with the promise of amnesty—with no background checks whatsoever—is fundamentally inconsistent with keeping America safe. Each of us in public office makes a choice, makes a choice of where you stand…A great many of us, including me and including Sen. Rubio, had promised the men and women who elected us that if you sent us to the Senate we would fight tooth and nail against amnesty. In 2013, I made the decision to honor that promise. Sen. Rubio made a different decision. He chose to stand with Barack Obama and Chuck Schumer and the establishment Republicans and push the most massive amnesty program in the history of our country—push legislation that would not secure the border, push legislation that would grant citizenship to over 12 million people here illegally, push legislation that would give President Obama a blank check for admitting Middle Eastern refugees with no background checks. I made a very different decision…So on the question of amnesty, Sen. Rubio stands with the Washington elites—I stand with the working men and women of America.
Cruz on Tisha b’Av
Cruz sends a message to his Jewish supporters on the day of Tisha B’Av in which he compares the Iran nuclear deal to the same danger that led to the destruction of the two ancient Jewish temples:
To all those observing the mourning of Tisha B’Av, I wish you a time of meaningful reflection on the destruction of the holy Temples and the calamities that befell our Jewish brothers on this day. As our Jewish friends hope for the rebuilding of the Temple speedily in our days, I share their joy in the establishment of a Jewish State after 2,000 years of exile. Especially today, with stakes so high, we can never allow there to be a threat to Israel’s destruction. We must furiously fight the Iran deal that puts Israel in jeopardy so that we may never again mourn the destruction of the Jewish State.
Memorial Day message
Cruz tweets a gif of the American flag waving behind the words
This #MemorialDay join me in honoring our servicemen & women who've fallen; it's their sacrifice that keeps us free. pic.twitter.com/ZE8LhRgRNx
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 25, 2015
Defends gay marriage views, criticizes Clinton
While meeting with local leaders Cruz defends his views on same-sex marriage, saying he does not think his opposition to gay marriage will hurt his chances with moderate voters.
Is there something about the left — and I am going to put the media in this category — that is obsessed with sex? ISIS is executing homosexuals — you want to talk about gay rights? This week was a very bad week for gay rights because the expansion of ISIS, the expansion of radical, theocratic, Islamic zealots that crucify Christians, that behead children and that murder homosexuals — that ought to be concerning you far more than asking six questions all on the same topic.
On Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal e-mail while she was the secretary of state.
Unfortunately this pattern of deception is what we’ve come to expect from the Clintons. I think what’s most surprising is how unsurprising this is.
Cruz again declined to say whether he would participate in the Iowa Straw Poll.
I am spending a great deal of time in Iowa, and I intend to spend a great deal of time in Iowa and participate vigorously in the Iowa caucus. A number of candidates and a number of campaigns are making decisions on the straw poll right now and we’re certainly making those decisions at the same time.
Criticizes radical Islam for Garland shooting
Cruz criticizes radical Islam for Garland shooting. He also praises police officers for killing the terrorists.
We saw the ugly face of radical Islam in Garland, Texas…Radical Islamists behead Christians and even conduct attacks in Texas…Thankfully, one police officer helped those terrorists meet their virgins.
Congress ‘must stop Iran deal’
Cruz urges Congress to stop Iran nuclear deal. He claims that a bad deal with Iran would jeopardize the life of million of Americans.
Our first priority should be stopping a bad Iran deal that jeopardizes the lives of millions of Americans and millions of our allies. There is nothing more important this body can consider, not trade, not the budget. There is nothing more important. The first responsibility of this body is to protect the national security of this country – to protect the lives and safety of men, women, and children across this country – and the President’s Iran deal deeply jeopardizes the safety of Americans.
Welcomes Paul to 2016 Race
Cruz welcomes fellow Republican Paul to 2016 presidential race.
I am glad to welcome my friend Rand Paul into the 2016 GOP primary. Rand is a good friend, and we have worked side by side on many issues. I respect his talent, his passion, and the work he has done for Kentuckians and Americans in the U.S. Senate. His entry into the race will no doubt raise the bar of competition, help make us all stronger, and ultimately ensure that the GOP nominee is equipped to beat Hillary Clinton and to take back the White House for Republicans in 2016.
Late Night with Seth Meyers interview
Cruz gives an interview to Meyers on Late Night with Seth Meyers, talking about his views on gay marriage.
For over 200 years, marriage has been a question for the states. Now, personally I believe in traditional marriage between one man and one woman. But if you want to change the marriage laws, the way to do it constitutionally, is convince your fellow citizens to go to the state legislator and change it. It shouldn’t be the federal government or unelected judges imposing their own definition of marriage. We should, instead, respect our constitutional system.
On his extended Obamacare filibuster:
It actually went fabulously, because right now, Obamacare has 37 percent approval rating and as a result of Obamacare, Harry Reid and the Democrats lost the senate, and in 2016, I think we’re gonna see a very different election result.
