Presidential race 2016

[HairOfTheDog]

Cruzin'...



Claiming the mantle of the Christian right – and doing it early – is part of a strategy to box out Cruz's Bible Belt rivals like former Baptist preacher Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum, another candidate who leans on his faith to gather support from voters and donors.

‘From the dawn of this country, at every stage America has enjoyed God's providential blessing,' Cruz said. 'Over and over again when we faced impossible odds, the American people rose to the challenge.' ‘God's blessing has been on America from the very beginning of this nation,' Cruz added, 'and I believe God isn't done with America yet.'

Cruz's positions:
-opposes abortion
-believes marriage is between a man and woman only, but that states should decide the definition of "marriage". He is co-sponsor of the State Marriage Defense Act which would allow states that oppose gay marriage to not recognize gay couples who were married in other states,
-wants to end Common Core educational standards supported by federal funding,
-wants to see the Affordable Health Care Act (ObamaCare) repealed,
-opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants,
-opposes additional gun control measures; cozies up to NRA,
-opposes negotiations with Iran for nuclear determent; supports more sanctions,
-believes the US should stand side-by-side with Israel, no matter what...
Ref: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/ted-...10-issues/

Stand for Principle is a super PAC formed by Cruz confidantes in November. The PAC solidified its support for him on Monday following his speech held at Liberty University in front of a mandatory student 'convocation', guaranteeing him an audience of thousands. Convocation is held three times each week.

The leader of the PAC (Maria Strollo Zack) backed Newt Gingrich in the last election. Cruz is looking to raise $40 million to help him compete in the primary campaign. According to Ms. Zack, Cruz has has strong support from 'fiscal conservatives, war hawks, evangelicals, liberty leaning voters, tea party and folks tired of business-as-usual voters,', describing those voters as 'six of the seven' main GOP constituencies.

Camera shots from inside the arena showed clusters of empty seats. And some students wore 'Stand With Rand' t-shirts, expressing their support for Cruz rival Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican senator who his expected to announce his candidacy formally on April 7^th.

I'd stand by Rand before I'd schmooze with Cruz, personally. I strongly dislike most everything Mr. Cruz slings and stands for.

[Blindgreed1]

Stupid fucker.

God's gonna get you for that!

I laughed when I saw that Cruz was announcing his presidential candidacy at............Liberty University, founded by Moral Majority leader Gerry Falwell.

I think Cruz wants unlimited campaign donations and was the first to officially throw his hat into the ring because he's expecting to rake in bucket loads of financial backing and lock some supporters in.

Cruz is off his effin' rocker. He hasn't a chance in hell of planting his self-righteous ass in the Oval Office, in my opinion.

Unfotunately there is a lot of old money in the religious right.

[blueberryhill]

I don't think this idiot has a chance in hell to win anything, but I am surprised that his place of birth hasn't been a point of contention. Although his mother is a U.S. citizen and his dad was Cuban, he was born in Canada. There seems to be gray area as to what is a natural born citizen which is required to run for the US Presidency, which has not been tested by the US Supreme Court. The "birthers" claim Obama is not a US citizen, but I don't hear to much about Mr. Cruz being born in Canada, but sure the double standard plays a role here. When you see those possible candidates who may be "putting their hat in the ring," it seems they have to really scrape bottom of barrel. Is the best they have? I think people like Cruz running for Pres, will be death of the Republican party....

[Duchess]

I think Cruz wants unlimited campaign donations and was the first to officially throw his hat into the ring because he's expecting to rake in bucket loads of financial backing and lock some supporters in.

Cruz is off his effin' rocker. He hasn't a chance in hell of planting his self-righteous ass in the Oval Office, in my opinion.

...and that's exactly why I think this is a tremendous waste of money. He knows goddamn well he can't compete against Hillary, or anyone else really, and yet he's willing to waste all that money. It won't be a piddling amount either. If he's not smart enough to recognize that then I surely don't want him in charge of my country.

No matter how one views politics, it could always be worse.

[HairOfTheDog]

Cruz is young. And, he's Hispanic (Cuban descent). And, he's right-wing Christian. He's an interesting ticket possibility for the Tea Party.

Maybe he and his backers really think he has a shot at becoming the 45^th President of the United States (Barack Obama was considered a longshot in the early days of his first candidacy).

But, maybe Cruz and his backers are willing to invest a lot in what they know won't likely come to fruition in 2016 but will reap other political gains down the line. He'll only be 53 in 2024.

Marco Rubio is a year younger than Ted Cruz (Rubio's 43). Personally, I think he has a better shot at winning the Republican nomination than Cruz or Carson (63). But, I've been way off on political predictions before; so many unexpected things can happen in a short time to kick runners into the lead or out of the race.

I agree that it would be be difficult for another candidate to surpass Hillary Clinton and get the Democratic nomination, unless a major scandal or health issue unfolds in the next year. But, I'm not convinced that Hillary could beat all of the GOP contenders. I think her chances will be impacted by the public's opinion (particularly in swing states) of Obama and the Democratic party during Obama's last year in office.

[Midwest Spy]

Hillary will be 69 on Election Day of 2016

.Lets not kid ourselves, that's just too old IMO to be the leader of the free world.

I really hope someone else gets elected.

[HairOfTheDog]

If Hillary continues to be physically and mentally sound, as she is now, why do you think 69 is too old MS?

James Madison, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and James Buchanan were all in their 70s when they took office. Ronald Reagan was 69.

I mean, there was probably less travel required when the first four were in office. But, then again, people are typically healthier and live longer these days, generally speaking.

Hillary's age doesn't really concern me.

[HairOfTheDog]

^ Scratch that MS -- I just checked my memory -- looks like I'm getting too old to run for president!!

Most of those early presidents I referenced were in their 60s not their 70s.

If Hillary is elected, she'll be tied with Reagan for the oldest inaugurated president at 69. I don't think that's too old, though.

[Midwest Spy]

^ Scratch that MS -- I just checked my memory -- looks like I'm getting too old to run for president!!

Most of those early presidents I referenced were in their 60s not their 70s.

If Hillary is elected, she'll be tied with Reagan for the oldest inaugurated president at 69. I don't think that's too old, though.

Times have changed HotD.

I just feel that 69 is too old to have the energy and commitment required in this day and age.

Reagan WAS old. I'm sure there were many that didn't approve of someone that old taking on the job of POTUS.

This has nothing to do with her being a woman either. I believe Romney and McCain were mid-60ish too when they ran. Hillary's got very little tread left on her tires.

It really has become a young-er person's job, IMO.

[HairOfTheDog]

Maybe 70 doesn't seem all that old to me because I interact with people a lot older than that all the time.

People age so differently; Hillary seems physically healthy and very sharp-minded.

And, I think wisdom and experience are advantages for top leaders.

Having said that, if Hillary is elected, I hope she has a better Vice President than most!!

[Carsman]

If Hillary continues to be physically and mentally sound, as she is now, why do you think 69 is too old MS?

James Madison, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and James Buchanan were all in their 70s when they took office. Ronald Reagan was 69.

I mean, there was probably less travel required when the first four were in office. But, then again, people are typically healthier and live longer these days, generally speaking.

Hillary's age doesn't really concern me.

And by the end of his second term, his wife helped run the country, since Ronnie had the beginnings of Alzheimer's. (You just never know)

[Duchess]

Old isn't old like it used to be. I see the people in my parent's community and these are very active people living quite full lives. They are involved in life around them and they aren't slowing down. They play golf & tennis and are engaged in any number of things. They aren't sitting home baking cookies and getting around with a walker.

[Midwest Spy]

Playing shuffleboard isn't the same thing as having your physical and mental capacities at 100% 24/7/365.

I applaud seniors that are going to group yoga, playing 9-holes a few times a week and going to the occasional mixer.

However, their teeth are in the glass by 7:00 every night.

Not gonna cut it.

[Duchess]

Bitch please. That may be your experience but it's hardly mine.

[HairOfTheDog]

There's way more than one person involved in the decision-making and running of the country, MS.

An older, wiser and yet slower-paced President with a smart, kick-ass Cabinet and honed delegating skills would be preferable (to me) to a younger, politically inexperienced, power-hoarding President supported by lackeys.

I'm always interested in the VP choices and the Cabinet appointees too.

[Maggot]

I hope Charles Krauthammer runs but that's a very loooooooong shot.

[HairOfTheDog]

I hope Charles Krauthammer runs but that's a very loooooooong shot.

Who would you like to see as his running mate, Mags -- Ann Coulter?

[Maggot]

I hope Charles Krauthammer runs but that's a very loooooooong shot.

Who would you like to see as his running mate, Mags -- Ann Coulter?

..........I don't like her much. But I understand your anger.

[Midwest Spy]

Bitch please. That may be your experience but it's hardly mine.

Yeah, you're old.

I wouldn't expect you to think any differently.

Take a poll of voters between the ages of 18-45 and ask them what they think about a 69 year old in one of the most stressful occupations you can have.

Bitch.

[HairOfTheDog]

I hope Charles Krauthammer runs but that's a very loooooooong shot.

Who would you like to see as his running mate, Mags -- Ann Coulter?

..........I don't like her much. But I understand your anger.

Are you effin' kidding? That wouldn't make me angry at all.

THAT would be a very entertaining ticket and make the debates must-see t.v.


This Sunday on NBC prime time, tune into...

Charles and Ann on the right
.............VS...................
Hillary and Michelle Obama (if F.U.'s crazy OP prediction comes true) on the left