The Brief: Top Texas News for Feb. 15, 2013
The Big Conversation
Weeks after Ted Cruz began building a reputation as the U.S. Senate's brashest new member, his colleagues are beginning to sound off.
Less than two months into his first term as Texas' junior U.S. senator, Cruz has become a nearly permanent fixture in headlines for combative political moves like casting one of three votes against Sen. John Kerry's confirmation as secretary of state, bringing a pistol grip to a hearing on gun violence and battling with a powerful Democratic senator, Chuck Schumer of New York, on Sunday morning TV.
This week, however, Cruz ...
Comments (27)
hans5162@ix.netcom.com hans
Mira el loco Cubano que nos represente en el Senado!
Joe Cutbirth via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He's no Lloyd Bentsen.
Kipling Oren via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He needs to talk less and work more, say the Senators who can't pass a budget.
Jeremy Jones via Texas Tribune on Facebook
We need the kind of leadership that is described as noble and influential and not "brash" and "combative." Isn't this the same way we would describe arrogant high school bullies and North Korea. Its amazing this guy can walk for his ego and I am certain he is surrounded by people who only agree with him. Texas and our country deserves better.
Susie Martinez-Dominguez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It's sad, really...but I'm quite sure Texan complacency is waning
Leesa Monroe via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Good
Don Hoisager via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I find this silly and petty.Why are we worried about what the group that has less than a 20% approval rating believes is proper conduct? Their method is obviously not working. Brash? Have you ever listened to Reid or Durbin? If you are uncomfortable he is probably doing his job. I know you may not be used to this, but this is what happens when a Senator is not compromised by status quo.
Johnny Hughes via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The national media calls him CRAZY CRUZ and the name will stick.
mike murray
From the article:
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"I think he’s got unlimited potential," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. "But the one thing I will say to any new senator — you’re going to be respected if you can throw a punch, but you also have to prove you can do a deal."
Another GOP senator, who asked not to be identified, told Politico: "It’s becoming a trend when you’re a new arrival. They don’t get to know the Senate or the other senators; they just start talking. And that takes away from [Cruz’s] ability to be an influential legislator."
He's "Jim DeMint without the charm," another (anonymous) Republican senator told The Washington Post's Ruth Marcus."
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Wanna know how I know those clowns need a career change. They're the 2nd best advertisement I've seen for term limits in Congress (the first was the clown from Georgia who asked the admiral he was questioning if the Navy was worried the island of Guam would tip over if they moved 25,000 marines and dependents there from Okinawa. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs23CjIWMgA ).
It is about damn time we send someone to Washington that cares more for the people who elected him than getting along with the leaders of a failed institution. Comprimising to appease and career politicians (aka political prostitutes) is the status quo and those who can't grasp that are on the same intellectual level as the Georgia congress place holder.
Kick some ass Ted and don't stop.
Carolyn Moon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What will happen is that anything he proposes in the future will receive much less support.
Bambi Clark via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He is in this to make a name for himself, grandstand for his base not govern for the country.
R L
No, he's no Lloyd Bentsen. And isn't that great! Lloyd Bentsen was an example of failed Democratic policies that were rejected by Texans and Americans nationally. It's time we again have a US Senator from Texas that can lead the charge for doing what is right for Texas and our nation.
Hannah Katz
Ted Cruz is doing exactly what he promised he would do, during his campaign. How dare he! I thought Republicans were supposed to go to Washington and go along to get along. They are expected to cave in to the Democrats and raise taxes, while allowing the crazy spending to increase even more.
Someone once compared our Washington politicians' spending habits to those of a drunken sailor, in a brothel, on nickel beer night. That is totally unfair to the drunken sailors of the world.
Craig Bennett Sr. via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Johnny, what will the national media call Bob Menendez? Oh that's right, they'll ignore the allegations of teenage prostitutes in the Dominican Republic and the subsequent upcoming hearings before the Senate Ethics Committee so that they can come up with catchy "Crazy Cruz" nicknames or focus on Marco Rubio drinking water.
Pickles Sorrell
Mark my word, one day Ted Cruz will make Rick Perry's campaign for President appear flawless and error free compared to what Cruz will one day do; his ego knows no boundaries.
Lindsay Siriko via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Ted Cruz is a New Superstar..........guys.!
Don Hoisager via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Wow, have you ever heard of Rangel or Frank? Being labeled Crazy Cruz probably pales in comparison... What's really 'Crazy' is to thinking that by doing the same ol' thing will get you different results... Obviously your viewpoint of someone that represents change will determine whether you think him to be crazy or a crusader... I certainly like the fact after a month on the job you are so easily convinced that he is "just in this to make a name for himself" - wonder if that has to do with any preconceived notions? You act like the whole of Congress is made up of "noble" "leaders" - Surely, you have spent more than five minutes with them talking about the other side wanting to steal money form old people or engage in WAR on women or schools. Please...
Rudy Gonzales
Memo to the TEA-questors of the TEA-Republican parties. Ted Cruz has limited potential and less influence. As a Canadian, he can only speak and everyone knows he's a TEA-scripted pseudo-Republican because he should have been running under the TEA party(T) but he ran as a Republican.(R) Now real Republican's are distancing themselves from TEA-types. The TEA-Republican party is on the verge of totally splitting, which will produce competing or dueling speeches and candidates. Ted Cruz will follow the script given to him by Ditch Mitch, but splitsville will occur! Cruz's promise is to his TEA party base. Cruz voted against the Violence Against Women Act(V.A.W.A.) which is turning women against the TEA-questators in Washington. Chuck Hagel, a Vietnam veteran and highly decorated soldier and has served his country honorably deserves appointment but Cruz voted against him. These constant attempts to micro-manage the president is painting a losing capital "L" on the TEA-Republican party. A much greater effort must be made to change the mix in Washington. Get registered, vote, and get out the vote! We well know the truth of the concentration of wealth in the hands of fewer and fewer people and the concentration of power in stricter, less compassionate hands. "Sweep your state Capital CLEAN....in 2014" "Sweep the House CLEAN....in 2014" "Sweep the Senate CLEAN....in 2014"
Scott Chase via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He doesn't want to be a legislator, he wants to be a pontificator. The new Phil Gramm--don't ever get between him and a camera.
Cynthia Casper Robertson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Cruz is no superstar. He's a egomanic and an embarrassment to Texas and the citizens thereof. He's little more than a joke.
Adam Russell
What? Nobody saw this coming? Are there any Independents or Republicans out there that wish they had their vote back?
I am all for changing the course of "politics as usual" in Washington but putting another vitriol spewer in the mix is not going to change much. How about a proven worker or a CEO? Voters had two pretty good choices for a Democrat or a Republican during the election but decided that wasn't the best fit for Texas. Maybe he will settle in.
He's certainly not going to go along to get along but I am waiting to see which interests he is there to serve. Time will tell but the GOP is harnessing its future to some "stars" that may burn out before they shed light on D.C. as promised, or warm up to colleagues and voters.
Charles Voith
Senator Lindsey Graham says Cruz needs credibility to make "deals". Well Senator Graham, you are a senate dinosaur...who has made deals that has put Americans on the hook for $16 billion in U.S. debt. Just like dinosaur Senator (Queen of Earmarks) Kaye Bailey Hutchison, who went to D.C. as our Texas senator - when our federal debt was just $4 trillion. Well...Hutchison was so good at making deals that she retired from the senate in 2012...leaving taxpayers - and our children - with a $16 trillion debt. That's why she lost to Rick Perry by 25 points when she ran against him for governor. She was sssssssssoooooooooooooooooooooo embarrassed. Good for her to finally be embarrassed for failing Texans.
All those old-fart, make-a-deal, dinosaur senators like Graham and Hutchison don't know how to handle Cruz, Lee, Rubio and Paul...who have upended the staid, old-fart, B.S. environment of the U.S. senate. Notice how much more conservative Senator Cornyn has become in the past few months. Cornyn is no dummy...he saw Dewhurst (a politically-correct Cornyn look-alike) slaughtered by outspoken Cruz. By the by...have you noticed some of the conservative quotes from Dewhurst this year...conservatism sure is catchy when you get beat by 15 points by a true conservative like Ted Cruz.
Travis Niemeyer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Don, I agree it's too early to judge how he'll be as a senator. By the same token, for someone who's only been there a month, he does seem to find the camera a lot.
Kraege Polan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He is an embarrassment to this state.
Stanley Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He is a panty waist.
Tio Ted.
Bill Asher
Move over Rick Perry and Gregg Abbott. There's a clown in Texas politics and his name is Ted Cruz.
Harsh Times via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Get used to him as the GOP controls this state and that isn't going to change any time soon. Calling him an embarrassment and then ignoring Bernice Johnson is insane.