Cruz Appeals to Hispanics in Prime-Time Speech

by Jay Root
August 28, 2012
50 Comments

TAMPA — U.S. Senate hopeful Ted Cruz, basking in the national spotlight since defeating Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, appealed directly to Hispanics and portrayed his smashing primary victory as part of a “great awakening” of American voters during a prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention Tuesday night.

Cruz, who has said he's not a fluent Spanish speaker, ably dropped a little of his Cuban father’s native language into his remarks and made the case that President Obama was playing racial politics. He seemed confident on stage as he spoke, pacing back and forth as enthusiastic members of ...

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Comments (50)

August 28, 2012 @ 9:21 p.m.

Ben Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Not to this Hispanic. I can see right through his being divisive.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:21 p.m.

Gilly Harris via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Lies.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:21 p.m.

Jim Hsu via Texas Tribune on Facebook

That bit on Medicare Obama sad, dim bulb Cruz, is the truth.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:21 p.m.

Jaime R. Carrero via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Habla el tio Tom. Que verguenza.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:22 p.m.

Ben Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Projection is one of his strong points.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:22 p.m.

Justin Mihalyi via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Umm, Ted.... Wasn't that what was done with issues like DOMA and using words like socialist, Marxist and communist? Mr. Cruz, be a part of the solution rather than jump in the gutter with the rest of the politicians.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:23 p.m.

David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Hahahahahaha Republicans saying Obama is the divider hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:23 p.m.

Ben Dyer via Texas Tribune on Facebook

What is this, opposite day?
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:24 p.m.

Audrey Fisher via Texas Tribune on Facebook

TED is part of the problem, his lies mimic the R/R team. On a great note, if you believe Rove - TX Red is fading!!!!!!
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:25 p.m.

Lee Dunkelberg via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Damn, that Cruz fella sure whines when folks tell the truth about him and his gang.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:25 p.m.

Michelle Michon via Texas Tribune on Facebook

From this Texas Latina, Ted Cruz has exactly ZERO in common with us. I'm gonna vote for Paul Sadler y'all. Latinos in this State aren't THAT stupid.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:25 p.m.

Mike Snavely via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Somebody hand him a mirror
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:26 p.m.

Angi Youngblood via Texas Tribune on Facebook

how completely inaccurate.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:28 p.m.

Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Isn't Cruz Cuban like Rubio?
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:29 p.m.

Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Uh, traditional Medicare will be taken away.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:34 p.m.

John Cobarruvias via Texas Tribune on Facebook

What frickin planet did he come from?
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:34 p.m.

Francisco Perez via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Cruz is disconnected from the issues of Hispanics in the state. Him speaking for Hispanics is like Al Sharpton speaking for blacks
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:35 p.m.

Adele Roberson

Cruz, a former Texas Solicitor General, once posted an article on his website claiming the United Nations and George Soros were coming for, among other things, America’s golf courses. He also opposes the Voting Rights Act, campaigned on his attempt to execute a Mexican national in violation of American treaty obligations, fearmongers about creeping Sharia law, and wants to more-or-less end Social Security as we know it. Fits right in with the Black UN Helicoper crowd.
August 28, 2012 @ 9:35 p.m.

Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I don't think Obama or the Dems are the ones who have told the Hispanics they are not welcome. I am pretty sure it has been the GOP/Tea Party.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:41 p.m.

Eddie Nimibutr via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Ted Cruz is just another GOP mouthpiece. He just wants a new job, that's all. He doesn't give a hoot about fellow Texans.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:42 p.m.

Patsy Painter Hull via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Not Obama being divisive,the republicans are doing that ALL BY THEMSELVES.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:43 p.m.

Mary Nethery via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Woooo. The projections are occurring at a phenomenal rate. Does not compute.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:45 p.m.

Marisol Rodriguez via Texas Tribune on Facebook

This guy has no idea what he is talking about. I cannot relate to him whatsoever. Vice versa.

I find it amusing how all these pundits assume he is going to help with the Hispanic vote. Ha!! I don't think so.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:47 p.m.

Scott Nicol via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Obama is dividing America? did Cruz listen to his own campaign?
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:50 p.m.

Ben Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I see another teabagger that is very good at projection.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:51 p.m.

Pete Rodriguez via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Christie said to speak the truth, so yea,?with a fixed voucher and skyrocketing medical costs it's true. And with the immigration philosophy, yep true too. Biden is not dividing, he's just telling the truth about Republucsn philosophies
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:51 p.m.

Pun Nio via Texas Tribune on Facebook

His nose is growing. . .
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:57 p.m.

Mark Maldonado via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Republican named Cruz - Oxymoron.
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August 28, 2012 @ 9:58 p.m.

Lesley Taylor via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Is this Texas Tribune right-leaning? (Honest question. I'm new here)
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August 28, 2012 @ 10:04 p.m.

Marc Adler via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Karen, Obama has deported more Hispanics in his almost 4 yrs than Bush did in 8. It seems like most of the people commenting here, like you, have been duped by the rhetoric, and are unwilling to see the truth, which is that Obama was elected in the strength of his rhetoric, and that's all we've gotten from him.
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August 28, 2012 @ 10:09 p.m.

Stanley Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook

What does deportation have to do with.... anything, Marc. He is enforcing the law.
Tio Tomas Cruz needs to stop lying. Who cares what that Canadian thinks.
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August 28, 2012 @ 10:10 p.m.

CNevin Thompson via Texas Tribune on Facebook

As usual, the Canadians are forgotten and ignored by both parties.
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August 28, 2012 @ 10:14 p.m.

Phil Nice via Texas Tribune on Facebook

He's right. Romney won't divide you. He'll just round you all up and say 'Now get the hell out.'
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August 28, 2012 @ 10:17 p.m.

Jeff Hendren via Texas Tribune on Facebook

This is kind of what they do... like a bully forcing you to bunch yourself in the head, then asking why are you punching yourself...
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August 28, 2012 @ 10:24 p.m.

CNevin Thompson via Texas Tribune on Facebook

GOP Convention needs the soothing tones of Ira Glass
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August 28, 2012 @ 11:01 p.m.

Merryl Redding via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Cruz was very rousing. Can't wait to elect him to be our Senator!
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August 28, 2012 @ 11:06 p.m.

Cal Morton via Texas Tribune on Facebook

How fucking stupid do you think people are... pretty stupid I guess, you got nominiated.
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August 28, 2012 @ 11:25 p.m.

Tom Sweazea via Texas Tribune on Facebook

This is what happens when evil people put their plans in action. Why is Tom DeLay walking free still?
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August 28, 2012 @ 11:52 p.m.

Michael Tolbert via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Cruz will say anything to win, but he has shown that he is a radical, TEA party extremist. His views would do more harm to Texas' middle class and destroy opportunity for future generations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecJkbKR5J9o
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August 29, 2012 @ 12:51 a.m.

Colin Strother via Texas Tribune on Facebook

then, he bobbed his head back and forth and said "cuckoo, cuckoo"
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August 29, 2012 @ 3:16 a.m.

Mary Muna via Texas Tribune on Facebook

i havent listened to Obama for 3yrs an not sure why anyone does.d
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August 29, 2012 @ 3:28 a.m.

Robert Ruiz via Texas Tribune on Facebook

euro-anglo-jew hypocrite and repugnant excuse for a human being. also a 1%er and obviously a "compassionate conservative christian.'
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August 29, 2012 @ 6:39 a.m.

Sonora Hartley via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I don't know about the VP's message but it's Mr. Ryan that said he'd take Medicare and every conservative/Republican I know thinks ALL illegal aliens, especially Mexicans, should be deported immediately.
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August 29, 2012 @ 7:21 a.m.

Barbara Peyton via Texas Tribune on Facebook

We have a wonderful alternative to Crazy Cruz. Paul Sadler is the voice of reason and truth!! Plz support his race and vote for him!!!
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August 29, 2012 @ 8:40 a.m.

Hannah Katz

Cruz cannot be Hispanic because he is a Republican. Just like Florida Senator Marco Rubio, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, and all the rest. You have to be a liberal Democrat to be Hispanic. Look it up!

And a message to Latino business owners: You didn't build that! Somebody else made that happen. Just ask President Obama.
August 29, 2012 @ 8:44 a.m.

Melissa Holder via Texas Tribune on Facebook

What a lying idiot! O'well whatever it takes to appease your party right?
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August 29, 2012 @ 9:26 a.m.

Alexandra Richmond via Texas Tribune on Facebook

no equal rights for gay people and restricting access to abortion is tragic, as is not providing health care for americans. very sad.
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August 29, 2012 @ 9:43 a.m.

Tony Trevino

No hablo Canadian, Ted. I can't find a single thing (nada) to relate to you. It is getting irritating to be grouped as hispanic just because of surnames. Ted's story about his father's struggles in the early days is a story of immigrants from different countries, not just Cuba.

I still think Paul Sadler has a chance.
August 29, 2012 @ 10:51 a.m.

Adele Roberson

National Review attacks PolitiFact

Aug 28, 2012 01:30 PM EST
TAMPA, Fla. -- The editors at the National Review is cautioning voters to ignore PolitiFact ratings on this week's convention speakers, citing the fact-checking organization's past rulings on Medicare as evidence that "PolitiFact can’t be trusted to get the story right."
August 29, 2012 @ 1:17 p.m.

Chris Cobarruvias via Texas Tribune on Facebook

CONDESCENDING, & DEGRADING TOWARD OUR COMMUNITY that is the truth that they hide behind closed doors...
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2012/08/hbc-90008805
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