Has anyone else seen this? I really don't know much about Cruz or the background to the story, but it seems a bit much to try and imply Ted Cruz is making people shoot themselves. Maybe this is just typical mudslinging that goes on but I generally do not pay much attention to political advertisements.
For reference. (if you havent seen the ad) <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AnBAeA8AI4U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> This is par for the course for modern Texas politics. Rick Perry infected the water years ago with ads designed to wreck his opponents with whatever he could find. It is funny to see two of the most conservative people in Texas fighting over who is more conservative.
I think I agree. Whenever I see Cruz's face...it's just one of those I would like to punch. He just looks like a weasel and that he should be hit with a brick. Not saying I would...I am strong enough to resist the temptation...I think.
I've met him and Dewhurst. In person Cruz seemed more down to earth. I really liked him. Seemed like a person, and not like a robot which is what I'm used to when talking with politicians.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Our final TX-Sen poll is up in full- Ted Cruz leads David Dewhurst 52-42, up from 49-44 3 weeks ago: <a href="http://t.co/Vm6XZ7E7" title="http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/07/cruz-leads-going-into-tuesday.html">publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/07/c…</a></p>— PublicPolicyPolling (@ppppolls) <a href="https://twitter.com/ppppolls/status/229776238040985600" data-datetime="2012-07-30T03:11:38+00:00">July 30, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That commercial is brutal, but I can't help but wonder what the kid did to get in trouble in the first place.
Dewhurst is killing himself with these horrible negative ads -- they are like watching attack ads for a local city counsel seat (cheap - poorly done hit pieces). Certainly not appropriate for someone running for the US Senate. The worst thing is that there is just no break from them -- the constant bombardment allows even the most easily influenced to realize that Dewhurst is a slime bag and is distorting anything Cruz says. Negative ads non-stop during the Olympics... horrible idea.
When I see the ads that are all about how Cruz "Is a lawyer" or "Worked in DC" they just seem so stupid to me. It makes Dewhurst look like a tool when he's running these baseless ads.
It's amazing listening to these Republicans talk about each other. It's similar to the Rep Presidential primary. According to the guys from their own party, we should never elect anyone of them!
That's been the criticism of the Dewhurst campaign. By blasting the state with negative ads, they inadvertently gave Ted Cruz massive name ID. When the camapaign started, very few people even knew who Cruz was while Dewhurst had virtually unlimited name recognition. That alone should have won it but Dewhurst went off and tried to trash Cruz in ads which not only didn't work but actually helped Cruz get his name out. Dewhurst made the mistake of hiring Rick Perry's campaign guys (particularly Dave Carney) who only know how to blast the state with negative ads. And that doesn't always work. In short, Dewhurst is toast. Also sad to know that now we'll be represented by 2 senators that wont give two ****s about directing resources to Texas and helping the state. Even though I disagreed with Sen. Hutchinson on 95% of the issues, she's 1000% times better than Cruz or Cornyn.
Rafael "Ted" Cruz is going to be a major force on the national scene. He is a very young guy -- was the Texas Solicitor General in his very early 30's. He also has a ton of experience in front of the Supreme Court. Honestly, I'm surprised the Democrats didn't coordinate with Dewhurst to snuff this guy out -- Cruz will have a much greater influence in Washington than would Dewhurst. TED CRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUZ
Considering that electing Cruz has only further split the Texas Republican Party, I'd say Democrats are probably rooting for Cruz to win. Electing Dewhurst would give Republicans some semblance of institutional control over the elections process which in the long run helps them. Electing Cruz signals that the party can be hijacked by pretty much anyone who claims to be more right wing than the next guy. (even when both are exactly the same) Electing Cruz also has the effect of further marginalizing Perry and his ability to govern since Dewhurst (who nobody in the State Senate likes to begin with) would return to Austin after getting beat in a race he should have won. Electing Cruz might be the final death blow to the institutional leadership of the Republican Party. I fully expect Joe Strauss to be run out of the Speaker's seat (as he is a pinko commie by today's Texas Republican standards) and he'll probably be replaced with some other tea party joker. Basically, Cruz winning signals the coronation of the tea party in Texas politics and no I'm not just trying to inject a bunch of hyperbole. This really is the deathblow to the Texas Republican Party's ability to control itself. And this will speed up making Texas competitive again politically. At some point you can't just keep going further to the right. Democrats will gain seats just by virtue of Republicans going too far. It's only a matter of time.
Desperate Dewhurst spends over 20millions and counting for these negative ads. What a loser, tomorrow I will cast my ballot for Cruz and hopefully he will be on a straight and narrow path.