Thread: Rand Paul knocks soon-to-be rival Ted Cruz

Rand Paul knocks soon-to-be rival Ted Cruz

By Ashley Killough, CNN
Updated 10:11 PM ET, Mon March 23, 2015



(CNN)Once supportive Senate colleagues -- they stood in for each other during their respective marathon Senate speeches -- soon-to-be rivals Sens. Rand Paul and Ted Cruz are decidedly less chummy these days.

Paul made it clear Monday night he plans on waging a debate against his fellow tea party Republican, Cruz, who on Monday declared himself a presidential candidate.

READ: Why Ted Cruz is running now

"Right now, I'm the only one that beats Hillary Clinton in certain purple states," Paul said on Fox News' "The Kelly File," talking about recent polls. "There will be a lot of conservatives. Ted Cruz is a conservative, but it also goes to winability. And people will have to make a decision: Which is the Republican that can not only excite the base but can also bring new people into the party without giving up principles?"

The Kentucky Republican, who's expected to announce his own presidential bid on April 7, said he was "glad" to see Liberty University students wearing t-shirts in support of his own all-but-declared candidacy, when Cruz made his announcement.

"I guess what makes us different is probably our approach to how we would make the party bigger," Paul said, referring to himself and Cruz. "I'm a big believer that you should stand on principle ... but I also think we should take those principles and try to bring in new people with them."

For Paul, that means "not just throwing out red meat, but actually throwing out something intellectually enticing to people who haven't been listening to our message before."

Cruz has rocketed to the national spotlight in two and a half years since winning election to the Senate in 2012, in part because of his unabashed efforts to take down Obamacare. He's become a favorite among tea party circles, and his campaign strategy involves targeting the more libertarian wing of the party as well.

"Instead of a government that seizes your emails and your cell phones, imagine a federal government that protected the privacy rights of every American," Cruz said during his speech Monday.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/23/politi...2016-election/

http://www.alipac.us/f9/opinion-sen-...ironic-274460/

"Instead of a government that seizes your emails and your cell phones, imagine a federal government that protected the privacy rights of every American," Cruz said during his speech Monday.

Yes! That's one of the reasons Real Republicans hate the income tax and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the FairTax!

HR 25 in the US House of Representative and S 155 in the US Senate.

According to fact checkers, Cruz was less than admirably truthful at least 3 times in his announcement speech at Liberty U. After that found quickly, they were going to further go over his speech. Personally, other than many speeches and a lot of noise what has the man accomplished in the Senate? I did not vote for him for Senator, today I still believe that to be a sound decision. As Senator, I've contacted his office and him a few dozen times, and never received a response. Today, a day after his announcement I receive a contribution request from him personally. So, well demonstrated that the only time constituents are important is for money for his cause. I will not contribute to a politician like that, we have hundreds of them already that need elimination. Republicans, beware, this candidate is not sincere!

Kevinssdad your post put a smile on my face. Last year I contacted Jeff Denham's office about illegal immigration and also did not receive any response until he sent me a contribution request, but I did receive a response from Ted Cruz. If they only knew how important their responses are.

Originally Posted by Judy

Yes! That's one of the reasons Real Republicans hate the income tax and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the FairTax!

HR 25 in the US House of Representative and S 155 in the US Senate.

Where do you come up with this stuff? I consider myself a "Real" Republican and absolutely hate the so-called fair tax plan, as do many other "Real" Republicans. However, I will admit that there is some support for the plan from WEALTHY Republicans. Sorry this middle class registered Republican voter does not support the fair tax.

Originally Posted by MW

Where do you come up with this stuff? I consider myself a "Real" Republican and absolutely hate the so-called fair tax plan, as do many other "Real" Republicans. However, I will admit that there is some support for the plan from WEALTHY Republicans. Sorry this middle class registered Republican voter does not support the fair tax.

The philosophy of the Republican Party from its inception.

I'm not wealthy, and I support the FairTax.