Politics

Blaze Exclusive Interview: Can Underdog Latino Conservative Gain Traction in Texas Race for U.S. Senate?

Ted Cruz is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas, and right off the bat, it’s clear he is a political triple threat: inspiring son-of-an-immigrant story, impressive legal credentials, and strong conservative values rooted in respect for the Constitution.Blaze Interview Texas Senate Candidate Ted Cruz

Many have already compared Cruz to Tea Party favorite Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. Both are Cuban-Americans, lawyers and staunch conservatives.

But in addition to those similarities, Cruz is something of a jurisprudence phenom. A debate champion at Princeton, Cruz attended Harvard Law School, where he edited the Law Review and graduted magna cum laude before clerking for Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

As Texas state solicitor general from 2003-2008, Cruz authored 80 briefs and presented oral arguments on 9 occasions before the U.S. Supreme Court.

As a result of Cruz’s conservative track record, he has received endorsements from Freedomworks, The Club For Growth, and Senator Jim DeMint. He is the only Senate candidate in the country to have support of all three, and can also boast an official thumbs-up from Senators Paul, Toomey and Lee. Conservative luminary George Will has called him “a candidate as good as it gets.”

Cruz thinks Republican senators need reinforcements on Capitol Hill, and up-and-coming conservatives like him are the cavalry.

An important theme of his candidacy is indeed the political fight ahead.

“Barack Obama has been the most radical president the U.S. has ever seen,” Cruz told The Blaze, “so the question is, will the next U.S. Senator be a strong conservative, and a fighter?”

Cruz believes conservatives will have to be both principled and pugnacious to roll back the Obama agenda. His primary opponent to take over Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s Senate seat is Lt. Governor Dewhurst, whom Cruz says is just not conservative enough.

On the other hand, Dewhurst has recently been polled with a commanding lead in the primary race. Dewurst also broke with Rick Perry in late September on the issue of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, in a move that could increase his appeal to conservatives. That coupled with his incumbent status and longstanding political relationships in Texas, make the lieutenant governor a formidable candidate for Cruz to defeat.

Cruz counters the prevailing wisdom that Dewhurst is a shoo-in by claiming that the mood of the country has changed.

“The American people are looking for fighters, for many years Dewhurst has prided himself on being a conciliator,” Cruz said. He believes Dewhurst represents the establishment political machine, and points to elections in 2010 to show that conservatives with enthusiastic support of the tea party fare better than so-called moderates.

One thing is for sure, Cruz is certainly not a “conciliator.” And he makes no effort to hide it. Whether that take-charge, full-bore approach is the correct approach is an issue the voters of Texas will decide next fall.

In the meantime, Cruz speaks plainly of what he feels is a failed Obama presidency.

“The election of Barack Obama was a much needed kick in the teeth to the Republican party,” he said, “Obama has been the most radical president the U.S. have ever seen. He is moving us day-by-day to being closer to a European socialist nation, a path that leads to far less prosperity—that leads to bankruptcy.”

Cruz believes there is a silver-lining to the Obama presidency, however, which is that it has awakened Republicans to the fragility of liberty. The expansion and overreach of the federal government has spawned a new generation of real conservatives who are ready to jump into the political trenches and fight for their beliefs.

“The Tea Party is the most exciting thing to happen in politics in decades,” Cruz said,  ”an organic movement of millions of Americans who are rising up to save our country.” Cruz feels that the Tea Party represents a second great conservative awakening, following in the steps of the Reagan revolution.

On the issue that most dominates the minds of voters today– jobs– Cruz views Texas as a model  in many ways for other states. He thinks the economic decisions facing our country are basically a choice between the Texas and California ways of doing business. Texas has low taxes,  minimum regulations, and a climate that promotes entrepreneurship and the creation of  new jobs. California, on the other hand, is Democrat-dominated tax-and-spend disaster that can’t pay its bills.

Cruz says he goes for the Texas model on job creation, all the way.

And as for religious freedom, Cruz points to what he feels is a long record of fighting in favor of  the Constitutional right to practice beliefs freely. He has spent decades opposing what he calls an “onslaught against religious liberty,“ and attempts by liberals to ”prohibit the public acknowledgement of God.” Most notably, Cruz successfully defended the constitutionality of a 10 commandments display in front of the Texas State Capitol in the U.S. Supreme Court.

The last thing Ted Cruz told the Blaze was that, as the son of an immigrant who fled brutal oppression in Cuba, liberty is a deeply personal issue for him. He said his father‘s flight from Castro’s communist takeover “makes you realize just how fragile liberty is- it is not written in stone that we will remain the most free and prosperous country– Americans must stand up and fight for it. My father fled Cuba, but he had a place to go– the U.S.”

Cruz then asked the question, “if we lose the U.S., where do we go?”

A good question, but from the evidence presented, it seems Ted Cruz would do everything in his power as a U.S. senator from Texas to keep us from having to answer it.

Comments (56)

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  • mcivie
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 10:46pm

    I don’t understand the headline calling Cruz the underdog. I live in TX and Cruz seems to be heavily favored to win the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat. He sounded great at a recent Teaparty sponsored debate we attended, but so did Lela Pittenger. I believe she is a true underdog and would love to see an interview with her.

    Report Post »  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on October 9, 2011 at 8:35am

      What makes me mad–is the PC politics of Race. It would be better if we all agreed to reject the hyphen .
      I was born an American –of parents who came from parents who were also born in the USA . In opine IF ANYBODY came to America legally-from where ever– If they have become an American -and their allegiance is to these United States– and not the Salad bowl prepared for global consumption.—IT does NOT matter what color a mans skin is –or what race he was born to. So long as he/she is NOT a Homosexual–or a Communist– or a Muslim -One whose group identity supercedes all other.They are my fellow American.There is but one group whose identity is relative to the character of the
      American Patriot –and that exception to the rule is the Patriot who has considered it right to Laud the more distinguished character of Christian — as expected by Gen.George Washington. And when I die I hope that is remembered by any who think of me. (that I was that kind of Patriotic American.

      Report Post »  
    • DrunkReport.com
      Posted on October 9, 2011 at 8:30pm

      I dont understand the headline where it says this was an interview. i see no interview at this post… ?

      Report Post »  
    • hud
      Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:24am

      Statistics say the US will be a brown nation by 2050, no harm in getting ahead of the curve with conservatives.

      Report Post »  
    • Vital
      Posted on October 11, 2011 at 11:41am

      We need to support this man with all we can afford…I have!

      Report Post » Vital  
  • joehanx2
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 5:41pm

    watch it hell let illegals in

    Report Post »  
    • SLEUTH
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 6:38pm

      JOEHANX2, are you an American or just plain illegal?

      Report Post » SLEUTH  
  • usaywhat
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 5:11pm

    Saw the live web-broadcast of him speaking at the Values conference. He is WONDERFUL. Like the others have observed in the comments, he is well-spoken and smart, like Rubio. Great on his feet verbally, and grounded in fact. Also has a great sense of humor. I’d vote for him if I lived in Texas. Speaking of Texas, they (and much of the rest of our drought area) is getting RAIN RAIN RAIN today. yee haa.

    Report Post »  
    • annmclpc
      Posted on October 9, 2011 at 9:04am

      I get mail from the Cruz headquarters at least twice a month. He definitely has my vote! And yes we are getting rain. At my house it is the first rain since May and we’ve had at least an inch over night. Water bill has been over $800 each month since May!

      Report Post »  
    • BENJAMIN FRANKLIN IS MY IDOL
      Posted on October 10, 2011 at 11:53am

      @Ann – $800 a month!?! Geez-louise! How big is your property!?!

      Report Post »  
  • DanielBurke
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 5:08pm

    Cruz looks great! Where do I donate? As usual, Beck & The Blaze give us the news we don’t find anywhere else – not even FOX.

    Report Post » DanielBurke  
    • henryKnox
      Posted on October 9, 2011 at 2:01pm

      Please go to his website and donate. We can use the help getting the message out. http://www.tedcruz.org/home/

      Report Post » henryKnox  
    • Spirit 72
      Posted on October 9, 2011 at 4:49pm

      Thanks Henry…
      signed up to help out. I know both Ted and Dewhurst. Ted is outstanding and has solid principles. Dewhurst is a political opportunist in the RINO order. He would need constant watching.

      Spirit 72

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  • sbenard
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 4:46pm

    Cruz has been officially endorsed by Sen. Mike Lee’s new PAC, the Constitutional Conservatives fund. Here is their website:
    http://www.fundconservatives.com/

    The fund is VERY picky about who it endorses. Sen. Lee told a group of us at a Tea Party meeting a few weeks ago that his PAC will even go to bat against Republican RINO’s. He said that he, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul see it as their divine mission to restore the Constitution, and the first step is to get more strong, consistent conservatives elected to the Senate. He told us that Cruz was one of only two the fund had endorsed thus far.

    Report Post » sbenard  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 4:16pm

    Wow, sounds like a guy I could vote for, he has a ideas and attitudes I sure like.

    Report Post »  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 4:13pm

    Good for him – America needs young bright strong conservatives
    Maybe he can fix the immigration issues with clarity and humanity for the good of this country.

    Report Post »  
  • ReadItToday
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:28pm

    Can the media report on the coup that started in 2008? No. Why. Because of this
    http://BiggestCoverUp.blogspot.com/

    Report Post »  
    • mr.goodvibe
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 7:03pm

      They left out the patrs about HAARP in Alaska. TRIGer Palin, SARAh Palin CONNER, the lizard people and roswell aliens. Give it a rest!

      Report Post » mr.goodvibe  
  • clockwatcher
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:22pm

    Another reason to only vote republican.

    Report Post » clockwatcher  
  • BigGoliath
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:20pm

    I dont care about your race or your color. Show me honesty. Responsibility. Accountability. Expierience, and consistancy. I will vote for a Purple three headed talking cow if he appeared tomorrow with that criteria.

    Report Post »  
  • coachlowe
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:05pm

    Since when has he been the underdog? Two heavy hitters in Republican Party withdrew from Senate race to run for House because they knew they couldn’t beat Cruz. Lieutenant Governor is running against him and will get crushed. We Texans like our conservatives. Cruz is just our man!

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  • BurntHills
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:03pm

    God bless Ted Cruz. hope he succeeds.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • PunditPawn
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:09pm

      Let‘s just hope he’s not some kind of well-schooled trojan horse.

      Report Post »  
  • Tony711-Craps
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:51pm

    Holy 2012 Election, BatMan……Get this guy CRUZ..ELECTED TO THE SENATE.
    I could vote for him 5 times in liberal CA – My son in San Antonio likes this guy.

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:55pm

      Indeed he is a triple threat, and like Rubio, Cain and Justice Thomas, he defies the acceptable set of stereotypes for the Democratic parties, and thus all hades will be slammed after him to make sure any way possible they can think of — legal or illegal — to try and stop him.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • TheGreyPiper
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:51pm

    Don’t worry, the talking heads will be able to spin him as a racist elitist pawn of the Wall Street Jews.

    Report Post » TheGreyPiper  
    • mr.goodvibe
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 7:05pm

      Dont forget Bilderberger, Illuminati as well then throw in some Racist for good measure.

      Report Post » mr.goodvibe  
  • Bill Rowland
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:50pm

    I don’t trust any of them. They are all out for one person and thats themselves. The 17th amendment and the birth of the professional politician as opposed to the citizen legislature started the downhill slide for our country. Look at the politicians and rabble rousers encouraging the occupy (fill in your town) forces right now. They know what they are doing, they want chaos and rioting. Its only a matter of time until the demonstrators are joined by people who are more interested in what they can get in what they can accomplish and someon puts a brick thru a store window because he wants an I phone. Welcome martial Law and King Obumbler the First .

    OMG – Psalm 109:8

    Report Post »  
  • 2smart
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:45pm

    Here outside of Dallas, the Tx Senate race hasn’t picked up yet. I have heard of Cruz but don’t know much more. But after the way that Dewhurst led the Texas Senate last session I am NOT in his corner. Dewhurst is just another career politician with the same worn out message. I am sure he will come out against high taxes, the tough economy, and that these solutions will grow the Texas economy. The same types of useless legislation that we just saw with the last session.

    Report Post » 2smart  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:09pm

      Just returned to TX (Southlake) after “doing hard time” in California. LOL
      I need this sort of info. Thanks, theblaze!
      I hear from our county chair that we have had Democrat shills running as “Tea Party” or “Republican.”
      So, we have to be very careful to fully vet these people, and not just read their glossy mailings.

      Best part of the article to me, was when Cruz pointed out how bad/radical obama has been.
      Not because I like hearing how bad obama is – after all, everyone KNOWS how bad he has been, but, I liked hearing that he is running for SENATE and is campaigning AGAINST obama!

      You KNOW you’re in trouble as a President when SENATE candidates are running against you!
      LOL
      Run, Cruz, RUN!
      (not an endorsement)

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:41pm

      @2smart, you are correct,dewhurst must go, he will do the same old song and dance to get reelected,then go back to making deals that only help his agenda not texas,it wat pass time for someone who will change politics, that is conservative and has some balls to make the cuts and take the abuse that comes with the job,and do it all in the name of saving texas,not big business,special interest,or politicians, if you would like more info,try “” empoweringtexans.com, sorry i don’t have a link, but really informative.

      Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:39pm

    Forwarding this article to friends and family still in TEXAS! This man sounds like a KEEPER!

    Report Post »  
  • matt
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:38pm

    I‘ve been on Ted’s distribution list for months already but haven’t contributed to the campaign. I think it’s time to pony up!

    Report Post » matt  
  • TXTeaParty
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:33pm

    Cruz might be conservative, but he’s a phony. He defended a Chinese company against an American inventor in a patent case and lost. I refuse to vote for anyone that is willing to personally enrich themselves even if it means hurting Americans. http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/?p=11444

    Report Post »  
    • TheGreyPiper
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:49pm

      Even if the American was in the wrong? What if the American was a lefty?

      Report Post » TheGreyPiper  
    • truthseekerusa
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:56pm

      Who is the Texas Monthly supporting at this time, Cruz or his opponent?

      Report Post »  
    • TXTeaParty
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:02pm

      The American was’t wrong – he won the case and $26 million (which hasn’t been paid yet). The Chinese company stole the American company’s blueprints. Cruz had the option to not take the case but instead he decided to cash in.

      Report Post »  
  • denisb1
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:29pm

    I wish he was running for Senate in my State… RI.

    Report Post »  
  • csinnm
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:22pm

    I am one of those hispanics the pundits think are so gullible as to be taken in by 0′s promises. trust me, there are a lot of us out here who are conservative, fiscally and socially, see the writing on the wall and only want the best for our country and children’s future. the dems totally underestimate us and our power at the voting box.

    Report Post »  
    • truthseekerusa
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:08pm

      CSINNM
      My advisor in graduate school was born in Mexico and legally immigrated with his parents to the US. He used to tell me stories about how anxious his parents were to hear what he learned in school so they could assimilate with him into American society. They learned to speak English from their son who later became a professor. These are the kind of people who have been overlooked as politicians have tried to manipulate Hispanics in order to stay in power.

      Report Post »  
  • The Meem
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:21pm

    Going to a fund raiser for Cruz later this month. I am really looking forward to meeting him.
    I’m not surprised he is a debate champion, he speaks quite eloquently, no, ughs, you knows, or hummmms, very coherent. Perhaps it is the sons of the most recent immigrants like Cruz and Rubio who have to remind the rest of us who have begun taking our freedoms for granted to realize how precious and fragile they are.

    Report Post »  
    • PAWatcher
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:31pm

      My grandparents came to America so I could be an American. I’m greatful to them everyday.

      Report Post »  
  • AxelPhantom
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:19pm

    Kay B. is not exactly the most conservative type either so Dewhurst being ahead makes sense. Maybe the people of north Texas are ready for a change. I wish Mr. Cruz the best.

    Report Post »  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:52pm

      @axelphanton, you are correct, kay bailey, is not a true conservative,never has been i am really glad that she is retiring to challenge for governor, have not and will not vote for her, she and john cornyn have not help texas at all, for years that have played the compromise game, for years and look where it has gotten us now in washington, they have along with several others did not fight hard enough for what is important our freedom, they seat back for years and let the commies get in the house and senate and never said a word,never pointed them out, they just keep quite and let them slowly take over, now look we are playing hell getting them out, and kay bailey wants to walk away, and you can bet john cornyn is not to far behind,

      Report Post »  
  • classicalgas
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:18pm

    To all you Texans: get behind this man.

    Report Post » classicalgas  
  • truthseekerusa
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:12pm

    I find it interesting that more people similar to Ted Cruz are becoming known. While the rest of the media may ignore him and others from minority groups that are Conservatives, The Blaze is introducing them to its readers. I believe in donating my money to people like Cruz who have accomplished so much in their lives, much like Herman Cain, so will be sending a donation to his campaign today. Maybe there will be a Cain/Cruz ticket in 2012! :-)

    Report Post »  
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