Thursday, March 19, 2009

Ted Cruz - An Immigration Story

Recently, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was taped giving a speech in her district of San Francisco. Her focus was illegal immigration and the raids on work places. She called them "unAmerican". She said, "You are special people" to those in her audience. She vowed to continue to fight for their rights. We are left to assume the audience was comprised of illegal immigrants.

It is shameful for elected officials to claim any American citizen opposing illegal immigration is anti immigrant. The fact is our country was made by immigrants. Legal immigration has built and enriched our country. Who is not proud that America is referred to as a melting pot? Our national diversity - built on legal immigration - is to be celebrated.

This week, the Greater Houston Council of Federated Republican Women was honored to have Ted Cruz,who served for 5 1/2 years as Solicitor General of Texas, as our guest speaker. What is a Solicitor General? A Solicitor General is the chief appellate lawyer of Texas. His career has been chock full of accomplishment. He was a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Rehnquist and a Princeton alumni. He considers Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts a good friend. He has argued before the Supreme Court on behalf of the state of Texas dozens of times. Among his last winning decisions, before leaving the position, was the decision that would have ended U.S. sovern rights to be replaced by International Law in the World Court as seen in the trial of the Mexican citizen who tortured and murdered two teenage girls in Houston as Mexico insisted the man was above American law (which, unfortunately, G.W. Bush supported). The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on that decision. The horrible realization that 3 of the Justices actually agreed that the World Court can overrule the American court system is truly scary.

Ted Cruz is a brilliant legal expert, an articulate public speaker and possesses a wicked sense of humor. The audience was entertained by his amusing personal stories, too. He is first generation Cuban American. He is passionate about fighting for America to remain a free, open, Capitalist country. Growing up in a family truly focused on politics, it is natural that he has the career he has today. His wife and their 11 month old daughter were present, too, at our meeting. The next generation is being educated.

As Cruz pointed out, as the Republican party goes forward, it is important to recognize three tenets in future candidates: 1. sound principles, 2. a backbone and competence to stand and fight, 3. the ability to communicate. He spoke of his frustration that the Republicans seem to be attracted to candidates who can't string 3 sentences together. We all share that frustration. The single most important requirement for a candidate is to combine the ability to motivate, inspire and communicate.

It is important for the loyal opposition to remain focused, inspired, and communicate a positive alternative to the policies coming out of Washington today. As Cruz pointed out, there is nothing extreme in Reagan conservatism. The portrayal by Democrats of the Republican party as the party of no is bogus. Alternatives are offered regularly and this must continue, in such a way as to merit recognition on the stage of ideas.

Message communication is essential.

9 comments:

Fishie said...

I've heard a lot of good about Ted Cruz, but you added to the list! Great post, and unless Michael McCaul throws his significant dollars and backing into an AG race, I think Cruz would sail into that office, as well he should!

Anonymous said...

Correction: Ted Cruz has not argued in the US Supreme Court dozens of times. Maybe one dozen times. An accomplishment, no doubt, but not dozens of times. Also, its odd that he criticizes our party for supporting candidates who cannot string sentences together when he himself authored the book "Thank You President Bush." Either you adore President Bush or you don't. There are arguments on both sides. But please don't be two-faced about it. I'll be supporting McCaul because I feel he's more principled.

Karen Townsend said...

Anonymous:
Too bad you aren't able to id yourself. I'll support Cruz, thanks. You're certainly entitled to your opinion. He is a strong supporter of President Bush. You must admit, however, that the lack of strong communication from him and his administration was a true negative when it mattered most for public support.

Anonymous said...

You are totally right about Bush's lack of strong communication, Karen. I wished he was a better speaker too when it really mattered. I just don't like when someone like Ted Cruz speaks from both sides of his mouth. Maybe I'm just being biased because of what I've heard about Cruz before. Heard he's really not a good person behind the facade. Doesn't treat his employees well.

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Karen Townsend said...
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Anonymous said...

I worked with Ted Cruz at the AG's office. He was friendly and pleasant to anyone with power and an elitist jerk to everyone else. He was born in Canada and lived there until school age. Grew up in private schools and the Ivy League. Spent more time in DC then he has in Texas during his professional life. Also - for AG - I'd want someone with more experience. He is an inch wide and a mile deep in appellate law. No other professional experience. No executive experience. No military. No criminal justice. How does he have the experience to be the top law enforcement officer for the state?

Karen Townsend said...

My error. Cruz was born in Canada.