Friday, March 29, 2024

Cruz Says These Six Things Convinced Him to Support Trump

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) (photo credit: Gage Skidmore)
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) (photo credit: Gage Skidmore)

After Ted Cruz’s high-profile snub of Donald Trump during last July’s convention, it seemed likely that the Senator from Texas would emerge as the GOP’s chief conservative opponent of Trump as the election kicked into high gear this fall. However, with a lengthy Facebook post yesterday, Cruz surprised the political world, announcing that he would support his erstwhile rival just days before the first presidential debate.

Cruz gave two primary reasons for his apparent change of heart:

I’ve made this decision for two reasons. First, last year, I promised to support the Republican nominee. And I intend to keep my word.

Second, even though I have had areas of significant disagreement with our nominee, by any measure Hillary Clinton is wholly unacceptable — that’s why I have always been #NeverHillary.

He went on to describe six key policy areas where he feels Trump represents a significant improvement over Clinton — enough so as to outweigh any qualms he might still have about Trump:

First, and most important, the Supreme Court. For anyone concerned about the Bill of Rights — free speech, religious liberty, the Second Amendment — the Court hangs in the balance. I have spent my professional career fighting before the Court to defend the Constitution. We are only one justice away from losing our most basic rights, and the next president will appoint as many as four new justices. We know, without a doubt, that every Clinton appointee would be a left-wing ideologue. Trump, in contrast, has promised to appoint justices “in the mold of Scalia.”

For some time, I have been seeking greater specificity on this issue, and today the Trump campaign provided that, releasing a very strong list of potential Supreme Court nominees — including Sen. Mike Lee, who would make an extraordinary justice — and making an explicit commitment to nominate only from that list. This commitment matters, and it provides a serious reason for voters to choose to support Trump.

Second, Obamacare. The failed healthcare law is hurting millions of Americans. If Republicans hold Congress, leadership has committed to passing legislation repealing Obamacare. Clinton, we know beyond a shadow of doubt, would veto that legislation. Trump has said he would sign it.

Third, energy. Clinton would continue the Obama administration’s war on coal and relentless efforts to crush the oil and gas industry. Trump has said he will reduce regulations and allow the blossoming American energy renaissance to create millions of new high-paying jobs.

Fourth, immigration. Clinton would continue and even expand President Obama’s lawless executive amnesty. Trump has promised that he would revoke those illegal executive orders.

Fifth, national security. Clinton would continue the Obama administration’s willful blindness to radical Islamic terrorism. She would continue importing Middle Eastern refugees whom the FBI cannot vet to make sure they are not terrorists. Trump has promised to stop the deluge of unvetted refugees.

Sixth, Internet freedom. Clinton supports Obama’s plan to hand over control of the Internet to an international community of stakeholders, including Russia, China, and Iran. Just this week, Trump came out strongly against that plan, and in support of free speech online.

These are six vital issues where the candidates’ positions present a clear choice for the American people.

Whether Cruz’s announcement will serve to bolster conservative support for Trump remains to be seen. Regardless, however, Trump’s gaining the support of his top GOP primary opponent will only serve to help him as he works to unify a formerly fractured party in advance of Election Day.

You can read Cruz’s full statement below:

[facebook url=”https://www.facebook.com/tedcruzpage/posts/10154476728267464″]

Paul Dupont is the managing editor for ThePulse2016.com.

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