In the Senate, a Reverse Mr. Smith

 

I’m now watching hour eight of Rand Paul’s filibuster. Several minutes ago, Senator Ted Cruz asked Paul to yield for a question. Paul did, and Cruz asked if he was aware of the overwhelming support he is receiving on Twitter. Cruz then read several complimentary, sometimes moving, comments from people who had hashtagged “#StandWithRand” in their tweets. 

Cruz’s maneuver was eerily similar to a moment from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (which you can view at the 7:00 mark of this video). One of the corrupt senators asks Mr. Smith if he would like to learn what his constituents have to say. Smith says “yes,” and the corrupt senator brings in baskets full of telegrams, all of them critical of Smith. The telegrams had been manufactured by the leader of the political machine that controlled the corrupt senator. Smith reads them and faints from exhaustion.

In contrast, the modern-day telegrams, the tweets read by Cruz, are honest. And they were overwhelmingly supportive of Paul. Paul thanked Cruz and said that he was inspired by them.  As I watch, Paul seems to show no signs of exhaustion.

On this history-making day, I hope folks will remember Cruz’s kind and noble gesture.

Published in General
Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 16 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Profile Photo Coolidge
    @ChrisCampion

    Can’t wait for the Rand book on his filibuster, a la Bernie Sanders.

    [redacted for Code of Conduct]

    • #1
  2. Profile Photo Inactive
    @Keith

    Paul/Cruz 2016!

    :-)

    • #2
  3. Profile Photo Member
    @

    We have been waiting for conservatives to stand up for principle, for the Constitution and against the outrageous usurpations of the current administration. Rand Paul, Mike Lee, Ted Cruz and a few others literally have. Stand with them.

    • #3
  4. Profile Photo Inactive
    @Babci
    Keith Bruzelius: Paul/Cruz 2016!

    :-) · 27 minutes ago

    No GOP Senators on the floor for over six hours other than Mike Lee and Ted Cruz.  I am so inspired by Rand’s speech and so depressed that my two Senators are nowhere to be seen.  I called them and urged them to support Paul in his effort to educate America.

    Of course, John McCain and silly Lindsay Graham have built-in excuses for their lack of support…they are dining with president Obama tonight.

    • #4
  5. Profile Photo Contributor
    @PeterRobinson

    If I’m not mistaken, senators may take their seats when accepting questions, so Cruz is offering Paul more than moral support.  He’s giving that tough but tired man the chance to rest.

    In effect, in other words, Cruz is participating in the filibuster himself.

    Good for him.

    • #5
  6. Profile Photo Inactive
    @DCMcAllister

    I just wish I could be in the gallery, yelling “Go Rand, Go!”

    • #6
  7. Profile Photo Inactive
    @BarbaraKidder

    I bet that someone is telling him about the Ricochet support.

    If this were a running marathon, we could line the route and cheer!

    • #7
  8. Profile Photo Inactive
    @DCMcAllister
    Peter Robinson: If I’m not mistaken, senators may take their seats when accepting questions, so Cruz is offering Paul more than moral support.  He’s giving that tough but tired man the chance to rest.

    In effect, in other words, Cruz is participating in the filibuster himself.

    Good for him. · 5 minutes ago

    Sen Barrasso is doing a lot to help him. I would love to see all the Republican senators come out to help. As message of solidarity, if not for this issue, as a statement in principle against the trajectory of the Obama Administration. It would be incredible to see one Rep. senator come up after another. Particularly Rubio.

    • #8
  9. Profile Photo Member
    @MollieHemingway
    Peter Robinson: If I’m not mistaken, senators may take their seats when accepting questions, so Cruz is offering Paul more than moral support.  He’s giving that tough but tired man the chance to rest.

    In effect, in other words, Cruz is participating in the filibuster himself.

    Good for him. · 15 minutes ago

    A reporter who is there just tweeted that the rules don’t allow the filibusterer to take a seat. Let me look into it.

    • #9
  10. Profile Photo Member
    @MollieHemingway

    Not sure on rules, but:

    Rand Paul has been *standing* for more than 9 hours

    • #10
  11. Profile Photo Inactive
    @DCMcAllister

    Cruz is back up, and awesome!

    • #11
  12. Profile Photo Inactive
    @DCMcAllister

    Good, Rubio speaks. As he should.

    • #12
  13. Profile Photo Member
    @Valiuth

    Cruz just read the “Time For Choosing” speech by Reagan. Ah…one of the greatest speeches ever given…I was going to turn off my CSPAN link and go home, but how can I turn off Reagan? 

    I must say while I don’t agree with the Paul on this. I appreciate his demands for holding the Executive accountable, which is the role of …(Rubio is up!!!!) man I missed the old notion of filibusterer. 

    The Republicans are finally sticking it to Obama in a public way. I wonder how much coverage this is getting? Do people know. I don’t watch TV.  

    • #13
  14. Profile Photo Inactive
    @Jordan

    If this goes on through the night it will have to get significant coverage, just on the record setting side.  It’s all over the blogs and internet news at least.

    I hope they keep it up through the night and keep it going until tomorrow.

    • #14
  15. Profile Photo Inactive
    @DCMcAllister
    Valiuth:The Republicans are finally sticking it to Obama in a public way. I wonder how much coverage this is getting? Do people know. I don’t watch TV.   · 0 minutes ago

    They’re getting it on Twitter–big time.

    • #15
  16. Profile Photo Member
    @

    I’ve been watching all day and you know what, Obama has no idea how to respond to this. Beautiful! Keep it up Sen. Paul, et al.

    • #16
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.