Trump and Cruz Are RINOs, McCain and Rubio Are Real Republicans

 

An interesting thing is happening. The senator that Donald Trump spent weeks vilifying as “Lyin’ Ted” has become one of the strongest and most forceful defenders of his administration as the President-elect’s cabinet choices face confirmation hearings. Here is what he said in support of Attorney-General nominee.

“Senator Sessions believes in the foundational idea that we are governed by objectively knowable, written rules, and that we should not be subject to the interpretive whims of unelected, power-hungry bureaucrats. Sessions will instill this belief at the Department of Justice.”

“The fact that this is controversial tells you all you need to know about the sorry intellectual state of our country’s elites, especially in the legal academy and federal bureaucracies.”

Not just a strong endorsement, but also a strong restatement of conservative principles. And an “in your face” to the outgoing administration, which has subverted immigration laws, the constitutional separation of powers, and generally treated the rule of law as an obstacle its political agenda.

Good going, Ted. Love you, Man.

Meanwhile, John McCain is undermining the Republican president-elect by passing on opposition research apparently sourced from 4Chan (from a firm with links to Planned Parenthood) containing salacious rumors to the FBI and offering an imprimatur of bipartisanship to Democrat Conspiracy Theories about Russia “hacking the election.” Marco Rubio went on the attack against the President-elect’s nominee for Secretary of State for not labeling the leader of a country the incoming administration will have to work with a war criminal. (Kind of baffled why so many people want to start a war with Russia, these days, but that’s the vibe.)

The thing is, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are both outsiders. Donald Trump is a populist, who ran under the Republican label perhaps because the Republican primary process isn’t rigged against outsiders to the degree that the Democrat primaries are. Ted Cruz is a conservative, not just a Republican who runs as one and then becomes a JV Democrat while in office. During the primaries, it was tough to decide which one the party establishment hated more.

John McCain and Marco Rubio represent the real Republican Party; a party that has refused every opportunity it has been given to reform and reduce Government, a party unwilling to stand up to their Democrat “friends,” a party cowed by a media complex that despises them and disloyal to the base that elects them. Trump and Cruz may wear the label of this party, but they are not really part of it.

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  1. Guruforhire Inactive
    Guruforhire
    @Guruforhire

    To call the past few days a clown show would be an insult to clowns, and having ricochet members who are clowns, would violate the CoC.

    • #1
  2. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    Yes Cruz’s speech was the most fun I’d had in years.  Rubio was disappointing but not as surprising as it should have been.   McCain just isn’t very bright and gets shaped by osmosis of the dense liberal milieux he’s lived in for so long.    My problem with him is that  he gets media attention and some still listen.

    • #2
  3. Franco Member
    Franco
    @Franco

    I was listening half asleep to the hearings and I heard this voice sounding very young, maybe a senior in college or first year grad school. In my half-sleep I wondered if this was a Senator, and who it could be. I was not able to determine if this voice belonged to a Democrat or Republican.

    The voice turned out to belong to Marco Rubio.

    The aggression towards Russia and Putin he exhibited in his questions and remarks is downright scary. Little Marco may be a tad Napoleonic. And politically he’s clueless.

    He would have never beaten Hillary. He sounds like a moralistic student council president.

     

     

    • #3
  4. Franco Member
    Franco
    @Franco

    V the K: John McCain and Marco Rubio represent the real Republican Party; a party that has refused every opportunity it has been given to reform and reduce Government, a party unwilling to stand up to their Democrat “friends,” a party cowed by a media complex that despises them and disloyal to the base that elects them. Trump and Cruz may wear the label of this party, but they are not really part of it.

    It’s now out in the open. The legacy GOP is the warmongering, chicken hawk, globalist party. They are dangerous and insane.

     

    • #4
  5. Simon Templar Member
    Simon Templar
    @

    Trump and Cruz may wear the label of this party, but they are not really part of it.

    Maybe, just maybe they are part of the Country Class.  Hope Trump nominates Cruz for the Supreme Court.  What a glorious spectacle would his nomination process be.

    • #5
  6. RyanFalcone Member
    RyanFalcone
    @RyanFalcone

    Wow, the second that Cruz should dare to question our lord and savior Trump, he’ll get the same treatment. Yeah, McCain is a disappointment but Rubio has been fighting the good fight for 6 years with a track record that makes Trump look like McCain. Despite is Go6 mistake (that he has repented of, over and over and over and over for) Trump will only be a success with Rubio in his corner. Rubio isn’t a automaton as some on this site apparently would like but that is a good thing because Trump is dangerous. Rubio is a voice for conservatives and everything he said to Tillerson was valid and needed to be asked. It is so disappointing to see conservatives acting with the same measly, melodramatic narrow-mindedness that makes liberals so sickening.

    • #6
  7. Josh Inactive
    Josh
    @Josh

    I’m not sure how Rubio asking tough questions of the man that will help shape our relationships with the world is being a “JV Democrat” as you put it. McCain is a joke. We established that not long after he got waxed in the election. But since when does being tough on a nominee during confirmation hearings constitute as being a Democrat? Haven’t we spent the last 8 years complaining about how they turn a blind eye to everything that’s done by someone on their side? Why do we suddenly feel that because Tillerson is nominated by a Republican president that he should not have to answer tough questions about his opinions of the leader of a country that is large enough, powerful enough, and motivated enough to challenge us at the right moment? I don’t want war with Russia, I think that’s a rather strange accusation. But that doesn’t mean that we should turn a blind eye to the wrong things Putin continues to do.

    • #7
  8. Tony Sells Inactive
    Tony Sells
    @TonySells

    I don’t see Cruz “crossing” Trump again.  He has seen how the wind has blown for Trump and pretty soon he will be singing the merits of trade protection, the folly of touching old age welfare programs to tackle the deficit, and a new entitlement forcing companies to pay for maternity leave.

    He has learned his lesson.

    • #8
  9. RyanFalcone Member
    RyanFalcone
    @RyanFalcone

    McCain is only slightly less angry than Hillary that “someone like him (Trump)” was elected President while he was tossed into the dustbin of history. Both Rubio and Cruz are motivated far differently. Both have tangled with McCain and the other old guard-types and come through stronger. Both will align behind Trump the vast majority of the time but be vocal critics if or when he goes full Trump-o-crat. They will be crucial to reigning in the executive office just as Pence will be. Having these 2 and a few others in the Senate are the only reason I voted for Trump and make me feel far less anxious about him.

    • #9
  10. Robert McReynolds Member
    Robert McReynolds
    @

    Thou shalt not speak ill of Saint Marco.

    The GOP is a big government, empiricist political party that only trots out “conservatism” when it is election season. Folks like Cruz are fighting an uphill battle. A good fight, but uphill nevertheless.

    • #10
  11. tigerlily Member
    tigerlily
    @tigerlily

    Josh (View Comment):
    I’m not sure how Rubio asking tough questions of the man that will help shape our relationships with the world is being a “JV Democrat” as you put it. McCain is a joke. We established that not long after he got waxed in the election. But since when does being tough on a nominee during confirmation hearings constitute as being a Democrat? Haven’t we spent the last 8 years complaining about how they turn a blind eye to everything that’s done by someone on their side? Why do we suddenly feel that because Tillerson is nominated by a Republican president that he should not have to answer tough questions about his opinions of the leader of a country that is large enough, powerful enough, and motivated enough to challenge us at the right moment? I don’t want war with Russia, I think that’s a rather strange accusation. But that doesn’t mean that we should turn a blind eye to the wrong things Putin continues to do.

    Yep.

    • #11
  12. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    Josh (View Comment):
    But since when does being tough on a nominee during confirmation hearings constitute as being a Democrat?

    Anything less than 100% support for everything Trump does means you’re a Democrat.

    • #12
  13. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    Robert McReynolds (View Comment):
    Thou shalt not speak ill of Saint Donald.

    FIFY

    • #13
  14. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Umbra Fractus (View Comment):

    Josh (View Comment):
    But since when does being tough on a nominee during confirmation hearings constitute as being a Democrat?

    Anything less than 100% support for everything Trump does means you’re a Democrat.

    Nonsense. It wasn’t a tough question, it was a stupid one. It revealed much more about Marco Rubio than it did Rex Tillerson.

    • #14
  15. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Nonsense. It wasn’t a tough question, it was a stupid one.

    I’ve heard good arguments that it was.

    I’ve also heard too many people skewering Rubio for not being a, “team player.”

    This isn’t about a poorly worded question. This is, “How dare he not fall in line?!” We complained for eight years about how the Democrats were unprincipled, partisan automatons, and now we’re complaining about Republicans who are not.

    • #15
  16. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Umbra Fractus (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Nonsense. It wasn’t a tough question, it was a stupid one.

    I’ve heard good arguments that it was.

    I’ve also heard too many people skewering Rubio for not being a, “team player.”

    This isn’t about a poorly worded question. This is, “How dare he not fall in line?!” We complained for eight years about how the Democrats were unprincipled, partisan automatons, and now we’re complaining about Republicans who are not.

    Totally disagree. I don’t think either the OP or even most of the comments critical of Rubio have been about him not being a team player (although, yeah, the Democrats never ever give up on each other, even after this 2016 drubbing). We’re talking about the poor quality of the question. 1) It has legal ramifications Tillerson couldn’t be expected to address without input from the POTUS (and a security clearance/briefing), and 2) it was obnoxious sanctimoniousness which, had Tillerson simply assented to the characterization, would have denied the Trump administration its diplomatic options in planning to deal strategically with Russia.

    Putin is a bad guy. Duh. Does anyone think Rex Tillerson doesn’t know that?

    Now, what does the US do about it? Rubio wasn’t interested other than to uphold Obama’s EO on sanctions. Next, I suppose we could get Rubio to write a strongly worded letter…

    • #16
  17. skipsul Inactive
    skipsul
    @skipsul

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Does anyone think Rex Tillerson doesn’t know that?

    Well, to be fair, there some who do think of Tillerson that way, even here on Rico.

    • #17
  18. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    skipsul (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Does anyone think Rex Tillerson doesn’t know that?

    Well, to be fair, there some who do think of Tillerson that way, even here on Rico.

    I think they’re misunderestimating him. He’s no fool.

    • #18
  19. skipsul Inactive
    skipsul
    @skipsul

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    skipsul (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Does anyone think Rex Tillerson doesn’t know that?

    Well, to be fair, there some who do think of Tillerson that way, even here on Rico.

    I think they’re misunderestimating him. He’s no fool.

    Fair point, though I’m on the fence myself.  @jamesofengland is not favorably disposed to him either, I think, though I could be putting words in James’s mouth on that.

    • #19
  20. Elephas Americanus Member
    Elephas Americanus
    @ElephasAmericanus

    Can we retire the “real Republican” schtick already? Calling people out on lack of ideological purity or for not being good foot soldiers to the party cause – it’s just so… Democrat.

    • #20
  21. SecondBite Member
    SecondBite
    @SecondBite

    Being Secretary of State requires a certain degree of amorality in practice.  You don’t get to choose your milieu.  Tillerson seems to have that.  An awful lot of the questions that get asked in Senate hearings strike me as stupid, grandstanding, or both.  I think Rubio deserves a pass.  Good on Cruz; shame on McCain.

    • #21
  22. billy Inactive
    billy
    @billy

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Umbra Fractus (View Comment):

    Josh (View Comment):
    But since when does being tough on a nominee during confirmation hearings constitute as being a Democrat?

    Anything less than 100% support for everything Trump does means you’re a Democrat.

    Nonsense. It wasn’t a tough question, it was a stupid one. It revealed much more about Marco Rubio than it did Rex Tillerson.

    Agreed.

    Rubio was grandstanding. There was no way Tillerson could answer that question, either yes or no, without tying the new Administration’ s hands before anyone is even sworn in.

    • #22
  23. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    SecondBite (View Comment):

    I think Rubio deserves a pass. Good on Cruz; shame on McCain.

    This.

    • #23
  24. Joe P Member
    Joe P
    @JoeP

    For all the people saying nice things about Cruz being a good foot soldier now for Team Trump: I don’t think that’s what’s happening.

    Cruz has been buttering up Jeff Sessions in public for several years now in order to score border hawk points with the Republican base for his Presidential run. That was put on temporary hiatus once Sessions decided to endorse Trump in the primary, but with 2016 gone and at least one possible Presidential campaign in his future he still has perfectly self interested reasons to go right back to doing it.

    That isn’t a criticism of Cruz, just a more likely explanation than “Cruz is marching to Trump’s drum now.”

    • #24
  25. CRD Member
    CRD
    @CRD

    If you think Senator Rubio’s question on Putin being a war criminal is a valid question, needed to be asked, then what answer could Mr. Tillerson give that would be acceptable to you? And having given that answer and become Secretary of State, how would that answer help Mr. Tillerson advance the U.S. foreign policy?

    • #25
  26. WI Con Member
    WI Con
    @WICon

    Though I’m predisposed to look at McCain with a caustic eye and Rubio with a jaundiced one, it’s true – any nominee should be given tough questions and pressed for answers. I had read this post & comments and was inclined to give Rubio a pass as well, till I listened to Andrew Klavan’s podcast and he had the audio clips of Rubio’s questioning. He was preening & grandstanding – seemed as if there was more going on there with him. A big shot across Trump’s bow.

     

    • #26
  27. Sweezle Inactive
    Sweezle
    @Sweezle

    Trump is definitely an outsider considering he was a democrat for a long time. McCain is a mainstream, establishment war hawk.  His involvement (?) with releasing the report that Buzzfeed published was a shock. I know he dislikes Trump and is embarrassed by him. All with good reason. If McCain did this to get it out publicly before the inauguration when it might derail the republican legislative agenda I would understand. It was a poorly kept secret for a few months apparently. A future bombshell.

    Cruz is more of an opportunist than an outsider. I did enjoy his rant against democrats yesterday. But I find it hard to believe he wouldn’t stab Trump in the back if given an opportunity. Supreme Court sounds perfect but not as the first appointment. Rubio was petulant, churlish and asked a very stupid question yesterday. I can’t give him a pass but he still has future opportunities to redeem himself. Tillerson was not damaged by Rubio yesterday, but he did Rubio no favors.

     

    • #27
  28. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Josh (View Comment):
    I’m not sure how Rubio asking tough questions of the man that will help shape our relationships with the world is being a “JV Democrat” as you put it. McCain is a joke. We established that not long after he got waxed in the election. But since when does being tough on a nominee during confirmation hearings constitute as being a Democrat? Haven’t we spent the last 8 years complaining about how they turn a blind eye to everything that’s done by someone on their side? Why do we suddenly feel that because Tillerson is nominated by a Republican president that he should not have to answer tough questions about his opinions of the leader of a country that is large enough, powerful enough, and motivated enough to challenge us at the right moment? I don’t want war with Russia, I think that’s a rather strange accusation. But that doesn’t mean that we should turn a blind eye to the wrong things Putin continues to do.

    Very good points.  My feelings are the same as yours.  McCain has become old and ridiculous, but Rubio is still a force.  His articulation of the pro-life position is the absolute best of top tier Republicans.  And while he does seem to have an animus against Russia – or is it limited to Vlad Putin? – Russia/Putin is clearly not our friend.

    • #28
  29. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Sweezle (View Comment):
    Cruz is more of an opportunist than an outsider.

    If people can’t see that now, I don’t know what it will take to see it.  The dictionary has Ted’s face under the “opportunist” entry.

     

    • #29
  30. Sweezle Inactive
    Sweezle
    @Sweezle

    Manny (View Comment):

    Sweezle (View Comment):
    Cruz is more of an opportunist than an outsider.

    If people can’t see that now, I don’t know what it will take to see it. The dictionary has Ted’s face under the “opportunist” entry.

    I agree. But I did enjoy that anti-democrat rant yesterday.

    • #30
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