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JI7

(89,276 posts)
Tue Dec 10, 2013, 06:58 AM Dec 2013

Why is Ted Cruz going to Mandela's memorial service?

Cruz's office did not indicate the freshman Senator has any connection to Mandela, but Cruz said in a statement that he was "honored" to be able to attend the event.

On the 20-hour flight, Cruz could sit near the only other Republican to attend, Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois. Schock said he was "humbled" to be asked by Boehner to lead the delegation and represent House Republicans.

Or Cruz could sit near civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis of Georgia and other members of the CBC, who tend to have more liberal political leanings.

"We notified all Senate offices of the quick availability. Senator Cruz requested to go on the trip," Stewart said.

Told about Cruz's trip, Republican strategist, John Feehery, said he was "speechless." But then he said, "Good for him."

"Sometimes the best way to be a profile in courage is by taking on the nut jobs," Feehery said, referring to the ugly comments Cruz got last week.

A politically and personally challenging moment for Cruz could be when Cuban President Raul Castro speaks at the service.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/09/politics/cruz-mandela-trip/

22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Why is Ted Cruz going to Mandela's memorial service? (Original Post) JI7 Dec 2013 OP
He & fundy fanbois thinks he's the annoinTED One (R) Berlum Dec 2013 #1
LOTS and LOTS of TV cameras. n/t Le Taz Hot Dec 2013 #2
Nailed it. -eom Justitia Dec 2013 #5
BIN-go! hatrack Dec 2013 #17
Desperately seeking TexasTowelie Dec 2013 #3
Zero = Zero. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #9
He's going to run for President, that's why. MADem Dec 2013 #4
To show his solidarity to Cuba and South Africa Ichingcarpenter Dec 2013 #6
Because he has the mistaken view that the South African Broadcasting malaise Dec 2013 #7
I hope if Castro speaks Cruz goes in the bathroom and sticks his head in a toilet davidpdx Dec 2013 #8
No...I hope he hugs him, shakes his hand, and calls him 'Comrade!' on camera. nt msanthrope Dec 2013 #12
Yep. Being embraced by "the devil" won't please his fans JHB Dec 2013 #14
I highly doubt Cruz would shake his hand or even speak to him davidpdx Dec 2013 #15
LOL. There go his tea party creds. tanyev Dec 2013 #10
Because he is the King of the Seven Mountains. Kingofalldems Dec 2013 #11
This is a pretty easy one el_bryanto Dec 2013 #13
I think you pretty much nailed it Douglas Carpenter Dec 2013 #16
A gold mine of photo ops. lpbk2713 Dec 2013 #18
Because he doesn't have an ounce of shame in his body. Rex Dec 2013 #19
Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2013 #20
It is not to represent the party in a good way. mstinamotorcity2 Dec 2013 #21
tv = facetime spanone Dec 2013 #22

Berlum

(7,044 posts)
1. He & fundy fanbois thinks he's the annoinTED One (R)
Tue Dec 10, 2013, 06:59 AM
Dec 2013

- dustined to crack the stone and wield a kickass sword against heretics

MADem

(135,425 posts)
4. He's going to run for President, that's why.
Tue Dec 10, 2013, 07:04 AM
Dec 2013

He needs pictures of himself near black people for the campaign literature and commercials.

This is a substitute for a "fact finding" tour. What a lame scuzz!

Ichingcarpenter

(36,988 posts)
6. To show his solidarity to Cuba and South Africa
Tue Dec 10, 2013, 07:07 AM
Dec 2013

and Canada's fight against apartheid?

Its like Hitler mourning the Holocaust.

malaise

(269,187 posts)
7. Because he has the mistaken view that the South African Broadcasting
Tue Dec 10, 2013, 07:20 AM
Dec 2013

Corporation even knows what he looks like and will let him be seen across the globe.
Of course that will not happen.

JHB

(37,162 posts)
14. Yep. Being embraced by "the devil" won't please his fans
Tue Dec 10, 2013, 09:31 AM
Dec 2013

Much more effective. The dunking wouldn't make any real difference, and would be a donation-bait.

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
15. I highly doubt Cruz would shake his hand or even speak to him
Tue Dec 10, 2013, 09:38 AM
Dec 2013

If he did I'd enjoy seeing the pictures.

el_bryanto

(11,804 posts)
13. This is a pretty easy one
Tue Dec 10, 2013, 09:24 AM
Dec 2013

He has his base locked up - at a certain point he's got to start presenting himself to mainstream/middle america as a viable President. This is a way to do that. Show that he's not beholden to his base (who clearly don't like Mandela) and that he can . . . i don't know - stand on a stage and look presidential? But I'm sure that's the thinking.

Bryant

lpbk2713

(42,766 posts)
18. A gold mine of photo ops.
Tue Dec 10, 2013, 10:12 AM
Dec 2013



Look for the pics of him smirking at the camera and glad handing various world leaders in future campaign media.

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
19. Because he doesn't have an ounce of shame in his body.
Tue Dec 10, 2013, 10:14 AM
Dec 2013

That POS is going to run for POTUS, with Koch money backing him.

Response to JI7 (Original post)

mstinamotorcity2

(1,451 posts)
21. It is not to represent the party in a good way.
Tue Dec 10, 2013, 10:22 AM
Dec 2013

It to say Fuck You. There is no other reason. Cruz is a racist. And his daddy is a racist. He doesn't give a sweet fuck about the causes of Prince and President Mandela. It in my opinion is an outright third finger to South Africa and Americans who believe in the spirit of unity. Ted Cruz has not had any certain revelation of decency. Please!!!!This is a Smoke and Mirror routine that we have seen before. The message is still the same. And don't expect him to come back any different. Expect him to double down and use the event to further their stupidity on America's citizens.

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