Ted Cruz is the Best Candidate for Millennials
The following endorsement is not reflective of my employer, nor anyone else. Below are my thoughts and my thoughts alone.
If you’re looking for a candidate who will stand for principles against the establishment in our party and against our opponents on the Left, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is the man to support for president on the Republican side.
I can confidently say and promise that my vote in Virginia’s primary contest on Super Tuesday-March 1, 2016-will be cast for Senator Cruz as long as he remains in the race. (Luckily, there’s no indication of his campaign suffering or him exiting any time soon.) In fact, Wall Street Journal wrote in August 2015 that Cruz is among five plausible GOP candidates who are on the path to the presidency. As a 20-something young professional, I feel comfortable voting for him knowing he’ll represent all Americans-including young people-very well.
For those of you who follow my writings and similar musings closely, this endorsement should come as no surprise to you. I’ve met Senator Cruz on various occasions, had the honor of introducing him, and know plenty of people who tirelessly worked to elect him to the U.S. Senate. This man is the real deal.
Below are several reasons why my fellow Millennials should consider voting for Cruz in their respective state primary contests:
He’s a Consistent Conservative, Not a Campaign Conservative
Cruz has proven time and time again he’s not a campaign conservative. From his 21-hour speech on the Senate floor calling for the full defunding of Obamacare to fighting amnesty to defending the right-to-life, among many things, Cruz has valiantly fought for Americans in this sacred chamber. He’s even stood up to leadership in our party when they strayed or they supported bills contrary to our values. In his book A Time for Truth: Reigniting the Promise of America, Senator Cruz writes how he stood up for conservative values prior to his tenure in the U.S. Senate in college, in law school, as a G.W. Bush administration staffer, and as solicitor general of Texas.
More importantly, Cruz hasn’t wavered on issues important to our base and to many Americans. He’s a sound conservative on all accounts and falls in line with the three-legged stool principle. He follows the Constitution, and is opposed to cronyism from big business and big government. Worried about Cruz being too polarizing? Don’t be. He got Democrats to support bills, including one he sponsored blocking an admitted Iranian terrorist that received unanimous support from all 100 U.S. senators. (It was later signed into law by President Obama in April 2014.)
Imagine that — a politician who keeps his promises and can get Democrats to work with him without losing his soul? I’m confident Senator Cruz will keep to his anti-establishment ways and fight the Washington Cartel.
He’s Very Likeable and Approachable
Senator Cruz may be Ivy League educated, but he’s the farthest thing from an elitist. In fact, he’s someone you can grab a burger with — especially if you like White Castle burgers.
For example, I had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time in July 2012 at Freedomworks’ FreePAC Dallas event. He was very nice, respectful, and genuinely interested in hearing what I, as a young person, had to say. Millions of others can attest to how down-to-earth and friendly Mr. Cruz is. He enjoys meeting constituents and non-constituents alike. More importantly, he doesn’t rely on notes or a teleprompter to communicate. It’s indicative that he’s real and not programmed. American voters are craving authenticity, and Senator Cruz can easily fill that void.
He Gets Pop Culture and Can Relate to Our Generation
Millennials are tired of politics-as-usual and are looking for a leader unafraid to buck the status quo. Senator Cruz’s critique of both Democrats and Republicans will especially resonate with disillusioned Millennials — but carry actual substance and weight unlike the candidacies of both Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump.
Cruz recently appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and held his own very well. He cracked jokes and answered tough questions with poise. Even when Colbert pressed him on the marriage issue, Cruz delivered a very good answer without conceding his position — states, not the courts, should decide on that issue through the Tenth Amendment. When audience members booed him for supporting marriage between a man and a woman, Colbert even said he must be shown some respect. Honesty beckons respect. As a result, Cruz’s honesty and respect for the Constitution will even beckon respect from those who disagree with him.
Moreover, Senator Cruz is very social media savvy and in touch with what’s trendy in pop culture. According to staffers, he’s a huge fan of the The Princess Bride film. Buzzfeed enlisted Cruz to audition for The Simpsons where he showed Americans he can twirl for freedom. Even better — Cruz proved you can cook bacon while shooting an AR-15. (So much for a stuffy, boring politician!) He’ll be able to relate to our generation better than other candidates given his youthfulness and forward-thinking digital strategy in place — without diluting our message.
Without a doubt, Senator Cruz will make conservatism appealing to all Americans and give a human face to our values. I’m honored to lend him my support.
To learn more about Senator Cruz’s candidacy, follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and consider supporting him at www.tedcruz.org
