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Breitbart TV 2/17/15
On Tuesday’s “Mark Levin Show,” Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) said that President Obama’s “feckless and naive” foreign policy makes Jimmy Carter’s look “resolute.”

“We are seeing the manifest disaster of the Obama/Clinton/Kerry foreign policy. Leading from behind doesn’t work. And you know one person in this country thrilled at the job Barack Obama’s doing is Jimmy Carter.  Because suddenly Carter’s foreign policy seems resolute compared to the absolutely feckless and naive lack of leadership from this administration” he stated.

Cruz continued, “the president consistently refuses to utter the words ‘radical Islamic terrorism,’ he will not say it, we saw the president say with regard to the horrific terrorist attack in Paris that it was a quote ‘random’ act of violence.
It was not a random act of violence when radical Islamists went into a kosher deli to murder Jews because of their Jewish faith, that was not random, it was anti-Semitic religious bigotry and zealotry and we need a president who stops this politically correct doublespeak and simply speaks the truth.”

Ted talks a lot but he doesn't seem to get much done.
Talks cheap

What's he supposed to be doing that he's not?

_____


S. 435: A bill to amend chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, with regard to the definition of “marriage” and “spouse” for Federal purposes and to ensure respect for State regulation of marriage.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Feb 10, 2015

Referred to Committee: Feb 10, 2015


S. 336: ObamaCare Repeal Act

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Feb 2, 2015

Referred to Committee: Feb 2, 2015


S. 339: ObamaCare Repeal Act

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Feb 2, 2015

Reported by Committee: Feb 3, 2015


S. 274: A bill to prohibit the Department of the Treasury from assigning tax statuses to organizations based on their political beliefs and activities.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jan 28, 2015

Referred to Committee: Jan 28, 2015


S. 273: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the intentional discrimination of a person or organization by an employee of the Internal Revenue Service.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jan 28, 2015

Referred to Committee: Jan 28, 2015


S. 247: Expatriate Terrorist Act

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jan 22, 2015

Referred to Committee: Jan 22, 2015


S. 249: Operation United Assistance Tax Exclusion Act of 2015

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jan 22, 2015

Referred to Committee: Jan 22, 2015


S. 2965: Operation United Assistance Tax Exclusion Act of 2014

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Nov 20, 2014

Referred to Committee: Nov 20, 2014


S. 2779: Expatriate Terrorists Act

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Sep 8, 2014

Reported by Committee: Sep 9, 2014


S. 2672: Sanction Iran, Safeguard America Act of 2014

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jul 28, 2014

Referred to Committee: Jul 28, 2014


S.Con.Res. 41: A concurrent resolution denouncing the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas and other terrorist organizations in violation of international humanitarian law.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jul 24, 2014

Referred to Committee: Jul 24, 2014


S. 2666: Protect Children and Families Through the Rule of Law Act

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jul 24, 2014

Reported by Committee: Jul 28, 2014


S. 2631: A bill to prevent the expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program unlawfully created by Executive memorandum on August 15, 2012.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jul 17, 2014

Reported by Committee: Jul 21, 2014


S. 2579: A bill to require the Secretary of State to offer rewards totaling up to $5,000,000 for information on the kidnapping and murder of Naftali Fraenkel, a dual United States-Israeli citizen, that began on June 12, 2014.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jul 9, 2014

Reported by Committee: Jul 10, 2014


S. 2577: A bill to require the Secretary of State to offer rewards totaling up to $5,000,000 for information on the kidnapping and murder of Naftali Fraenkel, a dual United States-Israeli citizen, that began on June 12, 2014.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jul 9, 2014

Passed Senate: Jul 29, 2014


S.Res. 487: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. should appoint a special counsel or prosecutor to investigate the targeting of conservative nonprofit groups by the Internal Revenue Service.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jun 26, 2014

Referred to Committee: Jun 26, 2014


S.Res. 482: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the area between the intersections of International Drive, Northwest Van Ness Street, Northwest International Drive, Northwest and International Place, Northwest in Washington, District of C

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jun 24, 2014

Referred to Committee: Jun 24, 2014


S. 2510: Guantanamo Bay Detainee Transfer Suspension Act of 2014

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jun 19, 2014

Referred to Committee: Jun 19, 2014


S. 2415: SuperPAC Elimination Act of 2014

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jun 3, 2014

Referred to Committee: Jun 3, 2014


S. 2416: Free All Speech Act of 2014

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jun 3, 2014

Referred to Committee: Jun 3, 2014


S. 2195: A bill to deny admission to the United States to any representative to the United Nations who has been found to have been engaged in espionage activities or a terrorist activity against the United States and poses a threat to United States nation

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Apr 1, 2014

Enacted — Signed by the President: Apr 18, 2014


S. 2170: American Energy Renaissance Act of 2014

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Mar 27, 2014

Referred to Committee: Mar 27, 2014


S. 2073: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the intentional discrimination of a person or organization by an employee of the Internal Revenue Service.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Feb 27, 2014

Referred to Committee: Feb 27, 2014


S. 2072: A bill to prohibit the Department of the Treasury from assigning tax statuses to organizations based on their political beliefs and activities.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Feb 27, 2014

Referred to Committee: Feb 27, 2014


S. 2067: A bill to prohibit the Department of the Treasury from assigning tax statuses to organizations based on their political beliefs and activities.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Feb 27, 2014

Reported by Committee: Mar 3, 2014


S. 2066: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the intentional discrimination of a person or organization by an employee of the Internal Revenue Service.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Feb 27, 2014

Reported by Committee: Mar 3, 2014


S. 2024: State Marriage Defense Act of 2014

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Feb 12, 2014

Reported by Committee: Feb 24, 2014


S.Res. 328: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on steps the Government of Iran must take before further bilateral negotiations between the Government of Iran and the United States Government occur.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jan 6, 2014

Referred to Committee: Jan 6, 2014


S. 1661: A bill to require the Secretary of State to offer rewards of up to $5,000,000 for information regarding the attacks on the United States diplomatic mission at Benghazi, Libya that began on September 11, 2012.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Nov 7, 2013

Reported by Committee: Nov 12, 2013


S. 1594: A bill to designate the United States courthouse located at 101 East Pecan Street in Sherman, Texas, as the Paul Brown United States Courthouse.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Oct 29, 2013

Referred to Committee: Oct 29, 2013


S.J.Res. 23: A joint resolution making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Oct 2, 2013

Referred to Committee: Oct 2, 2013


S.Res. 252: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on steps the Government of Iran must take before President Obama meets with the President of Iran.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Sep 24, 2013

Referred to Committee: Sep 24, 2013


S.Res. 225: A resolution to express the sense of the Senate that Congress should establish a joint select committee to investigate and report on the attack on the United States diplomatic facility and American personnel in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Sep 12, 2013

Referred to Committee: Sep 12, 2013


S. 1336: A bill to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to permit States to require proof of citizenship for registration to vote in elections for Federal office.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jul 18, 2013

Reported by Committee: Jul 18, 2013


S. 1292: Defund Obamacare Act of 2013

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jul 11, 2013

Reported by Committee: Jul 16, 2013


S. 729: Disarm Criminals and Protect Communities Act

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Apr 15, 2013

Reported by Committee: Apr 16, 2013


S. 730: Firearm Straw Purchasing and Trafficking Prevention Act

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Apr 15, 2013

Reported by Committee: Apr 16, 2013


S. 505: A bill to prohibit the use of drones to kill citizens of the United States within the United States.

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Mar 7, 2013

Reported by Committee: Mar 11, 2013


S. 177: ObamaCare Repeal Act

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]

Introduced: Jan 29, 2013

Reported by Committee: Jan 30, 2013

Cruz has authored 70 United States Supreme Court briefs and presented 43 oral arguments, including nine before the United States Supreme Court. Cruz's record of having argued before the Supreme Court nine times is more than any practicing lawyer in Texas or any current member of Congress. Cruz has commented on his nine cases in front of the U.S. Supreme Court: "We ended up year after year arguing some of the biggest cases in the country. There was a degree of serendipity in that, but there was also a concerted effort to seek out and lead conservative fights."

In the landmark case of District of Columbia v. Heller, Cruz drafted the amicus brief signed by attorneys general of 31 states, which said that the D.C. handgun ban should be struck down as infringing upon the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Cruz also presented oral argument for the amici states in the companion case to Heller before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

In addition to his success in Heller, Cruz has successfully defended the constitutionality of the Ten Commandments monument on the Texas State Capitol grounds before the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court, winning 5-4 in Van Orden v. Perry.

In 2004, Cruz was involved in the high-profile case, Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow, in which Cruz wrote a U.S. Supreme Court brief on behalf of all 50 states. The Supreme Court upheld the position of Cruz’s brief.

Cruz served as lead counsel for the state and successfully defended the multiple litigation challenges to the 2003 Texas congressional redistricting plan in state and federal district courts and before the U.S. Supreme Court, which was decided 5-4 in his favor in League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry.

Cruz also successfully defended, in Medellin v. Texas, the State of Texas against an attempt by the International Court of Justice to re-open the cases of 51 Mexican nationals, all of whom were convicted of murder in the United States and were on death row. With the support of the George W. Bush Administration, the International Court of Justice argued that the United States had violated a treaty by failing to notify the convicted nationals of their opportunity to receive legal aid from the Mexican consulate. Texas won the case in a 6-3 decision.

some of these guys have no clue Pat....

It is hard to tally potential presidential candidate numbers when they do not include the lady who just said she was ready for Hillary.

Your WSJ link listed over 404,000 followers for Cruz on Twitter and 2.83M for Hillary. I looked up Palin at 1.13M.

On Facebook, Cruz has over 2M followers, Hillary is not on Facebook, Palin is at 4.53M.

Exactly, lots of talk, IE referred or reported to committee, not much accomplished in congress.

So how is that the fault of Ted Cruz? He is in the Senate doing what Texas sent him there to do.

He is a Senator, not a Dictator.

Ted Cruz just compared Obama to Richard Nixon


Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is not a fan of his Democratic colleagues' "disturbing" unwillingness to criticize President Barack Obama's executive actions that protected undocumented immigrants from deportation.

"It's very interesting. Democratic senators privately will admit all sorts of things," Cruz mused during a Newsmax TV interview published Monday. "But it's really disturbing: Democratic senators have been unwilling to stand up to this president, really on almost anything."

Cruz, a likely 2016 presidential contender, compared this alleged slavishness to Obama to how Republicans reacted when one of their own, former President Richard Nixon, was in the middle of the 1972 Watergate scandal.

"We've had presidents in the past who have abused power. But when that has happened: When Richard Nixon abused power, Republican senators stood up to him and said, 'Mr. President, you've gone too far.' In fact, it was Republican senators who went to the Oval Office, … and said, 'Mr. President, it's time for you to resign,'" Cruz recalled. "What is strikingly missing are Democratic senators who have more commitment to the Constitution and rule of law than they do to their party."

Newsmax anchor John Bachman pointed out to Cruz that Democratic senators today would likely say Obama's controversies are not on the same scale as Watergate, which featured a massive White House cover-up and a burglary at the Democratic Party's national headquarters.

"Perhaps," Cruz responded.

Cruz then quickly shifted the discussion to the Obama's administration's IRS controversy, in which conservative-leaning groups were subjected to more tax scrutiny.

"But the point is when the IRS targeted citizens' groups for their political views, Democrats circled ranks around the president," Cruz said. "To be honest, Nixon tried to use the IRS to target his political enemies; President Obama's administration succeeded."


http://www.businessinsider.com/ted-cruz-just-compared-obama-to-richard-nixon-2015-2#ixzz3SfX5AIYu

Ted Cruz surges ahead of Rick Perry in Texas poll
By Nick Gass 2/23/15
Sen. Ted Cruz leads a crowded field for the Republican presidential nomination in Texas, according to a University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll released on Monday.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker grabbed 2 percent of the vote in the last such poll in October, but he has surged to a close second. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, whom 14 percent of Republican voters would have chosen in October, fell to fifth place in a wide-open field.

Twenty percent of those surveyed went for Cruz with Walker pulling in 19 percent. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and neurosurgeon Ben Carson followed, each with 9 percent, and Perry at 8 percent.

Next, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee at 5 percent, Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida at 4 percent, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin at 3 percent, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 2 percent. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and former business executive Carly Fiorina each drew 1 percent. Thirteen percent of those surveyed replied that they hadn’t thought about it enough to form an opinion.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton surged to 62 percent in the Lone Star State, 50 percentage points in front of second-place Elizabeth Warren, who has repeatedly said she will not seek the nomination.

The online poll was conducted between February 6-15 and included 1,200 registered voters. It has an overall margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points, and the Republican sample polling 547 voters carries a margin of error of 4.2 percentage points. The Democratic sample polling of 401 voters has a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/ted-cruz-rick-perry-texas-poll-115418.html#ixzz3ScUFC9eK

Walker and Cruz are cut from the same cloth. I like 'em.

Iowa Ag Summit Applauds Ted Cruz Even When He Opposes Their Interests

Senator Ted Cruz (R., Texas) managed to turn a disagreement with a crowd of Iowa businesses and farmers into an applause line at the Iowa Agriculture Summit. Cruz reiterated his opposition to the Renewable Fuels Standard, a popular policy in Iowa that presents a thorny problem for many Republicans who campaign against crony capitalism but want to win the GOP presidential nomination. “I recognize that this is a gathering of a lot of folks where the answer you’d like me to give is ‘I’m for the RFS, darnit;’ that’d be the easy thing to do,” he said. “But I’ll tell you, people are pretty fed up, I think, with politicians who run around and tell one group one thing, tell another group another thing, and then they go to Washington and they don’t do anything that they said they would do. And I think that’s a big part of the reason we have the problems we have in Washington, is there have been career politicians in both parties that aren’t listening to the American people and aren’t doing what they said they would do.”

And the crowd applauded, giving Cruz the warmest welcome so far in a day that has already featured Jeb Bush, Governor Chris Christie (R., N.J.) — who stated his support for the RFS — former Governor Mike Huckabee (R., Ark.), and former Governor Rick Perry (R., Texas). They interrupted to clap at times throughout his discussion of immigration policy, as well. The audience welcomed Cruz’s statement that “we’ve got to finally get serious about securing the border and stopping the problem of illegal immigration.” That’s the first aspect of a two-part immigration bill that he thinks would easily pass Congress. “If we focused on the areas of bipartisan agreement, if we focused on securing the borders and improving legal immigration, we could craft legislation that would sail through Congress,” Cruz said, before saying that Obama is holding up those issues for partisan reasons. The Texas freshman didn’t say what policy he would support with respect to illegal immigrants already in the country, except to say that “amnesty is wrong” and emphasize that “there has been no one more vigorous in fighting President Obama’s unconstitutional amnesty than I’ve been.”

The show of support contrasted with the silence that met Jeb Bush’s summary of his preferred immigration policy, even among a crowd of “business Republicans” who might be presumed to back Bush more readily than Tea Party conservatives. Bush, earlier in the day, gave a detailed summary of his immigration position. On the issues that they both addressed, Cruz and Bush seem to agree; but Bush took it one step further. “Immigrants that are here need to have a path to legalized status,” Bush told the staid crowd. “What we need to do is to make sure people pay fines, that they learn English, that they work, that they don’t receive government assistance, that they earn legalized status over the long haul, that they come out from the shadows so that they can be productive with a provisional work permit. This is the only serious, thoughtful way, I think, to deal with this.”

Cruz received another round of applause when he returned to the honesty theme. “When I tell you that I will fight with every breath in my body to stop the government regulation that is strangling farms and ranches; that is strangling small businesses; that is killing job growth; when I tell you I’ll fight the EPA from expanding [the definition of] waters of the United States; when I tell you that I’ll fight to stop Obamacare or executive amnesty, then you know you can count on that, that I’m going to do what I said I would do, and I’m going to tell you the truth.”

This is why Washington hates Cruz and why he will win the Presidency by landslide if he can survive the onslaught.

I hope he does.

Don’t dismiss Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz is being called a Republican Obama, but he has not exactly gotten an Obama-like reception from the mainstream media.

Liberal commentators have, predictably, beclowned themselves in the wake of Cruz’s presidential announcement. Chris Matthews (the guy who “felt a thrill going up his leg” when Barack Obama spoke during the 2008 campaign) compared Cruz to Sen. Joe McCarthy, even showing pictures of McCarthy and Cruz in the same pose. Ebony magazine Senior Editor Jamilah Lemieux told MSNBC that Cruz likes country music because “nothing says ‘let’s go kill some Muslims’ like country music.” On “Morning Joe,” Donny Deutsch said, “I think he’s scary, I think he’s dangerous, I think he’s slimy.”

What the left does not seem to understand is that all of these attacks help Cruz. As one Cruz associate told me, “America hates Washington. Washington hates Cruz.” Not bad.

It’s not just the liberal commentariat that is attacking Cruz. Here is how the New York Times “reported” Cruz’s announcement on its front page: “Mr. Cruz’s tenure in Washington has been marked by accusations of demagogy. He sometimes deploys the soaring diction of a preacher while staking out uncompromising and rigid conservative positions, often playing the role of political flamethrower.” That’s not an editorial; that’s a news story.

Contrast that with how the Times reported then-Sen. Obama’s presidential announcement in 2007. Obama, the Times declared, was launching “a journey rich with historic possibilities and symbolism . . . Speaking smoothly and comfortably, Mr. Obama offered a generational call to arms, portraying his campaign less as a candidacy and more as a movement.” You can almost hear the strains of “Hail to the Chief” in the background.


NBC News, for its part, called Obama in 2007 “the ‘rock star’ of the Democratic Party.” No rock star analogies for Cruz – even though Cruz got a rock star’s welcome in a stadium before thousands of cheering Liberty University students. (Okay, maybe he’s a Christian rock star).

But the one criticism that does seem to get under Cruz’s skin is the comparison with Obama. “There have been a lot of folks throwing that attack,” Cruz told Fox News’ Megyn Kelly. “In his time in the Senate, he was basically a backbencher. . . . In my time in the Senate, there are a lot of faults I’ve had, but nobody would accuse me of being a backbencher.”

Perhaps Cruz should not be so quick to dismiss the analogy. Both men are constitutional lawyers with Harvard degrees and inspiring personal stories, who rose to national prominence on the basis of their immense talent as political orators (though Cruz seems to be far less dependent on a teleprompter than Obama is). Both appeal to the base of their parties – Obama the anti-war left, Cruz the tea party right. Both have challenged their party’s establishment candidates – in Obama’s case, a Clinton; in Cruz’s case, a Bush. And both launched historic candidacies with the promise of presidencies that would break down racial barriers – Obama as the first black president, Cruz the first Hispanic to hold the office. Nothing there at which to take offense.

Unlike Obama in 2007, however, Cruz has taken some friendly fire from his own side. The Wall Street Journal called him “polarizing” and an “opportunist.” Charles Krauthammer noted that Cruz has a “liquid tongue” but few accomplishments, and that “we already tried a first-term senator.” The fact is, Cruz makes some on the right uneasy – not for ideological but for tactical reasons. The government shutdown over Obamacare, which launched Cruz into the conservative stratosphere, was a strategic disaster, and a foreseeable one at that. The rap on Cruz is that he knew the fight was unwinnable, but he did it anyway – because while it hurt the GOP, it helped Ted Cruz.

Cruz has made this uncompromising approach his calling card, appealing to the conservative base as a fighter who does not back down, so these are legitimate questions for debate. But while the left (and some on the right) may hate Cruz, it would be a mistake to underestimate him. He’s whip smart, preternaturally articulate and an accomplished lawyer with a fervent base of supporters. He is a legitimate candidate who resonates with a base that is sick of settling for candidates like Mitt Romney and John McCain.

Those who dismiss Cruz as a “Republican Obama” should not forget what we call Obama today: Mr. President.

http://www.washingtonpost.com

Exclusive: New Ted Cruz Super-PACs Take in Record Haul


The Texas senator's supporters throw down a marker in the fundraising sweepstakes—$31 million raised in less than a week.

Ted Cruz’s presidential effort is getting into the shock-and-awe fundraising business.

An associate of the Texas senator, a recently announced presidential candidate, tells Bloomberg that a cluster of affiliated super-political action committees was formed only this week, and among them they are expected to have $31 million in the bank by Friday.

Even in the context of a presidential campaign cycle in which the major party nominees are expected to raise more than $1.5 billion, Cruz’s haul is eye-popping, one that instantly raises the stakes in the Republican fundraising contest.

“Our goal is to guarantee Senator Cruz can compete against any candidate. ”


Although super-PACs have radically changed the pace at which committees backing presidential candidates can raise money, the Cruz haul is remarkable. There are no known cases in which an operation backing a White House hopeful has collected this much money in less than a week.

Those involved in the Cruz super-PACS say many of his biggest financial backers haven’t yet made contributions to the new organizations and are expected to do so in the coming months. By law, super-PACS can accept unlimited contributions from individuals.

From his time as a Senate candidate in 2012, Cruz has been one of the country’s most aggressive and successful super-PAC fundraisers. His political team has calculated from the start of their planning for a presidential campaign that his overall operation would be able to keep pace with rivals in part because of a robust super-PAC operation. They have talked among themselves about the names of numerous wealthy Cruz backers who they fully expect will contribute several million dollars each.

Still, even some Cruz supporters, and many others who have been skeptical that his candidacy could draw significant financial support, are certain to be stunned by this initial round of contributions.

While former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is universally expected to easily lead all other Republican presidential candidates in financial backing, a hotly debated topic in political circles has been who would finish second to Bush in money raised by the end of 2015. This week’s apparent lightning strike could help Cruz claim that spot, possibly besting other leading prospects such as Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

Cruz’s campaign is also expected to raise money competitively at the grassroots level through the Internet and small-dollar contributions, as well as through traditional bundling of so-called hard dollar checks, which are subject to limits of $2,700 per election per individual. Either of those methods, of course, would require significantly more than a week to generate $31 million.

According to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission, the treasurer for the cluster of new super-PACS is Dathan Voelter, an Austin, Texas, attorney who is a longtime friend and financial backer of Cruz. All three PACS have a variant of the name “Keep the Promise.”

A document prepared by the super-PAC organizers says they “are committed to raising the resources necessary to promote Senator Cruz in his efforts to win the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.” The document quotes Voelter as saying, “We’re just getting started … Our goal is to guarantee Senator Cruz can compete against any candidate. Supporters of the Senator now have a powerful vehicle with the resources necessary to aid in his effort to secure the Republican nomination and win back the White House.” The document describes those “leading the financial charge” as “a group of close, personal friends of Senator Cruz, who share his conservative vision for America.”

According to the source close to Cruz, more than $20 million of the $31 million is expected by Wednesday, with the rest due in by the end of the week. Those cash figures could not be independently confirmed by Bloomberg, and sources declined to provide financial documents to support the claim.

The group does not plan to reveal the names or number of donors until they are legally required to do so, at the end of the FEC reporting period on July 15.

According to a person familiar with the workings and financing of the new super-PACs, many of the donors are former backers of George W. Bush and Perry. Bush’s brother, of course, and Perry himself, are seeking the White House now, which makes Cruz’s coup that much more impressive. A Houston-area associate of Cruz’s has led the effort to pull together the donors, many of whom are Texans and New Yorkers.

The PAC names are “Keep the Promise,” “Keep the Promise II,” and “Keep the Promise III.” An internal document describing the groups’ intentions says, “Every PAC in the Keep the Promise network will fully comply with all disclosure and recordkeeping obligations set forth in federal law. The use of multiple PACS, however, will allow Keep the Promise to uniquely and flexibly tailor its activities in support of Senator Cruz and afford donors greater control over PAC operations.”

In a cover letter dated April 6, sent to the FEC along with the formal filings for the three super-PAC entities, Voelter says that the trio “are affiliated with one another for legal and regulatory purposes.” It lists an Austin post office box as their shared address, and the Fifth Third Bank in Atlanta as the place where funds are being deposited.

The document from the group says that “Keep the Promise can provide the ‘appropriate air cover’ in the battle against Senator Cruz’s opponents in the Washington establishment and on the political left. We plan to support the effort of millions of courageous conservatives who believe 2016 is our last opportunity to ‘keep the promise’ of America for future generations.”

Looks like Ted grabbed the brass ring after all.

http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/217569/is-ted-cruz-leading-in-sheldon-adelson-primary/?

You'd rather Bush get that money? It's going to somebody.

It's all just a soap opera to me.

A representative of the government will be elected and they'll do what they're told to do,....which is what they've been doing for a long, long time.