Sen. Ted Cruz laughs off rift with GOP leadership at Williamson County event
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS — Sen. Ted Cruz, a controversial figure in his own party, gave an upbeat speech to Williamson County Republicans on Monday night, saying he was blessed to “stand shoulder to shoulder” with them in the fight to strip away Obama administration policies.
Mentions of how Cruz has caused heartburn for some Republican leaders were few and couched in humor at the Williamson GOP’s annual Reagan Dinner fundraiser, attended by more than 500 who gave the junior Texas senator three long standing ovations.
Cruz’s message of unity — and that he is “profoundly optimistic and hopeful” — comes a week after he was lambasted by some Senate Republicans for filibustering a measure to raise the federal debt ceiling.
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The county Republican party auctioned off copies, signed by Cruz, of Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham” — the book the senator read during his 21-hour speech last October advocating for a government shutdown if the Affordable Care Act wasn’t changed.
Cruz also touted a new bill he designed, the American Energy Renaissance Act, which aims to boost U.S. energy production and create additional revenues that would go to pay down the national debt. The bill would roll back federal regulations on activities such as fracking.
“We need to prevent the federal government from screwing up, and let the private sector generate jobs and opportunities,” Cruz said.
After jabs at President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden — and an impression of swordsman Inigo Montoya from “The Princess Bride” — Cruz turned to trumpeting what he called the Republican Party’s top priority: restoring economic prosperity and creating jobs.
“We need to be the party of growth because we need to be the party of opportunity,” Cruz said.
The Williamson County Republican Party charged between $1,250 and $10,000 for a table of 10 at the dinner.
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More at http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/sen-ted-cruz-riffs-on-gop-leadership-at-williamson/ndRpF/?icmp=statesman_internallink_textlink_apr2013_statesmanstubtomystatesman_launch (subscription required).
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