Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) delivered quite a speech to the National Review Institute over the weekend, declaring that Republicans “are and should be the party of the 47 percent,” his party should embrace routine hostage strategies, and he still wants to privatize Social Security out of existence.
But for all of the right-wing senator’s nonsense, this was the comment that warrants special attention.
In this clip, at around the 37:06 mark, Cruz notes that the Senate has “two pending nominations, John Kerry and Chuck Hagel.” Describing the nominees, Cruz added, “Both of whom are very prominently…”
After pausing for a few moments, the event’s moderator said, “Anti-us?” Cruz responded that Kerry and Hagel are “less than ardent fans of the U.S. military.”
Perhaps Ted Cruz would benefit from a reminder about the men he’s attacking. John Kerry is a decorated war hero who was awarded combat medals including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. Chuck Hagel is a decorated war hero who was awarded combat medals including the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, two Purple Hearts, Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Cruz, meanwhile, who apparently considers himself an “ardent fan of the U.S. military,” has never worn a uniform, except maybe on Halloween. I have a simple request of chickenhawks: try not to impugn the character of decorated war heroes who’ve done what you only like to talk about. The Texas Republican has developed a reputation for delivering “bonkers” speeches, but even for him, Cruz’s comments over the weekend were cheap and offensive.
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