Presidential candidate Cruz, others speak at ‘Adelson Primary’ in Vegas
Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz said Saturday the U.S.-Israel relationship is at a low point because the Obama administration has failed to halt Iran’s nuclear program and bolster Mideast peace efforts.
“Sadly, the America alliance with Israel has never been more imperiled than it is today,” the U.S. senator from Texas said, speaking before the spring meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is considering a 2016 White House run, hit on some of the same themes as Cruz during his half-hour speech to the Jewish organization at The Venetian on the Strip.
Perry criticized President Barack Obama for pushing to sign what GOP critics see as a weak agreement with Iran to try and halt its nuclear weapons program. Perry said Tehran can’t be trusted.
“Our president plans to sign an agreement with the world’s largest sponsor of terrorism,” said Perry, who raised his hands into fists, shaking them to emphasize his points. He said the agreement Obama wants to sign with Iran “doesn’t stop them. It legitimizes them. It must be stopped.”
“Iran — they want to become the undisputed power in the Middle East,” Perry added, saying Tehran sponsors terrorism from Yemen to Iraq. “It is only a matter of time before a Sunni bomb is developed.”
Cruz and Perry spoke at a conference that has become a must-stop forum for Republicans seeking the presidency and for GOP candidates who want to meet with Sheldon Adelson, a prominent Jewish billionaire and casino magnate who owns The Venetian.
The gathering is known as the “Sheldon Adelson primary” because of the role he plays in boosting GOP candidates. In 2012, Adelson donated more than $100 million to Republican candidates, including Newt Gingrich before he dropped out of the White House race and Mitt Romney, the eventual GOP presidential nominee.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who is considering a White House bid as well, said “a strong America begins at home, in our families, our communities and our businesses,” but U.S. interests extend overseas as well.
“The love for Israel, the passion for defending and supporting Israel echoes through the heartland of this country in communities large and small,” Pence said. “Israel’s enemies are our enemies, Israel’s cause is our cause. If the world knows nothing else, let it know this: America stands with Israel.”
The meeting attracted nearly 800 people, who also heard private speeches from Romney and former President George W. Bush. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, also spoke to the Jewish gathering, but in a private meeting. Bush’s brother, Jeb, a former Florida governor, is preparing for a White House run as well, but he did not attend this weekend meeting.
Cruz appeared to excite the crowd more than the other speakers. He noted that he called for Secretary of State John Kerry’s resignation after the diplomat predicted an apartheid situation if Israel and the Palestinians fail to agree on a two-state solution for their decades-long conflict.
The listeners applauded loudly when Cruz recounted the story and stood to give him a standing ovation several times during his speech.
Cruz said he has sponsored several pieces of legislation to punish bad actors in the Middle Eastern conflict. One bill, which passed unanimously, made it a war crime to use children as human shields.
A tea party favorite, Cruz was asked during a question-and-answer session to address critics who say he doesn’t play well with others.
Cruz said the news media has two main caricatures of conservative Republicans.
“We’re either stupid or evil,” Cruz said. “By the way, stupid is better.”
“The media has invented a third caricature for me, which is crazy.”
Cruz laughed it off, saying voters should just look at his record. Also he said he doesn’t call opponents names in return.
“Others have chosen to throw rocks at me,” he said. “I have not reciprocated.”
Review-Journal writer Steve Sebelius contributed to this report. Contact Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919. Find her on Twitter: @lmyerslvrj
