Ted Cruz the genius?

[Sultan Of Swing]

Yeah, I'm sayin' it.

And please don't assume, this is not referring to Cruz's policies or views but the man himself.

In fact, he may very well be an evil genius, I don't know.

I've read many right-wing sources fawning over his intelligence, how he's fought with the Supreme Court etc.

But what gets me are the left-wing/neutral sources that are also (perhaps grudgingly) talking about how intelligent the man is.

The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...eenager-yearbook-constitutional-corroborators

The Economist: http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21689978-iowa-what-sort-president-might-ted-cruz-make

From the Economist: 'Superficially the senator from Texas is a classic overachiever, whose ability to surmount Himalayan obstacles—such as winning that office in his first-ever political race—bespeaks and fuels an adamantine self-confidence; the sort whose warp-speed ascent is powered by strenuous calculation and fearsome intelligence. Don Willett, a judge and long-term acquaintance, describes Mr Cruz as a “freakishly gifted” lawyer; watching him argue at the Supreme Court, during his stint as Texas’s solicitor-general, was “like watching Michael Jackson unveil the moonwalk.”'

"He is said to have relaxed by playing several chess games at once." - What is he, the rain man?!

Much is also being made by Republicans of Cruz having a conversation with an ethanol farmer and justifying his position against subsidies and having a rational discussion with the man, which is something to be praised when we see such a lack of it from politicians,

And in addition to all this, he is a national championship debater, though I personally have not seen great evidence of this in the actual Republican debates that have taken place.

He also seems to believe what he says, you don't fight the Supreme Court nine times, withstanding the grilling of their justices, and winning two cases, for fun.

Some may wonder why I have taken such great pains to prove all this. That is really for those who can't possibly begin to imagine that someone of Cruz's worldview could be intelligent.

So I suppose the topic is really to discuss, what are your thoughts if Cruz is as clever as they say he is? Is it surprising, and does it affect your view of him? (I've read one article from Slate which says he's even more dangerous because of his intelligence, where Trump and Carson were crazy, Cruz is pretty much likened to an evil genius hahah, but I find that doubtful)

 

[Buttercup]

I've known for quite some time (years) that Ted Cruz probably has close to or is a genius as far as IQ is concerned. He also has the paper credentials to back up his erudition successes.

Are you mentioning this fact because it's rare for the right to have such a brainiac candidate?

Ted might be smart, but his personality sucks.

 

[columbus]

Much is also being made by Republicans of Cruz having a conversation with an ethanol farmer and justifying his position against subsidies and having a rational discussion with the man, which is something to be praised when we see such a lack of it from politicians,

My opinion of Cruz just went up a notch.
The idea that he isn't smart, savvy, and driven never entered my mind. But taking on an entrenched "entitlement" with an entitlee also shows guts and principle.
I like him better now.
Tom


ETA ~ try getting a Democrat to take on affirmative action.. ~

 

[Buttercup]

So I suppose the topic is really to discuss, what are your thoughts if Cruz is as clever as they say he is? Is it surprising, and does it affect your view of him? (I've read one article from Slate which says he's even more dangerous because of his intelligence, where Trump and Carson were crazy, Cruz is pretty much likened to an evil genius hahah, but I find that doubtful)

Ted Cruz's recent comments on carpet bombing ISIS "we will utterly destroy ISIS. We will carpet bomb them into oblivion. I don't know if sand can glow in the dark, but we're going to find out."

And Mr. Cruz suggesting we only allow Christian refugees in the country turned me off for good. Even John McCain condemned Ted's refugee stance:

“I don’t think any child, whether they are Christian or whether they are atheist or whether they are Buddhist, that we should make a distinction,” McCain said. “My belief is that all children are God’s children.”

http://thehill.com/policy/national-...ms-cruzs-call-for-religious-test-for-refugees

Ted Cruz's intelligence means nothing if his morality is questionable.

 

[Nietzsche]

Are you mentioning this fact because it's rare for the right to have such a brainiac candidate?

It's a refreshing change of pace if nothing else.

Anyway, I loathe Ted Cruz, but I've never seen him as stupid. I think his views are, most certainly, but not the man himself. Compared to nigh-everyone else in the Republican lineup the man is basically Stephen Hawking.

 

[Revoltingest]

I don't care much about brains.
(Obvious from me posts, eh.)
I care about agenda.

 

[LuisDantas]

I don't think a genius would enter politics, certainly not in the GOP.

 

[Revoltingest]

I don't think a genius would enter politics, certainly not in the GOP.

Why not?
Politics attracts people who really want power.
Seems like fertile ground for the evil genius.

 

[LuisDantas]

Why not?
Politics attracts people who really want power.
Seems like fertile ground for the evil genius.

I do not believe in evil geniuses. Genius tends to overflow into various areas. A true genius would be wiser than that.

 

[Revoltingest]

I do not believe in evil geniuses. Genius tends to overflow into various areas. A true genius would be wiser than that.

Wisdom is a scarcer commodity than you'd think.
Were it otherwise, more people would agree with me.

Bill Clinton is a good example of high intelligence,
but utterly lacking in wisdom.

 

[LuisDantas]

Wisdom is a scarcer commodity than you'd think.

That would be surprising. I do not find it very common at all.

Were it otherwise, more people would agree with me.

Bill Clinton is a good example of high intelligence,
but utterly lacking in wisdom.

Indeed.

 

[esmith]

One's own views can not be judged or based on ones intelligence. Just as though there are those on this forums who say only stupid, illiterate, white's would agree with Trump are wrong. Do, I have proof that assumption is wrong? No, no more that those that advocate it is true have proof. What it does say is those that attempt to base one's social and economic beliefs on one's intelligence have a lack of intelligence themselves.

 

[LuisDantas]

Why not?
Politics attracts people who really want power.
Seems like fertile ground for the evil genius.

Some more things to consider:

The reality of GOP politics these days are such that for a politician to thrive in there it is necessary to earn some measure of sympathy from ultranationalists, xenophobes, creationists, believers in trickle-down economics, climate change deniers, dogmatists of the principle that a smaller state is ever and inquestionably a good thing, and a fair amount of religious extremists.

If the news I have read are any indication, there is also a considerable amount of identity crisis in the Party in the last few decades. It attempts to appeal to people who believe in a simple, grassroots america even while it is funded by people who make a point of preserving the higher fortunes no matter what.

It is such a depressing nightmare that any reasonably intelligent person would only attempt to become involved out of, if not greed, at least a lot of ambition and at least a bit of questionable judgement.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Our concepts of intelligence tend to be way over-hyped. You can use your intelligence to create new medical treatments that will save countless lives, or build bombs powerful enough to destroy countless lives. Even the fool has moments of brilliance, and even a genius can loose their mind. As for Ted Cruz, many of his policies, regardless of intelligence, are not things I can support.

 

[Revoltingest]

Some more things to consider:

The reality of GOP politics these days are such that for a politician to thrive in there it is necessary to earn some measure of sympathy from ultranationalists, xenophobes, creationists, believers in trickle-down economics, climate change deniers, dogmatists of the principle that a smaller state is ever and inquestionably a good thing, and a fair amount of religious extremists.

If the news I have read are any indication, there is also a considerable amount of identity crisis in the Party in the last few decades. It attempts to appeal to people who believe in a simple, grassroots america even while it is funded by people who make a point of preserving the higher fortunes no matter what.

It is such a depressing nightmare that any reasonably intelligent person would only attempt to become involved out of, if not greed, at least a lot of ambition and at least a bit of questionable judgement.

I don't see Democrats as any better.
And yet, some very smart (more so than mere Bushes or Gores) join as a vehicle to power.

 

[LuisDantas]

I don't see Democrats as any better.

I can't say I understand why.

And yet, some very smart (more so than mere Bushes or Gores) join as a vehicle to power.

Perhaps.

 

[Revoltingest]

I can't say I understand why.

Different things matter to me than to Democrats
The Hilldebeast is an aggressive hawk.
\http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...-sanders-john-kerry-1115-20151113-column.html
She has threatened Iran.
She's the Democrat's front runner.
I strongly oppose such agendas....they're deadly & horribly expensive.
Even Trump looks better in this regard.

 

[LuisDantas]

Different things matter to me than to Democrats
The Hilldebeast is an aggressive hawk.
\http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...-sanders-john-kerry-1115-20151113-column.html
She has threatened Iran.
She's the Democrat's front runner.
I strongly oppose this agenda.
Even Trump looks better in this regard.

I have no problem with criticism to Hillary, who greatly disappointed me.

Still, how representative is her of the Party as a whole?

And how does even her compare to a whole Party who seems to make a point of presenting insane policies?

At the end of the day, it is a sad yet still rather obvious choice whenever it comes to those two parties... and it has been so since the late 1970s at least.

 

[Revoltingest]

I have no problem with criticism to Hillary, who greatly disappointed me.
Still, how representative is her of the Party as a whole?

She is their choice & the front runner.
(Bernie is just an unexpected challenger.)
That they would choose her is an indication of the party's intent.
Moreover, they were OK with Obama's continuing the Bush era wars.
Do you think they'd pick someone the disagreed with?

And how does even her compare to a whole Party who seems to make a point of presenting insane policies?

Your disagreeing with Republicans doesn't make them insane.
I disagree with both parties on too many issues to belong to either.

At the end of the day, it is a sad yet still rather obvious choice whenever it comes to those two parties... and it has been so since the late 1970s at least.

I doubt you'd think more highly of whoever my candidate (the Libertarian) will be.

 

[LuisDantas]

Your disagreeing with Republicans doesn't make them insane.

You are right! It is the other way around.