Sen. Ted Cruz-es with 21 hour filibuster

Oh wow!  We all know that politicians are full of hot air and can keep talking on.  But this 21 hour 19 minute marathon talking by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) with his attack on President Obama’s health-care law “Obamacare” is definitely a feat of stamina.

Despite urging from his own colleagues not to stage the talkathon, Cruz went up, promising to speak against Obamacare “until I am no longer able to stand.”  He did prove his point.

American television anchors dubbed the freshman Senator Ted Cruz’s effort a “talk-a-thon”, but it is impressive none the less.  There are 2 underlying messages Sen. Ted Cruz wanted to convey as per political watchers.

• Indictment of his own Republican Party in its refusal to stand on principle when the moment requires it.
• How he, Ted Cruz is the one and only standard-bearer of Republican ideals - an opening shot at 2016 Republican Primaries.

By this talk-a-thon, Ted Cruz surpassed other long speeches:

• Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) (2013): 12 hours, 52 minutes — against CIA director nominee John Brennan
• Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) (1964): 14:13 — against the 1964 civil rights act
• Sen. Alfonse D’Amato (R-N.Y.) (1992): 15:14 — against a tax bill
• Sen. Huey Long (D-La.) (1935): 15:30 — to require Senate confirmation for New Deal employees
• Sen. William Proxmire (D-Wis.) (1981): 16:12 — against a debt ceiling increase
• Sen. Robert La Follette (R-Wis.) (1908): 18:23 — against a currency bill

And has only 3 more left for the next time:

1. Sen. Wayne Morse (I-Ore.) (1953): 22:26 — against the Tidelands Oil bill
2. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato (1986): 23:30 — against a military spending bill
3. Sen. Strom Thurmond (D-S.C.) (1957): 24:18 — against the 1957 civil rights bill

He is not only a freshman but definitely a refreshing face.  Watch out Bobby Jindal!
:-P


(image courtesy Washington Post)

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