U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has tapped former Hewlett Packard CEO and Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina as his running mate should he win the nomination. Cruz introduced Fiorina as his choice during a rally in Indiana on Wednesday afternoon. Cruz’s choice came after several vetting. Fiorina endorsed Cruz prior to Super Tuesday 2 after suspending her campaign after the New Hampshire Primary.
“In choosing the person I believe would honorably and faithfully serve in the office of the Vice President – the person who under our Constitution could ascend either temporarily or permanently to the presidency – there must be a higher criteria, and that criteria must be this: will that person keep the faith and trust of the American people?” Ted Cruz said. “For all the enormously impressive qualities I saw in others whom I considered for the office of the Vice Presidency of the United States, I found a clear choice:
“One who has never been afraid to stand up to the insider status quo. Who knows the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution because this leader has lived them – a life dedicated to the dignity of work, of our right to pursue our wildest aspirations – and to help others do the same. And a leader who understands that power never has and never will come from the government – here in the United States it comes from the people.
“Who respects the people, who has worked alongside them, and who will serve them with an unbreakable purpose of protecting every one of their rights – and making sure that the America we hand to our kids and grandkids is better than the one before us today.
“For the 13 months of this race, there has been a proven, consistent, courageous fighter. A fighter who terrifies Hillary. And who will do the same to our enemies. And that’s why I am proud to announce Carly Fiorina as my Vice Presidential running mate.”
“Ted Cruz is a constitutional conservative who has made enemies in both parties standing up to the bipartisan corruption in Washington,” said Carly Fiorina. “He has fought to change the system. He kept his word to the people of Texas, and I know, if elected, he will keep his word and bring back American jobs, defend our nation, and protect our constitutional freedoms.
“Make no mistake: this is a fight now. Ted and I can’t do this without your help. And this is about all of us. It’s about whether we want our kids to be able to get a good paying job when they get out of school. It’s about whether we want to turn our backs on religious liberty and our second amendment. It’s about whether we want to live in a nation that secures its borders and calls Islamic terrorism by its name. It is about whether we believe America must lead again in the world.
“This is why we fight. Join us. And let’s elect Ted Cruz the next President of the United States.”
Fiorina has been a loyal surrogate for Cruz, and she is set to speak at the upcoming California Republican State Convention. Fiorina in 2010 was nominated by California Republicans to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and election she later lost.
The Cruz campaign has looked to May where the calendar is more favorable, and this news could provide a shot in the arm for the campaign that had swept delegates in April leading up to the New York Primary, but has lost the New York Primary and saw Trump sweep the Northeastern Primary Tuesday evening.
“Carly Fiorina would have been a great presidential candidate. Barring that, she is the ideal choice for a Vice Presidential candidate. She will take Hillary Clinton head on,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List. “Carly is ideally suited to challenge Hillary Clinton’s entire platform, especially issues related to women.
“Hillary has claimed the ‘women’s advocate’ mantle, without offering any compelling fresh perspective. Carly on the other hand, has challenged and bested the entrenched feminist politicos who purport to advance women’s rights even as they advance the usurpation of the rights of children.”