Rubio/Cruz Two Styles

I listened closely to live speeches by Rubio and Cruz, given at Town Meetings in New Hampshire.   The policy distinctions are tiny, except perhaps in how willing either might be to  engage in regime change.    But there is enormous rhetorical difference.

When listening to the speeches in real time, there in the middle of an audience, I could see that each of them were connecting.  Each are superb communicators, at the level of Obama or Bill Clinton, and better than Hillary who lists problems paired with legislative and policy solutions.  

But Rubio and Cruz are very different, and I will summarize the differences this way:  Rubio is poetry set to the music of a fluent smooth delivery of ideals and aspirations.  Cruz is a prosecutor, hammering out accusations.

First, Rubio, who I quote verbatim, from a Town Hall in Nashua November 4:

"If this generation can confront these challenges and embrace these opportunities we’re not just going to save the American Dream we’re going to expand it to reach more people and change more lives than ever before.    And when the story of our time is written it will say that we were the authors of the greatest era in our history.

That the 21st Century wasn't just as good as the 20th, it was better.  The 21st Century was a new American Century.”    (Audience applause)

This is the language of hope and aspiration.   Looked at closely it says nothing about policy or the means to implement it.  And it is delivered rapidly and smoothly and without pause so in the moment all I remembered was that it was beautiful.   Only on writing out what I had recorded is it evident that it communicates youth and confidence and aspiration but nothing more.    

Note that I say this not as observation, not criticism.  The speech works.  It is impressive and it makes the listener like Rubio.   The speech is better received than Hillary's stump speech which list problems and solutions but leave the underlying impression that change is hard, slow, controversial, and uncertain.   More trudging through gridlock.  

Rubio makes you hope; Hillary brings you back to earth.

Rubio flys over gridlock, which is his strength and his weakness.   He inspires and thrills, but Republican opponents are noting that he is all "communication" and no substance.

Cruz's style is very, very different.   Short sentences.  Big pauses between hard declarative  statements.   This is from a speech given on Veterans Day 2015 in an overcrowded VFW Hall, immediately after a live interview with Sean Hannity's show on Fox:

Cruz spoke of the fantastic field of Republican candidates then turned to the Democratic debate:

"Hillary and the chipotle club.  (Audience laughs)   You cannot forget about Bernie Sanders   (Audience boos and hoots.)  “The Democratic field today consists of a wild eyed socialist, with ideas that are dangerous for America and the world—and Bernie Sanders.”    (Laughter and cheers.)

[ Cruz asked veterans and soldiers to stand.]   "Thank you for standing and fighting for your country.”    “I think all of us were rather stunned, about a week ago, when Hillary went on the radio and said the VA scandal was overblown.   I was waiting for her to say, ‘what difference does it make’.   (Audience laughter, extended)    What a stunning statement.  It’s overblown!   What difference does it make that the VA is keeping fantom ledgers, fake books, falsely delaying care.  (Pause)  Then lying about it.  (Pause)

And just like four Americans murdered in Benghazi.   I think it makes the world of difference.

“If I’m elected president there’s going to be accountability.   People will be fired, and people criminally liable will be prosecuted.   (Emphasis on the word "prosecuted", then extended audience cheers.)

“The Democratic prescription is that everything has to be controlled by the federal government.  I believe in empowering the American people.   Empowering citizens. (Pause)  I believe each of our veterans knows a lot better what is needed for your health care than does some bureaucrat in Washington.”   (Audience cheers.)

There were full 1 second pauses between many of his sentences, as if laying out a case.  Take that!   Take that!.  

An idea that is widely current now among many Democrats and some Republicans is that Ted Cruz is unlikeable, that he has no friends in the Senate, that the establishment of the Republican party cannot stand him and that he looks like a TV villain.    

This meme underestimates Cruz's connection with his audience, and Cruz opponents need to wake up to the fact that Cruz connects with many Republicans.  

His manner communicates resoluteness and conviction and he relishes in his enemies:  Bernie, Hillary, the VA, Benghazi, bureaucrats.   And the speech went on in the next minute to blast the IRS, tax preparers, taxes, and immigrants who swim across the Rio Grande, each blast getting boos and jeers.  The audience knows who they are angry with, and it isn't Cruz.

The Republican primary may come to a showdown between Cruz and Rubio.  There is a real difference in mood and tone,  Rubio more optimistic, Cruz more angry.  

My observation of New Hampshire Republicans is that their anger is deeper than their hope.