Chad’s Morning Brief: Ted Cruz on Governors and 2016, More American Lured By ISIS, and Other Top Stories
Here is your Morning Brief for December 17, 2014.
Cruz Doesn't Believe Governors Hold Edge for 2016
Senator Ted Cruz doesn't seem to think too highly of Governors when it comes to Presidential contenders for 2016 according to Roll Call.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, doesn’t believe governors have an advantage over senators when it comes to winning the 2016 GOP presidential nomination.
“It’s an advantage only if you think that the American people are looking for someone who is not standing up and leading on the great challenges of the day,” Cruz said Monday in an appearance on the “Mark Levin Show.”
Cruz’s comments come as several Republican governors and former governors are considering running for president.
That includes Jeb Bush of Florida, Chris Christie of New Jersey, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, and John R. Kasich of Ohio. Cruz’s colleagues who may run include Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rand Paul, R-Ky.
“We do see a fair number of governors who are taking a pass on the great challenges facing us right now,” Cruz said. “And here’s what I hope. By any measure there are a lot of folks … that are thinking of running for president in ’16, both governors and senators. What I’ve urged every one of them is … the number one way to demonstrate that you should be the nominee is to stand up and lead … stand up for free market principles, stand up for the Constitution, stand up for American leadership in the world.”
Cruz believes someone with a conservative message will win the nomination and general election.
“If you look at Republican nominees that have gone on to win the presidency they have done so consistently by running as strong conservatives with a positive optimistic hopeful messages,” Cruz said, urging candidates to stay away from what he dubs the “mushy middle.”
Depending on the candidate we are talking about, I'd say that Governors do have an advantage. Governors have actually done something and in the case of Rick Perry, they have a record and something to stand on.
The Lure of Terror
According to FOX News, feds are catching more and more Americans who lured to fighting for ISIS.
On the heels of the deadly hostage situation in Sydney, where the suspect claimed Islamic State ties, a review by Fox News shows an increasing number of Americans are trying to aid terror groups in Iraq and Syria.
Since March 2013, more than 20 American citizens or legal residents have tried to join or provide support to terror groups in those two countries.
At a time when the threat of lone-wolf Islamic State sympathizers once again has risen to the fore, the review shows that since early this year, federal law enforcement in the U.S. have been dealing with homegrown terror cases at a rate of one almost every other week.
The cases involve individuals from all across the country, from Florida to Minnesota to Colorado. They underscore the challenge U.S. law enforcementcontinue to face, as well as the global reach of recruiters and propagandists from ISIS and other groups. While investigators are still looking into the hostage-taker -- now dead -- in the Sydney case, a counterterrorism source told Fox News there's little doubt it was Islamic terrorism. The question is whether suspect Man Haron Monis was directed by ISIS, or inspired by their message.
One of the most recent American cases involved two Minnesota men, Abdi Nur and Abdullah Yusuf.
Nur was charged last month with conspiracy to provide support to the Islamic State, or ISIS. However, the Minneapolis resident is not in custody and is believed to still be fighting for the terror group in Syria. Yusuf, though, was charged and arrested after being intercepted at the Minneapolis airport, allegedly on his way to Turkey in hopes of joining up with ISIS.
An early case was that of Eric Glenn Harroun, a former American soldier charged in March with conspiring with Al-Nusra in Syria. He died earlier this year, of an apparent overdose.
Then there was the case of Zale Thompson, a self-radicalized convert who allegedly stalked and attacked New York City rookie police officer with a hatchet. He was killed by police. A law enforcement bulletin later showed Thompson'sonline search history turned up more than 277 search terms for jihad.
Other cases are:
Abdella Tounisi. The teenager left home in April 2013, allegedly bound for Syria, via Turkey. He was arrested at Chicago's O'Hare airport, about to board a plane to Istanbul. He has pleaded not guilty.
Sinh Vinh Ngo Nguyen. The suspect was sentenced this year in Los Angeles to 13 years in federal prison for attempting to assist a terrorist organization.
Basit Javed Sheikh. The North Carolina resident has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He was arrested last November, allegedly on his way to Lebanon.
Avin Marsalis Brown and Akba Jihad Jordan. FBI agents raided the Raleigh, N.C., apartment belonging to Jordan in March, allegedly finding an AK-47, swords and other weapons. Both have pleaded guilty to charges of trying to aid militants in Syria.
Nicholas Teausant. The California resident was charged in March of this year with providing material support to a terror group, though has pleaded not guilty.
Mohammad Hassan Hamdan. The Detroit-area man was accused of planning to travel to the Middle East to fight Syrian rebels with Hezbollah. He was charged with providing material support to a foreign terror group in March.
Michael Wolfe. The Austin man pleaded guilty in June to charges of attempting to provide material support to a terror group, after being arrested at the Houston airport, allegedly trying to leave the country to join up with ISIS in Syria.
Shannon Maureen Conley. The Denver teenager pleaded guilty to a "material support" charge in September after being arrested over the summer, also allegedly on her way to join ISIS in Syria.
What draws these people to ISIS? Ignorance and the feeling to belong for many. Whatever the reason is, they are traitors and should be treated as such.
Other Must Read Links:
These and many more topics coming up on today’s edition of The Chad Hasty Show. Tune in mornings 8:30-11am on News/Talk 790 KFYO, streaming online at kfyo.com, and now on your iPhone and Android device with the radioPup App. All guest interviews can be heard on our KFYO YouTube page after the show and online at kfyo.com.
More From News/Talk 95.1 & 790 KFYO
