Believe it or not, Ted Cruz does in fact have a Democratic opponent in Texas. His name is Paul Sadler, and he used tonight’s televised debate to set a new low in classless muckraking. When he wasn’t calling Ted Cruz names, he was taking shots at Cruz’s wife and shouting down the moderators.
The evening started badly, with Sadler looking flustered and angry — a foretaste of the coming explosion.
https://twitter.com/kevindonohoo/status/253289679280013312
https://twitter.com/MQSullivan/status/253289772485840896
Can Sadler just SHUT-UP when it isn't his turn!!!!!!!!!!!! #belodebate
— Holli Rook (@zoolaine) October 3, 2012
Also, Sadler really liked the word “crazy.” Not just the accusation, but also the word itself.
RT “@TXTrendyChick: Dear Paul Sadler: Stop using the word "crazy." Break out the thesaurus, please. #txsen. #belodebate
— Suzy Morgan (@ProducerSusan) October 3, 2012
Cruz to Sadler, minutes into the debate: 'You've 3 times called me crazy' #mysa #hounews #belodebate
— Peggy Fikac (@pfikac) October 3, 2012
Sadler, who has called Cruz extreme, reckless and crazy, tells Cruz that he (Cruz) is "big on name-calling." #belodebate
— Ryan J. Rusak (@rjrusak) October 3, 2012
As it became clear that even the moderators weren’t impressed, Sadler supporters on Twitter resorted to accusations of media bias. We all know how much the media love Tea Party conservatism.
#BeloDebate Brad Watson is obviously a Republican shill — who allowed this biased journalist to moderate a debate??? BAD IDEA!!!!
— Lori McKinnon (@LoriInTexas) October 3, 2012
#BeloDebate @watsonwfaa This debate is clearly biased. Brad Watson was extremely angry at Sadler, and never expressed anger towards Cruz!!!
— Richard Loco (@oldfordfreak) October 3, 2012
https://twitter.com/Mike_Ezell/status/253292302053830656
#BeloDebate The moderators are a joke. I have never seen a farce that was labeled a serious debate!!!
— Richard Loco (@oldfordfreak) October 3, 2012
We watched it. The moderators were aggressive, but they weren’t exactly nice to Cruz either, and by the end of it they had totally lost control anyway.
Things got truly unhinged when Sadler suddenly decided to jump on Cruz for not committing to vote for John Cornyn in a hypothetical leadership race in the Senate. Then he wouldn’t let Cruz answer and the moderators had to jump in.
Cruz: 'I know you believe you're cross examining a trial witness… Would you like an answer?' #mysa #hounews #belodebate
— Peggy Fikac (@pfikac) October 3, 2012
https://twitter.com/caitlin_flores/status/253294891315109888
And it went downhill from there.
Brass-knuckles. RT @byjayroot: Sadler to Cruz: "You just make it up as you go along, Ted … Amazing." #belodebate
— C H R I S T I N A (@CMOliver) October 3, 2012
Sadler to Cruz re attack on guns: 'You tell so many lies it's unbelievable. Do you own a gun Ted? Do you hunt?' #mysa #hounews #belodebate
— Peggy Fikac (@pfikac) October 3, 2012
Not content to attack Cruz himself, Sadler proceeded to go after his wife too.
Aaaand Sadler attacked @TedCruz's wife. Way to keep it classy. #belodebate
— Kemberlee Kaye (@KemberleeKaye) October 3, 2012
it was very wrong for Sadler to bring up Ted Cruz's wife. don't ever do that. #BeloDebate
— Steven Anthony (@scanthony14) October 3, 2012
Then came the final shot as Sadler closed out the night by calling Cruz a “troll.” Classy.
Troll!?! #belodebate
— Abby Livingston (@TexasTribAbby) October 3, 2012
I award the debate win to the candidate who did NOT call the other candidate a "troll" or attack his wife. @Tedcruz 1 Sadler 0 #belodebate
— Kemberlee Kaye (@KemberleeKaye) October 3, 2012
Sadler, who rebukes others for name-calling, calls Cruz a "troll." #belodebate
— Mark Davis (@MarkDavis) October 3, 2012
FOOD FIGHT!!!! #txsen #belodebate. TROLL @Sadlertx is showing his butt
— ★ Stace InTexas ★ (@StaceinTexas) October 3, 2012
And so the spectacle mercifully came to an end. Sadler may not have had a chance to win anyway, but as he surveys the flaming wreckage of his campaign, he can go to bed tonight knowing that he has secured a place for himself in the annals of campaign infamy.
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