Any mainstream media coverage of the Family Leadership Summit today in Ames, Iowa is certain to focus on (surprise!) Donald Trump and his cheap shot at Sen. John McCain, suggesting his only qualification as a war hero is that he was captured. “I like people that weren’t captured,” Trump confessed.
It was the perfect soundbite for cable TV news and more fuel for the idea that Republicans are beset by infighting while Hillary Clinton cruises along toward the White House. It’s unfortunate that, as usual, other candidates’ comments will be overshadowed.
Those covering the summit, for example, note that it was Sen. Ted Cruz who earned the first spontaneous standing ovation of the day with his call for the government to defund Planned Parenthood.
Ted Cruz goes after Planned Parenthood, gets a standing ovation from #FLS2015 http://t.co/KwUEz3GYjN
— American Bridge (@American_Bridge) July 18, 2015
Cruz: "We should cut off every penny of taxpayer dollars." Results in first spontaneous standing ovation of the summit. #gop2016
— Matthew DeFour (@WSJMattD4) July 18, 2015
Cruz: Dept of Justice should investigate Planned Parenthood and we should cut off every penny (First standing ovation of day) #FLS2015
— Todd Erzen (@DeaceOnline) July 18, 2015
Cruz just got largest applause line of the day so far — sustained standing ovation in the middle of his speech. #FLS2015
— Brent D. Griffiths (@BrentGriffiths) July 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/zoegberg/status/622480686071554048
Cruz gets huge cheers and massive standing ovation for cutting off every penny of federal funding to Planned Parenthood.
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) July 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/catblackfrazier/status/622480816636067841
All focus understandably on McCain comments, but was Trump asked about past support of partial-birth abortion? https://t.co/D8UVrw9gH7
— John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) July 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/622481673477836800
@seanmdav Shocking omission indeed for a socon event.
— John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) July 18, 2015
If it came down to standing ovations, Cruz won the day easily.
Cruz gets another standing ovation talking about religious liberty: "We will take this country back for our values." #gop2016
— Matthew DeFour (@WSJMattD4) July 18, 2015
Cruz: I will host religious liberty rally on Aug 21. My prayer is that it will spark awakening in body of Christ (ovation no. 2) #FLS2015
— Todd Erzen (@DeaceOnline) July 18, 2015
Third standing ovation for Cruz when he said Obama doesn't acknowledge radical Islam terrorism. #fls2015
— Linh Ta (@linhmaita) July 18, 2015
Cruz ends to yet another standing ovation. He was this crowd's cup of tea. #FLS2015
— Lissandra Villa (@LissandraVilla) July 18, 2015
Cruz exits. He leads the standing ovation caucus #FLS2015
— Todd Erzen (@DeaceOnline) July 18, 2015