Cruz Disagrees With Pope: The Death Penalty Recognizes ‘Preciousness’ Of Life

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks to reporters before a rally in Little Rock, Ark., Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Republican presidential candidate and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) told Politico Thursday that he disagreed with Pope Francis that the death penalty should end and said that it was a “recognition of the preciousness of human life.”

Pope Francis called to end the death penalty during his speech to Congress Thursday.

“This conviction has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty,” the pope told Congress, according to Al Jazeera. “I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred.”

Cruz told Politico after the pope’s speech that, “as a policy matter, I do not agree.”

“I spent a number of years in law enforcement dealing with some of the worst criminals, child rapists and murderers, people who’ve committed unspeakable acts,” Cruz told the publication. “I believe the death penalty is a recognition of the preciousness of human life, that for the most egregious crimes, the ultimate punishment should apply.”

Latest Livewire
72
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. “I believe the death penalty is a recognition of the preciousness of human life,”

    How fucked up is that?

  2. Doublethink: It’s what’s for dinner.

  3. If Jesus appeared in front of the Cubanadian and said something that Ted disagreed with, Cruz would have no problem pointing out where the Lord was ‘wrong’.

  4. Shorter Cruz: I’m not pissing down your back. It’s this damn rain. (Shakes fist at sky)

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

66 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for ajm Avatar for ajaykalra Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for mondfledermaus Avatar for humpback Avatar for fargo116 Avatar for mantan Avatar for slagathor Avatar for frankly_my_dear Avatar for normankelley Avatar for ottnott Avatar for maxaroo Avatar for 538liberal Avatar for dadzilla Avatar for dnl Avatar for darrtown Avatar for zlohcuc Avatar for occamsrazor2 Avatar for hornblower Avatar for joepaulson Avatar for gibbous Avatar for mordant_k Avatar for an_american

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Deputy Editor for News:
Deputy Editor for Audience and Strategy:
Editor-at-Large:
Contributing Editor:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher & Digital Producer:
Senior Developer:
Senior Designer: