Cruz vs. O’Rourke

Policies

The article “Cruz jabs at O’Rourke’s gray stance on ‘abolish ICE,’ ” (Page A4, Saturday) suggests a fundamental difference in the two candidates. To appeal to his base, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz tends to deal in absolutes: repeal Obamacare, build the wall, separate the children from illegal immigrants, etc. This approach does not serve any form of reconciliation in the Senate on difficult issues.

His political opponent U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s approach is fundamentally different because he understands that absolute positions do not apply well to complex situations. His “gray” positions as Cruz calls them, allow for compromise and thoughtful consideration of who will benefit and who will be harmed by any new law or policy. This was not done when President Trump’s policy, initially supported by Cruz, caused separation of children from parents at the border. The draconian policy was quickly reversed under intense political pressure, and we now struggle to deal with reuniting those children and parents.

As far as abolishing anything like ICE, O’Rourke is clearly saying that that possibility should be on the table when we begin discussions of how to intelligently handle those seeking asylum in the United States and those already here illegally. After all, they are human beings. John T. James, Houston

Line of attack

The story shows how U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is trying to create a dividing line and a line of attack by falsely describing Beto O’Rourke’s positions on immigration.

The article quotes Cruz saying O’Rourke is open to eliminating ICE, which would be “radical” and “nuts,” then later explains O’Rourke’s actual view that abolishing ICE is just a bumper sticker slogan that would do nothing to change the practices that are “taking kids from their families.” O’Rourke said he wants to “focus on ending the practices.”

It also quotes Cruz saying O’Rourke “supports open borders” and later clarifies that O’Rourke actually has said he is not for open borders. (I am pretty sure most people agree open borders would be a dumb way for the United States to deal with 7 billion foreigners in a highly mobile world.)

We are used to a politician creating a dividing line and a line of attack like Cruz. But I find it surprising (and refreshing) that, in the middle of a tight race for a U.S. Senate seat, O’Rourke is not doing that. Instead he is talking in town hall meetings about how our country should deal with the 11 million people who are already here illegally and the many more who want to be here. Geoffrey Walker, Houston