US Election: Ted Cruz unleashes women's "weapon" to counter Donald Trump

Ted Cruz's mother and wife, along with other "strong women," are being used to his advantage over Donald Trump.

Ted Cruz's mother (holding the microphone) shares about her son. AP photo.

Suddenly talking a lot about his mother

According toYahoo NewsTed Cruz has made no secret of his admiration for his father, Rafael, whom he calls his hero.

In many of his speeches, Ted Cruz has recounted the story of how his father fought for freedom in Cuba before trying to escape to the United States to pursue the “American Dream.”

According to Mr. Ted Cruz, what his father did became the inspiration for him to run for the White House and his father became the busiest and most well-known person among those participating in his election campaign.

In recent days, however, Rafael has taken a less central role in Cruz’s speeches. During his campaign in New York and Wisconsin, Cruz began to speak extensively about his relationship with his mother, Eleanor Darragh, who until then had played little role in his political career in the eyes of the American public.

In his speech in Iowa, Ted Cruz mentioned his mother and emphasized the influence of “strong women” on his life.

Ted Cruz described his mother as an amazing woman who overcame her own difficulties, especially her alcoholic father who never believed that women needed to be educated like men, to become the first in her family to earn a college degree.

She then fought against gender inequality to become a highly successful computer programmer in the oil industry in an era when women were hardly accepted into this profession.

Mr. Ted Cruz unexpectedly praised his mother and considered her "a strong woman". Photo AP

Mr. Ted Cruz praised his mother endlessly, emphasizing that she was a “pioneer” and became “the best friend of my life”.

He then looked up at the stage where his mother had first appeared on the campaign trail. As she prepared to speak, Cruz held the microphone closer to her so voters could hear her.

“I'm not very used to this,” the petite, dark-haired woman almost whispered into the microphone.

Women play a central role

Ted Cruz's mother wasn't the only woman in the audience. She was joined by his wife, Heidi, and former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, who publicly endorsed Ted Cruz after she dropped out of the Republican race.

All three spoke about being “good wives” who balance work and family. They also said that Ted Cruz is the best choice for the position of President of the United States because he is surrounded by extremely strong women.

Ted Cruz hugs his wife before speaking to his supporters. Photo: AP

What Mr. Ted Cruz is doing is part of a campaign called "Festival of Women" to attract female voters of Mr. Ted Cruz in the hope of defeating American billionaire Donald Trump.

After starting his campaign as a staunch conservative who was willing to fight any Republican to defend his principles, Cruz is trying to soften his stance, talking about his mother and wife in a way that implicitly sends a message that he is the best candidate for women voters.

“Women are the majority in America and every issue that concerns America is about women,” said Ted Cruz.

Attacking Trump's "fatal mistake"

Ted Cruz's praise for women is believed to be aimed at punishing Trump's "fatal mistake" when he continuously got into trouble related to female voters.

Previously, on March 30, Mr. Trump suggested that women who have abortions should be punished, only to retract his statement a few hours later.

At the same time, Mr. Trump also spoke out to defend his campaign manager, Mr. Corey Lewandowski, who was accused of assaulting female reporter Michelle Fields in early March.

Not only that, Mr. Trump also sarcastically said that female reporter Michelle Fields exaggerated the above incident and the scratches that this female reporter accused Mr. Lewandowski of causing.

Realizing the opportunity that was opening up for him, Mr. Ted Cruz sought to turn billionaire Trump's attacks on women into his advantage, especially in the state of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is expected to be a crucial test of whether the women's movement against Mr. Trump here can slow or stop the American billionaire from achieving his goal of becoming the Republican presidential candidate.

At many events, Mr. Cruz reminded voters of Mr. Trump's "unpleasant" relationships with women, including CNN reporter Megyn Kelly.Fox News, who has been repeatedly attacked by Mr. Trump.

“We don’t want a president who is all about dirty tricks,” said Ted Cruz. “We don’t want a president who is always having trouble with strong women.”

Mr. Ted Cruz also expressed concerns among Republican voters that Mr. Trump's negative views on women could "kill" the chance for a Republican candidate to return to the White House.

Mr. Trump himself admitted that he was “losing points” with female voters: “The numbers show that things are not as good as they used to be with female voters. But people need to remember that no one respects women more than me,” Mr. Trump said.

According to VOV