Ted Cruz Says San Bernardino Shooting May Be Act Of 'Islamic Terrorism'
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz opened a meeting of Jewish activists on Thursday with a moment of silence for the California shooting victims and said he was worried that the attack was an act of "Islamic terrorism."
"All of us are deeply concerned that this is yet another manifestation of terrorism, radical Islamic terrorism here at home," the Texas senator told the meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition.
Investigators have not yet identified a specific motive for Wednesday's shooting, which 14 people dead and many more wounded. David Bowdich, assistant director of the FBI's Los Angeles office, said the possible motives include workplace violence and terrorism. He did not elaborate.
Cruz was the first of the major Republican candidates for president to speak Thursday at the meeting of the RJC, a group backed by casino billionaire and major Republican donor Sheldon Adelson.
"This horrific murder underscores that we are at a time of war," Cruz told the crowd in downtown Washington. "Whether or not the current administration realizes it or is willing to acknowledge it, our enemies are at war with us.
"I believe this nation needs a wartime president to defend it," he said.
The coalition, for which Adelson is a major funding source and board member, has held presidential forums in almost every election year since 1988. Apart from the debates, this is one of the only 2016 events to attract every single candidate to one room.
Matt Brooks, RJC's executive director, said that unlike the debates, the forum gives plenty of time for explanations of policy.
While there's no chance Thursday for the candidates to interact with Adelson, who is on a personal trip, many already have met with him.
Another opportunity comes less than two weeks away: the Dec. 15 Republican debate at the Venetian, a Las Vegas casino and hotel that's part of Adelson's international entertainment empire.
Each of the candidates is strong on the issues that concern Adelson the most, chief among them protection of Israel, said his political adviser, Andy Abboud.
"He has no plans now, or in the immediate future, to get involved in the primary," Abboud said.
"The Adelsons are generally pleased with all of the Republican candidates and feel that the primary process will work its way out," he said.
Still, the specter of Adelson's nod looms large for the GOP field.
His family members began giving to a super PAC helping former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's 2012 presidential bid in late December 2011, fundraising records show, and Adelson gave the group $5 million around the time of the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses.
The family put more than $15 million into Gingrich's run - donations that proved critical to extending his time in the race for the nomination. Unlike the candidates' official campaigns, super PACs can accept donations of any size.
Adelson had a long and friendly relationship with Gingrich, but is taking a more pragmatic approach to the 2016 GOP contest.
"It's important to him that campaigns show that they can garner their own resources, build their own ground game and effectively mount a campaign that can win in the fall," Abboud said.
The RJC's presidential forum offers candidates the chance to impress other wealthy donors, too. And many of the super PACs aligned with candidates, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's Right to Rise, are hosting events Thursday night.
Many of the candidates have been eager to portray themselves as close to Adelson.
Trump, who has said he is so wealthy that he doesn't need the help of donors like Adelson, said in an Oct. 13 interview on Fox News, "I like Sheldon a lot. He's been a person I've known over the years. We have a very good relationship."
On the eve of the gathering, Trump declared himself a "big, big fan" of Israel, and said chances for a lasting peace rest with the Jewish state. "A lot has to do with Israel and whether or not Israel wants to make the deal - whether or not Israel wants to sacrifice certain things," he said.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has said in interviews that he regularly talks with Adelson, and the two had dinner in Las Vegas in early October. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz received a standing ovation at the RJC's conference this April and had a private meeting with Adelson.
A year earlier, Ohio Gov. John Kasich addressed the same crowd - but his remarks seemed tailored to an audience of one: Adelson. He repeatedly made eye contact with the billionaire and concluded by thanking "Sheldon" for inviting him to attend.