File This One Under "Say What?!"

In 2013, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) worked to defeat a bill that would have required background checks for all gun sales.

Fast forward to 2015 where presidential candidate Ted Cruz is using a sweepstakes type promotion called "Shoot with Cruz" to solicit donations from small-dollar donor/gun owners.  The winner will be invited to join Ted on a "shooting excursion."  I guess the "honor" of spending quality time with Mr. Cruz is supposed to be the real prize, because that's about all the winner is going to get.  The rules make it clear that the person chosen will be required to pay all his or her own expenses, including licenses, travel, lodging, food, security fees, and incidentals.

what eye thynk:   First, if you're a registered Democrat and think this is a great way to give an earful to Mr. Cruz, forget it.  Entries will be screened for "an appropriate range of views" and "interests." (We mustn't embarrass the  Cuban ,  Canadian  Texan candidate at his own fundraiser by exposing him to question for which the official Republican handbook may not provide a response.)

But, here's the "say what?!" part:  One news report stated that the winner may also be required to undergo a background check before joining Mr. Cruz for a day of killing things; but when I read the rules, (section specific to background checks is copied below), it reads to me like everyone who enters will be subjected to a background check--the kind of background check that Senator Cruz fought so hard against just two years ago.

"Promotion Rules. One (1) potential winner will be selected by a random drawing from all eligible entries to be held at the Cruz for President headquarters on Thursday, June 11, 2015.  Sponsor may, at its option, conduct a background check on each potential winner.  Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any potential winner from receiving the Prize based on such background check if Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion that awarding the Prize to such potential winner could result in a safety or security risk to any person or persons or could result in the disruption of any event associated with the Promotion.  Sponsor will, in its sole discretion, then select one (1) winner from the list of eligible potential winners on the basis of criteria determined and applied by Sponsor to provide for an appropriate range of views, backgrounds, and interests among the winners selected."

I guess, when you're an important man like Ted Cruz, your safety is paramount and must be protected. 

If you're a six-year-old sitting in your first grade classroom, not so much.