Conservative think tank slams 2016 field in scorecard — but leaves Ted Cruz practically unscathed

The Heritage Foundation's sister organization, Heritage Action, a nonprofit conservative think tank and activist group, didn't mince words when reviewing the 2016 Republican field. Jeb Bush "kowtowed to the state's environmental lobby." Chris Christie showed "favoritism toward well-connected real estate developers." Donald Trump supports "massive tariffs that would damage the American economy."

And Ted Cruz? Well, he came out practically unscathed in the 50-page scorecard, Politico reports. In fact, the senator received praise in many of the six categories the Heritage Action measures, including growth, opportunity, civil society, limited government, favoritism, and national security. His only major critique was that too often he adopted "sound policies advanced by others" rather than making his own. Otherwise, "Cruz has been willing to pay a political price for taking on government favoritism," the report raves.

Bobby Jindal and Marco Rubio also received praise. However, frontrunners Ben Carson and Donald Trump were nailed for lack of specifics in their proposals and spotty histories on conservative causes. Bush, however, was hit with some of the worst reviews, with the group claiming he is "playing to President Obama's talking points rather than reinforcing conservatives."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Heritage Action does not plan to endorse a candidate, though there's little question they have a favorite in mind.