US Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and the first declared GOP candidate for President is in Orange County today as a featured speaker for a Passover event at the St. Regis Resort sponsored by the Prime Hospitality Group, which runs a string of high end Kosher restaurants. I ran into the Senator at Baggage Claim at John Wayne Airport last night while picked up my family from Easter vacation.
From the Politico story:
“Cruz, along with several rabbis, is listed as a speaker at four different vacation spots, including Aspen, over Passover, the spring holiday that honors the freeing of enslaved Jews in Egypt. The Prime Hospitality Group is the company behind the offers, according to an email solicitation shared with POLITICO.
“4 Questions. 4 Cups of Wine. 4 Sons. And 4 Luxurious Prime Passover Programs,” the invitation reads. “All featuring unparalleled service and The Prime Group’s legendary cuisine.”
A Cruz adviser insisted he’s speaking at only one event, although Prime Hospitality’s ads suggest he’ll be at getaways in Westlake Village and Monarch Beach in California; Aspen, Colorado; and in Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.
The first, in Westlake, promises to be “intimate and personal and will feature the inspiring Rabbi Eli Mansour, Rabbi Daniel Mechanic, Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, Malcolm Hoenlein and Senator Ted Cruz, surpassing all expectations.”
The one at the St. Regis Monarch Beach offers “some of the greatest rabbis and scholars of our time including Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Rabbi Eli Mansour, Rabbi Marvin Hier, Rabbi Abraham Cooper and Senator Ted Cruz.”
I stopped the Senator and introduced myself, welcomed him to Orange County and asked why he was here. He mentioned the event above. I asked to take the photo above. He was pleasant enough but doesn’t have a prayer of winning a delegate in the primaries.
As he left, I shouted, “Don’t forget your birth certificate,” and he waved an acknowledgement. I should have wanted him to watch out for Orly Taitz.
We attended an event at the St. Regis last year – just after this event had taken place. The hotel is 100% sold out exclusive for the Passover event. It is transformed into a 100% kosher facility – electronic locks are disabled – mirrors are covered – of course food everywhere in the hotel is kosher – heavy security.