Cruz: Trump afraid to defend his record

The Hill ^ | January 27, 2016, 07:52 am | Mark Hensch

[SoConPubbie]

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz said late Tuesday that Donald Trump's fear of defending his record is behind the GOP front-runner's boycott of the next Fox News GOP presidential debate.

"The reality is, the reason Donald is doing this — I actually don't think it's because of [Fox News host] Megyn [Kelly] at all," he said on Fox News's "Hannity."

"I think it's because he's afraid to defend his record, that he knows he can't defend his record, and he's trying to hide from the voters of Iowa," Cruz said six days from the first voting state's caucuses next Monday.

"He's not willing to stand up and explain why he supports Bernie Sanders-style, full-on socialized medicine, expanding ObamaCare so the federal government is in charge of our healthcare," he said, tying Trump with the Democratic presidential contender.

"He can't explain why today he supports taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood," Cruz added.

"He can't explain why he supported Obama's stimulus plan and supported Obama's TARP bail-out of the big banks. He doesn't want to answer those questions, and he refuses to show up."

Cruz argued that Trump's claims of bias from Kelly reveal he is not capable of confronting more powerful public figures.

"If you're afraid of Megyn Kelly, then you're going to be afraid of Hillary Clinton and you're going to be afraid of Vladimir Putin," he said.

"If you're afraid to have anyone ask a question, that does not bode well for what kind of commander in chief you'd make," the Texas lawmaker added.

Trump announced late Tuesday that he is skipping the seventh GOP presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday evening.

Kelly and Trump have publicly sparred since the first debate last August. The outspoken billionaire disliked her questions about his past remarks toward women.

[SoConPubbie]

	"If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures." - Alexander Hamilton "We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- President Ronald Reagan "A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine 1792 "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams " Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." - John Quincy Adams

[Sacajaweau]

Cruz says a lot of dumb things sometimes.

The only time Ted gets a huge audience is when Trump is standing next to him.

[GodGunsGuts]

I believe that’s true. Trump know Ted Cruz has got his number, and his numbers could only have gone down in the final debate. So we put his tail between his legs and blamed it on mean Megyn Kelly and Roger Ailes.

[conservative98]

Nobody believes that, Ted. Nobody thinks Trump is afraid of anything. Stop with the stupid stuff.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Debates should be about substantive issues.

They should not be venues for the “moderators” to debate participants.

Any questions asked should be asked of all participants.

Any “gotcha” questions tailored to a specific participant should result in the immediate expulsion of the offending moderator.

Any questions?

[FroggyTheGremlim]

Now that’s stupid of Cruz to say.

[heights]

‘Teddy the brave’ stands with Megyn Kelly and Michael Moore.

[patq]

I had no idea Cruz was still running. All I see in the news is Trump, Trump, Trump. I’d watch the debate tomorrow, but it conflicts the Trump event.

[chris37]

I really don’t think that’s it at all, Ted.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Cruz should just shut up and let this thing play out.

[Harpotoo]

President Trump is soon going to start Building his record.

[GodGunsGuts]

Ted Cruz is going to mop the floor with Trump on February 1st.

[SoConPubbie]

Nobody believes that, Ted. Nobody thinks Trump is afraid of anything. Stop with the stupid stuff.

Only Trump fan-bois believe that nonsense.

The facts are self-evident. Trump is a coward!

[driftdiver]

Why would he be afraid to defend his record of supporting liberals and Democrats for the last 20 years?

[beandog]

You may think it’s stupid, I think it’s true.

[Carry_Okie]

Nobody thinks Trump is afraid of anything.

Oh yes he is: He's afraid of becoming irrelevant. His whole life has been one publicity stunt after another.

[Enlightened1]

[odawg]

I kind of wish Trump would debate Cruz, so Cruz could defend his vote for TPA, Corker bill, his call for a 500% increase in H-1B visas, his call for an increase in immigration, his call to legalize illegals, etc. I think it would be fun to see Cruz stew in his own juices.

[driftdiver]

At birth

[SoConPubbie]

Cruz says a lot of dumb things sometimes.

Projection seems to be a required character flaw in many supporters of Trump!