Posted on 02/15/2016 1:00:56 PM PST by TBP
Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz continued to joust for primacy heading into the South Carolina primary next weekend, foregoing policy differences for name-calling and insults.
Trump called Cruz "nuts," "dishonest" and "an unstable person," while Cruz questioned both Trump's conservative credentials and whether he had the temperament to be president. Cruz is trying to weaken Trump's standing among South Carolina's social conservatives and evangelical Christians, a key voting bloc in Saturday's contest.
"The people of South Carolina want a consistent conservative they can trust," Cruz told reporters before his rally in Aiken.
About the same time at a rally 130 miles away in Mount Pleasant, Trump called Cruz "the most dishonest guy I think I've ever met in politics."
"I think he's an unstable person," he said, later declaring: "He's nuts"
Speaking to hundreds of supporters, Cruz said he intends to make the presidential race a referendum on the Supreme Court and the importance of electing a president who will nominate conservatives. The issue is at the forefront of the presidential race following the sudden death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, whom Cruz praised as a "lion of the law."
Cruz said before his rally that a vote for Trump would be a vote for doing away with Second Amendment gun rights, predicting that the billionaire businessman would appoint liberal justices to the Supreme Court. He ticked off a list of Democrats Trump had donated to in the past, including 2004 presidential nominee John Kerry.
Cruz also took issue with Trump and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Both called him a liar during Saturday's debate. Cruz said they both "simply scream 'Liar, liar!'" whenever their records are questioned, and that approach would not work when negotiating with the likes of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Cruz also blasted Trump's apparent confusion during a Republican debate last year over what constituted the nuclear triad as an example of how the real estate mogul is unprepared to be president. And Cruz again returned to criticizing Trump's praise of Planned Parenthood.
Cruz released a television ad on Sunday attacking Trump for previously saying Planned Parenthood "serves a good function." In Saturday's debate Trump said that the organization "does do wonderful things, but not as it relates to abortion."
"He's entitled to have that opinion," Cruz said Monday. "A lot of liberal Democrats have that opinion."
Cruz also said Rubio's positions on supporting a path to citizenship puts him in line with "a lot of liberal Democrats" including Hillary Clinton. Rubio has previously supported a path to citizenship for people in the country illegally, but has backed off that position and now says border security must be increased first.
Even as Cruz sharpened his attacks on Rubio and Trump, he said the campaign "shouldn't just be about insults and personal attacks."
Time to tell off those who lie about you.
The Blaze....Isn’t that the site that belongs to that crazy Beck guy?
Rubio and Cruz will both basically end up at the same place with immigration. Yes they will. Any one that think other wise is naive and has not followed politics very long. No, Cruz is not the Conservative Savior he says he is. They are very close on all the issues. The real question is: who can beat Hillary. I think it is Rubio.
You’re a liar! No you’re a liar! No you’re a liar! Cut it out people.
> called Cruz “the most dishonest guy I think I’ve ever met in politics.”
It must be because Hillary is a woman and not a “guy”. However, the Donald has met Bill Clinton.
Or it could be another case of hyperbolic hyperbole.
Cruz is right. You want the best conservative? Vote for Cruz.
Go Cruz this is awesome!
Blazing jerk!
Trump wants to be in the most criticized office in the world, but he can’t handle being criticized without going off the rails.
Rubio and Trump both called Cruz a liar during the debate and he stood there and took it.
rump needs to knock it off. Cruz’s presidential aspirations just went to the grave with Justice Scalia. Eligibility lawsuits will be filed where they will reach a liberal appeals court. A liberal appeals court will then decide Cruz’s eligibility issue. The Supreme Court will be deadlocked and the decision will stand.
Add Trump and the RNC to the list of possible suspects.
Aw, he simply builds new rails wherever he wants to go.
Rubio and Cruz will both basically end up at the same place with immigration. Yes they will. Any one that think other wise is naive and has not followed politics very long. No, Cruz is not the Conservative Savior he says he is. They are very close on all the issues. The real question is: who can beat Hillary. I think it is Rubio
Beck will show Trump how it is...YEAH!!!
I amazed after all these months how GOPe/MSM folks run to jump on all the grenades Trump throws out for them. They still don’t get it.
Go Trump!
“rump” I like that. Suits him.
Trump calling anyone nuts is, well nuts.
Trump is crazier than a rat trapped in a tin outhouse during a burrito eating contest.
For years we complained about our candidates “not fighting back” against the establishment & the media. Trump’s fighting back & you think he’s “going off the rails”. Too funny.
Go Trump!!!
Not at all. Rubio is hot for amnesty, which Cruz opposes and has fought.
Trump, however, is for touchback amnesty.
Both Trump and Cruz have done a magnificent job of making me miss Walker and Perry.
Yep... that would seem like a fundamental problem....
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