Texas flooding puts Cruz, GOP in bind on climate change

CNN ^ | Wed May 27, 2015 | Alexandra Jaffe

[SoConPubbie]

Washington (CNN)The heavy flooding that's overwhelmed Texas and killed more than 30 people has put Sen. Ted Cruz in a bind on climate change.

The Republican presidential contender has held two press conferences over the past two days to address the flooding and the government's response. At each one, he was asked about the impact of climate change on natural disasters like the Texas flooding, and at each one, he dodged the question.

"In a time of tragedy, I think it's wrong to try to politicize a natural disaster -- and so there's plenty of time to talk about other issues," he said in response to a question on his views on climate change during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

RELATED: Texas mom, two kids among those missing after floods

"I think the focus now is on caring for those who have lost their lives and lost their homes," he said.

At least 31 people have died in Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma from the storm since this weekend, while another 11 remain missing in Texas. Cruz promised to do all he could to ensure that Texans get access to the resources they need during the recovery.

But his reluctance to answer questions on climate change mark a much more cautious approach to the question than his comparison in March of "global warming alarmists" to "flat-Earthers."

"It used to be [that] it is accepted scientific wisdom the Earth is flat, and this heretic named Galileo was branded a denier," he said in an interview with the Texas Tribune.

Cruz also argued that "global warming alarmists" aren't basing their arguments on facts, because "the satellite data demonstrate that there

[luvie]

Well, shucks. If I’d known “climate change” caused the terrible flooding, I’d have....well, never mind. I wouldn’t have changed a darn thing!

These people are NUTS!

[right way right]

I’m sure Cruz would be glad to talk to CNN about glow-bull warming if they would just call him up.