Ted Cruz and Donald Trump to meet Wednesday in New York

Washington Post ^ | July 14 at 6:34 PM | Robert Costa

[SoConPubbie]

Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.) and real-estate mogul Donald Trump -- each running for the Republican presidential nomination as anti-establishment outsiders -- are cultivating an already chummy relationship at this early stage of the 2016 race and will huddle Wednesday in New York.

The meeting was confirmed by Republicans familiar with both campaigns who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations. Aides to Cruz declined to comment, as did Trump representatives.

The meeting will take place at Trump Tower, the gleaming Manhattan skyscraper where Trump has for decades managed his business endeavors, according to knowledgeable Republicans. The building now serves as the headquarters for Trump’s national political operation.

The conclave is the latest sign of budding solidarity between the contenders, who have been friendly for several years and who have put forceful critiques of illegal immigration and their party’s establishment at the center of their bids.

In recent weeks, Cruz has defended remarks Trump made on immigrants over the past month that have drawn rebukes from leading Democrats and Republicans. Trump said in his announcement speech that when "Mexico sends its people," it sends people who are "bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists."

While other Republicans called Trump’s words "offensive and inaccurate" (Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida) or "extraordinarily ugly" (former Florida governor Jeb Bush), Cruz praised Trump as someone who is "terrific" and "speaks the truth."

Asked about Cruz in an interview over the weekend, Trump told The Washington Post, "I really respect him for saying what he did."

Earlier this month on CNN, Trump said, "I shouldn't say this because, I assume, he's an opponent, but the fact is he was very brave in coming out."

Cruz has previously met with the mogul at Trump Tower, mostly during fundraising swings through New York.

Republicans close to Cruz said the first-term senator is intent on staying cozy with Trump

[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

[SoConPubbie]

    Ted Cruz Ping!

    If you want on/off this ping list, please let me know.
    Please beware, this is a high-volume ping list!

    CRUZ or LOSE!

[mrsmith]

“You’re fired!”
“No, you’re fired!”

Seriously I hope some good comes of the meeting.

[Jim Robinson]

Go, Cruz, GO!!

Go, Trump, GO!!

[onyx]

LOVE this news!

[onyx]

All smiles here!

[napscoordinator]

Wow.....important talks about Iran and of course some decide not to bother.....I thought he would want to lead the discussions.....eye roll.

[corbe]

You don’t look like Opray to me.

[South40]

Jeb wasn't invited? lol!

[nickcarraway]

Don't join him, Luke! Use the force, stay on the right!

[C. Edmund Wright]

What are you babbling about over there Buffy?

[Principled]

This can only be good.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

That would be my dream team.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Your head exploding yet?

[RKBA Democrat]

My, my, my. What an interesting development. Perhaps the start of a coalition?

Reminds me of the joke about the young bull and the old bull.

[RitaOK]

WHOO HOO!!!! WORKS FOR ME!

[austinaero]

Not a bad partnership,,Cruz and Trump. Let’s hope they develop a strategy to annihilate the Dems!

[Teacher317]

awesome!

[mrsmith]

Is Mitch holding a kabuki show that night?
Shame if Cruz won’t be there for Mitch’s surrender.

[RitaOK]

This from a guy who has no dog in this fight? Nick hasn’t declared for a candidate, but seems over excited that we have declared for a couple.