Posted on 04/07/2015 1:00:32 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The Texas senator said he was "glad to welcome" Paul into the race.
Ted Cruz warmly welcomed Rand Paul into the 2016 race Tuesday morning, calling him a "good friend"even after his rival wrote him off.
"I am glad to welcome my friend Rand Paul into the 2016 GOP primary," the Texas senator and presidential contender said in a statement on his website Tuesday morning. "Rand is a good friend, and we have worked side by side on many issues."
It was a decidedly different tone from the one Paul used when Cruz launched his White House bid last month. Appearing on Fox News' The Kelly File the night Cruz announced his campaign, the Kentucky senator, who officially joined the race Tuesday, drew contrasts between himself and his Senate colleague, a tea party conservative.
"I guess what makes us different is probably our approach to how we would make the party bigger," Paul said. "I'm a big believer that you should stand on principle, ... but I also think we should take those principles and try to bring in new people with them."
Paul also knocked Cruz's rhetoric for its apparent lack of substance.
"I've spent the last couple years trying to go places Republicans haven't gone," he said. "And maybe not just throwing out red meat, but actually throwing out something intellectually enticing to people who haven't been listening to our message before."
On Tuesday, Cruz took a more congenial route.
"I respect his talent, his passion, and the work he has done for Kentuckians and Americans in the U.S. Senate," Cruz said. "His entry into the race will no doubt raise the bar of competition, help make us all stronger, and ultimately ensure that the GOP nominee is equipped to beat Hillary Clinton and to take back the White House for Republicans in 2016."
The kind words may be an indication of how Cruz intends to deal with his colleague in the 2016 fightor it could be the last nicety until the nomination.
It is funny how the MSM is trying to constantly portray Ted Cruz as a barbarian, when Ted shows more class than the rest of the contenders.
“I am glad to welcome my friend Rand Paul “
I have a problem on how the word “friend” is bantered around. I can count on one hand people I consider a friend. Not to mention I have no friends that are polar opposite of what my core beliefs are.
Then it will inure to the benefit of Cruz, not Paul.
Ted is a good guy. Runt is a self-promoter.
They’ve got their marching orders.
It’s a congressional thing.
One is a gentleman and the other is a Paul.
Paultard being a Paultard.
Cruz is the bigger man. It’s in his nature to be gracious.
Quite so.
Cruz will remain the only adult in the room.
I like Ted, but isn’t this a mild form of, “You have nothing to fear from an Obama presidency.”
Ted will be running against Rand.
I’m not sure why the urge to welcome him in. On the other hand, I wouldn’t trash him now. The time will come to explain differences. Now, in short order would be a good idea IMO.
I tried to donate to Cruz’s campaign today and his page is aweful! I couldn’t even get past the donation page due to some broken “certification” requirement. I am hopiing that it was due to my employer’s firewall and that I will be able to donate from home.
That is how you unite the Party behind you after the Primaries.
Generous to all.
/johnny
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