Posted on 01/18/2016 2:33:22 PM PST by Isara
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) blasted 2016 rival Donald Trump on Monday, questioning his ties to Democrats and previous support for liberal positions as the two battle for the top spot in Iowa.
"If he's giving checks to Democratic politicians and he supports their views... then it starts to suggest, 'gosh if he publicly supports their views if he finances their causes,'" Cruz told Boston radio station WRKO. "Then suddenly when he announces as a candidate for president, every single one of his views changes - listen if he has had a change of heart, I am thrilled."
Cruz, who is competing with Trump for the GOP nomination, added that if Republican voters want a nominee who will "cozy up to Chuck Schumer - by the way he's written checks to Chuck Schumer, I never have - then you ought to be backing him."
The Texas Republican's comments come after Trump told ABC's "This Week" that Cruz is a "nasty guy" and "nobody likes him. Nobody in Congress likes him."
The two candidates have been locked in an escalating rhetorical battle this month after Cruz said that Trump represents "New York values."
Trump, in return, hit Cruz over previously undisclosed loans he accepted from Goldman Sachs and Citibank to help finance his Senate run. Cruz, on Monday, suggested that Trump's criticism was hypocritical, calling it "more than a little rich."
"You want to assess who stands with Wall Street? Then look at the actual records of the candidates," he added. "Donald Trump vocally and enthusiastically supported TARP, the bailout of the big banks. He vocally and enthusiastically supported Barack Obama's stimulus plan."
Trump suggested that the loans underscored that the senator is controlled by the banks.
While Cruz had long been reluctant to take on Trump directly, the two have stepped up their rhetorical barbs as they head toward the Feb. 1 Iowa caucus.
Trump has led the Republican field in recent Iowa polling, but Cruz claimed the top spot in a Des Moines Register/Bloomberg poll released last week.
Trump is planning to campaign in Iowa this week with stops scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
While Cruz on Monday urged primary voters to study candidates' records, he sidestepped directly calling Trump a "fraud" or a "hypocrite."
"Those are your words," he told radio host Jeff Kuhner, adding, that he doesn't plan to get into a "food fight or personal insults."
However, he noted that "Donald seems very rattled right now. ...He's been launching an awful lot of attacks in the last couple of days."
All three? Wouldn’t be surprised.
That link didn’t work for me. Wish it had.
“Two Condominiums.”
LOL.. now that is funny.
I am just giving you a example of how Trump and his supporters spun Ted Cruz’s “ New York Values “ out of context and have scraped the bottom of the barrel of their rethoric over it, they know full well what Ted Cruz meant but are playing coy and stupid over it.
That post was really long and I didn’t read it because I know you join Donald Trump in being pro-choice and pro=life matters to me.
I suppose Cruz is agreeing to be the new Jeb since the kingmakers are giving up on Jeb.
Either that or they getting him pumped up to take out Trump and then they’ll lower the hammer on Cruz.
It’s so simple, Cruz is for sale, Trump isn’t.
Don’t look back, Fhios, someone might be gaining on your guy.
Bits of barrel are still clinging to Trump’s fat hands as he reached so far down to trash Cruz.
Not pretty, Trump, baby.
Trump didn’t really campaign against any of the people you mentioned. Not hard, anyway.
He didn’t need to. They were never gonna make it.
But when Ben Carson, a nice guy who Trump pretended to like (he’s real good at that) was leading in Iowa, does anyone remember what Good Old Trump did to Ben?
And not just to Ben... he called Iowa people stupid and he implied or suggested that Ben Carson has mental problems.
What a sweetheart.
Or he could have mentioned Pearl Harbor. Or the War of 1812.
He mentioned that NYC is a democrat city. Trump went to left field and threw 9/11 in the pot. It is all about reaction with Trump. No substance but tons of reaction.
How about a debate where they ask trump about economy and Cruz throws out how trump cheats on his wives?
No relevance to the question nor Cruz’s answer at all. True non-the-less. Would you sir there and say, “Well done, Mr. Cruz.”.
I certainly think you would not. But it would be an interesting reaction!
“Cruz is for the abolition of the IRS and a simple fair tax.”
Yes!!! He mentioned that on Fox News Sunday when Chrissy would let him talk. I love that. It’s needed to be done for years. The IRS allows tyranny over the American people.
You are generalizing whereas Cruz has a very specific plan that will work. He’s outlined it often.
If you were interested in facts, you could find it on his site.
It might be glorious to hear Trump shout and scream down with illegal immigrants but he has no plan.
You are a bit of an ass. No insult intended.
I see from that picture why Trump has to use the comb over.
Just say no to Thugs, Friends don’t let friends vote Trump.
“Trump has Ted Cruz derangement syndrome.”
He does and what’s more this dread disease is catching.
All of his supporters are now coming down with symptoms.
I’m worried about them.
What did you say?
Well, at least you agree with Hillary and Trump on the pro-choice position.
Why was Donald Trump with Bill Clinton having a councling session before he entered the race ?
Yes, those questions need to be asked.
Why has Donald Trump given money to the Clinton causes and foundation ?
Yes, those questions need to be asked.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.