Strawman is a VERY effective debating technique...and defensible if you can call your opponent on it. But Trump left Cruz NO ROOM to do so. Anything Cruz could have said would have made him look callous (towards 9/11 victims) or arrogant. Or as Allen West said, "Cruz needs to learn the tactic of the u-shaped ambush, because he walked right into it."
The proof is in the pudding...fair or not, Cruz' poll numbers have tanked since then. Just check RCP or Reuters, nationally and in Iowa to see the carnage.
RE: Anything Cruz could have said would have made him look callous (towards 9/11 victims) or arrogant.
There was not enough time to respond, but it was quite clear to those who saw that exchange that when Trump mentioned firefighters, cops and 911 responders that Cruz was APPLAUDING THEM.
Only those who refuse to think ( and there are many ) would think that Cruz was referring to these brave people when he was referring to “New York Values”.
In fact, he already articulated what he meant in that debate just a few moments prior to Trump’s “defense” of these people Cruz was CLEARLY NOT TALKING ABOUT.
RE: Or as Allen West said, “Cruz needs to learn the tactic of the u-shaped ambush, because he walked right into it.”
A simple statement to respond to Trump would have helped — “Mr. Trump you are creating a strawman. I am not referring to these people and YOU are insulting them when you insinuate that I am.”