Cruz On Carson's 'Dirty Trick' Claim: I'm Not Gonna Scapegoat My Staff

TPM ^ | February 3, 2016 | CAITLIN MACNEAL

[GodGunsGuts]

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) on Wednesday said he would not discipline any campaign staffers for notifying Iowa caucusgoers that Ben Carson had plans to drop out of the race even though the retired neurosurgeon only had plans for a quick trip home to Florida.

Cruz said on "The Mike Gallagher Show" that members of his campaign were "passing on news reports."

"I don't make a practice of scapegoating staff members when it's politically convenient," Cruz added.

The Texas senator reiterated that he has apologized to Carson for his campaign's actions. In a Tuesday statement, Cruz said that while sharing news reports is "fair game," he was sorry his campaign did not send out an update clarifying that Carson would remain in the race. The Cruz campaign circulated a CNN story about Carson's plans to head to Florida following the Iowa caucus, and the campaign allegedly urged caucusgoers to vote for Cruz instead.

On Wednesday, Cruz told Gallagher that the media was reporting on Carson's claims and the Cruz campaign's actions in a "misleading way."

Shortly before Cruz's interview on "The Mike Gallagher Show," Donald Trump accused Cruz of "fraud" and called for "either a new election should take place or Cruz results nullified."

In response to Trump's accusations, Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler told CNN that Trump was merely trying to get attention.

"The reality hit the reality TV star in Iowa so nobody is talking about him now. So he's trying to regain some attention on Twitter," he said in a statement to CNN.

Tyler added that "there are Twitter addiction support groups, so he should seek out his local chapter."

[Yashcheritsiy]

I mean this isn’t the 19th century where there is no internet or cable news.

Ever been to Iowa?

[zerosix]

Hey, don't confuse Cruz haters with the facts!

They've got their tinfoil on!

[1Old Pro]

It’s not scapegoating it’s ACCOUNTABULITY.

Cruz just lost me with this corruption.

[SeekAndFind]

Let’s say that there was a rumor floating around that Carson was going to quit the race ( regardless of where it came from (CNN was reporting it as well ) ).

I can’t believe that Iowa voters ( and Carson supporters ) are so DUMB that they would not double check to see if this story is true or not before casting their vote. I mean this isn’t the 19th century where there is no internet or cable news.

As a Cruz supporter, I know I’d double check first if I heard news floating around saying that Cruz had quit before casting my vote.

So, to say that Carson’s 4th place showing was CAUSED by the rumor is just that — BALONEY.

Carson just did not have enough supporters in Iowa, rumor or not. PERIOD.

[fireman15]

What Cruz’s staff did was no mistake. He hired people who specialize in misinformation campaigns. Expect more of the same. Cruz will do anything to win... this is not something new.

[McGruff]

At least he didn’t blame a Youtube video.

[Bidimus1]

You are correct, that they both are running as is djt, ergo they both would like to have him out of the race.

[D-fendr]

>>”I don’t make a practice of scapegoating staff members when it’s politically convenient,” Cruz added.

Perhaps a reference to Trump blaming an intern for a bad tweet on his account?

[SeekAndFind]

Let’s say that there was a rumor floating around that Carson was going to quit the race ( regardless of where it came from (CNN was reporting it as well ) ).

I can’t believe that Iowa voters ( and Carson supporters ) are so DUMB that they would not double check to see if this story is true or not before casting their vote. I mean this isn’t the 19th century where there is no internet or cable news.

As a Cruz supporter, I know I’d double check first if I heard news floating around saying that Cruz had quit before casting my vote.

So, to say that Carson’s 4th place showing was CAUSED by the rumor is just that — BALONEY.

Carson just did not have enough supporters in Iowa, rumor or not. PERIOD.

[1Old Pro]

The Texas senator reiterated that he has apologized to Carson for his campaign's actions

after the damage was done, what a loser.

[chae]

Thank you!!!

[SeekAndFind]

Let’s say that there was a rumor floating around that Carson was going to quit the race ( regardless of where it came from (CNN was reporting it as well ) ).

I can’t believe that Iowa voters ( and Carson supporters ) are so DUMB that they would not double check to see if this story is true or not before casting their vote. I mean this isn’t the 19th century where there is no internet or cable news.

As a Cruz supporter, I know I’d double check first if I heard news floating around saying that Cruz had quit before casting my vote.

So, to say that Carson’s 4th place showing was CAUSED by the rumor is just that — BALONEY.

Carson just did not have enough supporters in Iowa, rumor or not. PERIOD.

[Yashcheritsiy]

Cruz haters

You make Ted Cruz sound like a basketball team.

[anymouse]

Too soon? ;)

[newfreep]

Canuck Ted's money sources...the newest are the open-borders traitors at "Club for Growth"

#SLEEZY Politician!

[SeekAndFind]

RE: after the damage was done, what a loser.

What damage?

Let’s say that there was a rumor floating around that Carson was going to quit the race ( regardless of where it came from (CNN was reporting it as well ) ).

I can’t believe that Iowa voters ( and Carson supporters ) are so DUMB that they would not double check to see if this story is true or not before casting their vote. I mean this isn’t the 19th century where there is no internet or cable news.

As a Cruz supporter, I know I’d double check first if I heard news floating around saying that Cruz had quit before casting my vote.

So, to say that Carson’s 4th place showing was CAUSED by the rumor is just that — BALONEY.

Carson just did not have enough supporters in Iowa, rumor or not. PERIOD.

[Lumper20]

Cruz is a liar as he apologized to Carson. Now he acts like he did Zip. What a piece of trash.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: after the damage was done, what a loser.

What damage?

Let’s say that there was a rumor floating around that Carson was going to quit the race ( regardless of where it came from (CNN was reporting it as well ) ).

I can’t believe that Iowa voters ( and Carson supporters ) are so DUMB that they would not double check to see if this story is true or not before casting their vote. I mean this isn’t the 19th century where there is no internet or cable news.

As a Cruz supporter, I know I’d double check first if I heard news floating around saying that Cruz had quit before casting my vote.

So, to say that Carson’s 4th place showing was CAUSED by the rumor is just that — BALONEY.

Carson just did not have enough supporters in Iowa, rumor or not. PERIOD.

[Jewbacca]

Rubio and the GOPe are behind the faux outrage at Cruz.

[don-o]

Saw that

Eleven times this morning.