Ted Cruz: Obama Economy Only Helping ‘The Top 1 Percent’

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 27: Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks with reporters following the Senate Republicans' policy lunch on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) (CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) on Sunday blasted President Obama’s economic policy, claiming that the economy has only improved for the rich.

ABC’s George Stephanopoulos asked Cruz what he would say to potential 2016 nominee Hillary Clinton if she claimed Democrats fixed an economy destroyed by Republicans.

“Well, look, if Hillary Clinton wants to run by telling Americans that the economy is doing great and you can credit President Obama and Hillary Clinton for that, I would encourage her to follow that strategy. Because the simple reality is, that’s true for the wealthy,” Cruz responded on ABC’s “This Week.”

“The top 1 percent under President Obama, the millionaires and billionaires that he constantly demagogued, earned a higher share for our income than any year since 1928,” he continued. “Those with power and influence who walk the corridors of power of the Obama administration have gotten fat and happy under big government.”

Cruz said that the middle class has not seen the same boost as the rich.

“Hardworking men and women across America are hurting,” he said. “I’m glad President Obama and Hillary Clinton have discovered income inequality because it’s increased dramatically under their failed policies.”

Cruz’s claims echoed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who said last weekend that the economic recovery touted by Obama has only helped the wealthy.

“Look, things are getting better. But the point is, who is benefiting from this?” McConnell said. “The so-called 1 percent that the president is always talking about have done quite well.”

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. Ummmm…

    We’ve been saying this for 20 or more years.

    Don’t act like it happened under Obama in 6 years, asshat.

  2. So the GOP is now interested in class warfare? I wonder if the Koch brothers are in on the joke.

  3. Man… if folks fall for this then they are beyond stupid, and deserve the goat screw they will get.

  4. I recognize this is petty and superficial and has nothing to do with his policies, but Ted Cruz makes Dick Nixon look like George Clooney. Cruz is the most repulsively ugly pol I’ve seen in decades.

  5. If Obama’s economy is helping the 1%, what is he complaining about? That is the Republicans’ goal, is it not?

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

145 more replies

Participants

Avatar for doremus_jessup Avatar for ajm Avatar for jw1 Avatar for srfromgr Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for ncsteve Avatar for Valentinus Avatar for bluestatedon Avatar for commiedearest Avatar for thx1138 Avatar for teenlaqueefa Avatar for boscobrown Avatar for randyabraham Avatar for sandyh Avatar for mcbain Avatar for alulu4youyou Avatar for gr Avatar for richardnixonhuberthumphrey Avatar for pmb28 Avatar for greenrx Avatar for khaaannn Avatar for darrtown Avatar for kols Avatar for ncdiverwife

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: