Rep. Pete King (R-NY), who has dismissed Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) presidential campaign since he launched his bid last year, on Thursday said that New York Republicans who vote for Cruz in the primary “should have their head examined.”
“Really, here’s a guy who refused to sign onto the 9/11 health care act for the cops and fireman. Here’s a guy who talks about New York values,” King said on the “Joe Piscopo Show” on AM 970 “The Answer,” according to a clip posted by Buzzfeed News.
After dismissing Cruz’s “New York values” line, King cited the unity and bravery in New York as the city recovered from the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks — just as Trump did when Cruz first attacked him for embodying “New York values.”
“We’re tough, and to have some guy like Ted Cruz with cowboy boots walk around criticizing us. Listen, I hope he gets the cold shoulder and other things from every New Yorker. Send him back where he belongs,” King said. “He’s a phony, and that was all off the record by the way.”
“I just can’t stand that guy,” the congressman added.
King wouldn’t go so far as to back Trump, but said he doesn’t have as much “hostility” for Trump as he does for Cruz. He said he hoped to see Trump prevail over Cruz in the New York primary, and noted that he thinks Ohio Gov. John Kasich “is a good guy.”
“To me, the best debate is between Kasich and Trump. Not between Cruz with that smooth talking, how he loves everyone and is gonna wear the armor of God…” King said. “Come on. Give me a break.”
