Cruz Hits Trump: He Was ‘Nowhere To Be Found’ When I Was Fighting ‘Amnesty’

Senator Ted Cruz Ted Cruz supporters rally at Lindy's Diner, Keene, New Hampshire, America - 18 Jan 2016 The presidential hopeful Cruz, met locals and shook hands at the restaurant as part of 'The Cruzin' to Victor... Senator Ted Cruz Ted Cruz supporters rally at Lindy's Diner, Keene, New Hampshire, America - 18 Jan 2016 The presidential hopeful Cruz, met locals and shook hands at the restaurant as part of 'The Cruzin' to Victory Bus Tour' of New Hampshire. (Rex Features via AP Images) MORE LESS
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After Donald Trump called Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) a “nasty guy” on Sunday, the Texas senator stepped up his attacks on Trump after months of avoiding outright criticism of the real estate mogul.

During a Monday campaign event in New Hampshire, Cruz criticized Trump for being absent during the Senate debate over the Gang of Eight bill in 2013, according to Buzzfeed News.

“We were on the verge of losing this fight and 12 million people here illegally being granted amnesty,” Cruz said, according to Buzzfeed News. “Yet when that fight was being fought, Donald was nowhere to be found. If you didn’t stand up and fight amnesty when the stakes were live or die, when the stakes were do we lose this permanently or do we win, then I would suggest as voters you have reason to doubt the credibility of the promises of a political candidate who discovers the issue after he announces for president.”

Cruz also noted Trump’s previous support for bailing out big banks, eminent domain, and President Obama’s economic stimulus package, according to Buzzfeed News.

The Texas senator also bashed Trump during a Monday interview on “The Kuhner Report” on Boston radio station WRKO.

“The most important question for anyone in a Republican primary to ask is how do we distinguish between who’s telling the truth and who is yet another politician just saying on the trail what they think we want to hear,” Cruz said during the interview. “Don’t listen to what any of us say on the campaign trail, but rather follow the biblical principle, ‘You shall know them by their fruits.’ Ask what have they done.”

Cruz said that he’s been a “consistent” conservative but noted that Trump has donated to Democrats in the past and expressed support for progressive policies. Cruz said that “suddenly when he announces as a candidate for president, every single one of his views changes,” suggesting that the real estate mogul cannot be trusted to follow through on his proposals.

Host Jeff Kuhner then asked, “Are you essentially saying Trump is a fraud and a hypocrite?”

“Well those are your words, Jeff,” Cruz replied. “I like Donald Trump. I respect him. I will point out where we have policy differences, and I trust the men and women of New Hampshire to make the determination who’s telling the truth and who’s blowing smoke.”

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Notable Replies

  1. “The most important question for anyone in a Republican primary to ask is how do we distinguish between who’s telling the truth and who is yet another politician just saying on the trail what they think we want to hear,” Cruz said during the interview…"

    Given that we’re talking about mostly old, white, New Hampshire Republican voters here, this is, a pretty damn heavy intellectual lift.

  2. …Cruz criticized Trump for being absent during the Senate debate over the Gang of Eight bill in 2013,…

    And how, pray tell, is a non-member of the Senate supposed to participate in a debate?

  3. Cruz replied. “I like Donald Trump. I respect him.”

    Cruz states Trump is a liar and a hypocrite. He claims Trump supports politicians and policies that are anathema to our national interest. He accuses him of inaction and neglect in a time of critical national need for leadership and guidance.
    
    Yet he likes and respects him.
  4. Cruz is asking us to consider the biblical virtue he exhibits by stripping people of their most basic needs and banishing them to a life of desperation.

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