MSNBC “Hardball” host Chris Matthews had harsh words of criticism for Sen. Ted Cruz during his Wednesday evening broadcast, saying the tea party favorite was guilty of political terrorism and outright labeling him a terrorist.
His comments came in context of discussing Obamacare and Mr. Cruz’s suggestion to halt its implementation with a government shutdown.
“It’s not just the issue of Obamacare and a government shutdown where Cruz and his allies are threatening destruction,” Mr. Matthews said, The Daily Caller reported. “In addition to their vow to blow up Obamacare and shut down the American government this September, they’re also moving to block an increase in the debt ceiling. And that means the government wouldn’t be able to pay its bills.”
The government would then default, and the nation would suffer the fallout of a poor credit rating, he said.
“This is Cruz’s operation, by the way, and his allies’ operation,” Mr. Matthews said. “This is more than obstructionism. This is political terrorism.”
He then reiterated his view: “I believe it’s terrorism. This is the first time I’ve seen a political party or even a fraction of it saying that their number one goal is … to shut down the American government. … This is an attempt to destroy all we know of as the republican form of government in this country with the purpose — I don’t know the purpose.”
Mr. Matthews compared Mr. Cruz to Joe McCarthy — the Republican senator from Wisconsin famous for his Capitol Hill hearings to root out Communism — and once again, raised the terrorist label.
He said, on MSNBC: “You know, I’ve compared him to McCarthy. Maybe that’s just a look-alike. I shouldn’t get into what people look like. He reminds me so much when I look at him interrogating a witness on the Hill — he looks like Joe McCarthy. He just acts that way with that somber indicative aspect, like this guy is the evil one. But I will say he’s a terrorist. What this guy has basically done is say my goal is demolition.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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