Outspoken Sen. Ted Cruz says “inflammatory” Democratic attacks on the shutdown impasse lead him to believe the Republicans are “winning” in the hearts and minds of the American public, as the GOP attempts to negotiate cutbacks to Obamacare in exchange for funding the government and extending the nation’s borrowing authority.
Mr. Cruz, Texas Republican, told CNN over the weekend that the debt ceiling has traditionally been a useful tool for Congress to rein in the White House, even if President Obama says he will not wheel and deal over the debt limit.
The Texan said the fight over the president’s health care law is a worthy one, because some employers cite the law as the reason they felt compelled to push workers into part-time status. The health law’s web-based implementation has been rocky, putting Democrats in an awkward position and forcing them to place blame for the current standoff at the feet of Republicans, he said.
“The fact that you’re seeing those attacks I think is indicative of the fact that we’re winning the argument,” Mr. Cruz told CNN. “’Obamacare’ isn’t working. You don’t see any Democrats defending Obamacare.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.