Sen. John McCain does not have a high opinion of the freshman Republican from Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz.
An adviser to Mr. McCain told GQ that “He … hates Cruz” and said that the Arizona Republican is “just offended by his style.”
Less than 10 months into his first term in office, Mr. Cruz has been no shrinking violet on Capitol Hill, where he has emerged as one of the leading voices against Obamacare.
He is now calling on his colleagues to reject any spending bills that has funding for the 2010 health care law — a move that some Republicans warn could hurt the party.
Mr. McCain, meanwhile, has become a lightning rod for tea party activists who see him as the embodiment of all that is wrong with Washington and the Republican party.
Mr. McCain dubbed Mr. Cruz and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky “wacko birds” earlier this year after they took part in a 13-hour filibuster this year against the nomination of John O. Brennan to be the next CIA director, threatening to block the confirmation vote until the Obama administration clarified that it will not use drones to kill Americans on U.S. soil.
SEE ALSO: Blame game heats up as start of shutdown looms
The remarks sparked an uproar from grassroots Republicans, and Mr. McCain eventually apologized for the remarks.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.