Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz said in a Thursday night skit that he meant to say he “values New York” when he took a jab earlier this year at “New York values.”
In an appearance on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Mr. Cruz drew cheers in his response to a question about the comment during a mock telephone conversation with “Donald Trump,” played by Mr. Fallon.
“Look, Donald, I’m not going to pander to New Yorkers,” said Mr. Cruz, playing himself, then insisted, “I love New York City. It is the greatest city in the world with the best-looking audiences in the entire world.
“So when I said ’New York values,’ I was merely trying to say that I value New York, except that I was saying it backwards, the way Yoda would say it,” Mr. Cruz said.
He received loud applause for his reply from the New York City studio audience. In the spoof, Mr. Fallon plays the real-estate billionaire calling Mr. Cruz to give him advice before his “Tonight Show” appearance.
At one point, “Donald Trump” advises Mr. Cruz to pick up a pen to take notes, but the Texas senator picks up a liquor bottle instead and pours himself a drink.
A New York native, Mr. Trump holds a hefty lead in polls heading into Tuesday’s New York Republican primary, while Mr. Cruz trails Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
During a January Republican presidential debate, Mr. Cruz earned the ire of New York voters when he took a swipe at “New York values,” describing them as “socially liberal.”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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