Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas on Tuesday said billionaire businessman and GOP presidential rival Donald Trump “embodies New York values” and that Mr. Trump’s recent attacks on him suggest the primary contest is turning into a two-person race.
“Well, look, I think he may shift in his new rallies to [playing] ’New York, New York’ because Donald comes from New York and he embodies New York values,” Mr. Cruz said.
Mr. Cruz had been asked on “The Howie Carr Show” about Mr. Trump’s recently playing Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” at rallies. Mr. Trump has said in recent weeks that Mr. Cruz’s Canadian birthplace could be an impediment to the Texas Republican’s White House bid.
“Listen, the Donald seems to be a little bit rattled,” Mr. Cruz said in audio captured by Buzzfeed. “Four weeks ago, just about every candidate in the race was taking shots at Donald Trump. Today, just about every candidate’s taking shots at me. And that kind of suggests that maybe the race has changed a little bit, and Donald for the last week has been unloading at every stop with direct attacks.”
“Now, I don’t intend to respond or reciprocate, but I think the reason he is … [is] that this race is turning more and more into a two-person race between me and Donald,” he said.
Mr. Trump has also said in Iowa that not too many evangelicals come out of Cuba.
“Any time someone is attacking your faith that starts to suggest they’re getting really nervous about what’s happening in the race,” Mr. Cruz said. “I would be happy to invite Donald to come with me to church any time he would like. He would certainly be welcome there…at the end of the day, my focus is not to engage in the mudslinging.”
Mr. Trump has said he delivers the line with a smile and that he’s not going to question anyone’s faith.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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