GOP presidential contender Marco Rubio’s camp is poking fun at the “Washington cartel” catchphrase that fellow Sen. Ted Cruz is espousing on the campaign trail by pointing out that the Texas Republican is hosting a “Happy Hour” fundraiser Friday at a swanky restaurant steps from the U.S. Capitol and the White House.
“With it snowing in Washington, it’s worth asking Senator Cruz if his fundraiser at the Capital Grille on Pennsylvania Avenue is still on for tonight?” Jahan Wilcox, a member of the Rubio camp, said in a press release. “While hypocrisy has never gotten in the way of Cruz’s campaign, it would be funny if a few snowflakes forced him to cancel his posh Washington fundraiser with the Washington Cartel.”
The email blast includes an invite to the event that says: “You’re Invited to Happy Hour with Ted Cruz” in the “wine room” at the Capital Grille on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Mr. Cruz has accused his congressional colleagues, from both parties, of being part of “The Washington Cartel” that puts money in the pockets of lobbyists and special interests groups at the expense of hard-working Americans.
Polls suggest the message has resonated. Mr. Cruz is running second behind Donald Trump in national polls, as well as in Iowa. He also is outperforming Mr. Rubio in New Hampshire, where he is running third.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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