The "Washington cartel" would rather see Americans lose their freedom and safety than elect him president, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz told Fox News on Tuesday.
"You know, Bob Dole last week was overheard talking to friends saying he was very dismayed that former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg might run for president," Cruz said on
"Hannity."
"He said, if Bloomberg runs that could split the moderate liberal vote with him and Hillary Clinton and goodness gracious that could elect Ted Cruz, which could be cataclysmic."
Dole's view is common in the "Washington cartel," Cruz said. "They would rather Hillary Clinton [win], they would rather bankrupt their kids and grandkids, rather lose the U.S. Supreme court for a generation. I think they'd rather see our religious liberty stripped away, Second Amendment taken away."
The "cartel" would rather see Islamic terrorism continue to rise and Israel continue to be under assault than have a true Reagan conservative in the White House, Cruz continued.
"That shows just how messed up Washington is, but it also shows why the frustration is volcanic," he said. "We are seeing unity among the grassroots, among the activists. We're seeing that old Reagan coalition reassembling."
Cruz won Iowa, but Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has gotten just as much – if not more – media attention for his own unexpectedly strong third-place finish.
"I was laughing watching some of the media coverage, some of the interviews afterwards where everyone was saying what do you think about the amazing third place finish of Marco," Cruz said.
"I said is that a tell there, when the first thing you want to talk about is amazing third-place finish? We're joking, in media world bronze is the new gold."
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