Insult

Ted Cruz responds to John Boehner's insult

By Nick Gass

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz addressed a recent report that House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) called him a "jackass" during a Colorado fundraiser, drawing a contrast between that remark and those he has made about another prominent Republican colleague.

In an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt on Monday, the Texas Republican and presidential candidate said that "there's far too much" of ad hominem attacks and name-calling among political figures. The Daily Caller quoted two attendees at the event who said that the Ohio lawmaker joked that Cruz's presidential campaign keeps "that jackass" out of Washington and away from telling him how to do his job.

"The speaker is entitled to express whatever views he likes, but I’m not going to respond in kind. And I think the American people are not remotely interested in a bunch of politicians in Washington bickering like schoolyard children. I think what they’re looking for is serious leaders who will address and provide real solutions to the very real problems we’re facing right now," Cruz told Hewitt.

Cruz made reference to a July fiery floor speech in which he accused Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) of lying to him after the Kentucky Republican added the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank to the highway bill after assurances to the contrary.

"There is a difference between describing the facts and describing someone’s actions, and what occurred, and engaging in a personal attack. I gave, a couple of months ago, an unusual floor speech to be sure," Cruz remarked. "But I stood up and I said: Here are the commitments that the majority leader gave to me, personally, to every Republican senator, and to the American people, and his conduct today is directly contrary to those commitments that he made. And that is quite different from engaging in the kind of personal attack and insults and profanity-laden assault that so many others engage in."

Hewitt opened the interview by asking Cruz if he could assume that Boehner would not be on his ticket if he becomes the GOP's presidential nominee.

"I think that is a fair inference," Cruz replied with a laugh.