Ted Cruz mocked Donald Trump’s threat to skip Thursday’s GOP presidential debate late Tuesday, seizing the opportunity of Trump’s escalation of his feud with Fox News over moderator Megyn Kelly.
“Just a few minutes ago the news broke that Donald Trump is refusing to attend the debate here in Iowa on Thursday,” Cruz said as the crowd applauded. “He announced he will not be there — apparently Megyn Kelly is really, really scary, and Donald is a fragile soul. If she asks him mean questions, I mean his hair might stand on end.”
In making his decision to withdraw from the debate, Trump called Kelly “third rate.”
Cruz chuckled then moved on from mockery to sharp criticism.
“Let me tell you something, I think anyone running for president of the United States owes it to the people of Iowa to have the humility to come in front of you, to make the case, answer the hard questions, to look you in the eyes,” Cruz said. “This is a job interview. The president of the United States works for each and every one of you.”
Cruz went on to tout his near-completion of the “full Grassley,” which involves visiting all of Iowa’s 99 counties and is named for the state’s senior senator, Chuck Grassley. Cruz said he would complete the effort on Monday.
“Now if Mr. Trump is scared to face Megyn Kelly then I would ask that he at least show the respect that is owed to the men and women of Iowa,” Cruz continued. “This race is a dead heat between Donald and me. We are effectively tied in the state of Iowa. If he’s unwilling to stand on the debate stage with the other candidates, then I would like Donald right now to engage in a one-on-one debate with me anytime between now and the Iowa caucuses.”
Cruz said he would be willing to have Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, or Mark Levin moderate if Trump found Megyn Kelly too scary. The senator added that he would also be willing to engage in a 90-minute Lincoln-Douglas style debate.
Trump ranks first in the Washington Examiner‘s newest GOP presidential power rankings. Cruz ranks second.
