Club for Growth President David McIntosh on Friday conceded that Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is struggling to connect with Republicans back home and heaped praise on Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, for running a strong campaign.
McIntosh is a key Cruz supporter and the Club for Growth is investing heavily on his re-election. But McIntosh nevertheless told C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers” that Cruz’s personality remains a major problem for middle-of-the-road Republicans — also known in the state as “Bush Republicans.” McIntosh expects the race to become ideologically driven closer to Election Day, and believes Cruz will eventually pull away despite the inroads made by O’Rourke in the last month.
“I think he’s going to win, but it wasn’t going to be a lay down like we thought it was going to be,” McIntosh said. “I give Congressman O’Rourke a lot of credit for that, to be honest with you. He galvanized the base of the Democratic Party, not only in Texas but around the country, has raised millions of dollars. He’s portrayed himself as a man of the people against the power structure, the PACs.”
The former Indiana congressman noted the group’s latest ad against O’Rourke hits him for his support of eminent domain. In total, the organization concentrated on promoting conservative fiscal policies and candidates has spent just more than $1 million to back Cruz.
“I think the truth will dampen that enthusiasm, but he used it very well to make it a very competitive race,” he said.
“Ted is a galvanizing force. Even [with] Republicans, you like him or you don’t,” said McIntosh. “He’s very strong among the Republican base. There are … Bush Republicans in Texas who don’t really like his personality, if we’re being honest about it.”
“But I’m pretty sure what’s happening is it’s going to become a more ideological choice — far left and very conservative, and I think those middle-ground Republicans will end up voting party line and he’ll win,” he said, noting Gov. Greg Abbott’s high approval ratings in the state and standing on top of the ticket in November. “He’ll lead the ticket and the voting, but Ted will have what it takes to win the race.”
Cruz’s lead over O’Rourke has nearly halved since late July amid a surge from the El Paso Democrat, who has raised $23.6 million compared with Cruz’s $15.6 million, including various committees, during the cycle.
The pair were slated to debate Sunday night at the University of Houston, but it was postponed due to Cruz having to be in Washington for possible Senate votes on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination. The third and final debate is slated for Oct. 16 in San Antonio.
Cruz is the only Senate Republican incumbent the group is backing in 2018. Among the others they are backing this cycle are Josh Hawley in Missouri, Mike Braun in Indiana, and Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
