Though conservative radio host Glenn Beck announced last week that he’s “done” with the Republican Party, he appears to have his heart set on a few candidates competing for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination.
“So, Ted, let me ask you this — and this is a hard question.” Beck said Tuesday in an interview with Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas, who declared his own candidacy for president this week. “I like [Kentucky Sen.] Rand Paul. I like [Wisconsin Gov.] Scott Walker. I’d like to see those guys advance.” Beck went on to suggest that Cruz should avoid attacking them politically in the GOP primary, should they also decide to run for president.
“Is it at all part of your strategy or will you consider not going after Rand, and Scott Walker, Rand in particular, to keep the guys who love the Constitution in play, so focus your energy on the people who are the progressives?” he said.
For someone who two years ago asked his millions of listeners to “defund the GOP,” Beck has an extensive history of promoting certain voices within the party.
Beck called for his listeners to “pray” for Cruz Monday, noting that Cruz had called him prior to announcing his campaign. “[P]ray like you have never fasted and prayed ever before because all the guns are coming out for this guy, all of the guns,” Beck said.
In January, Beck promoted Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert to replace House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. “Talk to your Congressman,” Beck urged his listeners on his radio show. “Tell them to vote for Louie Gohmert. More importantly, tell them that if they vote for John Boehner, you’re done with them.”
Gohmert’s bid for House Speaker was unsuccessful, despite the help from Beck.
In January 2014, Beck listed his top four picks for the GOP 2016 presidential nomination. They were Cruz, Paul, Walker and former Rep. Allen West, R-Fla.
Beck Tuesday answered for the apparent contradiction in his public statements about the GOP.
“For anybody who says, ‘Glenn Beck left the GOP,’ like that was big news,” Beck said. “I’d leave the GOP. I’m not going to give a dime to anybody in the GOP. I would give a dime to Ted Cruz.”
He said Cruz is not “the GOP,” despite being a Republican in the Senate. “He isn’t. The GOP hates his guts. That’s why I would give to him. Because he’s not playing games with the regular party. Which I love. I love the fact that he’s standing up.”
