Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz dodged questions Monday about whether his repeated use of the phrase “New York values” has hurt him overall with voters in New York ahead of Tuesday’s primary, which Donald Trump is expected to win easily.
When asked by an undecided voter during a town hall on “Good Morning America” if he would go back and use a different phrase, Cruz avoided it and instead used the opportunity to bash the policies of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, which he said exemplify his use of the term.
After using the chance to attack the pair of New York Democrats, host George Stephanopoulos asked the Texas senator if he’s aware that the phrase’s use has harmed his chances of doing well in the state.
“Senator, you know that phrase has hurt you here in New York, right?” Stephanopoulos asked.
“Well, I do know that it has hurt me with the media,” Cruz said. “But I will say if there ever comes a day when I’m winning the poll among the media, I am doing something profoundly wrong and I’m not holding my breath.”
Cruz currently polls last among the three remaining candidates in New York. According to the latest RealClearPolitics polling average, Trump holds a massive lead ahead of Tuesday’s primary, winning 52.6 percent support. Ohio Gov. John Kasich sits second with 22.9 percent with Cruz sitting third with 17.9 percent.
