Ted Cruz was confronted for the apparent hypocrisy in an interview on ‘CNN.’ Rafael Edward Cruz is making fun of his Democratic opponent for going by a nickname. Haven’t heard of…
Ted Cruz was confronted for the apparent hypocrisy in an interview on ‘CNN.’
Rafael Edward Cruz is making fun of his Democratic opponent for going by a nickname.
Haven’t heard of Rafael Cruz before? That’s because Rafael is better known as Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who goes by a nickname of his middle name. But this week, his campaign released a radio advertisement making fun of Democratic opponent Beto O’Rourke for going by the nickname Beto rather than his given name, Robert.
“Liberal Robert wanted to fit in, so he changed his name to Beto and hid it with a grin,” the song says.
When asked why he would make fun of his Democratic opponent for going by a nickname when he does the same thing, Ted Cruz said he was not ashamed of his own name.
“You’re absolutely right. My name is Rafael Edward Cruz,” Cruz acknowledged. “I am the son of my father Rafael Cruz, an immigrant from Cuba who came to Texas with nothing.”
FIRST LISTEN: our new 60-second statewide radio ad introducing our liberal opponent, Congressman Robert O’Rourke, to Texas voters.
Help #KeepTexasRed: https://t.co/PVsiCtbbyL #CruzCrew #TXSen pic.twitter.com/OxK61gZ0ek
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 7,2018
The last time that a Democrat was elected to a statewide office in Texas was 1994, the report noted, but this year is seen as increasingly competitive and O’Rourke has taken measures to build name recognition and boost fundraising efforts.
In 1992 Republicans mocked Bill Clinton for going by “Bill” instead of “William”. It was a stupid take then and it is still a stupid take today. https://t.co/n8q2qDPpxE
— Juan P. E. ❄️???????? (@jrivera64) March 7,2018
Ted Cruz’s attempt to make fun of Beto O’Rourke’s nickname appeared to fall flat, with many calling out Cruz on social media and noting the silliness of going after a nickname in a race where there are many more pressing issues.
