With presidential candidates swarming New York ahead of the April 19 primaries, Rep. Pete King, who represents portions of Long Island, had some advice for his fellow New Yorkers.
"Let me say something about the New York primary," King said Thursday on
"The Joe Piscopo Show" on New York's AM 970 "The Answer."
"Any New Yorker who even thinks of voting for Ted Cruz should have their head examined. Really, here’s a guy who refused to sign onto the 9/11 health care act for the cops and firemen. Here’s a guy who talks about New York values."
Cruz has been under fire in the Granite State over comments he made in a January GOP presidential debate in South Carolina.
In a slam at New York businessman and GOP front-runner Donald Trump, Cruz said, "Everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro-gay marriage. Not a lot of consevatives come out of Manhattan."
Trump has been using that line against Cruz now that the battle for delegates has come to his home state. Former mayor
Rudolph Giuiliani said Thursday he will vote for Trump. King has long held a dislike for Cruz.
"To me, New York values is what people did after 9/11," King said, echoing Trump's response to Cruz.
"We’re tough, and to have some guy like Ted Cruz with cowboy boots walk around criticizing us. Listen, I hope he gets the cold shoulder and other things from every New Yorker," King said. "Send him back where he belongs. He’s a phony. … I just can't stand that guy."
King said he'd like to see a ballot with just Trump's and Ohio Gov. John Kasich's names.
"Cruz is a guy I really don’t like, and, by the way, John Kasich is a really good guy," King said.
"I would love to see Trump over Cruz here in New York," he said. "To me, the best debate is between Kasich and Trump. Not between Cruz with that smooth talking, how he loves everyone and is gonna wear the armor of God as he’s into battle and all that. Come on. Give me a break."
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