It speaks volumes that … its newsworthy that a Republican would meet with people who hold a different view.
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Presidential politics can put candidates in some pretty odd situations. Just ask Ted Cruz.
The Texas senator and 2016 Republican candidate was in New York this week. One of his stops was a reception Monday night at a grand apartment owned by Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass, two gay hotel tycoons.
The purpose of the gathering was to discuss Cruz’s position on Israel, according to Cruz national campaign spokesman Rick Tyler. “It was all things Israel,” says Tyler. “They were in a discussion about something they all agreed about” — meaning their strong support of Israel.
Tyler says that at one point in the conversation, the topic of gay marriage came up — an issue about which Cruz, who opposes gay marriage, and his hosts, who support it, definitely did not agree.
According to a report by the New York Times’ Maggie Haberman, Cruz adopted a “different tone” that night than he has taken at other times when discussing marriage.
Speaking to evangelical pastors, for example, Cruz has described traditional marriage as “ordained by God.” Before the wealthy gay New Yorkers, the Times reported, Cruz “did not mention his opposition to same-sex marriage, saying only that marriage is an issue that should be left to the states.”
Was it a flip-flop? Garden-variety political flexibility? Or perhaps, as Cruz’s supporters maintain, was it consistent with the senator’s oft-stated support of traditional marriage? Cruz will undoubtedly be asked about it sometime.
Ted Cruz released the following statement:
“It speaks volumes that the New York Times considers it newsworthy that a Republican who believes marriage is between a man and a woman would meet with people who hold a different view. The purpose of the meeting and the primary topics of conversation were national security, foreign policy, and America’s commitment to standing with Israel. On the subject of marriage, when asked, I stated directly and unambiguously what everyone in the room already knew, that I oppose gay marriage and I support traditional marriage.
“One person further asked how Heidi and I would react if we found out one of our (4 and 7-year-old) daughters were gay. My reply: ‘We would love her with all our hearts. We love our daughters unconditionally.’
“A conservative Republican who is willing to meet with individuals who do not agree on marriage and who loves his daughters unconditionally may not reflect the caricature of conservatives promoted by the left, but it’s hardly newsworthy.
“I know it’s been a long time since we’ve seen it, but this is what it means to truly be a ‘big tent Republican’ instead of a panderer. I’m happy to go anywhere to anyone to champion conservative values. We’re not always going to agree on everything, and I’m not going to change my fundamental values. But at the same time, I’m hoping to offer enough bold leadership on a broad slate of issues that many voters will decide we agree on far more than we disagree.”
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