Cruz asks top spokesman to go after Rubio flap

Image
AFP Washington
Last Updated : Feb 23 2016 | 6:28 AM IST
Republican presidential contender Ted Cruz has said he has asked his national spokesman to resign for a "grave error of judgment" in distributing a video that falsely suggested rival Marco Rubio was dismissive of the Bible.
The move comes on the even of the Republican caucuses in Nevada and as rival campaigns have piled on Cruz for his alleged lies and "dirty tricks."
Cruz's national spokesman Rick Tyler had shared on Facebook a story from University of Pennsylvania student newspaper The Daily Pennsylvanian, which reported that Rubio told a Cruz staffer reading the Bible that the holy book did "not have many answers in it."
The story was accompanied by a video, though the audio was unclear.
Tyler later deleted the post and apologized to Rubio for posting the "inaccurate" story.
The issue strikes to the heart of Cruz's support among evangelical Christians. The Texas senator has also spoken openly about his own faith.
"This was a grave error of judgment," Cruz said during a campaign event yesterday while also praising his spokesman as "a good man."
"It turned out the news story he sent around was false. But I'll tell you, even if it was true, we are not a campaign that is going to question the faith of another candidate.
"Even if it was true, our campaign should not have sent it. That's why I've asked for Rick Tyler's resignation."
Rubio told reporters he accepted the Cruz campaign's apology, but called for more "accountability."
"It's every single day something comes out of the Cruz campaign that's deceptive and untrue," Rubio said, calling the Bible video "perhaps the most offensive" Cruz tactic to date because it questioned his faith.
"I know exactly what I said to that young man," Rubio told reporters. "I said the answer to every question you'll ever have is in that book.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 23 2016 | 6:28 AM IST

Next Story