Ted Cruz Calls for ‘Civility’ Then Promptly Snaps at Moderator
HIGH ROAD
“Don’t interrupt me, Jason,” the Texas Republican barked at a moderator in a Senate debate.
Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News/Pool via Reuters
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has come under fire after apparently shushing a moderator during a debate against his Democratic opponent, Beto O’Rourke, on Tuesday night. The debate, their second and final one before the Nov. 6 election, became heated and aggressive, with O’Rourke invoking President Trump’s “Lyin’ Ted” nickname to tell voters Cruz “is not going to be honest with you.” Cruz, who has a narrow lead over O’Rourke according to recent polls, appeared to try to take the high road in response to O’Rourke’s attacks, lamenting the “loss of civility” on the “far left.” But just as the debate moderator tried to ask him a follow-up question on his comments, Cruz barked back, “Don’t interrupt me, Jason.” Audience members could be heard gasping in the background as Cruz continued his speech, stressing the importance of “civility.” “We can disagree while treating each other with respect,” he said.
