Texas Sen. Ted Cruz took a jab at the Bronx during a recent speech — and New York City Democrats didn’t take too kindly to the critique.
Referring to immigration, the Republican told a Dallas audience Friday at the annual Americans for Prosperity summit, “Now I understand that Manhattan is very concerned with their security with the Bronx, but it’s a little bit different on 2,000 miles of the Rio Grande.”
New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito struck back.
“It really is ignorance, because if you do know the reality of what is happening in New York City, if you know the reality of what is happening in the Bronx, you know that what you’re saying is an outright life,” Miss Mark-Viverito told New York’s CBS affiliate, according to Mediaite.
She and Bronx Borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. took to Twitter to hit back at Mr. Cruz, along
“Pathetic how so called ‘leaders’ peddle lies & fear mongering to make point. #Bronx is a gem & on rise Ted. #getagrip,” Miss Mark-Viverito tweeted.
Mr. Diaz chimed in, “@tedcruz clearly has no idea what the #Bronx is really about! Let him know how outdated/disgusting his ideas are!”
Meanwhile, Rep. Jose Serrano, whose district includes part of the Bronx, lambasted Mr. Cruz on Facebook:
“Senator Ted Cruz’s pandering at the expense of the good people of the Bronx, continues to show just how much the darling of the tea party is out of touch with real life in our country. Instead of getting his Republican colleagues to work on passing immigration reform, he attacks hard working people in the Bronx as part of his pathetic approach to deal with the immigration issue.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.