The New York Daily News reports:
Ted Cruz got the Bronx cheer Wednesday from angry New Yorkers upset over the Republican presidential candidate’s callous “New York values” crack and his harsh stance on immigration.
Cruz was crucified during a stop in the Bronx, where residents and elected leaders derided him for insulting the city and the borough, only to come crawling back begging for money and votes.
“Just because he has a Hispanic last name does not mean he's Hispanic,” said hairstylist Edna Ferrer, 57, who was chastising Cruz supporters outside a campaign event in the Bronx. “His mind is white.”
Moments earlier, the Cruz campaign took a page out of rival Donald Trump’s book, removing one demonstrator from the event when the criticism got too loud.
The heckler got the heave-ho from Sabrosura restaurant on Westchester Ave. in the Soundview section after shouting that Cruz had no business in the Bronx.
Ted Cruz speaks during a campaign event at Sabrosura restaurant on in the Bronx on Wednesday.
“You’re running on an anti-immigrant platform, and you’re speaking in the Bronx,” Rodrigo Venegas told Cruz. “You should not be here."
Some observers are describing the visit as a setback for Cruz. They don't get it. It's likely that none of the protesters vote in the the closed New York Republican primary, in which the electorate is overwhelmingly white. Although political junkies know about Cruz, these voters do not. Many of them may see his Hispanic surname and assume "Puerto Rican, liberal, Democrat." The reaction he got in the Bronx drives home the message that he is none of these things. To the extent that the confrontation highlights his tough stance on immigration, that's an asset among GOP primary voters.
