Ted Cruz declares victory for 'conservative grassroots,' pleads for 'Reagan Democrats'


Ted Cruz, vying for a third-place finish in the New Hampshire primary after his first-place showing in the Iowa caucuses, congratulated Donald Trump and second-place finisher John Kasich on Tuesday night. But he quickly declared that his strong showing (11.6 percent, with 63 percent of precincts counting) meant the real winner was "the conservative grassroots" and the real loser "the Washington cartel." To win in November, he said, the Republicans need conservatives, traditional Republicans, and "especially the Reagan Democrats." To earn the votes of blue-collar Democrats, he said, "we must stand unequivocally against amnesty" and ObamaCare, "and for Pete's sake, we don't need more deals," a probable shot at New Hampshire winner Donald Trump.
Cruz said he would continue to campaign against abortion and for gun rights, and said that when he wins the White House, it will be "a victory for We the People" and the death knell for "bipartisan corruption of Washington." Peter Weber
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Judge: Trump's US attorney in NJ serving unlawfully
Speed Read The appointment of Trump's former personal defense lawyer, Alina Habba, as acting US attorney in New Jersey was ruled 'unlawful'
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records request
Speed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by Trump
Speed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank plan
Speed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
Trump taps Missouri AG to help lead FBI
Speed Read Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed FBI co-deputy director, alongside Dan Bongino
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summit
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'