De Blasio, Cuomo Set Aside Differences, Blast Ted Cruz For 'New York Values' Comments
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Elected officials in New York are firing back at presidential candidate Ted Cruz after he made somewhat of an apology to New Yorkers over controversial comments made about "New York values."
As CBS2's Don Champion reported, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio set aside their difference Friday to write an op-ed piece in the New York Daily News, blasting Cruz and calling his comments about New York a low blow.
Cruz, for his part, still shows no signs of backing down from the comments, which were meant to be an attack on his GOP rival Donald Trump.
Political frenemies, de Blasio and Cuomo, are now united in their attack on Cruz.
"If he had any class or possessed true presidential timber, Ted Cruz would offer New Yorkers a real apology instead of sarcasm -- not because we need it, but to prove he's not a hypocrite," the pair wrote.
The pair also discussed what they thought "New York values" really meant.
"Hate is never an acceptable political tool. And in New York, we reject those who seek to use it for personal gain. Instead, we welcome people of all backgrounds, and we embrace immigrants with open arms," Cuomo and de Blasio wrote. "We have forged one city, one state, and one family. Throughout our nation's history, New York has been the gateway to opportunity and the driver of the American Dream — both for people born here, and those born on other shores who come here to achieve that magnificent Dream."
Friday, in South Carolina, Cruz issued his own version of an apology.
"I'm happy to apologize. I apologize to the millions of New Yorkers that have been let down by liberal politicians in that state," the senator said. "I apologize to all the pro-life and pro-marriage and pro-second amendment New Yorkers who were told by Governor Cuomo that they have no place in New York because that's not who new Yorkers are."
Cruz has fought back against bi-partisan backlash after his comments about New York before and during the last Republican presidential debate.
"Everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal, are pro-abortion, are pro-gay marriage, focus around money and the media," Cruz said.
The comments come as new polls show Cruz is neck and neck with Donald Trump in the Republican race for the White House.
In his bid for the nomination, Cruz has gotten nearly half a million dollars in donations from New Yorkers, Champion reported. And some voters in New York City think the fuss is all about nothing.
"Of course New York is mostly Democrat, right? Democrats have mostly liberal values, right? That's just the way it is. It's not a good or bad statement," said Renee Revis, of the Upper West Side.
Cruz has used the fight over his comments as a moment to raise more money. His campaign sent out a mass email to New York supporters on Friday, saying the attacks on him are unfair. He then asked supporters to make a donation of at least $25.
The move infuriated Gov. Cuomo and other elected officials in New York.