Cruz: ‘You Would Be a Fool’ Not to Look at Rubio as VP Seriously

Wednesday at a town hall hosted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Republican presidential hopeful Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) was asked about the potential of his former opponent Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) being a potential running mate, given that if Rubio made a deal that gave Cruz his delegates, it could push him over the top to the GOP nomination.

Cruz downplayed any prior bad blood between he and Rubio and said he would be “terrific person” to consider as a vice presidential nominee.

Partial transcript as follows:

COOPER: Marco Rubio just yesterday said that he hopes, quote, they’ll nominate a conservative and that the only one that fits that criteria is you. Is there a chance we could see a Cruz-Rubio unity ticket? Realistically, the two of you could cut a deal in which basically he gives you his delegates.

CRUZ: Well, listen, I think very, very highly of Marco. I appreciated those very kind comments he made. I’ll tell you, he is an amazing communicator. He’s one of the best communicators in the Republican Party. And he ran a campaign that inspired millions across this country. It inspired me. When he ran for Senate in 2010, his underdog race in Florida inspired me. It was one of the inspirations that led me to run two years later in Texas. So I think the world of Marco. And I very much appreciate it.

COOPER: Is that really true? Because you guys had tough words, I mean, during the campaign. Is that just part of how it works?

CRUZ: It’s a campaign. He was trying to beat me; I was trying to beat him. That’s what happens in a campaign. I can tell you, I consider Marco a friend. He’s someone…

COOPER: Could you see a Cruz-Rubio ticket?

CRUZ: Look, anyone would naturally look at Marco as one of the people who would be a terrific person to consider for VP. And we’re in the process now of considering a number of different options.

COOPER: You’re not ruling it out?

CRUZ: He would be someone that you would be a fool not to look at seriously. He’s very, very talented. And, you know, you asked if Marco and I are friends.

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