Ted Cruz Defends Mark Halperin: His Apology Was ‘Unnecessary’

Bloomberg TV host and foremost political analyst Mark Halperin has been subjected to bipartisan ridicule all weekend after video circulated of his cringe-inducing interview with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), largely focused on the presidential candidate’s Cuban heritage and connection with Latino voters.

It’s a rare moment when ThinkProgress and Twitchy are in agreement, but here’s perhaps an even weirder moment: Halperin’s loudest defender in this entire matter? Ted Cruz himself.

In a Monday afternoon Facebook post, the senator thanked Halperin for his apology, but said it was totally unnecessary.

Full text below:

Mark Halperin is a serious and fair-minded journalist. Today he kindly issued an apology for some silly questions he asked me in an interview. The apology was unnecessary — no offense was taken, nor, I believe, intended — but is certainly appreciated.

I’m proud of my Cuban heritage, my father’s journey from oppression and prison in Cuba to freedom in America, and also my Irish-Italian heritage on my mother’s side. Both are integral parts of who I am today.

The 2016 Republican field is shaping up to be the most diverse in history, and I look forward to a robust and substantive conversation about how we work together to turn around our current stagnation and expand opportunity for everyone to achieve the American Dream.

High road, taken.

[Image via Bloomberg/screengrab]

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