Republican presidential contender Ted Cruz struck gold with his comments on immigration at Tuesday night’s debate, delivering remarks that resonated well with a Fox News focus group composed of New Hampshire primary voters.
“The Democrats are laughing, because if Republicans join Democrats as the party of amnesty, we will lose,” Cruz said.
“And, you know, I understand that when the mainstream media covers immigration, it doesn’t often see it as an economic issue,” he continued. “But, I can tell you for millions — of Americans at home watching this, it is a very personal economic issue. And, I will say the politics of it will be very, very different if a bunch of lawyers or bankers were crossing the Rio Grande. Or if a bunch of people with journalism degrees were coming over and driving down the wages in the press.”
Cruz then hit things home with a line that drew loud applause from the crowd.
“And, I will say for those of us who believe people ‘ought to come to this country legally, and we should enforce the law, we’re tired of being told it’s anti-immigrant,” he said. “It’s offensive.”
Image source: Screen grab via Fox News
Image source: Screen grab via Fox News
Those remarks, and that final line in particular, performed well with the Fox News focus group.
“Watch how high the lines climb,” pollster Frank Luntz commented as he showed the dials.
Watch the focus group (relevant portion around 3:00 minute mark):