http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/218424-cruz-meet-the-new-three-amigosSeptember 20, 2014, 05:44 pm
Cruz: Meet the new 'Three Amigos'
By Scott Wong
Move over John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Kelly Ayotte. Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz says there’s a new “Three Amigos” in the U.S. Senate.
This week, Cruz, the conservative Texas senator, found himself on the same side as liberal Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in voting against arming and training Syrian rebels fighting Islamic extremists in the Middle East.
All three senators are considered prospective 2016 candidates.
“They call us the three Amigos,” Cruz joked during an interview at the Texas Tribune Festival on Saturday.
And though he’s on the opposite political spectrum as Warren and Sanders, Cruz was quick to praise the two liberals for sticking with their principles.
“I actually respect them a great deal ‘cause both of them I think are honest about what they believe. They are unapologetically on the left and I respect that,” Cruz said. “I think there are far too many politicians in Washington in both parties who pretend to be something different back home than they are in Washington, and I think both Bernie and Elizabeth run honestly on their principles and beliefs.
“I would far rather a Senate with more Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warrens,” he continued, “but also a lot more unapologetic, honest conservatives than a Senate right now where there is a disconnect about what people say and do in Washington and what they say and do at home.”
Two other senators eyeing the 2016 presidential race were split on the Syria plan, which was folded into a larger bill to fund the government. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) voted yes, while Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) voted no.
