Stephen Colbert Schools Ted Cruz On The Real Reagan Legacy (Video)

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Image Via NBC

If Ted Cruz thought his appearance with Stephen Colbert on the Late Show Monday evening was going to be all sweetness and light, or even humor, he was quickly disabused of that notion by the host.

Colbert, never shy about taking on political figures, told Cruz that Ronald Reagan, who Cruz, like so many Republicans, views as a virtual demigod, was more moderate and willing to compromise than today’s version of the GOP. Colbert, taking aim at the legacy of Reagan as President, directed this at Cruz:

“Reagan raised taxes. Reagan actually had an amnesty program for illegal immigrants. Neither of those things would allow Reagan to be nominated today. So to what level can you truly emulate Ronald Reagan?”

Cruz tried to do the Texas Two-Step and deflect the question, but Colbert would not relent:

“Raising taxes and amnesty for illegal immigrants. Could you agree with Reagan on those two things?”    

The Texas Senator finally showed some honesty, replying:

“No, of course not.”

Cruz then tried to bend facts to suit his purposes, saying that Reagan also signed the largest tax cut in history, but Colbert was ready for him and came back with:

“But when conditions changed in the country, he reversed his world’s largest tax cut and raised taxes when revenues did not match the expectations, so it’s a matter of compromising. Will you be willing to compromise with the other side?” 

Cruz wouldn’t directly answer the question, which is one of his most annoying habits, saying only that the country has to “live within our means, stop bankrupting our kids and grandkids and follow the Constitution.”

Colbert added:

“And no gay marriage.”

Cruz responded that the Constitution reserves the question of marriage to the states, but Colbert was ready and challenged him:

“It doesn’t mention marriage in the Constitution.”

Teddy Boy, you may be a Harvard Law School grad and have clerked on the Supreme Court, but I do believe you were just schooled by Stephen Colbert on national television.

FYI: Colbert’s guest tonight is GOP frontrunner Donald Trump. Can you imagine how much fun that will be?

Watch Ted Cruz Get Schooled By Stephen Colbert