Iowa Governor Terry Branstad came out on Tuesday and shocked the national media!
He wants Ted Cruz defeated because the Texas senator opposes the Renewable Fuel Standard, which mandates the amount of biofuels — including corn-based ethanol — that refineries are required to mix into their gasoline supply.
“He is the biggest opponent of renewable fuels,” Branstad told reporters at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, according to the Des Moines Register.
What did Ted Cruz do to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for him to come out against him on Tuesday? It was so shocking, the GOP front-runner saw this and spiked the football with this tweet:
Wow, the highly respected Governor of Iowa just stated that "Ted Cruz must be defeated." Big shoker! People do not like Ted.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2016
From The Hill:
“He’s heavily financed by Big Oil,” Branstad said, according to the Des Moines Register. “So we think once Iowans realize that fact, they might find other things attractive but he could be very damaging to our state.”
Cruz “hasn’t supported renewable fuels, and I think it would be a big mistake for Iowa to support him,” he added. Asked whether he wanted to see Cruz defeated, Branstad said “yes.”
“I do believe there should be a gradual phase-out because there has been investment-based expectations,” Cruz said earlier this month.
“The lobbyists are trying the best they can to snooker the people of Iowa and convince the people of Iowa that a government mandate is the only way for ethanol to survive. The problem is, the government is blocking ethanol. They are trying to convince you the mandate is the best way to go.”
Cruz took the time to respond to both Branstad and Trump calling the Iowa governor an establishment member and associated Trump with them.
@realDonaldTrump continues to seek Establishment support. Cartel wants more deals & cronyism; fears conservatives. https://t.co/NpIKHosjEd
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 19, 2016
One thing most people know, Trump is not anywhere close to the establishment, so this sounds like a wounded shot from a candidate who just found out he lost a major endorsement.
H/T: – Des Moines Register
What do you think about this and how will this impact the Iowa caucuses? Share your comments below.
