Ted Cruz and his wife Heidi were not exactly met with a warm reception when attempting to dine out at Fiola, an upscale Italian restaurant in Washington D.C., on Monday night. The two were essentially chased out of the restaurant by a group of activists protesting the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh — a longtime friend of Cruz’s who has been accused of sexual misconduct.The group mobbed around Cruz and his wife chanting “We believe survivors,” as the couple attempted to squeeze out of the restaurant with help from the staff. One of the protesters even went so far as to hit Cruz below the belt by heckling “Beto is way hotter than you, dude,” in reference to Beto O’Rourke, the Democrat vying for his Senate seat in November.
https://twitter.com/SmashRacismDC/status/1044408830564683776
In another clip, one woman confronts Cruz, demanding to know what his vote is going to be on the confirmation of Kavanaugh:
https://twitter.com/SmashRacismDC/status/1044408931169300481
As the clips went viral, the protesters were championed by a handful of liberals on Twitter, while they were largely denounced by conservatives, who dismissed the group as thuggish radicals.
But for his part however, O’Rourke — pictured above shaking his opponent’s hand after a debate in Dallas, Texas last Friday — is asking for civility from his supporters.
Following the incident, on Tuesday morning O’Rourke sounded off on Twitter, insisting that Cruz family be treated with respect. “Not right that Senator Cruz and his wife Heidi were surrounded and forced to leave a restaurant last night because of protesters,” he wrote.
Not right that Senator Cruz and his wife Heidi were surrounded and forced to leave a restaurant last night because of protesters. The Cruz family should be treated with respect.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 25, 2018
In any case, as all eyes around the country are focused on the Texas Senate race, O’Rourke may have taken up residency in Cruz’s head. On a flight to D.C. from Texas on Monday morning before the incident at the restaurant took place, Cruz was snapped looking at what appeared to be a photo of his opponent on his phone.
https://twitter.com/KFILE/status/1044552538689802240
And to add insult to injury, people are making jokes about that as well.
Does Beto O’Rourke live in El Paso, or rent-free in Ted Cruz’s head? pic.twitter.com/2SSfV4TKxM
— Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) September 25, 2018
Looking at a photo of Beto O’Rourke on his phone is the coolest and most relatable thing Ted Cruz has ever done. https://t.co/gSeMt3uyG2
— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) September 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/MollyJongFast/status/1044561900334452737
Ted Cruz debates whether or not to swipe right on Beto. pic.twitter.com/24NXHENikb
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) September 25, 2018
Meanwhile, Cruz’s repeated attempts to smear his opponent seem to keep backfiring. It certainly will be interesting to see what happens in Texas in November, where O’Rourke’s grassroots campaign has been gaining traction.