Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz passed quietly through Manhattan’s Upper East Side today, attending a closed-press campaign event at the Metropolitan Republican Club. Accompanied by his wife Heidi, Cruz spent just over an hour with an audience of about 100-150 people.
Cruz has been attacking Mayor Bill de Blasio during the primary, running ads declaring that de Blasio is “tearing this City apart”, but those tears were not readily apparent on a beautiful sunny morning a short walk from de Blasio’s mayoral residence. Arriving close to 20 minutes ahead of his scheduled speaking time, Cruz’s leisurely car unloading drew a few beeping car horns and prompted a woman to get out of her car and shout for Cruz’s car to move. That slight bit of normal city friction was as dramatic as the scene became; no protesters appeared and only four identifiable members of the press witnessed Cruz’s arrival and departure. Even the few passers-by who asked what was happening expressed little interest or emotion over Cruz’s visit.
The Senator successfully ignored press questions on arrival, but was thwarted on departure as a former Republican candidate greeted him and invited a press question. After answering one question Cruz continued on his way, climbing into his waiting car and rolling across a sun-dappled 83rd Street.
Photo Gallery: Our photo gallery of Cruz’s appearance is here.