U.S. Senator Ted Cruz is responding to a viral video of his challenger, Rep. Beto O’Rourke, speaking about his views on NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem.
“I think that’s an answer out of step with most Texans,” Cruz told KXAN during an event in Austin Friday.
O’Rourke, D-El Paso, compared the players to the protestors during the Civil Rights movement.
“While the eyes of this country are watching these games, they take a knee to bring our attention and our focus to this problem to ensure that we fix it,” O’Rourke said during a town hall in Houston, which was recorded on Aug. 10. “That is why they are doing it and I can think of nothing more American than to peacefully stand up or take a knee for your rights.”
Since the video has been posted online, celebrities have reached out to O’Rourke on social media. Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres tweeted at him earlier this week saying she would like to meet him.
“But this election is in Texas. The last time I checked Ellen DeGeneres isn’t a registered voter in Texas,” Cruz added.
Earlier this week, an NBC poll showed O’Rourke is trailing Cruz by only four points.
(Story from KXAN)
