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John Boehner is not a big fan of Ted Cruz.
So much so, in fact, that the former Republican House Speaker told an audience at Stanford University Wednesday that the Texas senator is “Lucifer in the flesh” and a “miserable son of a bitch.”
Asked about the 2016 presidential candidate at a forum hosted by Stanford in Government (SIG) and the Stanford Speakers Bureau, Boehner drew laughter for making a face of disgust, according to the Stanford Daily.
“Lucifer in the flesh,” Boehner said, according to the paper. “I have Democrat friends and Republican friends. I get along with almost everyone, but I have never worked with a more miserable son of a bitch in my life.
Boehner was reportedly urged by the event’s moderator, Professor David M. Kennedy, to be frank because the event was not being broadcasted.
Cruz famously led a group of hard-line conservatives who derailed House leaders’ attempts to avoid a government shutdown in 2013. Cruz’s failed attempt to force the defunding of President Barack Obama’s signature health care law resulted in a 16-day shutdown that was widely seen as politically damaging for the Republican Party.
Boehner stepped down from his role as House Speaker last September under political pressure from conservatives on Capitol Hill.
NBC News has reached out to Cruz’s team for comment. Meanwhile, Cruz seems to be reveling in Boehner’s disdain on Twitter, painting it as further proof of Cruz’s outsider status.
So much so, in fact, that the former Republican House Speaker told an audience at Stanford University Wednesday that the Texas senator is “Lucifer in the flesh” and a “miserable son of a bitch.”
Asked about the 2016 presidential candidate at a forum hosted by Stanford in Government (SIG) and the Stanford Speakers Bureau, Boehner drew laughter for making a face of disgust, according to the Stanford Daily.
“Lucifer in the flesh,” Boehner said, according to the paper. “I have Democrat friends and Republican friends. I get along with almost everyone, but I have never worked with a more miserable son of a bitch in my life.
Boehner was reportedly urged by the event’s moderator, Professor David M. Kennedy, to be frank because the event was not being broadcasted.
Cruz famously led a group of hard-line conservatives who derailed House leaders’ attempts to avoid a government shutdown in 2013. Cruz’s failed attempt to force the defunding of President Barack Obama’s signature health care law resulted in a 16-day shutdown that was widely seen as politically damaging for the Republican Party.
Boehner stepped down from his role as House Speaker last September under political pressure from conservatives on Capitol Hill.
NBC News has reached out to Cruz’s team for comment. Meanwhile, Cruz seems to be reveling in Boehner’s disdain on Twitter, painting it as further proof of Cruz’s outsider status.
This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. This story has been updated.
[] MSNBC