Graham on Trump, Cruz: ‘Like being shot or poisoned’

Four or five protesters were removed during the rally, all after Trump began speaking.

In February 2014, Senate Republicans blocked legislation that would have expanded federal healthcare and education programmes for veterans, saying the $24bn bill would break the budget.

Dole told The New York Times Wednesday if Cruz were the nominee the party would see “wholesale losses”, preferring rival Donald Trump.

“And I would note that Mr. Dole then opposed Reagan, and said we need someone who can go to Washington who can cut a deal”.

“If you nominate Trump and Cruz, I think you get the same outcome”, he told reporters on Capitol Hill on Thursday.

His resentment towards Mr Cruz stems from remarks the Texan made in 2014 when he criticised Mr Dole for not standing for conservative principles.

So who does have Dole’s bid?

Some recent history might help put this in context. Any attempt to weaken Cruz in his primary campaign against Trump and other Republican candidates risks bolstering his argument that he’s running against the “Washington cartel”.

Sarah Palin went on to say that “it’s a shame that our military personnel even have to question, have to wonder if they’re respected anymore”. “They’re decent men… but when you don’t stand and draw a clear distinction, when you don’t stand for principle, Democrats celebrate”.

Cruz shot back, calling Dole’s near endorsement of Trump a sign of fear from the establishment. Trump also said: “I saw someone on your show today saying, ‘Well, what do we do with BET, Black Entertainment?’ Right?” “It kind of hurt, because we worked hard, we did the best we could”.

For Cruz, of course, it’s that “traditional” qualifier for which he has no use.

Trump has questioned whether Cruz is eligible to run for president, which the senator brushed off as “silliness”. The Iowa and New Hampshire caucuses will definitely have a lasting impression on the race for the 2016 elections. “And we’re seeing conservatives coming together and unifying behind our campaign. We’ve got to make deals!” he said.

Palin, during a speech at a Trump rally in Oklahoma on Wednesday night, accused President Obama of not having done enough for troubled USA war veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan – and, more specifically, her recently arrested son.