If Rep. Beto O’Rourke is not regretting his comment disrespecting the American flag, his opponent, Sen. Ted Cruz, is making sure he won’t live it down.

The Texas Republican slammed the man vying for his seat this November, calling O’Rourke out for saying there is “nothing more American” than taking a knee during the national anthem.

“When Beto O’Rourke says he can’t think of anything more American, well I got to admit, I can,” Cruz said at a recent campaign stop in Corpus Christi as he recalled American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who stopped to salute the flag the instant the national anthem was played.

Cruz tweeted that his Democratic opponent is “raising big $$ from Hollywood by supporting NFL protests,” and noted that “people can protest without disrespecting the flag.”

Beto raising big $$ from Hollywood by supporting NFL protests of the national anthem. But in Texas? Vast majority of Texans stand for the flag, honor our veterans, and support the brave men & women of law enforcement. People can protest without disrespecting the flag. https://t.co/edvin6ButL

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 23, 2018

O’Rourke was slammed by Republicans and conservatives for his response at a campaign event about NFL players who kneel during the anthem.

“I can think of nothing more American than to peacefully stand up, or take a knee for your rights anytime, anywhere, any place,” O’Rourke replied, after a lengthy recounting of civil rights and the history of non-violent protests in America.

‘I can think of nothing more American.’ — Beto O’Rourke — the man taking on Ted Cruz — brilliantly explains why NFL players kneeling during the anthem is not disrespectful pic.twitter.com/xUGOuCFCSi

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 22, 2018

Naturally liberals celebrated his words.

A Must Watch!!! ?????‼️ Salute @BetoORourke for the candid thoughtful words! https://t.co/E1YrbqGciZ

— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 23, 2018

So perfectly articulated. I would vote for @BetoORourke if I could. https://t.co/fUgB5RaAkL

— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) August 22, 2018

Thanks For sharing this! https://t.co/Rjf56Z7fI6

— Kevin Bacon (@kevinbacon) August 22, 2018

Actor Kevin Bacon’s praise of O’Rourke prompted a response from Cruz.

Most Texans stand for the flag, but Hollywood liberals are so excited that Beto is siding with NFL players protesting the national anthem that Kevin Bacon just retweeted it. That means all of us us can now win Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon! https://t.co/8oWpL1AuyF

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 23, 2018

The backlash against the Democrat may give him pause – but not likely – as he heads into the fall. With elections only three short months away,  O’Rourke is currently trailing Cruz by four percentage points in the race for the US Senate in Texas.

.@NBCNews poll finds Democrat Beto O’Rourke trailing Republican Sen. Ted Cruz by 4% percentage points in race for US Senate in Texas. https://t.co/47s6CfFgSD

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) August 23, 2018

Many conservatives have spoken out againstO’Rourke’s unpatriotic view of standing for the national anthem.

So @BetoORourke⁩ “can think of nothing more American” than kneeling during National Anthem. He ought to spend some time thinking about the brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to defend our freedom and all our flag stands for. https://t.co/fFttT24axT

— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) August 23, 2018

Call them out!!! Taking a knee is not a way to protest! These young guys have no clue about honor

— Michelle Lindley (@lindley_miclin) August 23, 2018

All of you who think Beto O’Rourke saying NFL players taking a knee during the National Anthem is the most American thing they can do, please take one minute to watch @tedcruz put in context why it’s so offensive to most Texans, veterans and patriots around the country. https://t.co/6cCkllY1Xb

— Emily Miller (@EmilyMiller) August 23, 2018

Democratic Texas U.S. Senate Candidate @BetoORourke slammed for saying there’s ‘nothing more American’ than kneeling during the national anthem. https://t.co/UhaMRLhN8U pic.twitter.com/8wzHIEIrW4

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 23, 2018

“Beto’s” speech accused police officers of killing unarmed black men, teenagers and children at a frightenly high rate without accountabilitly or justice.

— KC Oracle (@KCOracle) August 23, 2018

pic.twitter.com/Vdk0zcLesX

— ???BarryBechler??? (@barrybechler) August 23, 2018

And what makes it even more ironic is the premise on which he’s “protesting” is false. No one is systematically oppressed in this country. America has done more to give more opportunities for success to more people of all colors than any other country in the history of the world.

— Cody Chambers (@CodyEChambers) August 23, 2018

Standing up with hand over heart is what we do. Taking a knee is disrespecting flag and our country. Beto, I hope you do not get elected. Shame on you

— Beverly Person (@person_beverly) August 23, 2018

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Frieda Powers

Senior Staff Writer
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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