I don't know about anyone else, but I think the man personally responsible for making sure that the Democrats could not pass a discharge petition to reopen the government after Republicans shut it down -- a shutdown that cost the economy $24 billion, did great damage to our businesses, and whose party has cost our economy at least 750,000 jobs with threats of default -- is the last person who should be attacking anyone else for the shape our economy is in.
But here he was on CNN's State of the Union doing just that when asked about the state of the Republican party following his primary loss in Virginia and whether he's going to support his former opponent, David Brat.
CANTOR: Our country has so much potential. I believe that the Republican Party is one that taps into that innate potential.
BASH: Well, on -- on that issue, when the shutdown ended at the end of last year, you said in private, my understanding is, your fellow Republicans should stop eating their own.
You got eaten. So, on that note, what does your loss mean for the Republican Party?
CANTOR: Well, I think that -- I have always -- and I said that day that we reopened the government that we, as conservatives and as Republicans, we may have some differences, but they pale in comparison to the differences that we have with the left.
BASH: But the voters in your own district didn't buy that. They voted another Republican in, instead of you.
CANTOR: Again, again, going -- going back is not what I want to do. I want to go forward.
BASH: But I -- but, I mean, as a forward-looking issue, if you can't beat a Republican, what does it mean about Republicans going forward?
CANTOR: I am -- I am determined to continue on the mission that our party needs to be one of inclusion, not exclusion.
There are so many more things that bind us together than pull us apart. And, frankly, if we compare that to the liberalism on the left and those who believe the government is going to provide all the answers, there is enough great difference between us as conservatives and the left for us to be focusing on that.
And I think, ultimately, our country needs a strong, robust Republican Party that believes in the principles of limited government, personal responsibility, a hand up, not a handout. And I'm going to continue to work on that mission as I go forward.
BASH: Are you going to vote for David Brat?
CANTOR: Listen, I -- I want a Republican to hold this seat. Of course, of course.
I -- this is about making sure that we have a strong Republican majority in the House. I'm hopeful we will take it in the Senate as well, very optimistic about that, so we can frankly have a real check and balance on the kinds of things that are making it so tough for people under the Obama economy.
Looks more like the "Cantor economy" to me thanks to the continued obstruction we've seen from Cantor and his friends in the Congress. Don't expect Cantor to ever take responsibility for his part in making sure this recovery was as weak as humanly possible though.
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