On Tuesday — and then again at last night's GOP debate in South Carolina — Ted Cruz mocked Donald Trump for allegedly embodying "New York values."
Photo by Anthony Quintano/Flickr.
When asked to explain what, exactly, "New York values" were, the senator clarified:
"You know, I think most people know exactly what New York values are," Cruz said.
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images.
About 30 seconds of weird crosstalk later, Cruz ... actually clarified.
"Everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro-gay-marriage, focus around money and the media," Cruz explained.
Needless to say, New Yorkers the world over were not here for that.
Many responded by pointing out that New York is ... actually, believe it or not, pretty great in a lot of ways.
And they pointed out some, perhaps, lesser-known #NewYorkValues.
Others heard a pretty nasty dog whistle in Cruz' comments:
And of course, many invoked one of the city's lowest — and highest — moments.
Reporter Howard Fineman tweaked Cruz for his own, extremely New York-y mini-scandal.
And Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams summed it all up.
As a New Yorker, I'll admit there are lot of things that are hard to love about New York.
After all, we are the home of...
...Wall Street shenanigans...
Photo by thetaxhaven/Flickr.
...wanton, soulless greed and ambition...
Photo by David Goehring/Flickr.
...the Times Square Olive Garden.
Photo by Andreas Praefcke/Wikimedia Commons.
But of course, we're also known for wonderful things like...
...diversity and inclusion...
Photo by Jewel Samad/Getty Images.
...heroism...
Photo by Preston Keres/U.S. Navy/U.S. Navy.
...bagels and lox.
Photo by Nikchick/Flickr.
And at the end of the day, we're just people.
Like people anywhere else. Not especially good or especially bad. Perhaps with a little more road rage. But just as worthy of respect as people in Alabama, Kentucky, Oregon, Michigan, or New Jersey (OK, maybe a tiny bit more than New Jersey).
'Cause if New York values mean treating people who are new to this country, struggling, voiceless, or different in any number of ways with dignity?
Sign me up for another round. As that one guy from that one scene in "Spider-Man" once said...
GIF from "Spider-Man"/Sony Pictures.