DES MOINES — (CNN) Twitter appears to be the political weapon of choice for the two leading Republican presidential candidates.
Donald Trump and Ted Cruz on Sunday engaged in their third straight day of back-and-forth online, as the Texas senator gains ground over the mogul in Iowa polls.
Sparring began with Trump’s “Fox News Sunday” appearance, when he referred to Cruz as “a little bit of a maniac.”
“When you look at the way he’s dealt with the Senate, where he goes in there, like a, you know, frankly like a little bit of a maniac, you’re never going to get things done that way,” Trump said.
Within hours Cruz took to Twitter in response, writing, “In honor of my friend @realDonaldTrump and good-hearted maniacs everywhere…” with a link to a YouTube video of the song “Maniac” from the movie “Flashdance.”
It’s only the latest Twitter shot between Trump and Cruz. It began Friday morning when reports surfaced that that at a private fundraising event Cruz questioned the judgment and electability of Trump and fellow GOP candidate Ben Carson.
Trump quickly sent a shot at Cruz, tweeting, “Looks like @tedcruz is getting ready to attack. I am leading by so much he must. I hope so, he will fall like all others. Will be easy!” and “.@tedcruz should not make statements behind closed doors to his bosses, he should bring them out into the open – more fun that way!”
Later Friday Cruz tried to dampen down the tension, responded on Twitter, “The Establishment’s only hope: Trump & me in a cage match. Sorry to disappoint — @realDonaldTrump is terrific. #DealWithIt.”
By Sunday evening Trump still seemed miffed at Cruz, tweeting, “I was disappointed that Ted Cruz would speak behind my back, get caught, and then deny it. Well, welcome to the wonderful world of politics!”
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