How will GOP defend Cruz?

Sam Pizzo, Henderson

Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 | 2:02 a.m.

As Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, eyes his chances in a run for president in 2016, he has a cold, hard fact to face — he was born in Canada. His birth certificate clearly states he was born Dec. 22, 1970, to an American-born mother, Eleanor, and a Cuban-born father, Rafael, in Calgary, Alberta.

Donald Trump dogged President Barack Obama, insisting that Obama was born in Kenya and is not an American citizen. The president did produce his birth certificate, which clearly shows he was born in Hawaii and is an American citizen.

The GOP is faced with its own dilemma: How can it say that Cruz qualifies to run for president when it’s crystal clear that he was born in a foreign country?

Another issue that could be a thorn in his side is Cruz’s father, Rafael Cruz, an Evangelical pastor who said in April 2012 that he wants to send President Barrack Obama back to Kenya, among other unfavorable remarks he has made about the president.

President Obama had his issues with the fiery pastor Jeremiah Wright as the GOP brought out some of his statements and tried using them to discredit President Obama during his first run for president in 2008.

As the old saying goes: What goes around, comes around.