Cruz ad on Rubio: Vote for more than ‘pretty face’

by Jesse Byrnes - 02/11/16 2:42 PM ET

GOP presidential hopeful Ted Cruz’s campaign on Thursday released a new television ad in South Carolina targeting Marco Rubio, urging Republicans to “vote for more than just a pretty face.”

The 30-second ad spoofs a self-help group, with several people sitting in a circle and a man asking, “Has anyone else here struggled with being lied to?”

{mosads}Another man says he voted for someone who campaigned as a “Tea Party hero” before playing “patty cake with Chuck Schumer” and working to pass “amnesty” — a reference to the 2013 “Gang of Eight” immigration reform bill Rubio worked on.

“Maybe you should vote for more than just a pretty face next time,” a woman replies.

The spot ends with another man showing up to the group wearing a T-shirt with Rubio’s campaign logo brightly lit, asking if he can join them.

Rubio’s campaign fired back, describing their candidate as the “only conservative candidate” able to “unite our party” and win the general election.

“No matter how many attacks Senator Ted Cruz launches, he can’t hide from his record of voting against troop funding, supporting a budget to cut defense spending and praising Edward Snowden,” Rubio spokesman Joe Pounder said.

Cruz and Rubio have battled over immigration and national security for months. The latest face-off comes as they battle for position heading into the South Carolina primary on Feb. 20.

Fox News, which first reported the new ad, said that it was part of a six-figure buy in the Palmetto State.

– Updated at 4:14 p.m.

Tags 2016 GOP primary Chuck Schumer Marco Rubio South Carolina Ted Cruz