Cruz says range of possible election outcomes ‘as wide as I’ve seen it’

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is clarifying comments he made on Friday, saying he does not necessarily believe a Democratic blowout is inevitable next month, but the range of possible outcomes is wider than it has been in years.

“The delta between possible outcomes is as wide as I’ve ever seen it,” the Texas senator said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, adding he believes that the 2020 election could result in either Democrats or Republicans controlling the White House and both houses of Congress.

“I believe President Trump can win … and Republicans can take both the House and Congress. But I also think it is possible we see a Democratic sweep,” Cruz said.

NEW: @SenTedCruz says there’s “incredible volatility” in the 2020 election, and “the delta between possible outcomes” is wide

“I believe President Trump can win … and Republicans can take both the House and Congress. But I also think it is possible we see a Democratic sweep.” pic.twitter.com/M7bhvEK4tX

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 11, 2020

Appearing on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” late last week, Cruz suggested Republicans could face a “bloodbath” in November akin to the 1974 midterms, when the Watergate scandal and President Nixon’s resignation led to widespread Democratic gains. Freshman Democrats elected in the wake of the scandal were colloquially known as “Watergate babies.”

“I am worried. It’s volatile, it’s highly volatile … if people are going back to work, if they’re optimistic, if they’re positive about the future, we could see a fantastic election — the president getting reelected with a big margin, Republicans winning both Houses of Congress and I think that’s a real possibility,” Cruz told the business network.

“But I also think if on Election Day people are angry and they’ve given up hope and they’re depressed, which is what [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi [D-Calif.] and [Senate Minority Leader Charles] Schumer [D-N.Y.] want them to be, I think it could be a terrible election,” he said last week. “I think we could lose the White House and both houses of Congress, that it could be a bloodbath of Watergate proportions.”