Republican front-runner Donald Trump says he has "far better judgment" than presidential rival Ted Cruz after recordings surfaced revealing the Texas senator's criticism of Trump on that matter.
"I was against going into Iraq," Trump told CNN host Jake Tapper in an interview that aired on Sunday. "That's good judgment. I was for bombing (ISIS's) oil long before anyone else was talking about it. That's good judgment. I have great judgment. I would say I have far better judgment than Ted."
While Trump has not shied away from attacking many in the Republican field, Cruz has not been one of those targets until this week. Even then, Trump's words resemble something more of a squabble than an attack.
"He's been so nice to me. I mean, I can say anything, and he said, 'I agree, I agree,'" Trump said. "But I think the time will come to an end pretty soon, it sounds like."
However, that intensity could change, as Cruz poses more of a threat to Trump's position atop all the national polls. A new poll released in Iowa Saturday shows Cruz surging ahead of Trump, 31 percent to 21 percent, The Des Moines Register reported.
The New York Times released audio earlier this week of Cruz speaking at a private fundraiser in New York, where he called into question the judgment of Trump and Ben Carson to lead America, as HNGN previously reported.
"Who am I comfortable having their finger on the button? Now that's a question of strength, but it's also a question of judgment. And I think that is a question that is a challenging question for both of them," Cruz said, according to the audio posted by the Times. "So my approach, much to the frustration of the media, has been to bear hug both of them, and smother them with love."
Trump took to Twitter to immediately respond to Cruz, saying, "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!"
Trump was more concerned Sunday with saying his judgment is "great."
"My judgment is great. I built a multi-, multi-, multi-billion-dollar company. Some of the greatest assets in the world," Trump told Tapper. "Tremendously big, number one bestsellers, including 'The Art of the Deal,' which may be the best in terms of business books. Tremendous television show called the Apprentice that lasted 14 seasons, and by NBC came -- they would beg me to do it again, as you can imagine and I said no, and they are going to sign, they signed Arnold Schwarzenegger."
