ANALYSIS/OPINION: The uncalled-for and inappropriate verbal attack on Sen. Ted Cruz and his wife at a D.C. restaurant has backfired, it seems, and now the owners of the establishment say they’re getting death threats. This is not a “hey-ho, that’s what the left gets” moment. Nobody deserves death threats. But it is a wake-up call to the Democrats — to the same party that called for resistance in the streets and fiery opposition against all things Republican. It is a little bit of a head thump to the activists of the far left, fueled by the likes of Reps. Maxine Waters and Nancy Pelosi, who have been used to taking to the streets with baseball bats — both figuratively and literally — to make their political points. The backstory is this: Cruz and his wife were trying to eat at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. They were storm-trooped by leftist activists who decided that a private dinner was the best time to scream their anti-conservative screeds. The owner of the restaurant, instead of immediately calling police, allowed the verbal assault to go forth and Cruz and his wife left. Cruz and his wife did return to the restaurant to finish their meal in peace, though. But the fact the confrontation was allowed to go forth in the first place led to some outrage. Now, according to The Hill: “The owner of the D.C. restaurant where protesters forced out Sen. Ted Cruz and his wife … says that his staff and their families have received death threats.” Owner Fabio Trabocchi, clarifying that his facility is open to all political types and that he’s taking security steps to ensure what happened to Cruz doesn’t happen again, also said this in a statement: “It is scary to hear anger directed at you and those you love.” Well, in the likely words of Cruz, ditto to that. That’s probably just how the Texas senator and his wife felt in the midst of the angry barrage. But that aside: The death threats, wrong as they are, nonetheless send a strong message to the left that goes like this: “Dear Democrats, we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it any more. From Republicans.” Death threats are never warranted. But in this case, the pushback on Cruz’s behalf shows the ideological right is about out of patience with the violent tactics of the left. And maybe that message, once received, if received, could serve to quiet the left and tone down the rhetoric and cool the political atmosphere all around. Key words: If received. • Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Sign up for Daily Opinion Newsletter Manage Newsletters Copyright © 2021 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.<doc-sep>From Esquire It's terrible to watch bad things happen to good people, and extremely satisfying to watch bad things happen to Ted Cruz. Videos posted on Twitter Monday evening show protesters heckling Cruz as he and his wife, Heidi, enter Fiola, an Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C. The protesters chant, "We believe survivors," referring to Cruz's public chumminess with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez. Sexual assault survivor questioned Cruz during disruption at fancy Washington DC restaurant. Cruz ignores her. #CancelKavanaughpic.twitter.com/bbtQ8TqE4H - Smash Racism DC (@SmashRacismDC) September 25, 2018 While Cruz, a man whose spinelessness matches only the loathsomeness of his political views, once said that Kavanaugh might disappoint conservatives if confirmed, he has since changed his tune. In July, Cruz issued a statement in support of the judge, saying, "By any measure, Judge Kavanaugh is one of the most respected federal judges in the country, and I look forward to supporting his nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States." During Kavanaugh's hearing, Cruz pitched the nominee an easy one, joking about how the two soft dads both coach their daughters' basketball teams and inquiring about what Kavanaugh had learned from the experience. At one point, one of the protesters yells, "Beto is way hotter than you, dude," referring to Cruz's opponent, Rep. Beto O'Rourke. (Cruz has bafflingly attempted to attack him by tweeting a video of O'Rourke condemning the death of Botham Jean, who was shot and killed in his home by an off-duty police officer.) Cruz seems to have been particularly wounded by the sentiment, and was spotted looking at a picture of him on a flight Tuesday morning. Story continues Per Politico: Ted Cruz was spotted on his phone on a flight back from DC looking at a photo of Beto O'Rourke. via @playbookpluspic.twitter.com/Gx4NeBWUaB - andrew kaczynski🧐 (@KFILE) September 25, 2018 This would be sad if it was anyone other than Ted Cruz. ('You Might Also Like',)<doc-sep>After protesters harassed Ted Cruz and his wife Heidi Cruz as they tried to dine on Monday night, even his political opponent Beto O'Rourke is calling foul. A video shared widely on social media shows that as Cruz and his wife were at dinner at an Italian restaurant in D.C., a mob of protesters confronted them and chanted at them until eventually they got up and left.<doc-sep>
The Washington, D.C., restaurant where Texas Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzGOP senators introduce resolution condemning antisemitic violence amid 'horrific' spike in attacks O'Rourke considering Texas governor bid: report Cruz planning resolution to support arms sales to Israel MORE (R) and his wife, Heidi Cruz, were confronted by protesters says that the couple returned shortly after leaving the establishment Monday evening, and finished their meal in peace. The owner of Fiola said in a statement obtained by CNN's Kate Bennett that the restaurant "welcomes all patrons," adding that the situation was resolved and Cruz and his wife returned "a few minutes" after the altercation began. ADVERTISEMENT "Per our policy for events of this nature, police were called and the guest escorted to privacy," owner and chef Fabio Trabocchi said. "When the situation resolved a few minutes later, our guests returned to thank the staff for their support and to finish their exceptional meal," he added. According to @fioladc chef/owner Fabio Trabocchi, @tedcruz & Heidi Cruz returned to the restaurant they were forced out of last night. After the protestors left, the Cruzes apparently came back and finished their meal in peace. pic.twitter.com/fM967Ow4Zs — Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) September 26, 2018 Trabocchi went on to say that "politics — like elbows — are best left off the dining table." The chef's statement follows a video posted by Smash Racism DC, which was shared more than 13,000 times, that shows Cruz and his wife being confronted by demonstrators Monday night over Cruz's support for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who is battling accusations of sexual misconduct. “Hi, I’d love to talk to you about Brett Kavanaugh tonight. I’m a constituent, love to know what your vote is going to be tonight. I know that you’re very close friends with Mr. Kavanaugh,” a woman asks the senator in the video. “God bless you, ma'am,” Cruz responds in the video. Cruz's Democratic opponent in November's election, Rep. Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeO'Rourke considering Texas governor bid: report O'Rourke clarifies remarks, leaves door open to gubernatorial bid O'Rourke says he's not planning on run for Texas governor MORE, defended the senator on Twitter following the incident, calling for Cruz and his wife to be treated with "respect." "Not right that Senator Cruz and his wife Heidi were surrounded and forced to leave a restaurant last night because of protesters. The Cruz family should be treated with respect," O'Rourke tweeted.