Watch CBS News

Former House Speaker: Ted Cruz Is 'Lucifer In The Flesh'

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

STANFORD, Calif. (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Former House Speaker John Boehner is unloading on Texas Senator Ted Cruz, calling him "Lucifer in the flesh."

Saying that he had both Democrat and Republican friends Boehner told students at Stanford University that his interactions with Cruz were, well... different. According to the The Stanford Daily, Boehner said, "I get along with almost everyone, but I have never worked with a more miserable son of a bitch in my life."

Ted Cruz
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz participates in a CNN South Carolina Republican Presidential Town Hall on February 17, 2016 in Greenville, South Carolina. (credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The Ohio Republican resigned last fall under pressure from conservatives allied with Cruz. Boehner's well-known contempt for the Texan stems in part from Cruz's role forcing a partial government shutdown in 2013. Boehner said he and Donald Trump have known each other for years and are "texting buddies". He said he would vote for Trump, but not Cruz.

After Boehner's comments gained traction on social media, Cruz responded on Twitter.

Boehner also weighed in on the Democratic primary contest, praising Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders as the most honest politician in the race for The White House. Of Clinton, who he has known for 25 years, Boehner called her accomplished and smart.

He predicted, however, that if Clinton's email scandal escalates, a surprise could come out of the Democratic race.

"Don't be shocked ... if two weeks before the convention, here comes Joe Biden parachuting in and Barack Obama fanning the flames to make it all happen," Boehner said.

(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.