WASHINGTON, June 11 (UPI) -- Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., told MSNBC's Morning Joe that he is concerned House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's loss will open the door for the "Ted Cruzes" and "Rand Pauls" to take over the Republican party.
When asked if the party is drifting in a more conservative direction that will completely oppose President Obama's agenda in coming months, King said he certainly hoped not
"Raising the debt ceiling -- you have to do it -- and you have to also keep the government open. What Ted Cruz did last year was suicidal. I hope that doesn't become party policy. We can't allow Eric's defeat last night allow the Ted Cruzes and the Rand Pauls to take over the party, or their disciples to take over the party. Because this is not conservatism to me. Shutting down the government is not being conservative," said King.
King, a moderate Republican, has been critical of Cruz, Paul, and the tea party, saying they've "alienated the country." He added that he does not think much, including immigration reform, will get done after Cantor's defeat.
"My concern is that a lot of things are going to be dead and pushed to the side. I'm concerned that, for instance, that the Ted Cruz supporters, the Rand Paul supporters, are going to use this as an excuse to basically stop the government from functioning. I mean, thank God there's no debt ceiling vote coming up."
