Ted Cruz calls Trump and Clinton 'flip side of the same coin'

ORLANDO, Fla., March 11 (UPI) -- Speaking at a Florida church, Sen. Ted Cruz cast both parties' front-runners in the presidential campaign, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, as "the flip side of the same coin."

Cruz has assailed Trump for his business connections and previous donations to Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign, arguing that Trump is a part of the political elite he is now running against. Cruz has sought to tie the two together in contrast with his own conservative record in order to woo Republican voters.

"Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are the flip side of the same coin. They are Washington. They are power. They are big business. They are corruption," Cruz said.

The event, which was moderated in a town hall setting by Fox News commentator Sean Hannity, took place in Orlando ahead of Tuesday's Florida primary.

Polls show Cruz running third in Florida, behind Trump and home state Sen. Marco Rubio. Cruz has acknowledged his bid is a long shot in winner-take-all Florida, but campaigning there could help deal a defeat to Rubio, which could force him out of the race.

An analysis of the GOP contest by FiveThirtyEight.com shows Cruz stands to benefit from knocking out Rubio. Trump has failed thus far to significantly expand his support among voters as the Republican field has narrowed -- meaning Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich could benefit most if Rubio drops out, creating a three-way race.