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Texas Sen. Ted Cruz On Obamacare: 'Come 2017, A Republican President' Will Repeal 'Every Word'

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Chris Stigall hosted Texas Senator Ted Cruz at the National Constitution Center to discuss the upcoming elections and President Obama's plan to combat ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

Sen. Ted Cruz

Cruz said the government shutdown that Republicans forced last fall has led to the American public's collective rejection of the Affordable Care Act.

"As a result of that fight, we elevated the national debate and millions of Americans across this country focused on all the incredible harms, the disaster that is Obamacare, and as a direct consequence of that fight, today President Obama's approval ratings are at the lowest they've ever been…We have laid the foundation that come 2017, a Republican President in the White House will sign legislation repealing every word of Obamacare."

He also believes his party has the political momentum to seize control of both houses of Congress.

"My focus is directly on the elections in November, 2014 and 57 days from now, I am convinced Republicans are going to retake the Senate. We're going to retire Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader."

Cruz stated that America should limit its expectations when confronting conflicts in the Middle East.

"The Sunnis and Shiites have been engaged in a sectarian civil war since 632 AD. For the President of the United States to think that America can come and say, 'throw down your arms and embrace as brothers,' is the height of arrogance and ignorance. It is not our job to produce religious reconciliation among the Sunnis and Shiites. It is not our job to transform foreign nations into democratic utopias, to turn Iraq into Switzerland. It is the military's job to hunt down and kill those who threaten to kill Americans."

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