Story highlights Trump sought to neutralize the Texas Republican's most recent line of attack that he is part of the establishment

"He had his moment and he blew it," Trump said

Las Vegas (CNN) Donald Trump on Thursday ripped Texas Sen. Cruz as a strident and unlikeable figure lacking the skills to negotiate and lead on behalf of the United States, soon after a new CNN/ORC poll showed the real-estate magnate with a commanding lead in Iowa.

Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at a casino here in his first of two events of the day, Trump sought to neutralize the Texas Republican's most recent line of attack that he is part of the establishment. He charged that Cruz's campaign is rapidly losing support as his credentials as a negotiator come under fire.

"He had his moment and he blew it," Trump said after a reading a series of polls showing him surging in states around the country.

"He looks like a nervous wreck," he added. "He's going down."

Trump outlined a fiery critique against the Texas senator, noting that he has not been endorsed by any of his colleagues in the Senate. He went so far as to question Cruz's ability to relate to people.

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