Bash asked Cruz if he believed that Health and Human Services Sec. Kathleen Sibelius should resign. Cruz replied that he believed she should. Bash questioned him about the politics of that. She asked, if Sebelius is such a liability for the Obama administration, whether Republicans benefit more from her remaining in her position.

"There are Republican gray beards that make the point, 'Let's let this collapse,'" he said.

"And they think you're stepping on the message," Bash added.

"I profoundly disagree with the message," Cruz shot back. "I want to step on the message."

"I consider that very -- the Bad Samaritan theory," he continued. "Basically inflict a bunch of harm on the American people and hope we benefit politically from it. What a terrible, cynical approach."

"I'm not interested in seeing the American people suffer just because my party might benefit politically if they blame the Democrats for the foolish policies that have been imposed," he concluded.