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"The biggest divide we've got politically is not between Democrats and Republicans, it's between career politicians in Washington in both parties, and the American people," Ted Cruz said. | AP Photo Ted Cruz embraces the Bern

HENNIKER, N.H.-- Ted Cruz, scrambling to boost his position in more independent-minded New Hampshire, tapped into the populist fervor fueling the leading 2016 campaigns here by embracing a comparison to Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders.

"In diagnosing the problem, I agree in many ways with Bernie Sanders," Cruz said of the Democratic presidential candidate. "I enjoy watching the media folks. They're very puzzled when they say, 'Gosh, Ted, you sound exactly like Bernie, saying it's all big money and lobbyists and corruption.' Well, you know what? That's right. It is. Washington is corrupt."

"I've said many, many times, the biggest divide we've got politically is not between Democrats and Republicans, it's between career politicians in Washington in both parties, and the American people," he said.

But Cruz is not entirely feeling the Bern.

"Now where Bernie and I disagree is the solution to it," he said. "We both agree Washington is corrupt. His solution is, so we need even more Washington."

That, Cruz said, is "nuts."