Ted Cruz says the Dems want a shutdown

Ted Cruz, the face of the 2013 government shutdown, says the Democrats will be to blame if the government shuts down later this month, the Texas Tribune reports.

"You know, I very much hope we don't have a shutdown. I will say I'm concerned. I think Chuck Schumer and the Democrats want a shutdown."

Why it matters: This is clearly posturing, and Cruz isn't the first Republican to blame the Dems in advance for a potential shutdown. But the posturing wouldn't be necessary if Cruz and other hardliners didn't plan to make a stand.