Video: Ted Cruz tries to bridge divide between GOP, Hispanics

Speaking before a crowd at the annual Cuba-Democracy PAC luncheon last week, Texas Sen. and Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz spoke on a variety of issues relating to Hispanics and the Republican Party's hopes to repair its reputation with Hispanic voters.

Most notably, Cruz offered his opinion of why the GOP failed to garner widespread support from within the Hispanic community in 2012.

WATCH (via Shark Tank):

I think why Republicans did so poorly in the Hispanic community this last election was not primarily immigration, I think it was two words- 47 percent. And by that I don’t mean that unfortunate comment... What I mean is the narrative of the last election. The 47% percent who are dependent on government- we don’t have to worry about them. I can’t think of an idea that is more antithetical to what we believe as conservatives and Americans than that idea.

“Republicans did a poor job last time around…is making the case to the single mom, making the case to the young African American, the young Hispanic coming out of school looking for his first job that the party of opportunity is a party that allows and encourages small businesses to thrive and encourages economic growth.”

See more video of Cruz's remarks after the jump!