Cruz stages photo op outside Capitol greeting visitors after government reopens

The morning after Congress voted to end a government shutdown largely instigated by Sen. Ted Cruz over his opposition to President Barack Obama's health care reform law, the Texas Republican was seen standing outside the Capitol greeting visitors.

MSNBC host Chuck Todd on Thursday showed a clip of what seemed to be a staged photo op of Cruz shaking hands and welcoming visitors back into the U.S. Capitol with the building's dome strategically framed behind him.

"Sen. Ted Cruz is standing outside of the Capitol building greeting visitors. Interesting PR tactic," Fulbright Fellow Jonathan Rice tweeted.

Amanda Carpenter, a speechwriter for Cruz, was quick to note that the senator was "meeting WWII honor flight vets, I think."

"Fair enough," Rice replied. "Still, considering that the TV cameras were at the ready, interesting."

Watch this video from MSNBC, broadcast Oct. 17, 2013.