From TPM Reader AZ …
I just read your post regarding Ted Cruz, wondering what sort of reputation he had over his career. I wrote a profile of him for The Texas Observer last year, and from my interviews I definitely heard from folks that, while they respected his intellect and his lawyering ability, he’s pretty much an arrogant ass.
Also of note is that winning Kay Bailey’s Senate seat came as a bit of a shock to him. He really wasn’t all that interested in heading back to Washington and his real goal during the Senate campaign was to build up name recognition for a shot at attorney general when the current atty gen, Greg Abbott eventually runs for governor (everything in Texas has been in a holding pattern because Perry has stuck around for so long in the governor’s mansion). In fact, Cruz had put together a PAC to run for attorney general a few years back when it looked like Abbott was moving up and out, but then he had to put his plans on hold (Cruz is tight with Abbott, as he worked directly for him as solicitor general).
Anyway, it’s good to keep in mind that Cruz’s actions here in D.C. are geared toward an eventual return to Texas state politics. So the more he can make waves and play up his outsider/tea party status for the home audience, the better for him. He doesn’t really care about making friends with his Senate colleagues or working his way up in the corridors of Washington power.
You can read AZ’s article here.
