Cruz calls GOP colleagues "squishes", Rubin calls him a "jerk".

[Landslide Lyndon]

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/jennifer-rubin-jerk-ted-cruz-should-apologize-to

Sen. Ted Cruz's (R-TX) recent antics in the Senate drew the ire of right-wing columnist and blogger Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post on Monday.

After several Republican colleagues privately confronted the conservative firebrand over his effort to filibuster all debate on expanding background checks, Cruz broke protocol and recounted to a gathering of Texas tea partiers that he had called them "squishes" not worthy of the cause.

"There is being principled, and then there is being a jerk," Rubin wrote. "Putting down your colleagues to boost your own street cred with the base falls into the latter category."

    There are many things wrong with Sen. Cruz’s comments, whatever you think of the merits of the gun legislation.

    For starters, it’s just not smart to annoy colleagues whose cooperation and support you’ll need in the future. Second, as a conservative he should understand humility and grace are not incompatible with “standing on principle”; the absence of these qualities doesn’t make him more principled or more effective. Third, for a guy who lacks manners (see his condescending questioning of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) he comes across as whiny. They yelled at me! Boo hoo, senator.

[BluegrassBlueVote]

Does he have an ally left in Washington other than John Cornyn?

[This user has not been convicted of 34 felonies]

Jerk? Nah, he's a total dick.

[Indy Texas 🇺🇦🇵🇸]

The fact that Jennifer Rubin is an 'Israel First'-er doesn't make her "right wing." I wouldn't consider criticism from her to mean Cruz has officially left the reservation. We'll have to wait for Erick Erickson to give him a thumbs down with one of his pudgy, beefsteak hands before that is the case.

But he has made zero friends on his side of the aisle and numerous enemies on the other side. Not a recipe for success for anyone who intends on sticking around Congress for a decent amount of time. An ambitious Republican congressman or state official might have a fighting chance if they primaried him in 2018.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

I'd like to see Castro v. Cruz in 2018.

[Old Man Svensson]

Is Cruz trying to make his political legacy a lesson in how to be as big a dickhead as a politician can possibly be?

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

But he has made zero friends on his side of the aisle

Mike Lee?

[DrScholl]

This is not surprising, it was eluded to in an article earlier this year that he's a pain and that he's making more adversaries than allies.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

This guy would be so toast for re-election in a normal state.

[Old Man Svensson]

This guy would be so toast for re-election in a normal state.

By 2018, he may very well be in Texas as well.

[badgate]

I'd like to see Castro v. Cruz in 2018.

Which Castro? I have a feeling Julian is planning something for 2014, which I think is premature but it will be an excellent waste of money. In 2018 Joaquin could take the Senate seat and Julian take his congressional seat?

[bballrox4717]

I'd like to see Castro v. Cruz in 2018.

Which Castro? I have a feeling Julian is planning something for 2014, which I think is premature but it will be an excellent waste of money. In 2018 Joaquin could take the Senate seat and Julian take his congressional seat?

Most likely Joaquin. Julian is more of an executive type.