The key to success in a legislature is not electing a majority (or super majority) that shares your goals, but rather convincing a majority (or super majority) that supporting your goals is in their political best interest.
Very true and a lot of powerful politicians have learned different means to ‘convince’ others including methods of coercion, threats and payoffs.
What is refreshing about Cruz is he is a true believer who uses methods to convince based on positive principles and so easy for the public to grasp. This makes him credible and trustworthy. It’s a populist approach but it’s just what is needed for now.