Why is Ted Cruz the only U.S. senator attending Mandela memorial?

Washington Examiner ^ | December 9, 2013 | Byron York

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The memorial service for Nelson Mandela is a big deal. "We're now on 91 Heads of State & Gov confirmed plus 10 former Heads of State, 86 Heads of delegations & 75 Eminent Persons," tweeted South African government spokesman Clayson Monyela on Monday. Among those leaders attending are the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and French President Francois Hollande -- plus, of course, President Obama and former Presidents Carter, Clinton, and George W. Bush. Dozens of lesser leaders, plus celebrities like Bono and Oprah Winfrey, will also be there.

From the United States Congress, House Speaker John Boehner appointed a 23-member delegation, led by Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock and dominated by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, all Democrats. Their plane departed early Monday morning.

But what about the U.S. Senate? Senators could have joined the representatives on the congressional plane. But exactly one -- one -- senator will be at the Mandela memorial: Texas Republican Ted Cruz. No member of the majority Democratic or minority Republican leadership will attend. And not the Senate's only black Democrat, Cory Booker, or the Senate's only black Republican, Tim Scott.

Why such a poor turnout from the world's greatest deliberative body? "Remember, the presidential delegation didn't invite any members of Congress," says a Senate Republican aide. "The delegation the House put together only took shape over the weekend, so it was a scramble to even make it available to members in the first place (and to those who could get back to DC in time to make the flight). So I wouldn't read anything into that small attendance."

A winter storm across much of the country also had something to do with it. "The [congressional delegation] plane left before dawn, and a lot of members who wanted to go had their flights or trains canceled or delayed," says a Senate Democratic aide.

So how did Cruz make it? There's no doubt the freshman from Texas has shown a lot of energy in his 11 months in the Senate, and he did it again this time: He made the plane when others didn't. Says a spokesman: "Sen. Cruz believes that once-in-a-generation historical leaders, whatever their strengths/weaknesses, who accomplish extraordinary things, should be recognized and celebrated. And he personally wants to be part of demonstrating the recognition in American of the transforming power of the end of apartheid."

Cruz took some hits in the hours after Mandela's death when he posted a Facebook item saying Mandela "will live in history as an inspiration for defenders of liberty around the globe." Some of his followers criticized Cruz for praising Mandela, and some in the press picked up the story as an example of alleged Republican intolerance. But in the end, Cruz was unfazed -- and he made the plane.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Why Ted Cruz is not a typical freshman senator "..........Some old timers in the Senate have publicly criticized Cruz for his outspokenness, especially after the Hagel hearings.

Liberals have predictably pounced on Cruz. Last week, Washington Post opinion writer Dana Milbank even asked in his column, “Is there nobody who can tell Ted Cruz to shut up?”

But his allies in Congress argue the press he has attracted for his tense encounters during Senate hearings has given a false impression of the man. He gets along well with members of both parties, they say.

“He’s got a very collegial approach,” Lee of Utah said. “He’s got a very collegial manner that’s evident to anybody that gets to know him. And it’s different than the caricature, the heavily caricatured image, portrayed by some in the media.”

“One side of Ted people don’t talk about is he’s actually good company too,” said McConnell. “I took him to Afghanistan, along with a couple of other freshman back in January. You learn a lot about somebody if you spend a lot of time with them over a short period of time. He’s got a great sense of humor. Great company. Whip smart.”

Cruz says that despite his ardent feelings on issues, he never resorts to personal attacks against his opponents.......”

_________________

"[Sen. Ted Cruz] alongside Rev. Rob Schenck (from Faith and Action) and Rev. Frazier White (a Democrat and Obama supporter) praying for Saeed Abedini, who has been in an Iranian prison for one year. He is being persecuted for his faith to Jesus Christ." Source

[Fresh Wind]

Could it be that Cruz wants to meet and talk to some of the world leaders he will be dealing with once he becomes president in 2017?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Excellent point.

[Doogle]

...probably because Odungo could only stand in a few shadows...it tears him up, that HE is not the center of attention.

[Texas Fossil]

Bear in mind that Ted Cruz’s father was a political prisoner in Cuba.

That might color his perspective.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It will greatly pain the compliant Obama media to report on Cruz’s attendance.

[rovenstinez]

As I watch this funeral unfold, I’m thinking what it will compare to with the funeral of Billy Graham, and if the WH flies flags at half mast when he dies......

[Ronin]

Sounds like a good idea to me. If he is serious about running, or even thinking of it, he needs to burnish his foreign policy credentials. This is a good step in the right direction.

[dalereed]

Is he so dumb that he doesn’t know that Mandella was a dedicated communist and a terrorist?

The bastard should have died in prison and never been the head of So, Africa!!!

For anyone from this country to attend his funeral is a total discrace!

[1_Rain_Drop]

"Bear in mind that Ted Cruz’s father was a political prisoner in Cuba."

Thanks for that info. Explains a lot.

[sunmars]

This memorial service is the biggest tv mess, cameras all over the place, running very late and frankly is the biggest borefest as far as memorials go and Obama has not even started to bore us all to death and somehow inject himself into the narrative.

[ScaniaBoy]

Similar background to the Israeli representative:

"Edelstein, a former prisoner of Zion in the USSR, said he's "happy that in the end Israel has representation at this important event. As a former prisoner of conscience, I had the privilege of meeting Mandela as a minister in 1996, and we shared experiences from prison and the fight for our rights. This is a sort of closure for me.""

Israel finds someone to attend Mandela's funeral

[goodwithagun]

From your keyboard to God’s ears.

[Altura Ct.]

It is a disgrace that he is going at all. Of course this is part of the new and improved GOP.

[Fresh Wind]

Of course Cruz knows all those things. And yes, Mandela should have died long ago.

As for Cruz, FReeper GrandJediMasterYoda said it well on another thread:

"Exactly right, (Cruz) is playing the game. The constitutional republican is gone, what we live under now is a soft tyranny with a communist propaganda machine posing as our impartial media. The only real way to change that is to use guile and tact until you reach a position where you can start taking action to tear down all that crap the liberals and RINOs wrought these past 24 years since Reagan left office and it’s going to take time."

I assume he meant "constitutional republic", but other than that, he's spot on with that comment.

[onedoug]

Well, that wipes Cruz form my slate. Goodbye and good riddance.

[DoodleDawg]

So Cruz is at Mandelapalooza. I wonder if he’ll bring back a tee shirt?

[PghBaldy]

Was his father a commie terrorist too? I don’t think so. Mandela was not a political prisoner, IMO.

[tina07]

could be...past and present (choke, sputter, spit) presidents went, only natural that the future one is there too!

[tina07]

that will be interesting indeed...