[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?

[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.

[Altura Ct.]

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

[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?

[Vaquero]

Smug mr White Hut is speaking NOW. At the Mandela funeral. Had to turn off Fox News. Would rather watch an oxyclean infomercial than the POSOTUS

[Moonmad27]

There some of y’all go, writing off a fine candidate for one thing. No one’s perfect enough for some.

It puts him on center stage so that’s fine with me.

[Lakeshark]

Reading this thread, it's easy to see why we conservatives have lost so many times so easily.....

I can't believe there are people here who are throwing Senator Cruz under some imaginary bus for some imaginary unpardonable sin of attending this funeral.

Excuse me while I go throw up somewhere.

[sickoflibs]

He got to see Obama’s speech on freedom live.
That must have been heartwarming.

[mountainfolk]

Ted Cruz may have a genuine respect for Nelson Mandela in other aspects of his life than terrorism. This does not rule out attending this memorial service for practical reasons. Cruz many have volunteered or been selected to put himself among world leaders, movers and shakers of all political and religious types, to observe and learn and be the eyes and ears which will report truthfully on events taking place.

These events which attract a huge gathering of high level government leaders the world over are also an opportunity for them to meet and greet and hatch plots to overthrow each others governments etc. Fun times on the govt dime. Lots to be garnered from an intelligent observer who makes good use of the close up association with a variety of cultures and individuals. Ted Cruz is intelligent and will benefit from this experience.

[daniel1212]

“According to official statistics, nearly a million unborn children been killed in South Africa since President Mandela signed legislation in 1996 permitting abortion on demand two years after taking office. Same-sex ‘marriage’ was legalized in 2006, with Mandela having supported it long before its passage. ..

It was 1996 when Mandela signed into law one of the world’s most pro-abortion laws. Passage of the “Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Bill” was assured since Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC) refused its members a free vote on the issue of providing state-funded abortion on demand.

The same year, Mandela’s new constitution made South Africa the first country to place “sexual orientation” alongside race and religion as a restricted grounds for discrimination – something that paved the way for homosexual ‘marriage’ a decade later....

“the African National Congress revealed today that Mandela was in fact a high-ranking member of the Communist Party.

“Madiba was also a member of the South African Communist Party, where he served in the Central Committee,” said the ANC release.`” - http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pro-life-leaders-urge-caution-while-pope-and-bishops-praise-controversial-n

[lee martell]

Teddy is smart, and was raised by his dad to think about appearances, public impressions. This gesture was very simple, but look at all the tongues-a-waggin about Cruz. Let’s give them something to talk about! No other republican thought to do what they could have done. The end of apartheid is something to be celebrated by all civilized men, even republicans!