All politics is local. A Latino conservative beat a white liberal. So per the electoral demographics of Texas that’s how you win. It doesn’t extrapolate nationally, but it does give the lesson that you must be an acceptable package to the voters.
Akins and Mourdock, two conservatives, lost while Romney won. That’s the equation.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz can articulate his conservatism.
Cruz beat a powerful sitting Lt. Gov. (more powerful than the gov) who was heavily backed with connections and money from the same party.
But Senator Cruz WON because he has what they couldn’t buy, HE CAN ARTICULATE and reach people!!
THAT is the difference.
Period.