Reagan often met the press on the campaign trail with a very hard edge and very little humor. During the 1980 campaign the press painted him as certain to start WWIII.
The press also painted Reagan as a dim bulb, or they tried to but failed. A few top reporters and correspondents researched Reagan’s never released writings in his library after his two terms hoping to reveal his shallow command and lack of intellect. Instead they found a giant.
Reagan’s strength was not his humor and not even his principles, although his humor when visible was great and his principles were universal.
***Reagan’s strength was his ability to speak past the press and directly to the people.***
The press so many times would attempt to trap him but he would never back down. When they asked him for example why he didn’t support a freeze on nuclear weapons he would counter that he did not want to freeze their production but wanted to reduce their numbers.
Reagan saw all the traps the press would lay before him and with his quick wit and intelligence he would tie the press in knots.
Cruz is cut from the same cloth.