If you believe any professional politician, you have much to learn.Har! I've been active in the TX GOP on the fundraising side for nearly two decades. Your words are wise and I've got the scars to prove my efforts were betrayed at times (Cornyn, Dewhurst).
Ted Cruz is unique in my experience. I've followed Ted's career very closely for 12 years since his days as Solicitor General of Texas, having read and listened to most of his writings and speeches to the present day.
I was glad to get involved in fundraising for Ted when he entered the 2012 TX U.S. Senate primary at only 2% in the polls. Incidentally, fundraising became much easier with the endorsement and amazing support of Gov. Sarah Palin on the campaign trail with Ted.
From his past record over decades championing conservative causes and behavior in the U.S. Senate, I trust Ted more than any person I've voted for in the past forty years. I even include Ronald Reagan in the mix, but only because I never had any personal contact with that great man. I've had the good fortune to be around Ted in a friendly group setting out of view of the media on a few occasions and he is the same honorable, Christian man that you see in public.
I also worked with our Texas State Party, but not in fundraising. Thanks for your post. Cruz had every county in Texas covered with working supporters and he now has the same magnificent organization for most counties in the country and in US possessions. He was not expected to win against Dewhurst, a millionaire, and Lt. Governor for many years. The night before the election, he still was not expected to win - he did. Let's see how Iowa goes, then on to the rest of the states.