It appears that both of these candidates have taken different routes dictated by their different roles to get to the same place, or very nearly the same place. No harm, no foul?
If you agree that their positions are substantially the same, (you passed up at least two opportunities to identify differences), then the issue is reduced to whether Cruz lied and, as you say in other words, mitigation of that "crime."
LOL, well, every desperate individual needs to find some means to alleviate their mental suffering. Go with whatever line of argument pleases you best.