Could it be that this particular group of Republican Senators deserve to be enemies.
As a person, Cruz seems engaging and thoughtful. Jeff Sessions and Mike Lee don't seem to be put off by him. And most people who've met him are pleasantly surprised by his demeanor.
Further, recall that Cruz became the de facto leader of a group of conservative House members rather early in the session, hosting Thursday night planning and pizza sessions that set the stage for the Freedom Caucus' resistance.
Finally, in the Senate, ever since Cruz forced a roll call vote that McConnell didn't want on a continuing resolution, you might note that about 20-22 other GOP Senators have tended to vote with Cruz rather than follow the McConnell-Cornyn lead. One senses that the caucus chafes under McConnell's leadership, but that he has the whip hand.
I really believe a lot of people are selling Cruz short -- reacting to a media-distorted image and flawed assessments of his potential appeal. The Xmas infomercial is proof that Cruz has a sense of humor...and the capacity to laugh at himself.
I can agree that not many republican senators are looking out for the ordinary American working people. I wish most could be replaced.
But if you have an excellent conservative agenda, it is totally meaningless if you can not get the congress to co-operate with you. Reagan got lot of his agenda passed through congress even though majority congress was democrat. Because Reagan seldom antagonized others. He had tons of friends in congress.
It is very easy to make enemies and much harder to cultivate friends. Any senator or congressman who has very very few friends in congress will be unable to get anything passed.