“There was no reason Cruz couldn’t have gotten at least a half-dozen supporters, and a really good leader would have gotten half the GOP caucus.”
Leadership in today’s Congress offers members sex, money, and power to vote for the party. The consequences of not voting the party line are:
1) Being outed on sexual behavior, drug abuse, or other human failings if you have them.
2) Being denied campaign money from wealthy contributors. The kiss of death for most politicians who are not independently wealthy
3) The denial of support for pork projects.
4) The denial of choice committee assignments and leadership posts.
5) A whispering campaign in the media against you.
6) Ostracism by fellow members of the “club”.
All Cruz as a leader had to offer was an opportunity to take a stand in support of the American people and conservative principles.
The reason Cruz couldn’t have gotten at least half a dozen supporters is the same reason Peter denied Jesus in the garden. The majority of the GOP caucus is bought and paid for (sex, money, power) and they fear the consequences of bucking McConnell and the GOPe.
So you are saying Cruz was an ineffective senator?