Ted Cruz likes to claim that he's hated by members of his own party because he's so honest and principled. The late Justice Scalia was principled, but was liked and respected even by his liberal colleagues (he and Ruth Ginsberg were close personal friends). Ronald Reagan was almost universally loved by his own party and respected by many ideological opponents. So if Ted Cruz is hated not only by his ideological opponents but by his supposed allies, being "principled" isn't the problem. The problem is Ted Cruz.
I think if Ted Cruz is hated, it’s for entirely personal and substantive reasons.
yes, you have described the situation very very well.