“Cruz has been able to recast his kamikaze campaigns as courageous and principled stands.”
That is because they were.
Despite the snarky tone the author actually pretty much nails what happened, which is more than most of the other journalists from the MSM managed.
Cruz won the event, Scott Walker took the silver medal with a close showing. A few other people out performed expectations: Carson, notably.
A lot of the MSM seemed befuddled and unable to draw any conclusions about what happened.
A kamikaze attack results in a big fiery explosion that takes out the target and the attacker in single boom.
Last I checked both Cruz and the Welfare State were present and accounted for. So, it wasn't really a kamikaze attack. It was political theater designed to highlight issues of importance to the conservative movement.