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Cruz supporters are too stupid (or too dishonest) to understand what Walker says is the same as Cruz, but try to criticize Walker for it.

I support both candidates, and while what Walker said was substantially equivalent, it was less specific. Of course, if he came out with a five year time table, he would seem to be mimicking Cruz. Walker makes enemies when he has to, and he follows through when called for and able. He does not make enemies for chuckles. That is part of the reason why the completely over the top attacks do not stick. They tend to be self-contradictory ("He's a right wing extremist zealot ... he's a flip-flopper!") or completely disproven by his normally low-key demeanor ("He may not look like he wants to roast Wisconsin's school children on the burning carcasses of honest public union members, but trust me, he does!") This helps him get elected, re-elected, AND get things done.

On the other hand, I would not categorize Cruz supporters as "stupid". Many may have been thrown by the headlines of some of the coverage, and the media characterization of a phase-out as a "flip-flop". Heck, even the Reagan tax cuts were phased in 5%-10%-10% at a time. If immigration is your main issue, Walker is probably not going to be your first choice. There are fair ways to express that. However, if Walker makes moves towards a hard line, and hard-liners on immigration issues continue to harangue as a "flip-flopper", the lesson learned by those who are forming or reconsidering their position are going to figure they are not likely to earn any new allies.

Cruz and Walker are both good men who bring a lot to the table. Those of us who were in Wisconsin saw the muscle behind Walker's rhetoric, and not just on Act 10, but on a variety of things I never thought I'd see in Wisconsin, especially from a man with one arm tied behind his back (Capitol occupation, corrupt Government Accountability Board, Recall election).

Out of 50+ Republican Senators, Cruz has taken the lead in the Senate to stand atop the world yelling "Stop!" despite having only a handful of allies (Mike Lee, mainly). He is also an exceptionally articulate speaker who can make his points in few words intelligently, and also make them accessible to a wide range of voters. Also, he's brilliant and relentlessly conservative. He also knows about the evils of Communism in a way most of us cannot fully appreciate.

At this stage, there's room for two leading conservative candidates. Cruz supporters should realize that executive experience as governor trumps a strong term as Senator, and that if they are moved off of Walker, they will go over to Pence , Jindal, or (God forbid!) Christie or John Ellis Bush! Walker supporters have to appreciate that Cruz has NOT been infected with DC-itis, that he IS an extremely intelligent man with solid principles and very good political instincts, and that most Cruz supporters think we have run out of time for a man who would ordinarily be simply a good president, but that we have to rock the boat and force a fast realignment for our last chance to stop the whole ship from going under.

We need to build up both men. Walker can emphasize his record and his executive role, Cruz can emphasize his foreign policy chops and his willingness to take on not only lefty dems, but establishment types within his own party. That does NOT require tearing down the character of either man. The Dems and the Establishment will try to do that.