There is no mailer that goes out without the candidates knowledge. I don't know how many campaigns you've worked for, I've worked for my fair share. Not that I really feel the need to defend Ted Cruz here, but the reality is there's no way Cruz could approve every mailer that goes out. Simply stated, that'd take too much of his time and it's not feasible from a campaign perspective.
One of Cruz's higher level operatives in Iowa DID have to know about, and approve that mailer -- which was a really STUPID thing to do.
The unfortunate reality for Ted Cruz is this: it reflects on HIS CAMPAIGN. We can debate who in the campaign did it, argue around the edges of who's going to be held responsible, but the reality is it reflects on the CAMPAIGN, and therefore the Candidate.
What happens next and how bad the damage is to Cruz is entirely on Ted Cruz's shoulders. Not sure he can recover from this IMO.
The unfortunate reality for Ted Cruz is this: it reflects on HIS CAMPAIGN.
It is similar to the 'culture' excuse used to hit at those in the IRS who blocked conservative organizations from getting tax exemptions. They didn't have overt, direct instructions, so they did it because of the 'culture'. Numerous other examples claim the blame goes directly to the Oval Office -- whether by the FBI or IRS or DOJ.
This is no different. If Cruz did NOT know specifically, then his underlings let him down or they thought it okay because of the 'culture' of their campaign.
It is not so different from the excuses that came out about the bridge closing in NJ shortly after Christie was elected. He still claims he had no idea, but several of him immediately staff were the culprits.