Why was she there?
Letting her cut in and then Cruz deflecting are very poor optics.
Speaking as a normal man with buddies, some of whom have human frailties, I need to educate Senator Cruz.
If you're caught straying, you may deny, lie, or blame it on her girlfriends who are spreading rumors trying to break your up because they never liked you. You may even lay the blame on the other woman, who chased you down and hounded you constantly and finally snared you when you'd had too much to drink.
As a last resort, you may tell the truth and beg for mercy. But you must grow a pair and do that yourself.
But, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES...
You do NOT blame another man.
And you certainly do NOT drag in another woman to do your excuse-making or explaining for you.
That Carly episode was pathetic in every respect.