I think the GOP detests Cruz more for his ambition to cut in front of other chosen ones in the GOP and his use of the tea party to get into the senate. He is an abrasive, disliked insider wannabe. There is no way that he can be a defender of the constitution and be married to someone who coauthored CFR papers on how to create a north American union with open borders.
One of Cruz’ biggest problems is while he does his “holy roller” schtick for the voters, he is perhaps the biggest backstabber in the Senate. His fellow senators do not trust his word. They know exactly how he operates.
Now to listen to our fellow Cruzers on FR tell it, it’s because he is so damn conservative and faithful to the cause and that’s why they don’t like him.
But Mike Lee & Jeff Sessions are just as conservative and you have never heard that about either of them.
Sen. Cruz is his own worst enemy. In many ways.