Frank Bruni’s column in today’s New York Times is spot on in its critique of Texas’s shiny new U.S. senator, Republican Ted Cruz, who pranced onto the national stage six weeks ago – and promptly embarrassed himself and the state he represents.
My favorite passage from the column is this:
“Separately, in front of an audience of conservatives, he smirked dismissively as he griped that (Defense Secretary-designate Chuck) Hagel and (Secretary of State) John Kerry were ‘less than ardent fans of the U.S. military.’ Those two men fought in Vietnam, and earned Purple Hearts; Cruz never served in the institution he purports to regard so much more highly than they do.
“Only three senators voted against Kerry’s confirmation as secretary of state. Cruz was among them.”
I’ve always thought it to be senatorial custom for new guys to learn their way around the place before stepping on so many toes all at once. Cruz is emboldened, I suppose, by the big victory he scored in winning the senatorial race this past November in Texas, not that it surprised anyone, given the state’s heavily Republican leanings.
The sheer insult, though, of someone such as Cruz questioning the military credentials of two decorated combat veterans simply goes beyond the pale.
There’s really nothing more I can add to Bruni’s commentary. Well said, Mr. Bruni.