Though he outlasted almost all of his Republican primary opponents in 2016, Sen. Ted Cruz’s reputation suffered more than most by the time all was said and done.
Between viral memes suggesting he was the infamous Zodiac Killer and incessant headlines like “Why do so many people hate Ted Cruz,” “Anyone but Ted Cruz,” and “Why Ted Cruz’s Facial Expression Makes Me Uneasy,” Sen. Cruz emerged from the cycle bloodied by the Beltway consensus that he is not, to put it politely, sufficiently likable.
I must admit, as a movement conservative initially taken with his eloquence and powerful life story, even I struggled to see him as a viable messenger for conservatism by the end of the primary process.
But his strong performance in last night’s CNN debate over the Affordable Care Act reminded me of the Cruz who first burst onto the national scene, inviting declarations that he was “the Republican Barack Obama,” and the “next great conservative hope.”
In debating Bernie Sanders, Cruz articulated conservative principles in relatable and inspirational language. Take, for instance, his rebuttal to Sanders’ claims about healthcare coverage in Texas. Cruz artfully wove his father’s story into his response, remarking, “When my dad went to Texas in 1957 when he was 18, he couldn’t speak English. He was from Cuba. He had $100 in his underwear. He washed dishes making 50 cents an hour. You know what? He didn’t have healthcare. But he came to go to the University of Texas, he came to get opportunity. That job enabled him to get another job where he could get healthcare. That’s a much better solution.”
Later in the debate he offered a more general defense of anti-establishment conservatism, asking, “If the problem is government is corrupt, why on earth would you want more power in Washington? I want to take power out of Washington and empower the people … That’s a solution that empowers the people.”
His self-deprecatory humor flowed more easily, eliciting laughs from the crowd rather than groans.
Critics writing in outlets from Politico to the Hollywood Reporter — hardly Tea Party outlets — commended his use of data, the latter of which wrote that Cruz “lived up to his reputation as a championship debater.”
As a conservative, I found it refreshing to watch last night’s debate without searching for reasons to disagree with other players on our team. Cruz did a commendable job presenting the conservative perspective on healthcare reform, thoughtfully undermining Bernie Sanders’ arguments as effectively as almost anyone could.
If Ted Cruz is able to deliver similar performances and recapture the supporters who dwindled gradually as the presidential primary progressed, lookout. He will be back.
Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
