The memorial service for Nelson Mandela is a big deal. "We're now on 91 Heads of State & Gov confirmed plus 10 former Heads of State, 86 Heads of delegations & 75 Eminent Persons," tweeted South African government spokesman Clayson Monyela on Monday. Among those leaders attending are the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and French President Francois Hollande -- plus, of course, President Obama and former Presidents Carter, Clinton, and George W. Bush. Dozens of lesser leaders, plus celebrities like Bono and Oprah Winfrey, will also be there.
From the United States Congress, House Speaker John Boehner appointed a 23-member delegation, led by Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock and dominated by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, all Democrats. Their plane departed early Monday morning.
But what about the U.S. Senate? Senators could have joined the representatives on the congressional plane. But exactly one -- one -- senator will be at the Mandela memorial: Texas Republican Ted Cruz. No member of the majority Democratic or minority Republican leadership will attend. And not the Senate's only black Democrat, Cory Booker, or the Senate's only black Republican, Tim Scott.
Why such a poor turnout from the world's greatest deliberative body? "Remember, the presidential delegation didn't invite any members of Congress," says a Senate Republican aide. "The delegation the House put together only took shape over the weekend, so it was a scramble to even make it available to members in the first place (and to those who could get back to DC in time to make the flight). So I wouldn't read anything into that small attendance."
A winter storm across much of the country also had something to do with it. "The [congressional delegation] plane left before dawn, and a lot of members who wanted to go had their flights or trains canceled or delayed," says a Senate Democratic aide.
So how did Cruz make it? There's no doubt the freshman from Texas has shown a lot of energy in his 11 months in the Senate, and he did it again this time: He made the plane when others didn't. Says a spokesman: "Sen. Cruz believes that once-in-a-generation historical leaders, whatever their strengths/weaknesses, who accomplish extraordinary things, should be recognized and celebrated. And he personally wants to be part of demonstrating the recognition in American of the transforming power of the end of apartheid."
Cruz took some hits in the hours after Mandela's death when he posted a Facebook item saying Mandela "will live in history as an inspiration for defenders of liberty around the globe." Some of his followers criticized Cruz for praising Mandela, and some in the press picked up the story as an example of alleged Republican intolerance. But in the end, Cruz was unfazed -- and he made the plane.
Why Ted Cruz is not a typical freshman senator "..........Some old timers in the Senate have publicly criticized Cruz for his outspokenness, especially after the Hagel hearings.
Liberals have predictably pounced on Cruz. Last week, Washington Post opinion writer Dana Milbank even asked in his column, “Is there nobody who can tell Ted Cruz to shut up?”
But his allies in Congress argue the press he has attracted for his tense encounters during Senate hearings has given a false impression of the man. He gets along well with members of both parties, they say.
“He’s got a very collegial approach,” Lee of Utah said. “He’s got a very collegial manner that’s evident to anybody that gets to know him. And it’s different than the caricature, the heavily caricatured image, portrayed by some in the media.”
“One side of Ted people don’t talk about is he’s actually good company too,” said McConnell. “I took him to Afghanistan, along with a couple of other freshman back in January. You learn a lot about somebody if you spend a lot of time with them over a short period of time. He’s got a great sense of humor. Great company. Whip smart.”
Cruz says that despite his ardent feelings on issues, he never resorts to personal attacks against his opponents.......”
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"[Sen. Ted Cruz] alongside Rev. Rob Schenck (from Faith and Action) and Rev. Frazier White (a Democrat and Obama supporter) praying for Saeed Abedini, who has been in an Iranian prison for one year. He is being persecuted for his faith to Jesus Christ." Source
Liberals have predictably pounced on Cruz. Last week, Washington Post opinion writer Dana Milbank even asked in his column, “Is there nobody who can tell Ted Cruz to shut up?”
But his allies in Congress argue the press he has attracted for his tense encounters during Senate hearings has given a false impression of the man. He gets along well with members of both parties, they say.
“He’s got a very collegial approach,” Lee of Utah said. “He’s got a very collegial manner that’s evident to anybody that gets to know him. And it’s different than the caricature, the heavily caricatured image, portrayed by some in the media.”
“One side of Ted people don’t talk about is he’s actually good company too,” said McConnell. “I took him to Afghanistan, along with a couple of other freshman back in January. You learn a lot about somebody if you spend a lot of time with them over a short period of time. He’s got a great sense of humor. Great company. Whip smart.”
Cruz says that despite his ardent feelings on issues, he never resorts to personal attacks against his opponents.......”
_________________
"[Sen. Ted Cruz] alongside Rev. Rob Schenck (from Faith and Action) and Rev. Frazier White (a Democrat and Obama supporter) praying for Saeed Abedini, who has been in an Iranian prison for one year. He is being persecuted for his faith to Jesus Christ." Source
Could it be that Cruz wants to meet and talk to some of the world leaders he will be dealing with once he becomes president in 2017?
