Republican columnist calls Sen. Cruz 'a jerk

Washington Post Republican blogger Jennifer Rubin takes on Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in a Tuesday column, calling him "a jerk" who's failing to actually govern within Congress.

Rubin writes:

I’m sorry to say Sen. Ted Cruz is too often falling into the reflexive habit of voting no on everything and then mocking his colleagues. ...

The contrast between him and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is telling. Paul is no less conservative than Cruz, but he is polite to a fault, soft spoken and gracious. These qualities serve him well, indeed making some strident positions seem less so. Moreover, Rand Paul is trying to accomplish something. He’s put forth a budget. He’s offered suggestions to amend the Gang of Eight’s immigration bill. He’s suggested reforms to our drug laws.

I don’t necessarily agree with his offerings, but he is trying to work within the Senate to accomplish his aims while being respectful and quite cagey.  He is trying to expand the party’s reach. What exactly is Cruz doing affirmatively to aid the country, the conservative movement and the GOP? Yelling at people and voting no don’t qualify.

On Friday Cruz spoke at a tea party rally in Texas, referring to some of his Republican colleagues as "squishes."

@eScarry