How to Explain the Rise of Ted Cruz

National Journal: “Cruz’s rise offers more evidence that a climate of polarization in Congress inexorably tends to empower each party’s ideological vanguard against its center. Polarization undercuts congressional centrists, who exert influence by finding compromises and closing deals. But centrists can’t deliver either outcome when the parties are committed to perpetual conflict. When legislation is constant war, parties tend to seek leadership from warriors. Enter Cruz.”