Sen. Ted Cruz Tests 'Comity,' Risks Payback

04:58

February 15, 2013

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, uses a poster while questioning Chuck Hagel, a former two-term GOP senator and President Obama's choice for defense secretary, during his confirmation hearing at the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Junior Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has only been in office six weeks but already he's making waves for his unusually hardline stances and sharp-elbowed style.

Cruz, a Tea Party favorite, was slapped down by lawmakers in both parties this week for his unusually combative questioning of Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel.

Republicans yesterday filibustered Hagel's nomination, though some GOP senators denied that it was a filibuster, since they plan to allow a majority vote on the nomination later this month.

Cruz was one of only three Senators to vote against Secretary of State John Kerry's nomination. He also voted against Hurricane Sandy relief money, and voiced "deep concerns" about the immigration reform plan drawn up by Florida Senator and rising Republican star Marco Rubio.

But there's word today that Ted Cruz might be named closing speaker of the influential Conservative Political Action Conference this March.

Washington Post: Ted Cruz, making quite an entrance
Politico: Ted Cruz comes out swinging
The Atlantic: Separated at Birth (compares Cruz to Joe McCarthy)

Guest:

Ruth Marcus, opinion writer for The Washington Post.

This segment aired on February 15, 2013.