In the wake of revelations of Ted Cruz’s sudden trip to Cancun, Mexico, in the midst of devastating winter weather in his home state, the Houston Chronicle is calling on the already controversial Texas Republican Senator to resign. Initially, Cruz claimed that he was merely accompanying his kids on a trip with friends, but then, The New York Times reported that they’d obtained copies of text messages that Cruz’s wife, Heidi, sent before the trip in which she invited family friends to join the Cruzes on a trip to Mexico in order to get away from the “freezing” conditions at home.
Referencing the perilous conditions in Texas, the Chronicle observed as follows:
‘It’s a mess. We don’t begrudge anybody their “wanna get away” fantasies. But a senator elected to represent nearly 30 million people? He got a ticket to ride and he don’t care.’
The paper also noted that Cruz’s “re-election campaign heavily rested on claims of his compassion and advocacy for suffering Texans after Hurricane Harvey,” but this time, what has he actually been doing?
The publication added as follows:
‘[Escaping] to Mexico hits a new low — even by the senator’s own standards… Texans are aware of Cruz’s deficits in compassion, as evidenced by his vote against funding for Hurricane Sandy victims. But he always seemed a little too calculated for such a gross error in political judgment. We were wrong. Cruz’s trip to Mexico was foolish, callous and sadly telling of his approach to the job over the past eight years. Take our advice, senator, and resign. Seems like you could use a break and we could, too, from an ineffective politician who, even in crisis, puts his personal itinerary before the needs of Texans.’
After backlash, Cruz acknowledged that he changed his plans mid-trip. He shared the following, discussing his travel plans:
‘I began really second-guessing that decision and saying, look, I know why we’re doing this, but I’ve also got responsibilities, and it had been my intention to work remotely, to be on the phone, be on internet, to be on Zoom, to be engaged. But I needed to be here, and that’s why I came back.’
The damage was done. Amidst dangerous and deadly winter weather in which millions of Texans were temporarily left without utilities like electricity and running water, Cruz flew to Mexico, and nothing will change this reality.
Politico Playbook: At the Houston airport, protesters held up signs dragging Cruz ('24 dead Ted!'). At his home, more protesters had camped out with their own signs ('TWO SUITCASES FOR ONE NIGHT?' 'Did your kids also make you COMMIT TREASON?').
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 19, 2021
