September 30, 2016 3:54 PM

SB: Patrick gives Cruz a lesson in how to lead the Tea Party

Not always giving Tea Partiers everything they want: Lt. Gov. Patrick and Sen. Cruz share the constituency of voters who demand unbending leaders, but Cruz is sidelined while Patrick is on top thanks to his ability to adapt to the political environment

A clear-eyed assessment of the long-term strength and influence of the Tea Party in Texas – the actual movement, not Astroturf groups funded by a handful of wealthy contributors – is naturally reliant on the durability of the officeholders who credit those voters for their success at the ballot box.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Sen. Ted Cruz, and to a lesser extent Gov. Greg Abbott all embrace self-identified Tea Party supporters and each has worked to promote the policies they want from government.

Given that Gov. Abbott has largely been missing in action when it comes to the Republican Party of Texas’ current quandary, the race for the White House, Patrick and Cruz deserve a review of their performances. Patrick was on board with nominee Donald Trump from the moment Cruz was no longer an option. Cruz, not so much.

These two statewide Republicans both won office principally by defeating the same man, former Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, in GOP runoff elections with small electorates dominated by voters demanding politicians who will commit to “doing what they said they would do.” In considering which has the more durable career, the difference may well be that Patrick does what he said he would do while Cruz merely says what he said he would say.

By Scott Braddock