Cruz seeks to turn irascible personality to his advantage

FILE - In this Dec. 23, 2015 file photo, Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz speaks in Oklahoma City. Cruz's reputation as an arrogant, grating, in-your-face ideologue has dogged him throughout the Republican presidential race. But it hasn’t stopped his rise. And increasingly Cruz has embraced his irascible persona, trying to turn what could be a liability into an asset. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File) FILE - In this Dec. 23, 2015 file photo, Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz speaks in Oklahoma City. Cruz's reputation as an arrogant, grating, in-your-face ideologue has dogged him throughout the Republican presidential race. But it hasn’t stopped his rise. And increasingly Cruz has embraced his irascible persona, trying to turn what could be a liability into an asset. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File)

By Associated Press January 4, 2016 4 min read

MECHANICSVILLE, Va. (AP) – Ted Cruz’s reputation as an arrogant, grating, in-your-face ideologue has dogged him throughout the Republican presidential race. But it hasn’t stopped the Texas senator’s rise.

Cruz is increasingly embracing his irascible persona, trying to turn what could be a liability into an asset.

“If you want someone to grab a beer with, I may not be that guy,” Cruz said at a Republican debate this fall when asked to describe his biggest weakness. “But if you want someone to drive you home, I will get the job done and I will get you home.”

Cruz and his supporters relish his outsider status, highlighting his conflicts with fellow Republican senators. Not one has endorsed him for president.

A group backing Cruz’s candidacy sent out a fundraising email plea in December with the subject line “Washington hates Ted Cruz.” Cruz frequently rails against the “Washington cartel,” which he argues is scared that conservatives are uniting behind him, and says he’s glad that “Washington elites” despise him.