Ted Cruz already missing Senate votes for White House run

[TexasTowelie]

WASHINGTON — In his first three days as a declared presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz missed more than a dozen votes in the Senate.

They won’t be the last.

Courting donors, jetting off to New Hampshire and Iowa — it’s a time-consuming business, not entirely compatible with the hearings, meetings, debates and roll calls that fill a typical week for a senator.

“At the end of the day, I’ve got to do both,” Cruz said in an interview Monday, shortly after launching his 2016 White House bid. “Texans entrusted me in 2012 with a humbling responsibility to go to Washington and fight for them, to defend liberty and defend the Constitution. That’s a commitment I made to 27 million Texans. I intend to continue that fight regardless of what happens.”

It’s a juggling act. Miss too much work at the Senate, and activists will raise eyebrows. Spend too much time at the Senate, miss quality time with donors and voters.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/headlines/20150325-ted-cruz-already-missing-senate-votes-for-white-house-run.ece

[merrily]

1. Not to defend Cruz but doesn't everyone who runs for President miss votes?

Given the current composition of Congress, it's unlikely that his vote will be crucial. If a bill near and dear to Republican hearts fails to pass because he was not there to vote it, Republicans may bet angry. Ditto if it appears that he is voting one way or the other simply because he is running. But I don't see simply missing votes because of mounting a Presidential campaign as a game changer for any candidate.

[tanyev]

2. There's the silver lining.