Ted Cruz's greatest debate foe: humor

(Image credit: Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

last updated 22 April 2015

Years before wowing tea party Republicans with his spirited assaults on big government, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was a ballyhooed speaker on the college debate circuit.

Known for his "arsenal of rhetorical skills and theatrical gestures," according to a New York Times feature on the 2016 candidate's college career, Cruz often excelled in competition. But for all his oratorical gifts, Cruz could still quite easily be derailed by a little unexpected levity.

But Mr. Goolsbee and other top debaters on the circuit who frequently beat Mr. Cruz discovered it was easy to get under his skin, especially with humor. "It would unravel him," Mr. Goolsbee said.In one round, Mr. Goolsbee pointed out that the story of Mr. Cruz's father coming to America, as compelling as it sounded, was not entirely relevant to, say, the federal deficit."How dare you insult my father!" Mr. Cruz replied. [The New York Times]

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Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.