Democrats gave Cruz an ‘earful’ on flight to South Africa -- By Alexis Levinson, The Daily Caller

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz was the lone senator and one of two Republicans in the congressional delegation that attended the memorial for former South African President Nelson Mandela, and the 20-hour flight gave Democrats plenty of time to give him an “earful.”

Cruz joined Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock and 20 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, all Democrats, in attending the funeral.

“He got an earful from many of us — I mean it was a very good conversation, nothing negative,” Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings told the Baltimore Sun. “I just reminded him that I’m concerned about the many people in my state and his state who have no health insurance.”

Cummings said that Georgia Democratic Rep. John Lewis was one of the ones sparring with Cruz.
Cruz’s flight back to the U.S. is not likely to be anymore restful.

“I know he got an earful for 20 hours out, and he’s going to get another earful for 20 hours on the way back,” Cummings said.

The Maryland Democrat said his interaction with Cruz had left him quite certain that Cruz felt his future lay outside of the Senate chamber.

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Over at National Review, Jim Geraghty writes:

 Cruz Walks Out on Castro Speech at Memorial Service for Mandela

Senator Ted Cruz (R., Texas) walked out of the memorial service for Nelson Mandela when Cuban “president” Raúl Castro began speaking.
“Senator Cruz very much hopes that Castro learns the lessons of Nelson Mandela,” said Sean Rushton, Cruz’s communications director. “For decades, Castro has wrongly imprisoned and tortured countless innocents. Just as Mandela was released after 27 years in prison, Castro should finally release his political prisoners; he should hold free elections, and once and for all set the Cuban people free.”
Earlier in the day, President Obama shook hands with Castro.

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