[kabumpo]

Very poorly written: “ Cruz has surfaced a longstanding problem with the Republican Party...”
A thing, like a problem or issue can surface, but you can’t surface something. It surfaces, you can’t surface it.

[Dr. Sivana]

Very poorly written: “ Cruz has surfaced a longstanding problem with the Republican Party...” A thing, like a problem or issue can surface, but you can’t surface something. It surfaces, you can’t surface

The author hasn't spent much time with Fowler's Modern English Usage (2nd Edition). When talking about the Buckley Rule, he used the word "conservatize". I could see Mr. Buckley wincing even in his grave over that.

These points are worth overlooking, as the content, imperfectly expressed, is spot on.