Cruz also has no ties to the establishment.
I’m more comfortable knowing that someone went into the heart of the lion’s den in D.C., was faced with all the pressure to vote their way, but stuck to his principles and refused. We have no idea if Carson would fold under that kind of pressure but we know Cruz won’t.
Cruz’s disadvantage is that outsiders (non political types) don’t necessarily see it that way. And that may be the reason why Carson has passed him. No political insider is doing particularly well right now. Fortunately the difference in their poll numbers is not large. Perhaps Cruz can change people’s minds.