(CNN) -- American history is replete with examples of people who try to build a reputation by standing in the way of presidential initiatives. We see that today with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who is acting as if he believes that, aided by a small group of tea party-supported members of Congress, he can force the president to do his bidding by shutting down the government. In this respect, Cruz is like Huey Long, the Louisiana senator and Depression-era demagogue. Long believed that he could gain a national following by being a thorn in the side of President Franklin Roosevelt.
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Nicolaus Mills: Ted Cruz has acted to enhance his reputation, heedless of consequences
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He says FDR's critics, including Huey Long, specialized in such obstruction
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Mills: If Cruz wants to repeal Obamacare, he should seek to do it in normal vote
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He says FDR's firm stance in defense of Social Security was vindicated
If Obamacare is enacted, "it's going to destroy the private health insurance system," @placeholder predicted.