Still don't trust Ted. Never will. Once people show you who they are...believe them.
I trust him. He is a prominent political figure, with beliefs like my own, on most issues.
I believe him to be smart, and pragmatic. He should see the obvious; AOC is persuasive in the manner that Scott Adams discusses. He noticed her ability early, to be heard.
One could cynically claim Cruz is using her to get attention. If so fine. But that is the game now, like it or not. I appplaud his political savvy.
If they got a jointly developed measure to pass, I would call them both "smart" and "effective."