So following the debacle we all know as Obamacare, I was struck by an epiphany.
I don't know if this was Cruz's strategy all along or merely an excellent unintended consequence.
By fighting for a delay, and being willing to shut down the government over it, he has ensured that Obama WILL NOT delay Obamacare. That would be to admit his enemies were right and he was wrong.
As a result, Obama will not even countenance a delay ("failure is not an option") and will push on, consequences be damned.
I'm reminded of the (possibly apocryphal) story I heard of Andrew Jackson insulting the British just before the Battle of New Orleans so that, in their pride, they simply attacked head on rather than give even a small semblance of victory to the Americans and make a minor retreat and change tactics. (Which led to their complete rout.)
If this was his plan, it's absolutely brilliant. If, instead, it is a unintended consequence of his plan, it is Providential. Either way, I think we will be better off for it.