Ruben Navarrette, Jr.

Welcome home, Ted Cruz. Turns out that the Latino Lefties were wrong — big surprise, there — and that Cruz isn’t “anti-immigration.” Knew that, know him. But now it’s out in the open, along with some less enlightened positions my friend has taken on immigration. It’s all here — the bueno, mal, y feo — in today’s syndicated column.

Today’s column for CNN.COM delves into the scandal surrounding the Obama Administration’s decision to spy on the Associated Press by monitoring the phone calls of reporters and editors, in search of possible leaks. It’s shameful and troubling. It’s also par for the course with this bunch, which treats the First Amendment like a baby treats a diaper.

Today’s syndicated column is blunt and to the point (aren’t they all?) in advancing an uncomfortable truth. Why do we even have an immigration debate? It’s racism and xenophobia, stupid. L’Affaire Jason Richwine is just the latest ugly chapter. You can deny it all you want. But it’s true.

Trying to do too much? Spreading yourself too thin? So much so that you’re afraid you’ll miss a stitch? Join the club. It’s the new plague on American life. The latest victim: Howard Kurtz, formerly of the Daily Beast and perhaps soon formerly of CNN. Today’s syndicated column is a cautionary tale.

Today’s special bonus column for CNN.COM tells readers what is REALLY going on in Washington at the moment in the immigration debate. The mainstream media and the elite DC press corps thinks the only ones firing off torpedoes at the immigration reform bill are Republicans. Wrong! When it comes to immigration, those people don’t know sh** from Shinola. Here’s the real deal! Trust no one. Read all about it.

Today’s syndicated column talks about the maddening effect that TX Sen. Ted Cruz seems to be having on the Washington DC establishment — politicos and media. He’s obviously doing something right.

Today’s CNN column deals with ugly attack by former NM Gov. Bill Richardson on TX Sen. Ted Cruz for — wait for it — not being a real Hispanic. Not this again? College? Again? Once was enough.

The Bush haters are back. Note last week’s opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas — and the petty and childish attempts by the Bush haters to ruin the party for everyone else. Remember a few months ago when some of these same folks were insisting that the GOP was dead on arrival because it couldn’t inspire and reach out to Latinos? Well forget all that. The narrative doesn’t apply in this case. “W” is an honorary Latino. Republicans should follow suit. Today’s syndicated column lays it out.

Today’s syndicated column drills in on the GOP skirmish of the moment — the attack on MItt Romney’s brand of “vulture capitalism” and then the attack on the attackers, and what it all means for the Republican Party. It’s not good. Criticizing Romney’s business record is fair game. But trying to squelch that criticism is dangerous.

Today’s syndicated column, written from Phoenix, tells the tale of the recall of State Senate President Russell Pearce. Kudos to community organizer, Randy Parraz, who helped lead the charge against the hate-monger. Granted, the crusade would have been easier if most of the Democratic leadership in the state hadn’t been too afraid to join and in some cases actually tried to undermine the effort. So who picked up the slack? Republicans. Surprise. Ain’t politics fun?