you sound very confused.....
Nah, dude. Ted Cruz wrote an article at some point (I can't find it now but I'm looking) that was some topic that involved advanced math. I suspect the guy is probably dangerously smart. But he's pulling a con on you guys by playin' it "rough Texan common man".
I've got to find that paper, I read some of it years ago but I can't find it now.
Most of these folks on BOTH sides came up through the Ivies if they did Law and, no matter how much we'd all like to think an Ivy league education is now overinflated grade-inflated puff, it really isn't (and it certainly wasn't back then). These people are sharp. You pretty much have to be. And they all went into politics which means they are planning on selling you something.
So when someone tries to "out hick" each other or somehow denigrate the "elites", just remember no matter who's doing it, they are almost all to a person the elite.
This whole hagiography of Tim Walz is a bit annoying by extension. While I am a sucker (as is everyone) for a down-home Midwestern feel-good guy, I have to remember that this isn't the only way to be an American. I grew up in the Midwest, so I know "Midwest Nice". It's great! The people are some of the nicest....well, you've heard it all before probably about YOUR area...but honestly it's not the only real America. Real America includes all of us. From the farmer and tradesmen all the way up to the theoretical physicists and CEO's.
Maybe we should try to dial back this splitting of our country along "class lines".