Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is known to be a polarizing figure — and now we can add New York Times columnist David Brooks‘ name to the “Not a Fan” column. During an appearance with PBS’ Jeff Greenfield at 92nd Street Y, Brooks explained why found the senator “off-putting,” tossing in a quip about Joseph McCarthy.

Congressional Republicans, Greenfield noted, came out of 2012 “more conservative.” He offered up Cruz as an example, remarking that he’s unlikely to win the title of “Mr. Congeniality” anytime soon. “These folks are much more rigid than the people they’re replacing,” he added.

“If you mention the name Ted Cruz to other senators, you just get titanic oceans of eye rolling,” Brooks replied. “You’re a freshman, you don’t go in and take over hearings — you hang around and learn how it’s done.”

“It’s like the most un-conservative act to come in two weeks into the job, and decide the Senate exists for you to take it over,” Brooks continued, attributing Cruz’s making enemies to that mentality. “It doesn’t help that he has a face that looks a little like Joe McCarthy, actually. … I find him a little off-putting.”

And now you know.

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