In fact, a group of national conservative leaders made a point of telling the conservative CNSNews that they are delighted that Cruz is already "rocking the boat" in Washington.

"Senator Cruz came to Washington to advance conservative policies, not play by the same old rules that have relegated conservatives, and their ideas, to the back bench," said Michael Needham, president of Heritage Action, which helps activate grass roots Republicans for conservative candidates and political causes.

But the criticism Cruz is getting isn't just about his public performances, it's also about the way he is coming across to his Senate colleagues in private.

Senate GOP sources tell CNN that in Republican meetings, Cruz has surprised senior members by standing up and speaking at length, when freshmen senators traditionally take a more-low key, listen-and-learn approach.

One GOP senator told CNN that Cruz's bucking tradition has led several of his colleagues to conclude that even in the Senate, a place of healthy egos, Cruz stands out for the size of his.

Some of Cruz' supporters say he could benefit from adding a small dose of humor into his speeches and private interactions. But they also say Cruz went to Washington to use his intellect and fight for his beliefs, not to wait his turn.

"I think what Senator Cruz understands is that he has more to gain from adhering to his principles, staying in touch with the grass roots here and around the country than he does being friends with other senators," Steinhauser said. "The other senators and other folks on the House side certainly have low approval ratings across the board, and that's kind of because of the collegiality among them and the fact that they sell out the American people to the tune of 16 trillion dollars in debt."

"I think Ted Cruz has everything to gain by staying true to his principles and to his grass roots folks who elected him."

Cruz does find humor in one thing -- that he is getting criticized for following up on campaign promises that he openly and forcefully pushed in his campaign.

"I find it amusing that those in Washington are puzzled when someone actually does what they said they would do," Cruz said.

With that, the adoring crowd there to greet him at the gun manufacturing business broke out in laughter.