How do Martians feel about the federal deficit? And is there really no such thing as a Hispanic panhandler?

Both of these topics came up yesterday on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, where Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz made his first appearance as a “rising political star.”

“You are pretty conservative,” Wallace said, after noting that Cruz wishes to abolish the departments of Commerce, Energy, and Education, as well as the Internal Revenue Service and the Transportion Security Administration.

“Without a doubt,” Cruz replied. “And I think the American people are pretty conservative, and I’m certain the people of Texas are pretty conservative.”

As CNN’s Ashley Killough reported, Cruz talked about his willingess to reach not only across the aisle, but across the solar system:

My view on compromise is exactly the same as Ronald Reagan’s. President Reagan said, what do you do if they offer you half a loaf? Answer: You take it, and then you come back for more.

I am perfectly happy to compromise and work with anybody, Republicans, Democrats, libertarians, I’ll work with Martians, if – and the “if” is critical – they are willing to cut spending and reduce the debt.

The Cuban-American Cruz’s comments on Hispanic values (in response to a question by Wallace about President Obama’s popularity with Latino voters) also made an online splash:

The Hispanic community, the values that resonate in our community, are fundamentally conservative. They are faith, family, patriotism. Do you know the rate of military enlistment among Hispanics is higher than any demographic in this country? And they are also hard work and responsibility.

A friend of mine, a Hispanic entrepreneur, asked me a question some time ago. He said, ‘When is the last time you saw an Hispanic panhandler?’ I think it’s a great question. I’ll tell you, in my life I never once have seen an Hispanic panhandler because in our community, it would be viewed as shameful to be out on the street begging.