There may be hope for the Republican party yet, if Cruz and his like take the leadership. God bless Senator Ted Cruz.
Black Elk, you've been around a long time in the party politics. Do you think it's possible that the Republican party in all its primary apparatus could, in less than two years, accommodate the will of voters to nominate Ted Cruz in 2016? Is it a pipe dream, or is it realistic? Because if it is -- Cruz looks very good.
Cruz should get an early commitment/endorsement from Sarah Palin. Ditto: from Joni Ernst, Ben Sasse, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana (if possible and, if not possible, treat Walker and Pence with GREAT respect), Mike Lee, Tom McLintock of California, several hardliners from New York's Congressional delegation, Rick Santorum and some credible gubernatorial wannabe from Pennsylvania, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida, Sen. Tim Scott and Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina, Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland, Former State Senator Tom Scott and current State Senator Joe Markley in CT, Gov. Paul LePage of Maine, several strong leaders in Ohio and Michigan, the state rep. who lost the Oregon US Senate primary in 2014, Marilinda Garcia and Rep. Frank Giunta in New Hampshire, etc.
Next, opposition research, recognizing that how you treat your primary opponents may well determine your support in November or even at the convention after some have dropped out. This requires a smooth personality and high intelligence. Cruz has both. The Opposition Achilles' heels: Jeb Bush is a Bush and, as governor, he did some good and some not so good. I believe his judicial nominees were generally good. He proved a master of the Miami Cuban vote by delivering much of it for his dad against Reagan in 1980. I believe his wife is Mexican. Jeb is the rare Bush who is a Catholic and a Knight of Columbus. Cruz, though Cuban is not Catholic and his dad is a fundamentalist pastor. We will keep coming back to the fact that two Bushes have probably exhausted the franchise. Florida conservatives probably had objections to Jeb and should be asked about them. Terri Schiavo. BIG Wall Street $$$$$ does not inspire confidence in my mind. How much does Jeb owe his soul to whom?
I suspect that Chris Christie is going to be crowded out by Jeb but, just in case, he has a nasty temper that works for him and against him. He is getting better at using it strategically, telling a public school union leader who asked him pushily why his kids were in Catholic parochial schools, Christie slapped her down telling her that where his kids were educated was his business, his wife's business and none of the union's business. OTOH, he is soooooo overweight that his image is awful. He looks the part of a man of voracious appetites and no self-control or self-discipline and somewhat ill-tempered. My guess is that Christie is going nowhere other than a possible US Senate run or a less likely judgeship.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker who has won a threepeat in a still quite liberal state. Unions hate him which boosts his stock in the primaries. This guy is the real deal. He lacks a certain degree of charisma and, as a Baptist pastor's son, invokes God quite credibly in public. He has a superb track record from State rep., to Milwaukee County Board Chairman (1st Republican one in about 80 years and was re-elected). Then the unions thought that they could destroy him over Right to Work for state and municipal employees. Instead 2/3 of the union members quit the unions. Budgets are being balanced all over the state and taxes are being cut for everyone. I know of no serious drawbacks to Scott Walker. Indiana Governor Mike Pence stands out as well. Pence may not be ready to run yet.
Our new Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner probably will not run but, if he does, he is pro-abortion and favorable to some "gay" agenda items. He is a social liberal with a great talent for $$$$$ management which Illinois sorely needs. I don't think he is ready for prime time either. Beating Pat Quinn is one thing. Rauner runs the risk of being Romney II. He is folksy but not folksy enough to run for POTUS just yet.
The foregoing is not exhaustive but it covers enough territory to guage Cruz's potential.
Cruz has a backbone. Cruz is verrrrry bright. Cruz is personable. Cruz is the kind of guy of whom you may be proud when you see him function as POTUS. We haven't had one of those since Reagan. Cruz should cultivate a self-deprecating sense of humor so the crowd will laugh WITH him and not AT him. He is a very high level attorney. He can do this. Cruz nominating all federal and SCOTUS judges. Feel the excitement over that! Cruz effectively ended the career of Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, a verrry popular and somewhat conservative figure. That is impressive stuff. Give him an effective female running mate: Iowa Sen, Joni Ernst and it will be a great election in 2016. If Hillary is the Demonrat nominee, Ernst can eviscerate her, especially if the GOP opens the goldmine of scandals in Hillary's past. Meanwhile Cruz cruises the high road and sells the vision to the electorate. His contact with a Hillary should be limited to debates: "There she goes again!" Ignoring the former First Horndog is also a verrrry good idea. Billy Jeff is talented and dangerous.
It is quite possible for Cruz to be nominated and elected but he should be prepared to engage in a bit of class warfare which would be the Maraschino cherry on top of the sundae.
God bless Senator Cruz and you and yours as well!