Of course, this could simply be a way this administration tries to set one republican in direct opposition to another.
If they drop a name like Cruz, as though they considered him a threat, how do you think Rand Paul or Marco Rubio are going to feel about that? The Dems may be naming Cruz now, hoping that other republicans, now envious will do the Dems dirty work by trying to ruin his public image.
Naming Cruz as the man they fear is a good thing because 2 thirds of America has never heard of him.