Is Ted Cruz Running for President 2016?

Ted Cruz in Iowa, image Huffington Post.

One has to merely read a headline to be under the impression that Senator Ted Cruz (R) Texas is running for President in 2016. If one were to consider the field of candidates that has yet to be formed and is based purely on speculation (given where individuals choose to speak and to whom), then it makes sense to project a Cruz 2016 run. For example, his strong showing at the Values Voter’s summit straw poll, would suggest that he is indeed positioning. (CNN) The value placed on straw polls every general election cycle generally equates to investing in U.S. made Twinkies, given the number of straw poll winners who have not even made it out of the box (so to speak).

That said, a nod by the group of evangelicals would suggest an acceptance of Cruz and his principals, and should he decide to run, that fraction of the party amount to upwards of 20 million votes. Those are the voters, the evangelicals and certain tea party principals, who would not cast a vote merely because someone is branded a Republican (See Mitt Romney).

That said, the mere straw poll and acceptance by any given group does not indicate a run. Neither does visiting Iowa apparently, where Ted Cruz did appear at the Republican strongholds, including a Pheasant Hunt, this past weekend. The headlines screamed that surely this Ted Cruz Tea Party crazy person was going to run for President, however, if one reads the Des Moines Register article, entitled (of course): Le Mars welcomes Ted Cruz, possible 2016 run for president, with subtitle: But others protest the visit, calling the senator and Steve King 'crazy.', one finds that the story does its intended job – continues to fuel the speculation of a Cruz run, by demeaning him and other Tea Party members in the same breath. In the article, one has to read through to the bitter end where Cruz suggests:

But Cruz dismissed speculation about the 2016 presidential race after his speech. Just before getting into a car en route to the airport, Cruz told The Des Moines Register, “It is a tremendous honor to be here. The reception has been very warm, very encouraging, and my focus is on the substance of the battles that we have right now — to bring back jobs and economic growth. And right now the U.S. Senate is the battlefield. So 100 percent of my focus right now is on the U.S. Senate because that’s where these fights are being fought right now.

Since no-one on this earth knows what the wily Ted Cruz is thinking, then one might want to take the Senator at his word. Securing the Senate, with like minded conservatives would do two things: one with the current state of affairs it would ensure that the house and the Senate will be simpatico by 2016, second, should that occur, it would require a strong and steady hand at the helm of the Senate –and one can see Cruz as the Anti-Reid.

It is merely – speculation, however, as there are more than enough “potential candidates” as it is, and control of that body would ensure at least passage of land or votes on any number of bills that Harry Reid, the current majority leader of the Senate – blocks on a daily basis.

Of course, as that’s speculation, turning the Presidential Candidate speculation once again, it is not without note that Rick Santorum, who ran in 2012, and was trounced by Romney to finish a strong second, is suggesting on Sunday talk shows that “Cruz did more Harm than Good! (Politico). Of course, one might realize that this is the very same Santorum who was tutored by Newt Gingrich in the House that shut down the government – for real.

Now what?

Looking for the usual from the national GOP – one has to factor in the “next guy’s turn” theory as to who may or may not get the nod from the power brokers as their candidate of choice in 2016. Usually that’s the guy who ran in the last general election, got second place to some other “next guy”, and is put up to the general public as some sort of “booby prize” Given circumstance, and forgoing some of Rick Santorum’s ,more Catholic craziness (or to the point, being a Catholic, which is today’s American counts as being crazy – maybe not as crazy as the Tea Party, but close), he might, if he moves center left (also known as moderate), just get the nod.

Who would Santorum face if that were to be the disastrous outcome? – Hilly Clinton perhaps? That is what is being touted now – a Clinton Candidacy – she’s even got George Soros at her back – yet…something just doesn’t feel right. There’s also that usual Progressive in the wings – that newest member of the Senate – the Senator from Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren. With the Democrats, now more than ever, one cannot tell who is going to get the nod until they meet in Convention and throw the popular vote (in the Democrat Primary) and give the nod through super delegates (members of the Senate, Congress, their children, etc.) to someone other than the actual winner.

It is, therefore, a mystery at best at this point, as to who will be putting themselves up to roast by the media on the Republican side of the aisle, given a nod by the brain trust in DC (otherwise known as the RNC), and who knows what the DNC will throw at the general public this time around. One might see the dust settle a bit next year when the candidates begin to round up their staff’s, make multiple trips in their own name and vigorously tell the media – yes! I’m running for President!

As to Cruz, the media is putting a great deal of time into doing, what they perceive as damage, by demeaning, and demagoguing the man to pieces – yet that somehow translates into endearment by the base – should he, indeed decide to run, (which given the time the media is putting into his future plans), then one would think he should be well positioned – perhaps even well-position enough to roll over the usual “booby prize” – no shrinking violet with the press, one gets the impression that, if this does become the case, he would be a threat to all that is progressive, and possibly win hands down.

Fear - Dems Turn to Delay of Health Care Mandate – Obama Delays Individual Mandate for Six Weeks - The Apolitical Cruz was Right.

As the healthcare mandate known as Obama Care or the Affordable Health Care Act implodes to the strains of health insurers dropping individual’s converge across the nation, and the “glitches” in the on-line systems allowing for enrollment in Obama-care are at critical mass, the 21 hours of reasoning by the Texas powerhouse Senator – Ted Cruz, lampooned by his critics in both parties and especially the media, have apparently begun. What are Democrats to do, especially those that live in states where the party has a tenuous hold on the seat, at best?

They begin to beg for wavers and delays on the individual mandate! (U.S.A Today.)

What does the President do, after refusing delays or fixes to the program put forth by the Libertarian leaning Republican’s in the House and Senate? (i.e. Cruz, Lee, Rand, et al.) He has granted a reprieve of an entire six weeks for the individual mandate to begin.

Which begs the question, one’s insurance company has dropped their coverage in anticipation of Obama Care starting immediately – what is that person to do? As millions loose health care and millions more cannot enroll in the Federal Health Care System, known as Obama Care or the Affordable Health Care Act, what will they do?

One might hazard to guess those who are most effected or even moderately effected will remember whom this bright idea this entire fiasco belonged – Senate Democrats, specifically Harry Reid who refused to do anything to stop the mandate, including every possible parliamentary procedure followed by Ted Cruz, and his cohorts in the House – Nancy Pelosi, and those living in the la-law land of bigger government means more money in her pocket.

At the top of the Obama Care or bust standoff was the President himself, who called Republican’s out, including those no longer, serving the nation, as those who would prefer to see people go uninsured – seriously.

One can no longer vote the President out of office, however, one can ensure that anyone silly enough to have wholeheartedly supported a roll-out of an untested program, or for that matter, had done a seriously in-depth study on the ongoing disaster - which is the State of Massachusetts’s program post rollout – would have stopped this mess from occurring in the first place. Politically it would have been far better for the Democrats, in general, to have taken an anti-approach to Romney Care and then laid out a better plan (i.e. cross border insurance purchasing, with no mandates to purchase to name two).

They just could not help themselves.

The Libertarian-Tea Party-Republican types so maligned and so correct in their assessment of this debacle apparently will be the ones who will benefit. The GOP who runs the game and their candidates (generational politicians (any Bush), or moderates like McCain, and Christy) might have fared better had they jumped about the Cruz, o Paul or pick anyone member that was actually bucking the system not to get along.

One has to believe that those members will be stepping up the challengers against every Democrat in every conceivable district, from dog catcher on up in the next three election cycles.

The play for a coup it the National GOP should also become more evident as times rolls on – as to the Democrats, they hitched their ponies to the wrong horse, and frankly – there is little in the way of the media, or anything else, that can get them out from under – Way to destroy a political party!

Since the American people are so sick of the two party system, perhaps the DNC could run their Progressive candidates, the Unions and the old style Democrats could run their candidates, The GOP could run their McCain’s and the Libertarian-Tea Party could do the same – why stop at three parties for choices why not go to four or five and end the stranglehold these political behemoths have on the nation.

There’s much to play out in the next two to four years, and to those political junkies one can predict a period of extreme enjoyment in the goings on in the political arena.

Ted Cruz – Texas Offers Warm Welcome – UK profiles Ted Cruz’ Wife – Cruz Stock Rises, no Matter His intentions.

The Power Couple - just ask the media - Ted Cruz with wife Heidi - image from problanc

This morning looking over articles regarding Ted Cruz and the State of Texas, one finds a slew both opinion and news whereby Ted Cruz is a star in Texas. From the Washington Post ”Ted Cruz Returns to Texas as a Hero who is reshaping the State Republican Party”, reads the headline. Of course it’s not all milk and roses, the premise, Ted Cruz is supported by Texans, but that’s because Texas is mainly Republican, with the last Democrat winning a statewide office in over two decades. That’s about as complementary a post one can find re: Cruz and the Media.

As a follow-up, the State GOP is jubilant – with packed artless regarding the crowds showing up at every event Cruz invest his time – and he is apparently visiting a lot – there are photo’s and video’s – here – at texasgopvote.com. One would imagine, a man so despised in Washington by the rank and file GOP, from a state that gave us George Bush, Gorge W. Bush, Lyndon Johnson, et al, this is a new era of the Washington elite becoming a thing of derision when one leaves the beltway.

Although the Texas GOP isn’t alone, local Texas media is also on the bandwagon This CBS local has an exclusive on Cruz, as he talks about threats to his family and himself and – of course – Obama care – they also threw in a crowd estimate – for good measure.

But the telltale sign that an American Politician is seen as somewhat worthy of a bid at least at the Presidency is the European Press, with that said - The Globe and Mail has showcased Heidi Nelson Cruz, the wife of Senator Ted Cruz, in an article – speaks to her history, who she is, who her husband is –with a few editorial notes, but over-all the image of the article screams – this woman is important in the grander scheme of things – she’s married to Ted Cruz.

One might be able to anticipate that the Texas Senator may not be well liked by the media or the Washington Establishment, including member of his own “party” but, the rank and file, as well as certain members of the press, are beginning to understand, a bit, that brilliant trumps, plus he does have a sense of humor and a relentless smile and try and they might with hundreds upon hundreds of articles on Ted Cruz daily (just use Google news – it’s a landslide), he is overwhelmingly popular with the regular guy.

If it were in his mind to put himself out for the American Public by running for higher office, he would have already laid the groundwork and he’s getting a helping hand from those rapid politicians in DC holding desperately to their turf, as well as the media – ironic is it not?