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Posted on 08/29/2014 7:24:39 AM PDT by SoConPubbie
Ted Cruz is beefing up his political staff as speculation heats up that the Texas senator may run for president in 2016.
The Republican firebrand is adding muscle to his campaign and political operations to help Cruz and his staff keep up with the growing political demands on Cruz since he arrived in the Senate in 2013 and achieved fame — or notoriety, depending on one’s view.
Joel Mowbray, a consultant for a foreign policy think tank, has been volunteering for the political operation and “will end up playing a role” on the paid political staff, the adviser said. Nick Muzin, a former top House Republican Conference aide that now works in Cruz’s congressional office as a deputy chief of staff, will be working on coalitions building and outreach for Cruz’s political operation.
(Also on POLITICO: Michael Steele: Beware pizza with Ted Cruz)
Jason Miller, who’s advised prominent conservatives like Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), has been brought on to “to put together a more robust communications operation,” the adviser said, while longtime GOP presidential campaign hand and Axiom Strategies founder Jeff Roe has been brought on board to build out the political organization. Lauren Lofstron will work on fundraising. Those three hires were first reported by the Washington Examiner.
Chip Roy, Cruz’s chief of staff, also received $1,100 in July for political consulting for the senator’s leadership PAC — though this is not Roy’s first work on the political side for Cruz, the adviser said. Both GOP Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida have moved their chiefs from their congressional offices to their political operations — but Roy isn’t going anywhere yet.
Several Cruz aides sought to dispel rumors that Roy is stepping away from Cruz’s congressional office to engage in politics full-time. Roy remains Cruz’s chief of staff, they said.
“[Cruz’s] leadership, his travel, the positions he’s taken; all of the above have created a real demand. We are making sure we are adding new resources,” a Cruz adviser said Thursday evening. “The only way to achieve change is to build a robust grassroots army,” the adviser added, which “takes a lot of work.”
Though Cruz has not announced that he will run for president, the work of several more experienced political hands in his shop will allow a 2016 campaign to more easily rev up. And most tapped-in Republicans inside and outside Washington believe Cruz is indeed eyeing the White House, with his growing sway on the right, increased visibility stumping for conservative candidates and a book on the way for 2015.
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Patiently waiting.
Checkbooks at the ready...
He’s got my vote
The former Republican National Committee chairman on Monday poked fun at reports that some House Republicans changed their minds on crucial border legislation last week after meeting with Cruz, the Texas Republican and tea party icon.
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And here’s his opposition; GOPers who think it’s fine to have an expensive dinner with Democrats, but find it frightening to have take out with Ted Cruz.
“For John Boehner, whenever any of his members says, ‘Hey, I’m about to have pizza and beer with Ted Cruz,’ he should be concerned,” Steele joked. “Really look at the calendar and see if there’s a vote coming up,” he said, adding that Cruz “undermined” GOP leaders.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/08/michael-steele-ted-cruz-john-boehner-109696.html#ixzz3Bn9Bqg3c
Mine too.
Fox News pol says that 25% of Iowa caucus republs favor Mitt Romney and only 5% favor Ted Cruz. Please not this stupid RINO capitulation by Rove again! The stakes are too high for a typical republican loser apologist!
He’s got my vote.
Cruz & Palin make a much stronger team in whatever roll she plays.
I was discouraged by that news too. What’s wrong with Iowa?
I’d rather lose with Cruz than have another RINO/Democrat Lite candidate.
My vote, my money and my support is his.
Senator Cruz, you have a vast grassroots army waiting to go - just give us the word. You are this generation’s Lincoln, this generation’s Reagan - the man who will save this country from forces, both foreign and domestic that are intent upon destroying it.
Run, Ted, RUN!!!!
The Iowa Republican Caucus has NOT been a very good predictor.
Since 1976, excluding any sitting Republican presidents, they selected only one winner: George W Bush in 2000.
76 - Ford, lost to Carter
80 - GHW Bush, lost to Reagan who won
84 - Reagan unopposed
88 - Bob Dole, lost to GHW Bush who won
92 - GHW Bush unopposed
96 - Bob Dole (again — they luv losers), lost to Clinton
00 - George W. Bush, won
04 - George W. Bush unopposed
08 - Huckabee, lost to McCain who lost to Obama
12 - Romney, no, actually Santorum who lost to Romney who lost to Obama
Cruz Control, still in stealth mode.
Cruz 2016, he is every Rino’s worst nightmare!
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