According to Gallup:
38% of the country identifies themselves as Conservative
34% of the country identifies themselves as Moderate\
24% of the country identifies themselves as Liberal*** This is a record %
According to Battleground:
58% of the country defines itself as anywhere from “very conservative” to “somewhat conservative”.
Only 37% define themselves as “very liberal” to “somewhat liberal”.
There is a natural conservative base. You doesn’t have to live in the squishy middle. Someone like Cruz just needs to tap into the conservative base. Its there. It has just been neglected.
Just to follow up….
Gallup has a similar poll;
40% Conservative to Somewhat Conservative
35% Moderate
23% Liberal to Somewhat Liberal
4% with no opinion.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/152021/conservatives-remain-largest-ideological-group.aspx