He's still serving his first term, but Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is already sparking interest in GOP circles for a presidential bid.
And he's considering it.
Cruz won't talk about it in public, or in private,
National Review reports, but the 42-year-old lawmaker isn't ignoring the buzz.
"Ted won't be opening an Iowa office anytime soon, but he’s listening," a longtime Cruz associate told National Review. "This is all in the early stages; nothing is official. It’s just building on its own."
His staff is adding speaking appearances for the conservative firebrand who already has a reputation in D.C. for speaking his mind, rattling Democrats, as well as moderate Republicans, such as Sen. John McCain.
Many on the right fear a moderate could be nominated by the party in 2016, and are warming up to Cruz. Supporters liken him to Barry Goldwater, someone who wouldn't be afraid to challenge the GOP establishment. But unlike Goldwater, they believe he could actually win.
The Harvard and Princeton grad has sharp debating skills and connections to big donors, such as PayPal founder Peter Thiel. Thiel already has donated thousands to Cruz and to groups backing him.
"If he thinks this country needs bold leadership, he's not going to shy away," a former colleague told National Review. "He is one of the most confident people I know, and he’d run to win."
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