I think I figured out what Cruz is doing.

[louis-t]

The RNC hired him to declare early and act like a moron so that later on, the rest of the nutcases in the primary won't look so bad. As Frank Burns used to say "Just spitballing".

[TheNutcracker]

1. If he's gov of TX, used to work for Bush, you're on to something, JEB will look so moderate.

[cyberswede]

2. I think you may have something there

[samsingh]

3. good try, but the problem is that the other gop candidates are all morons too

[The_Commonist]

4. That's one component.

Another component is that these people have set out to prove that Democracy simply does not work. It's another step in their project of complete plutocratic control. Kind of like how Republicans say that government doesn't work, and then get elected and prove it.

Remember... It's all about privatizing and squeezing profit from everything and everyone on the planet.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

5. Jebbie will look smart by comparison...

and be the "Compassionate Conservative" (not a thing)

[world wide wally]

6. Whether by design or accident, it will have that effect

[OffWithTheirHeads]

7. I think he is just picking the pockets of the rubes.

[Brother Buzz]

8. He's a Stalking Horse for sure....

but it's the men behind the curtain doing the hiring, not the RNC.

[Agnosticsherbet]

9. Cruz has consistently acted like a moron since he was first elected.

That leaves me to believe that he is not acting.

[bemildred]

10. Cruz is raising money, is what Cruz is doing.

No more elaborate explanation is needed.

[rogerashton]

11. On the other hand, --

He may be auditioning for this job:

Unhappy With a Moderate Jeb Bush, Conservatives Aim to Unite Behind an Alternative

[hamsterjill]

12. You could very well be right, but

Cruz doesn't know that's what he's doing. The RNC hasn't told him yet. Cruz really believes he's going to be President.

[Atman]

13. He's selling books and raising his speaking fees.

He absolutely knows he doesn't stand a chance in hell of being elected President of the United States. So, by getting out there early, he can be bumped off early, then do the speaking tours and get a job on Fox "News." Just wait...it's gonna happen. He's a moron, but he's not stupid.

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. Now that you mention it, M*A*S*H* is EXACTLY the analogy

for the inanity of the Republican party.
The jokes literally write themselves, and sadly, the Reich Wingers do not realize why we are laughing.

[sendero]

15. nah...

... he's a true narcissistic delusional that thinks most of the country believes the idiotic shit he believes. And he IS a True Believer.