Ted Cruz Becomes First Major GOP Candidate To Announce Presidential Bid For 2016

Sen. Ted Cruz Announces Presidential Bid. As The New York Times reported on March 23, Sen. Ted Cruz announced “that he would run for president in 2016, becoming the first Republican candidate to declare himself officially in the race.” [The New York Times, 3/23/15]

Right-Wing Media Laud Cruz Bid For The GOP Presidential Nomination

Hannity Hosted Cruz For An Hour-Long Campaign Launch Special. On March 23 edition of his Fox News show, Hannity hosted Cruz for an hour-long 2016 special in which he discussed Cruz's campaign announcement speech earlier that day at Liberty University and allowed Cruz to promote his platform. [Fox News Channel, Hannity, 3/23/15]

Ingraham: Cruz Represents A More “Reagan-esque” Form Of Conservatism. On the March 23 edition of The Laura Ingraham Show, Laura Ingraham applauded Cruz for “stand[ing] firm for the constitution,” and claimed Cruz will be tough competition for Republicans because he represents “more of a traditionalist point of view” and a more “Reagan-esque” form of conservatism. [Courtside Entertainment Group, The Laura Ingraham Show, 3/23/15]

Rush Limbaugh: Ted Cruz "Might Be The Smartest Man In Congress." On the March 23 edition of The Rush Limbaugh Show, Limbaugh praised Cruz for delivering his speech without a teleprompter, and applauded Cruz as a presidential candidate, claiming he “might be the smartest man in Congress.”  [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/23/15]

Fox's Monica Crowley: “Thrilled To See” Cruz “Announce His Bid.” Fox News contributor Monica Crowley tweeted that she is “thrilled to see” Cruz “announce his bid for the GOP nomination for president!”

I'm thrilled to see @SenTedCruz announce his bid for the GOP nomination for president! I am honored to call @tedcruz my friend.

-- Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) March 23, 2015

 [Twitter.com, 3/23/15]

Fox's Howard Kurtz: “The Man Can Give A Speech.” Fox's media critic Howard Kurtz applauded Cruz's announcement speech:

Say what you want about Ted Cruz, and he has passionate supporters & detractors, but the man can give a speech

-- HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) March 23, 2015

[Twitter.com, 3/23/15]