4 Signs Cruz Has Best Chance at GOP Nomination: Wash. Post's Cillizza

Forget front-runner Donald Trump, says The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza – it's actually Texas Sen. Ted Cruz who is the odds-on favorite to take the coveted GOP presidential nomination.

In a column published Sunday, Cillizza lists the reasons he believes Cruz will be the eventual-standard bearer for the party:

• Cruz is the most conservative candidate. Trump may claim it with over-the-top statements such as deporting all illegal immigrants and banning Muslim immigration, but Cruz has taken the far-right position on every major issue, including immigration, Obamacare, national security and battling the Islamic State (ISIS.) "And, tonally, Cruz comes across as aggressively and unapologetically conservative — a less controversial and more electable version of real estate magnate Trump," Cillizza writes.
• Cruz is second-highest in fundraising. Only former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has raised more, but most of that has come through his super PAC, Right to Rise. And since super PACS have to pay full price for ad buys, while candidates get discounts, Cruz's money, raised more evenly between his campaign and his super PAC, will be able to spend that cash more efficiently.
• Cruz is ahead in Iowa. A crucial Iowa caucus win is in Cruz's sights as two recent polls have him leapfrogging Trump.
• The later primaries favor Cruz. If Cruz can win at least one of the first three states (Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina) in February, things look even brighter for him on March 2, when the so-called "SEC Primary" takes place among the southern states.

In the minus column, Cruz hasn't been able to appeal to voters outside his conservative base as has Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, currently running third. But, Cruz is climbing in the national and state polls at just the right time, Cillizza says.

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