From an editorial in The Dallas Morning News:

Even before his first day in the Senate, it was evident that Ted Cruz had his eyes on a bigger stage. Yesterday, that stage came into full view when Texas’ junior senator announced he would seek the GOP nomination for president in 2016.

Most of the country knows Cruz as the freshman senator who waged a 21-hour quasifilibuster in 2013 to blast the Affordable Care Act, including a recitation of the Dr. Seuss classic Green Eggs and Ham. That stunt led to an ill-advised government shutdown and drew the ire of fellow Republicans who said Cruz relished dishing out criticism without offering viable solutions.

While not a surprise, Cruz’s candidacy looks to be pivotal for the GOP. He represents the tea party wing of a Republican Party that needs to attract more moderates and uncommitted voters to win national elections. By his own admission and actions, Cruz has no time for either — not a positive sign from someone who wishes to occupy the Oval Office. His bombastic style is wearing thin.

During this campaign, Cruz must do more than pander to the farthest-right reaches of the Republican Party on hot-button issues such as immigration, health care and federal spending. The nation has too many critical issues on the table, and as a presidential candidate, he has a responsibility to propose concrete solutions even if it means reaching across the political aisle. …

Cruz’s candidacy in the 2016 race will define a boundary for the GOP’s right flank. He has argued that the GOP has lost elections because it hasn’t been bold and aggressive enough. This run certainly will test that theory.