When the GOP Establishment Embraces Ted Cruz

Politico: “In email after email, the political arm of Senate Republicans — part of what Cruz has repeatedly derided on the campaign trail as the ‘Washington cartel’ — has teased Cruz’s upcoming birthday to gin up new online supporters… The NRSC isn’t just hitting its existing fundraising lists with Cruz’s birthday reminders. They’re using the occasion to drum up new donors, renting out email files from Rick Perry and Mitt Romney and asking them to celebrate Cruz, too.”

“The reason: While Cruz may be a persona-non-grata at the weekly Senate Republican luncheons on Capitol Hill, he remains a powerful force in drawing small donors to a party that still lags far behind the Democrats when it comes to online fundraising prowess.”