“I can’t believe Christmas has come so early,” Chris Kofinis, a former aide to ex-Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) during his 2008 presidential campaign, said gleefully. 
“Ted Cruz makes a good bogeyman,” said Jamal Simmons, another Democratic strategist who has worked for several presidential campaigns.

It is not just political professionals who are rejoicing over Cruz’s announcement.

“#TedCruz is in!” liberal comedian and TV host Bill Maher tweeted Monday. “Yeah, man — what’s not to love about a guy who acts like Joe McCarthy and sweats like Richard Nixon?”