Still, Lee seems energized at the prospect of his pals sharing a reform vision—maybe even specific pieces of his vision—with a national audience. Cruz, Paul, and Rubio have cosponsored bills advanced by Lee, and vice versa. And in general, Lee is hopeful that his friends (the entire field really) will be out there pitching fresh ideas. “Whoever is our candidate really does need to have a vision for how to help the poor get out of poverty and to help expand the middle class through conservative reform,” he tells me. “It really does need to be about reforming government.”

As for which of his compatriots would make the best messenger, Lee is too smart to go there. Even so, when asked at the breakfast to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the three men, it was clear that Lee felt more comfortable discussing some than others. “Ted Cruz and I come from similar professional backgrounds,” he began, speaking slowly and precisely of his most polarizing pal. “We tend to approach issues, particularly constitutional issues, in a similar way. Ideologically, I share a lot in common with Ted Cruz. I like his passion. I like his dedication to conservative principles—his willingness to fight even when it’s hard. I have an enormous amount of respect of him.” Of course, allows Lee, “some of those same characteristics have also been characterized by some as weaknesses, as an Achilles’ heel for him.”

When it came to Paul, Lee simply stressed that he was a good friend with an impressive grasp of constitutional issues and a commitment to fighting the good fight. (Think drone filibuster.) As for vulnerabilities, that was a no-brainer: foreign policy.

About Rubio, Lee was noticeably more effusive. Recalling a CPAC speech he saw Rubio deliver several years back, Lee said: “I’m not sure that I’ve ever known, at least among the current field, any other candidate as good as Rubio is at communicating, at delivering a speech and inviting the audience into an emotional journey as he speaks. One of these guys who bring grown men to tears very quickly when he’s speaking about his great love for our country.” As for that whole conservative outcry over Rubio’s involvement with the Gang of Eight’s compromise immigration bill: “There are those who are still critical,” says Lee. “On the other hand, that was a few years ago, and it was just one issue.”