Djohn, while I appreciate Cruz's views as you do, and see him as patriotic and positively idealistic, as a good and necessary force towards the good of the nation, I don't think he's a viable candidate. The Repub candidate must compete against Hillary Clinton, and will not succeed in that without drawing from moderates and independents. Cruz will not do that.
My choice at the moment, because Romney's not running, is Scott Walker. He is not at all the powerful conservative candidate towing the party line, but has a record of successfully doing what makes sense...saving his state's budget by standing up to out of control labor unions, and demonstrating lots of political fortitude.
I may change my mind as it all develops, but I don't see Cruz as the man.