Story highlights Those who dream of a Cruz-Bush showdown constantly harken back to Cruz's shocking 2012 Senate victory

The Cruz campaign is convinced that the playbook will work once again

Fort Worth, Texas (CNN) Ted Cruz's team thinks they already beat Jeb Bush -- three years ago.

That's when Cruz, a young lawyer with a thin resume but political talent, elbowed his way through a crowded field with just enough cash and just enough endorsements to topple an establishment hero with more money than a candidate could ever hope for.

The Cruz foe then was David Dewhurst, and he continues to cast his shadow. If he could be beaten then, say Cruz's truest believers, Cruz can't be beaten now.

"They're all Bushes," said Morgan McComb, an online activist who proudly chose to wear one of the original 50 "Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate" shirts as she waited in line Thursday for Cruz to sign her Cruz-tattooed, custom-made Converses.

Advisers, allies and donors who dream of a Cruz-Bush showdown constantly harken back to the 2012 come-from-behind shocker that the Texas Republican scraped together.

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