It is time for conservatives to rally around Ted Cruz.

By now, the reasons should be clear.

There are a number of quality conservatives running for president. Senator Marco Rubio offers some good things but he’s running as moderate to get the Chamber of Commerce support and money. We don’t need Bush Lite. Ben Carson is a good man, but his campaign has run its course. Senator Rand Paul has been a strong fighter for conservative causes, but the numbers just aren’t there for him. Ditto Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum.

Ted Cruz is surging. He’s on top in Iowa. He’s gaining ground everywhere else. He has organizations in place in every state that matters. He’s raised more money than anyone except Jeb Bush.

There’s a reason for this. Conservatives nationally are seeing that he’s the one candidate who is going to return this country to her Constitutional foundations and Judeo—Christian values.

On every issue of crucial importance to conservatives—defunding Planned Parenthood, ending the Obamacare nightmare, reducing the size of government, opposing amnesty—Cruz is not only with conservatives, he’s led the fight for conservatives.

Some Republicans vote the right way on these issues. Few stick their necks out and challenge the Washington DC GOP establishment. He’s done it over and over, fearlessly. It’s what leaders do.

Some say him constantly doing this makes Cruz one of the most reviled men in Washington.

It’s hard to imagine a more prestigious title. America is fed up with the establishment in Washington, especially the Republican leadership that constantly flat-out lies to voters promising an agenda they have no intention of honoring.

Ted Cruz could play that game too. Life would be easy. But he came to Washington to change Washington. He’s the one candidate the establishment most fears – because he will.

My friend Richard Viguerie always asks an important question when it comes to a candidate claiming to be a conservative, which they all do because they cannot be elected without conservatives. Does he walk with us? Where was he or she before the campaign? Were they regulars at our meetings and conferences? Were they helping conservative candidates, organizations, causes?

Or are they conveniently “conservatives” now because they need us?

Ted Cruz has been a part of the movement since the start of his career in Texas. No other candidate – none – can say this.

Ronald Reagan was with us decades before he was elected president. He shared our cause not just politically, not just philosophically, but in his heart. For that he was despised by the establishment of both parties. He was undeterred. He ran for the presidency not be president but to change the world. And did.

But can he win?

There’s nothing the Left would like more than to see Donald Trump win the GOP nomination. He cannot, will not defeat Hillary Clinton. She will be our next president, and God help us then.

Only Ted Cruz can defeat Trump; and if he does, he’ll defeat Hillary.

The Left knows this reality too. This is why the vicious, personal attacks against Cruz are underway. He’s been through this before, and all the establishment-led character assassination attempts in the past have failed. This time they will be more malicious than ever.

Make no mistake: Cruz isn’t just surging right now—he’s winning the Republican primary. As political analyst Nomiki Konst observed at The Hill, “All the focused polls in early primary states this week show Cruz’s momentum growing, a reflection of his formulaic long-term strategy centered on fundraising, investment in ground game across the country, key endorsements and messaging to a coalition of conservative voters.”

Konst adds, “Hyper-disciplined, Cruz’s multifaceted strategy — a formula of raising and saving cash, prioritizing field over media, focusing on evangelicals and anti-establishment conservatives — has solidified support across all primary states. And in coming weeks, as candidates fade, expect Trump’s tirades to continue, and watch as Cruz quietly capitalizes.”

It’s time for every conservative leader to stand and be counted.

It’s time for the movement to rally around Ted Cruz, to make him the next president of the United States.