Why being first could help Ted Cruz's presidential hopes

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Does being first out of the gate matter to Ted Cruz as he seeks the presidency?

The nominating process doesn't begin until February, when the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina get their say as "first-in-the-nation" states.

But there's no question the Texas Republican senator is going to get attention, and that could mean something in the short-term. Right now, Cruz is trailing in early public opinion polls behind Scott Walker and Jeb Bush. And Walker, the Wisconsin governor, zoomed in those polls by doing well at the Iowa Freedom Summit and the Conservative Political Action Conference — a sign that buzz has its benefits.

"It's a good tactical move in my view, given that we've seen a Scott Walker boomlet," said James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas in Austin. "Tactically, this is a good way for (Cruz) to get back in the forefront, get free media and get his name out there … in a sense to reinsert himself into the discussion."

There's no question that Cruz isn't the only Republican eyeing the White House. But Bush, Walker, Rand Paul (who is set to formally announce his candidacy April 7), Marco Rubio and the other likely GOP candidates have been careful to say they're still "considering."

One reason is legal: Candidates who are considering a presidential campaign can do so without filing the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. That's one reason, for example, Bush is able to help raise money for his Right to Rise super PAC. Federal law prohibits coordination between a super PAC and the candidate it is supporting, but since Bush isn't officially a candidate his fundraising for the committee meets the legal test.

Dave Carney, a longtime GOP strategist, told The New York Times that Cruz is engaging in "the shiny object principle."

"He wants to be first, get in the conversation, not show any doubt or hesitation," Carney is quoted as saying. "There's an advantage to being first. He's now the only one running for president, instead of engaging in this Kabuki dance that the others are."