Richard the First, or Richard the Lionheart, was a beloved figure in England, known by his subjects as a fierce warrior and an all-around righteous man. He spent his younger years fighting to secure his lands and build a unified base. Following his ascension to the throne, he spent virtually no time in his land, preferring to use his seat to wage even larger fights.

His goal was a Crusade to retake the Holy Land from the Muslims, engaging their leader, Saladin, in direct conflict on multiple occasions. He had a coalition surrounding him that was set to retake Jerusalem. However, mismanagement, factionalism, and the ulterior motives of others ultimately ruined any sort of goodwill he had built up, and he was never able to complete his goal.

To some of you, this may sound familiar, and it is a story that is repeating itself in 2015, with a possibility of it extending into 2016.

This is the story of [mc_name name=’Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’C001098′ ], an all-around great guy and valiant warrior for the conservative cause. His natural gift for fighting as the standard-bearer of what we on the Right believe has brought him to national prominence. He is a hero, and he is beloved. No matter what happens in 2016, whether or not he succeeds in his quest to become President of the United States, the Right will hold him in high regard for what he brings to the table.

But, will he win?

[mc_name name=’Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’C001098′ ] is a confrontational guy. He fights. He attacks. He keeps pressing. It is why he is loved, and it is why his nomination is not guaranteed.

[mc_name name=’Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’C001098′ ] doesn’t like Washington, and Washington doesn’t like [mc_name name=’Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’C001098′ ]. In his efforts as a warrior, he has burned many bridges, and as much as we don’t like to admit it, there is still a great deal of money and influence that will be needed to win the nomination and the presidency. Even if he wins the nomination, he will, at best, get half-hearted support from many Republican groups that he has excoriated in the past.

In effect, he is perceived as the anti-Boehner. The more moderate/liberal wings of the Republican Party do not think (perhaps rightly so) that they will get a seat at the table with him. Do they deserve one? Debatable, but the President is the de facto leader of his party, and if it is not unified under him, what can he get accomplished?

This is why there is a huge risk associated with Cruz’s candidacy. It is incredibly apparent that he has looked to the White House as a goal. It is his Jerusalem, and Obama is his Saladin. He has not been able to defeat him yet. If he does not keep his coalition together, then he may not be able to take it even when Saladin is no longer the key adversary.

[mc_name name=’Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’C001098′ ] is the Lionheart, of this there is no doubt. However, he needs to be better than the Lionheart. He needs to succeed at his goals. Being a hero is one thing. Being a successful hero is another one entirely.