WASHINGTON: The Republi­cans on Monday formally launched their campaign for the 2016 presidential election as Senator Ted Cruz stepped forward as the first candidate.

“I’m ready to stand with you to lead the fight,” he said in a 30-second video released by his campaign after he formally declared his intention to run for the White House during a speech at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

The Texas Republican promised to return the country to “a government by constitution,” repeating his party’s allegation that President Barack Obama’s policies often violated the US constitution. President Obama completes his second and final term in 2016.

Also read: Republicans seize control of Senate in US midterm elections

Although no one in the Democratic Party has officially launched a campaign yet, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is considered the leading candidate of her party.

President Obama, who is also a Democrat, has more than once indicated that he would like to see her as the next US president. But in the US, a sitting president is usually very unpopular in his last two years and is often referred to as “the lame-duck”. So his support may not be very useful for Mrs Clinton, who wants to be the first woman president of the United States. Mr Obama is the first non-White leader of the Western world.

Mrs Clinton enjoys a wide lead among potential Democratic candidates despite the recent uproar over her use of a personal email account while leading the State Department. She is expected to announce her candidacy next month.

Senator Cruz said in the video that he decided to join the race because he believes the United States needs “a new generation of courageous to help make America great again.”

The campaign also launched its website, which prominently displays a link to a speech he made in the Senate on President Obama’s effort to conclude a nuclear deal with Iran.

“In no circumstances will the nation of Iran be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons capability. The gravity of this threat cannot be overstated,” he says. “With respect to the nation of Israel, I agree with Prime Minister Netanyahu that a nuclear Iran presents an existential threat to Israel.”

Other Republicans expected to join the race include former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, whose father and brother were both presidents, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker; Florida Sen. Marco Rubio; and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul.

Senator Cruz, 44, is a favourite of the ultra-right Tea Party movement, opposes immigration and health reforms and also attacks Republicans with moderate views.

In December, Senator Cruz defied his party to force a vote on President Obama’s immigration reforms but lost.

Political analysts say that he would make it difficult for Republican with moderate views to contest the election.

Republicans also fear that the Democrats could raise questions about Mr Cruz’s citizenship, as the Republicans did with President Obama.

Mr Cruz was born in Canada, although both his parents were US citizens.

All candidates have to contest a primary, which decides who will be the official candidate of the party.

Published in Dawn March 24th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play