In our continuing watch for early 2016 stirrings, today’s news is that Ted Cruz is making his Iowa debut next month as the keynoter for the Republican Party of Iowa’s summer picnic fundraiser. 100 bucks will get the happy Iowa wingnut lunch and a chance to meet the next Joe McCarthy.

It’s a bit curious that a Paulite bastion like RPI is bringing in Cruz–though they could probably use the jack, since they’ve alienated many traditional sources of Republican fundraising in the state. As for Cruz, he’s like the Honey Badger, and takes what he wants.

In any event, RPI can save some money on its picnic offerings. Cruz will bring all the red meat anyone can consume.

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Ed Kilgore is a political columnist for New York and managing editor at the Democratic Strategist website. He was a contributing writer at the Washington Monthly from January 2012 until November 2015, and was the principal contributor to the Political Animal blog.