Washington (CNN) -- Republicans are doomed in 2016 if they again nominate a candidate like Mitt Romney or John McCain, Sen. Ted Cruz said Thursday. Cruz, a tea party favorite who is considering a presidential bid, said his party needs to nominate a "strong conservative" to win back the White House in 2016. If not, Hillary Clinton will be president, he said in an interview on CNBC. When asked if former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is too far to the left to fit the conservative bill, the junior senator from Texas said he is a "fan of Jeb Bush's" but added that "we need to learn from history."
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CNBC asked Ted Cruz what he thought about rumors that Jeb Bush might run for president
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It's not the first time Cruz has slammed perceived moderate Republican candidates
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Cruz said Hillary Clinton would be president if the GOP doesn't switch course in 2016
Romney and his family have said it's unlikely he'll run in 2016, but it's not completely out of the question and @placeholder has repeatedly turned down opportunities to shut down voices in the party calling on him to run a third time for president.