BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In an interview with Yellowhammer Radio’s Cliff Sims Wednesday afternoon, Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL5) compared Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who officially declared as a GOP candidate for president earlier this week, to former President and conservative hero Ronald Reagan.

“I believe Ted Cruz would be an excellent president. The parallels between Ted Cruz and the way he conducts himself, his belief system, and Ronald Reagan are uncanny,” Rep. Brooks said. “Even now, what is the negative about Ted Cruz? Well, the Democrats, and to some degree the establishment Republican crowd are trying to portray Ted Cruz as a right-wing nut. Well, that’s exactly what those same groups did to Ronald Reagan!”

Brooks went on to praise Cruz’s “strong intellect” and skills as a communicator.

“They also had oratorical skills that allowed them to communicate with the public where that lightbulb goes off in the brain of the average American voter that says, ‘Hey, that’s right, that makes sense. I like this guy,’ Rep. Brooks continued. “Additionally, they both knew how to stand their ground, that’s very important.”

Brooks did add one caveat, saying he has not yet endorsed any candidate in the 2016 presidential race and that the GOP has a full slate of candidates who would make “very very good presidents.”

Listen to the entire conversation in the SoundCloud clip above, which includes a brief back-and-forth at the end of the conversation about a certain Alabamian who both Sims and Brooks say they’ve tried and failed to convince to run for president, too.

Yellowhammer Radio airs every weekday from 12-1 p.m. and can be streamed live on the show’s flagship station, Superstation 101.1, WYDE