Cruz: ‘Now it’s up to South Carolina to pick the president’

After Ted Cruz wrapped up his stump speech Wednesday, John Leach couldn’t help but notice the symbolism of the venue where the Texas senator spoke.

“See where this is?” the Myrtle Beach man asked. “It says, ‘Ground Zero.’ If he wins South Carolina, this is key.”

With Iowa and New Hampshire in the books, the presidential candidates turned their focus to the Palmetto State on Wednesday. Cruz addressed more than 250 at Ground Zero, a Christian club on Chester Street.

“Iowa and New Hampshire have performed their historic role,” said Cruz, who won Iowa and finished third in New Hampshire. “They’re narrowing the choices. And now it’s up to South Carolina to pick the president.”

During his nearly half-hour speech, Cruz touched on a familiar wish list: repealing the Affordable Care Act, having the U.S. Department of Justice investigate Planned Parenthood, ending the Iran nuclear deal, rebuilding the military and defending religious liberty.

He also compared his down home credentials with those of residents in the Palmetto State, where primary voters will go to the polls on Feb. 20.

“Texas and South Carolina, we share so much in common,” he said. “Both states are Southern states. We’re gun owners, military veterans and love God. And we’re fed up with the disaster that is Washington D.C.”

Cruz compared the current political climate to the late 1970s.

“Why is it that that analogy gives me so much hope?” he said. “Because we remember how that story ended. All across this country millions of men and women rose up and became the Reagan revolution. … There is an awakening that is sweeping this country.”

Cruz repeated the message that’s become central to his campaign: he’s an outsider who’s loathed by mainstream Republican politicians because he’s more conservative than they are.

That theme resonated with the crowd, which frequently rewarded him with applause.

“Cruz was my man from Day 1,” said MaryAnn Carnazza of Longs. “He’s got very high integrity and he’s honest. … Coming out of Washington, that’s a rare find.”

For Carnazza, Wednesday’s event was the third time she’d heard Cruz speak. She also attended two lunches with his father, Rafael. With her Cruz T-shirt, sticker and “Choose Cruz” sign, her choice for president was obvious.

“He’s the only conservative running,” she said,

Marilyn Leach of Myrtle Beach wasn’t sold yet. She said she was still making up her mind, though she did like Cruz’s speech.

“It was wonderful,” she said. “It’s time for a change. … It was refreshing.”

Her husband, John, said he’s narrowed his options to Cruz or retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. If Carson’s campaign doesn’t begin gaining steam, Cruz will be his choice.

One selling point for Cruz, he said, is the senator’s steadfast conservatism.

“He’s been through the fire and he’s been tested,” he said. “He has a record that shows he follows through with what he says.”

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 8:54 PM with the headline "Cruz: ‘Now it’s up to South Carolina to pick the president’."