Posted on 02/12/2016 9:45:44 PM PST by SoConPubbie
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Many of the Republican presidential candidates descended Friday on Greenville ahead of Saturday's CBS debate.
But only one was savvy enough to get himself enlisted as the opening act of a throbbing, trembling Christian rock concert that packed 14,000 evangelicals into a downtown arena on Friday night.
So here came Ted Cruz, striding onto the catwalk of a stage, beaming under the spotlight, leading the crowd in prayer, asking them to unite behind him in next Saturday's primary election, and jumping up like a basketball player high-fiving fans as he walked into the locker rooms in the bowels of the arena.
"Welcome to Winter Jam -- and to God be the glory," the Texas senator said.
Winter Jam is a touring, four-hour show featuring born-again Christian rock and rap artists. It performed at Greenville's Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Friday night.
Ted Cruz about to address 14,000 (!) pumped up evangelicals in Greenville. Opening act of Christian arena concert pic.twitter.com/SYBIPCVdtz
- Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) February 12, 2016
For any Republican politician, this was a captive and prized audience. Evangelical Christians are an especially influential voting block in South Carolina, especially in the Greenville area, known as the Upcountry.
Cruz gave about six minutes of remarks and prayer at the start of the concert. He thanked the crowd "for standing unapologetically with Jesus, for confessing your faith with love."
Cruz talked about religious liberty being "under assault," but said that across the country "people are waking up."
"Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values," Cruz said. "Those values of life and marriage are under assault, religious liberty is under assault, and yet the American people are rising up."
Cruz did not attack any rivals, nor did he make an overt political pitch. But he cast himself as a champion of social conservative principles,
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
ROFL!!
Blah. Blah. Blah.
How long have you been saying this?
When does repeating it get to be called a lie?
He hit the nail squarely on the head.
That's just more Trumpbot crazy talk. Rush is even saying that if you want a true conservative candidate then its Ted Cruz. Period. End of conversation.
How many can?
There is Trump. There is Obama. Any others? Does it prove he will or will not make a great president?
I know it’s hard to believe , but I was just trying to be nice for a change.
LOL!! I couldn’t believe they’d captioned it as a CRuz rally! Not that it wasn’t obvious, but still! Too funny.
It would be nice if you were nice for a change, but it appears you were just a typical dishonest Cruz supporter, which isn’t a change at all.
The truth tends to strike a nerve with the non-believers .. we understand
The hail-Satan left, Planned Parenthood, NARAL, the GOPe all appreciate your tremendously hard work to support their efforts. Your father must be proud.
Hush Bimbo also called Rubio a “Reagan” “True” conservative. Hush Bimbo needs to get back on the oxycotin so his brain starts working right again.
Most often referred to as Upstate, South Carolina there are minor references to the area as the Upcountry.
I live here
Now he has an idea how Donald Trump feels at just about every event he has held, and they are coming just for Donald.
Winterjam happens every year, Travels all over the country. usually Toby Mac headlines it. And then several other popular Christian artist perform as well. I have had friends and family attend and they have loved it. Past two years it was streamed online for free.
If you are into popular Christian music, then it is a good show. If that isn’t what you are interested in, well that is another story.
http://2016.jamtour.com/artists/
It’s really getting embarrassing for them .. they will give up soon , Cruz is done
This is true. I live here too.
Cruz supporter? You should step away from whatever you are consuming.
And you should learn to read posting histories before flaming.
It’ll all be over on Saturday.
You’re right, I should. My apologies.
They’re unintentionally merging Low Country with Upstate, at least they’re familiar enough to get close to the correct monikers, and not put Greenville in NC or Charlotte in SC like the national news media have been known to do.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.