Posted on 02/06/2016 9:51:07 AM PST by GodGunsGuts
SALEM, N.H. -- It may have been too snowy for Donald Trump to campaign in New Hampshire on Friday, but the weather didn't stop his top Republican opponent, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Trump was stranded in New York as nearly a foot of snow fell in the Granite State, prompting the campaign to postpone a town hall meeting at the Londonderry Lions Club.
But Cruz, who pulled off an upset win over the front-runner Trump in the Iowa Caucus on Monday, turned out for his scheduled appearance that night at Lancaster School in Salem -- as did several hundred of his supporters.
Trump, meanwhile, instead flew to South Carolina to campaign and tweeted that the Londonderry event would be rescheduled for the day before the primary. Yet there was no official announcement of the rescheduling as of late Friday.
As Cruz took the stage before a crowd of more than 200 in the packed school gym, he thanked the audience for their resilience on a snowy winter night. There were many other people who were denied entry because of the tight space.
Cruz joked about how a half-inch of snow in Houston once every 10 years can cause a commotion in his native Texas. But Granite Staters are hardy, he said.
"Everyone is here tonight because we realize our country is in crisis," Cruz said. "The stakes in this election could not be higher."
Despite the snowstorm, the event attracted many people from Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey.
Just down the street, fellow Republican and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was hosting a town hall meeting at Fisk School.
Gary DiPiero, 48, of Saugus was among a group from Massachusetts Citizens for Ted Cruz that wore red, white and blue Cruz T-shirts. DiPiero waved a large American flag and held up a Cruz campaign sign.
"He's the only conservative in this race," DiPiero said.
Some of the out-of-staters said they braved the inclement weather to hear Cruz speak because it was a rare opportunity they could not pass up.
He was introduced by a group of backers that included former New Hampshire House Speaker William O'Brien, R-Mont Vernon, and former longtime Congressman and U.S. Sen. Bob Smith, R-N.H.
Cruz immediately spoke of his caucus victory, beating Trump by four percentage points. Only hours after securing the victory in Iowa, the Texas senator's first post-caucus stop was in Windham, where he fired up a crowd of jubilant supporters.
"We had an amazing night in Iowa Monday," Cruz told supporters in Salem, explaining how political pundits said there was no way he could win.
"The next president is going to be chosen by we the people," he said to applause. "The Democrats are making a choice between a wild-eyed Socialist -- and Bernie Sanders."
Despite highly publicized spats with some of his GOP opponents, including Trump, Cruz refrained from attacking them by name.
He instead took aim at Sanders, President Barack Obama and Democratic presidential hopeful and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
When a member of the audience shouted that Clinton -- often accused by Republicans for her handling of the Benghazi incident -- should be in prison, Cruz didn't hesitate to respond.
"I don't know if you heard, but the next Democratic debate," Cruz joked, "they are hosting it at Leavenworth (federal prison in Kansas) just to make it easier for Hillary to attend.
But Cruz spent much of the hour-long town hall meeting criticizing Obama's policies. They included the Affordable Care Act -- most commonly known as "Obamacare."
"Obamacare is an absolute disaster," he said. "It's the biggest job killer in our country. ... If I am elected president, we will repeal every word of Obamacare."
Cruz, a strong defender of the U.S. Constitution, spoke of his conservative principles, Ronald Reagan values and the action he has taken on issues in the Senate.
He also spoke of his firm support of the Second Amendment right to bear arms, implementation of a flat tax, and the need to stop illegal immigration.
Collectively, Cruz challenged his Republican opponents to explain what actions they have taken, including fellow Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.
Rubio was busy campaigning Friday night in Derry -- only a night after stumping at Fisk School. Many Cruz supporters loudly mocked Rubio.
"Tell me what you have even done to stand up and fight for the Second Amendment," Cruz said. "Show me your record."
The crowd became silent later on when a member of the audience broached the subject of the national heroin crisis -- an issue that has affected many New Hampshire families.
Cruz told of how his sister, who battled drug and alcohol problems for years, died of an overdose.
"I have seen firsthand the ravages of drug addiction," Cruz said. He called for tighter immigration polices to stop the trafficking ofheroin across the U.S. border.
"We need a president who will finally secure the borders," he said.
After the event, several voters said they were impressed with Cruz but still trying to decide who to support in the primary Tuesday.
But Kevin Costa, 50, of Salem, said he's made up his mind.
"I'm supporting Cruz," he said, praising his principles and defense of the Constitution. "He's the most conservative guy in the race. I think Ted is going to take this race as well."
No, that was Syndley Whiplash... waita minute
Where’s Inspector Fenwick?
Despite the snowstorm, the event attracted many people from Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey.
Nell was hawt.
The last 13 Iowa polls had Cruz losing to Trump in Iowa. The RCP was off by 8 points between the two. Most Trump supporters thought that Trump was going to win.
The Cruz victory in IA could easily be called an upset.
You're dead wrong on that one. The Donald was quite upset!
Several hundred supporters = "huge crowd." Oh. Kay.
I can't figure out why more FReepers haven't figured this out.
Well..its a step up from the meeting room at the library.
Agreed, on both points.
‘200’ is not huge but rather hyperbole.
TWB
He got 1 more delegate out of it - big deal!
200??. That’s the number of people in the bathroom line at Trump events.
Are you saying Trump craps out larger crowds than this? lol
Ted Cruz will be smack dab in the middle of Trump and Carson...LOL. Can anyone say FIREWORKS!!!
Cruz will handle himself well with all of the calmness and respect a president should have.
Amen to that! That is why I am so looking forward to the debate!!!
People enjoy freak shows or maybe they are hoping for free helicopter rides for their kids or tickets to the movies.
I was more into Polly Purebreed.
I got chunks of guys bigger than that in my stool!
Given the misleading title of the referenced article, and as I have ranted elsewhere, at this point in the campaign I am happy to be a Trump apologist instead of a Cruz apologist.
This is a funny line: “The next president is going to be chosen by we the people,” he said to applause. “The Democrats are making a choice between a wild-eyed Socialist — and Bernie Sanders.”
Cruz has a sense of humor that I love. Trump is sorely lacking in that regard.
Another nice thing is that Cruz spent the evening criticizing democrats, unlike Trump who is still obsessed with primary voters.
Dream on, fellow freeper, and come back when you have something to say.
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