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."
Verry, verry upset. His short stuffy tweeting finger was sore the next day.
Teddy promises free trips to Heaven for your vote!
How about some pictures so we can tell if he is lying about this too?
Whatever you do, do not bother the Trumpsters with facts.
It was just an amazing meeting. Afterwards the blind could walk, the deaf could see and the lame could talk. ;-)
Cruz pulled off an upset win. Really! Trump got 7 delegates. Cruz got 8. Cruznadians are believing their own bs.
Why are you people so frantic? So upset? Cruz had a nice rally.
He did not dwell on the fact that Trump was home by the fire. He mostly talked about what we should be talking about: the danger of Hillary and/or Bernie.
You may think that sort of post is cute or clever, but you might want to think again.
You're confused. It's Trump that's fine with Cuban normalization.
It is Trump but we are dealing with blind cultists here.
Not one of them has made a substantive post.
They are posting silly little jokes that they think are hilarious.
They are upset that Cruz, when it counted, drew a bigger crowd to the Iowa caucus than their guy.
They're just following their candidate's example.
Count Cruz will now give his opening statement.
I’m 65 years old. I was raised Pentecostal and have been going to church since I was 4 years old. I can spot the real thing and I can spot phony. I’ve seen both through the years. Save your lectures.
-— Cruz will handle himself well with all of the calmness and respect a president should have. -—
Which is really the perfect situation for him. He’s great at rebutting accusations, but relatively weak at delivering an open-ended speech.
How many of the hoard knew this:
“”Teddy promises free trips to Heaven for your vote!”
You’re confused. It’s Trump that’s fine with Cuban normalization.””
Excellent, I see what you did.
When the longest-serving governor in the history of the Union is calling for your defeat and you still win, despite all the polls, I’d call that an upset.
Keep up the mocking. I laugh at people who support a serial adulterer, strip club owner, long-time Democrat, supporter of eminent domain, and supporter of abortion.
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