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."
It’s going to be an interesting debate tonight! Need to get more popcorn!
I heard it was a wet snow that knocked out a lot of power.
Ted Cruz will be smack dab in the middle of Trump and Carson...LOL. Can anyone say FIREWORKS!!!
a crowd of more than 200
I realize NH is a small state...but....
It also said many more were turned away due to the limited capacity. In a foot of snow, that’s impressive.
I suppose pulling 200 people in NH during a snowstorm qualifies as an accomplishment.
==I realize NH is a small state...but....
“There were many other people who were denied entry because of the tight space.”
Of course, the mighty Donald Trump canceled his event altogether, prompting this response from Jeb Bush:
http://bgr.com/2016/02/05/donald-trump-vs-jeb-bush-twitter/
ZING!
Jeb in his death throes has also found the energy to attack Rubio.
Charge!
Calling 200 a huge crowd is a bit of an exaggeration. Plus, calling Cruz’s victory in IA an “an upset victory,” is also an exaggeration.
But, but Trump supporters would walk five miles in the snow up hill in BOTH directions to see the Donald.
When every news organization and expert talking head says you’re gonna lose and you win...that’s an upset.
They aren’t going to walk to a place where Trump isn’t.
I guess it was an upset since Trump led in each of the 13 latest pre-caucus polls....
200+ is a “Huge Crowd”?
Hugh and Series - LOL
200 people in a school gym = huge!
Hilarious. Mocking all around.
Well, he’s a Canadian Mountie - he always gets his vote (even if stolen!)
or Lies! LoL
Trump is very much looking to the debate. Someone with the initials of T.C. is going get it from all sides.
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