What’s Behind Ted Cruz’s Southern Campaign Swing

ABC News ^ | August 10, 2015 | Jessica Hopper

[2ndDivisionVet]

Following the first Republican presidential debate, many GOP candidates hit the campaign trail in Iowa and New Hampshire, but Ted Cruz stopped south first, going on a bus tour as part of his campaign’s effort to give southern states more play.

“We're running a national campaign," said Cruz from his campaign bus. "You know, there are some folks in this race. They're all in in one state and hoping to get lucky. We are putting together a national grassroots campaign."

On Sunday, the Cruz campaign bus, emblazoned with the slogan, “This bus makes right turns only,” pulled into Pelham, Alabama where Cruz along with his wife Heidi and their two young daughters greeted nearly 800 people.

Alabama could become a more a pivotal state for presidential contenders this election cycle after officials decided earlier this year to move up the state's primary to Super Tuesday.

The move makes Alabama and five other southern states part of what’s been dubbed the “SEC Primary,” which will be held just a few weeks after the early presidential nomination contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina....

[2ndDivisionVet]

Now that he's rising in the polls they're taking an interest.

[cripplecreek]

What’s behind it?

LOL I’m pretty sure its called campaigning.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Ya think? :)

[OB1kNOb]

I hope to see Cruz Wednesday when he comes to Little Rock.

[Dr. Sivana]

Now that he's rising in the polls they're taking an interest.

The people who bought tickets for his visit to Columbus signed up long before the rise in the polls. We planned for 250 paid, and it wound up being standing room only filling the hall with 400 or so. We could have had more.

After his talk, EVERYONE wanted to see him. This was his third stop of the day (including Red State), and he showed no sign of wearing out. He is in it to win it. On Saturday night, he sealed the deal with an awful lot of us.

[cripplecreek]

I know he’s getting some big crowds.

[brothers4thID]

Good to hear. Keep up the good work!

[AFreeBird]

Strategery.

[brothers4thID]

The Southern Strategy is smart. Winning the “SEC Primary” gives Cruz a huge chunk of delegates after Super Tuesday that will only build momentum for the rest of the early primaries.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Good crowd in Huntsville last night. I didn't stick around after he finished.

Good stump speech. Quick on his feet with the Q&A.

[G Larry]

He’s heading off Huck at the pass and building support against Jeb’s money advantage.

[re_nortex]

In these desperate times, America needs real Texas values in the leadership role. Ted Cruz is the man to bring the Lone Star State's core traditions (pro-God, pro-life, pro-gun and anti-sodomy) to the White House and cleanse it from the stench of the hussein criminal gang.

[wolfman23601]

And now that the internet and social media has taken over coverage, you don’t need to be in Iowa everyday to get your message out.

[gov_bean_ counter]

He is using a rather catchy phrase that applies to most of the other GOP candidates. He may have used it before, but I don't get the cable news networks.

Campaign Conservatives.

[Resolute Conservative]

Hit the south first and lock in your base then on to less conservative states and get the swing voters right before primary.

[re_nortex]

Hit the south first and lock in your base then on to less conservative states and get the swing voters right before primary.

Within the lifetime of many still alive, the South has undergone a massive transformation in its politics. Once solidly for 'RATs, Dixie has emerged to become the bulwark against liberalism. Reliably Christian, the region stands for the pro-God, pro-life, pro-gun and anti-sodomy values that define this Republic. Make no mistake about it, the South is the heartbeat of real America and is leading the charge for restoring liberty.

Go Ted go!

[cicada]

We went to the Pelham, AL event, very inspiring even to my not-much-involved girlfriend. Got there just as it started, had to stand along the wall.

I’m so glad our primary has been moved up in the schedule, usually the candidate I most prefer is long gone, like Duncan Hunter was.

Like Mark Levin says, folks just a little younger than me have never had a conservative to vote for. I would sure like to have another one.