Cruz likens himself to Reagan, calls for revolution 

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, February 3, 2016

WINDHAM, N.H. — Fresh off a win in Iowa, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz made his first post-caucus stop at a Town Hall in Windham Tuesday, exuding confidence and comparing his unexpected rise to the top to that of Ronald Reagan’s in 1980.

Despite opinion polls that showed Donald Trump with a commanding lead in Iowa early Monday, Cruz bested the billionaire business mogul, earning 51,666 state delegate equivalents to Trump’s 45,427. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio came in third, with 43,165 delegates.

The small venue at Crossing Life Church in Windham reached capacity nearly 20 minutes before Cruz was scheduled to arrive, packed with supporters and media. Triumphant music and videos with other government officials declaring their support for Cruz played while supporters filed in.

Cruz spent much of his speech focusing on the ethos of the crowd, stressing that he prioritizes working for his constituents and keeping promises he made during his campaign for the Senate. He emphasized the disdain for Washington, D.C., shared by many of his supporters, saying he plans to break “the Washington cartel” and praising Iowa and New Hampshire supporters for voting contrary to mainstream media predictions.

“Two nights ago, I was watching TV. On every station, every pundit said there’s no way Cruz can win. Can’t happen, it’s impossible, the race is done,” Cruz said. “What we saw last night was that old Reagan coalition coming back together again.”

The candidate spent several minutes lauding New Hampshire primary voters for electing Reagan at a time when he seemed too right-wing to win, setting up a narrative that likened his own platform to the former president’s.

“The reason we’re here today is we want our country back,” Cruz said. “This is a movement of people who are furious with Washington, D.C., with the Washington cartel, with career politicians in both parties who get in bed with lobbyists and special interests and grow and grow and grow government. 

“Now, when was the last time we broke the Washington cartel?” Cruz asked. He immediately answered “1980,” referring to Reagan’s election to the presidency.

Cruz then turned a critical eye to the economy, expressing anger with the rapidly rising national debt and calling for the government to start spending within its means, before launching into a list of things he hopes to accomplish after getting into the White House.

On his first day in office, Cruz said he would rescind every “illegal and unconstitutional” executive action taken by President Barack Obama, direct the Department of Justice to open an investigation on Planned Parenthood, and instruct the Department of Justice, Internal Revenue Service and “every other federal agency that the persecution of religious liberty ends today.”

Cruz also promised to “rip to shreds” the Iran deal negotiated by the Obama administration in 2015, and accused Obama of appeasing foreign leaders like Putin. In response to a question from a supporter, he said he would be happy to enter negotiations with other world leaders, but once again invoked Reagan, saying he believes in negotiating “with strength.”

On foreign policy, Cruz said he would also begin the process of moving the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and promised to defeat ISIS.

One supporter asked for clarification on Cruz’s immigration policy, which has been heavily criticized by Marco Rubio. Cruz said he will secure the border and end sanctuary cities, and does not support amnesty nor a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, calling it unfair to legal immigrants.

Cruz also promised to promote means of independence for disabled Americans by supporting the Americans with Disabilities Act, but said he would repeal “every word” of Obamacare. 

Among Cruz’s other plans for his time in the White House were ending Common Core teaching standards, rebuilding the military, reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs, opposing enhanced gun control, creating a flat tax and abolishing the IRS.

The Texas senator closed his appearance with a plea to supporters not only to vote, but to bring others out to vote and to pray for his victory.

“If you all agree with me that the stakes have never been higher, that it’s now or never, that we are standing at the edge of a cliff staring down, and if we keep going in the same direction — another four or eight more years — we risk doing irreparable damage to the greatest country in the world. If you agree with me, then … join us. Commit to come out and vote in the New Hampshire primary,” Cruz said.

Some of the event’s attendees were all-in for Cruz, while others admitted they were still making up their minds. They all seemed to agree, however, that Cruz’s best quality is his trustworthiness.

“I always liked him, thought he was a real man of his word, a Constitutionalist, and he’s not afraid to rock the system,” said Marilyn Flynn, 68, of Maine. “I’m just so disgusted with what’s going on, and I just want somebody who really is going to hold true to what he believes in.”

Stephen Donofrio, 44, of Derry, said he came out to learn more about Cruz’s tax plan, fearing that his favorite candidate, Trump, is too volatile.

“I really would like to see Trump, but he’s just so much of a loose canon,” Donofrio said. “I think I like the values Ted Cruz has, and the Iranian Deal, getting rid of that, would be a strong reason to vote for him.

“I was glad to see (after the caucus) that he seemed electable, he seems well-liked, and seems to line up with the issues,” Donofrio added.