Cruz makes Cape stop on GOP campaign trail

The line of people waiting to see Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz speak at Southeast Missouri State University’s Academic Hall had stretched around the corner a full two hours before the rally began Saturday evening.

The two people at the front of the line, Amelia Campbell and Damon Mathena, had been there since before 2 p.m. and had seen Republican frontrunner Donald Trump speak in St. Louis the previous day.

They said they liked Cruz but still were undecided, so they weren’t going to miss the opportunity to hear him speak. Missouri’s primary election for Democratic and Republican presidential candidates is Tuesday.

Others, such as Susan Lacy, had come from as far away as Kentucky to support him.

After some cheering and a lengthy introduction from local lawyer and author David Limbaugh, Cruz took the stage before a standing ovation in a filled Academic Hall.

People line up outside Academic Hall before the Ted Cruz rally Saturday at Southeast Missouri State University.Fred Lynch

“Between David and his brother [conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh], is it something y’all put in the water down here?” Cruz said. “This is a town that knows how to grow freedom-lovers.”

Cruz said he came to Cape Girardeau “because our country is in crisis.”

He promised a Cruz presidency would focus on three things: jobs, freedom and security.

His message on job creation seemed to resonate with the audience, which was almost entirely white but comprised of all ages. There were older people such as Pat Frayser, who said she donated to Cruz’s campaign, and adolescents such as Scout Pettit and Landon Carlton, who showed up in matching American flag shorts.

During his speech, Cruz also stressed he was the only candidate who could be considered a viable alternative to a Trump nomination. The timing of his stops in Missouri seem strategic in that regard, because polls indicate Trump remains the favorite among Missouri Republican voters.

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, left, speaks at a news conference as local lawyer and author David Limbaugh listens after the rally Saturday in Academic Hall at Southeast Missouri State University.Fred Lynch

“Maybe you started this race supporting someone else,” Cruz said. “Come and join us. We welcome you on our team.”

Indeed, Jackson resident Brad Friese, carrying a freshly purchased Ted Cruz hat, said he previously had supported Jeb Bush, but had gravitated toward Cruz after Bush dropped out.

Cruz said Missouri is a critical state in the primary process and Missouri voters “will have a powerful voice on Tuesday.”

But not everyone who showed up was happy about Cruz’s visit to Southeast. Across the street from the line of Cruz supporters, a small group of people stood with signs protesting Cruz’s positions. Several were Southeast faculty members.

Brooke Clubbs, an instructor in the communication department, said the faculty members present were there to protest the use of Academic Hall to host a politician. To them, it appeared an implicit gesture of support for Cruz.

Republican Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz speaks inside the Academic Hall auditorium Saturday during his campaign stop in Cape Girardeau.Laura Simon

Debra Lee-DiStefano listed several of Cruz’s positions she said run counter to the university’s mission.

“For a place of learning, I wouldn’t support an anti-science candidate,” Lee-DiStefano said. “Some of his views go directly opposite to what our diversity initiative is.”

Other demonstrators, such as area residents Tom Cook and Lucas Robins, wore matching “Born Near America” shirts — a reference to Cruz being born on Canadian soil.

Chase Dimock, who teaches in Southeast’s English department, held a sign that said “Worst Ted Talk Ever.”

“We oppose the housing and promotion of a candidate that has said so many uncivil statements about freedom of expression, individual rights, minority rights, LGBT rights and immigrants’ rights,” Dimock said. “There is a voice in Cape that thinks differently [from Cruz] and has different views.”

A protestor speaks to a Ted Cruz supporter Saturday during the Republican presidential candidate's campaign stop in Cape Girardeau.Laura Simon

Cruz promised if he were elected, he would be a staunch defender of gun rights, military expansion and Judeo-Christian principles he said made America what it is today.

“It’ll be morning in America again,” he said.

tgraef@semissourian.com

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