Republicans get emotional on eve of South Carolina primary

[rooster59]

Republicans get emotional on eve of South Carolina primary

STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press
BILL BARROW, Associated Press


MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (AP) — The Republican battle for South Carolina turned deeply personal on the eve of Saturday's presidential primary, as businessman Donald Trump eyed a delegate sweep and his Republican rivals fought for a southern surprise.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the son of a pastor, evoked "the body of Christ" while fending off allegations of campaign misconduct in a state where most Republicans identify as evangelical Christians.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich opened up about the death of his parents. And former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush turned to his mother to help revive his underdog campaign.

Friday marked an emotionally charged day in the campaign, with 50 delegates up for grabs in the primary contest. Candidates were also looking for some badly needed momentum heading into the next phase of the campaign: March 1's Super Tuesday.

Trump appeared to hold a commanding lead less than 24 hours before voting began in South Carolina. With a big win, the undisputed Republican front-runner could take home most, if not all, of the state's 50 delegates. Such a victory would mark a particularly painful blow to Cruz, whose focus on Christian values and southern roots should have given him a distinct advantage.

Trump's campaign continued trying to brush off an extraordinary criticism from Pope Francis the day before. When asked about Trump's call to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church said those who seek to build walls instead of bridges are "not Christian." The pope was returning home from a visit to Mexico and the border.

Trump called the Pope's words "disgraceful" on Thursday but offered a distinctly softer jab on Friday.

"Yesterday, the Pope was great," Trump told an audience. "They had him convinced that illegal immigration was like a wonderful thing."

Cruz tried to take advantage of the spat by highlighting his own religious devotion.

"Every minute that you're not on the phone calling friends and loved ones, spend beseeching God, praying for this country, that this spirit of revival that is sweeping this country continue and grow, and that we awaken the body of Christ," the Texas senator said.

Meanwhile, his campaign faced new questions about a website it created this week attacking Rubio's record. The site features a photo of Rubio shaking hands with President Barack Obama. Cruz's campaign acknowledged that the photo was manufactured using a computer program.

Meanwhile, the lesser-known Kasich continued to highlight his compassionate side. In a television ad broadcast across the state, he spoke of his parents' deaths at the hands of a drunk driver.

"I was transformed. I discovered my purpose by discovering the Lord," Kasich says in the ad.

The personal and religious appeals come in a state where religious conservatives typically play an outsized role. In South Carolina's 2012 Republican primary election, two-thirds of the voters identified themselves as born-again or evangelical Christian.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-01-20

[khwaibah]

GO TRUMP GO..

[mrwebb8825]

I think it would be HUGE if, when Donald wins the GOP nomination that he ask Bernie to run as his VP. That would put the final nail in Hitlery's political coffin.

[Pinot]

All Republicans should be emotional at this point. I'd be weeping crocodile tears if I was a Republican. < oh I love that emoticon

They've got a stable full of terrible, unelectable candidates. Fox News, the Tea Party and Donald Trump has taken them the lemmings off the wingnut cliff.

Som nom na

[Jimbo2014]

Just a complete circus of buffoons and clowns. ?????

[Jimbo2014]

???

[chuckd]

Junior High School must be out today.

[zzo]

Love all the comments. Any of the people trying to be elected are richer, more experienced, and more successful than any of us reading this blog. Funny how the little guys think they are smarter. Hope everyone is taking a good look at what has happened to America in the last eight years. Hope people vote wisely.

[Andaman Al]

Love all the comments. Any of the people trying to be elected are richer, more experienced, and more successful than any of us reading this blog. Funny how the little guys think they are smarter. Hope everyone is taking a good look at what has happened to America in the last eight years. Hope people vote wisely.

Sorry but if you think rich people are the correct ones to run a country you are mistaken. If out of 300-400 million people the best that can be offered is what is on show (AND one of the main contenders is Canadian) then the USA is screwed! What has happened to the USA in the last 8 years? It has employed more citizens, it has reduced the dramatic War debt left by Bush and it has not slaughtered nearly as many US military and foreign Innocents in totally unnecessary wars based on lies to bring profit to the multi national corporations that pay to place Presidents. It has a workable health system to include those that are without jobs or on low incomes rather than leaving their citizens to die because they are poor and it is making every attempt not to pander to the trillion dollar Big Pharma industry. But apart from that you are right it has not achieved anything .

[tartempion]

The Lord must have a difficult time with all these republicans....

[lifeincnx]

Sounds like Ted Cruz and gang are trying to channel Jimmy Swaggart. Just waiting for him to drop to his knees crying, look towards the heavens, and wail,"Ah havvvve sinned."

[notmyself]

I think it would be HUGE if, when Donald wins the GOP nomination that he ask Bernie to run as his VP. That would put the final nail in Hitlery's political coffin.

Crazy and very funny.

[keemapoot]

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the son of a pastor, evoked "the body of Christ..."

...to vote for me.