Cruz stumps for son: The Courier-Times

Preacher and public speaker Rafael Cruz, the father of Ted Cruz, who is seeking the GOP nomination for president, stopped by Stacks Restaurant, 510 S. Memorial Drive, for a brunch event Friday.

The morning opened with a prayer by pastor Randy Gross, and an a cappella version of God Bless America by Christy Stutzman. Stutzman is the wife of Marlin Stutzman who is running for Indiana state senator.

Cruz discussed several hot-button issues in the Republican party including education, gay marriage, abortion, state’s rights and the Supreme Court. In his presentation, he explained that Washington didn’t need someone who was willing to buy out people when he needs something, referring to Ted Cruz’s Republican rival, Donald Trump.

“We do not need a deal-maker in Washington,” he said. “We need a statesman that will stand on the Constitution, on the rule of law, on limited government, on separation of powers, on making sure that justices that are nominated are faithful to the Constitution and are not going to legislate from the bench. Now, I’m biased; I’m convinced that man is Ted Cruz.”

At one point in his speech, Cruz discussed the four different ways for Christians to decide who to vote for in an election. He said in order to vet a candidate, the voter must look at the candidate’s record, whether he is an able man, a man of truth and if he hates covetousness.

Cruz also talked at length about how the primaries are in some ways more important than the general election because that’s where people get the best opportunity to vote for their preferred candidate.

“The battle is not the general election, the battle is in the primaries,” he said.

Toward the end of his speech, he talked about how his son has a “fire in his bones” for politics, and has for the past 30 years. He said that he thinks Ted Cruz can do even better in Indiana than he did in the Wisconsin primary, a state he won by about 13 percentage points.

During the question portion of the morning, David Smith, a young conservative, asked Cruz how to reach the millennial generation. Cruz answered that he thinks the most important thing is to “re-awaken the American Dream” because there is so much despair in the younger generation.

He referenced a survey, citing that 65 percent of college grads thought they would have to move home after college because they wouldn’t be able to find a job.

When Cruz hears his son talk about potentially being the next president, he said he gets tears in his eyes because he is glad for the opportunities he has had despite the struggles of coming to America as a Cuban immigrant.

“What comes to my mind is, only in America,” he said. “Only in America. Where else can that happen?”

Andrew Phipps, the organizer of the presentation, said he fully endorses Ted Cruz, and urged others in attendance, especially the more than 10 pastors from around central Indiana, to do the same. Phipps is a national radio minister.

“You’ll get a little opposition, but that’s all right,” Phipps said. “We’re not called to be popular, we’re called to be faithful.”

Indiana’s primary is May 3. To check voter registration status or voting center location, visit www.indianavoter.in.gov.

*This was the last story I did for my internship at The Courier-Times. The day before my last day, I got an email from my editor asking me to cover this brunch event where Ted Cruz's father, Rafael Cruz, would be speaking. All the other reporters were going to be busy that morning, so I was the only one that could cover it.

I went to the talk on Friday morning, and stayed through the whole event. I spoke with some of the people in attendance, including the host of the event Andrew Phipps. I also took all the photos included with this story.