The Cruz ground game. It is talked about in terms that put it in a class by itself. The #CruzCrew in South Carolina had a good one started. Then, the Iowans showed up. So much so that I did an interview with NBC Nightly News yesterday regarding our ground game and the need to help Ted Cruz in any way that I can.
The Iowa staff and volunteers that are down here now are putting their vast knowledge and expertise to good use. In the past few days, we've been able to add to the team down in the Palmetto State. There are some cultural differences, to be sure, but we have a significant leg up. We know Ted Cruz and he knows us. Retail politics in Iowa is to Iowans like Friday night lights football is to Texans.
In the next week and a half, we will put the hammer down. The sprint to knock more doors and make more phone calls is in full swing. Because this is a primary state, the emphasis is on the Get Out The Vote effort. It is easier to ask someone to spend 5 minutes to vote for us but that also means that we have to talk to more people. Our advantage in Iowa was our network of amazing precinct speakers. We don't have the ability to have that final influence here. We must be done next Friday.
When I arrived down here, I was so pleased to see Lyndsey Blagrave and Daniel Bradshaw on the team. These two young folks are examples of what make the Cruz campaign great. Lyndsey is the best volunteer coordinator there is. She helps keep the office running. Her light shines to everyone she meets. Daniel is the best field operative I've seen. He gets it. These people aren't political mercenaries. They are believers in God, in the cause and in Ted Cruz.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my dear friends too. I know I talk about these people all the time but they have helped so much. Yesterday, the Bontrager Family stopped by the office in Greenville and took care of the volunteers by making lunch(I'm not talking about a simple lunch either). We had grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, a black bean dip, vegetables (always) and Allison and Chelsy made hundreds of no bake cookies. They also made hundreds of phone calls and helped me get to over 100 doors in the area in a short amount of time.
My greatest joy yesterday was seeing the littlest Bontragers go door knocking with their big brothers and me. Carson and Josh and Mitchell took their little sisters and brother and the absolute joy to be helping us was plain on the faces of Elizabeth, Rebecca and Hudson. When I asked Taylor if he wanted to knock on doors, his face lit up. Being homeschooled, these kids are getting a great education in being caring and involved Americans. This is something their government school counterparts just don't get to experience.
Right before the Bontragers left to go do their prison ministry concert, we heard the news that Chris Christie had dropped out of the race. 10 year old Hudson promptly opined, "I wish Christie would have stayed in and helped split the establishment vote." I looked at his two eldest sisters and laughed. I think he's heard one too many conversations with his siblings and me after church.
I also have received texts and had a phone conversation with my pastor in Washington, IA. It is such a blessing to have the members of Marion Avenue Baptist Church in our corner. Their prayers and phone call support from Iowa are so appreciated.
In short, those of us involved with the Cruz campaign are doing this for our country. Ted Cruz is an advocate for more freedom and liberty and his call has mobilized more people on the ground than any other Republican running. The difference in vision is quite obvious now. Ted has an aspirational vision for America. As the Bible says in Psalms:
Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalms 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
These values are not just a small part of the Cruz campaign. They run though all aspects. There is an honest care for our fellow volunteers and staff. There is a palpable joy in our mission. This is a trait I've not seen in other campaigns. It really all boils down to the verse that has become part of this campaign. Ted quotes this verse at every campaign stop now.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
I urge all of you that love God, love our country and love your families to join us.
Find me on Twitter.
Email me.
#CruzCrew #SCPrimary #IowaCaucus #CruzToVictory
Love it!
ReplyDelete