Sens. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio have been sparring over national security and immigration policy as their rivalry intensifies in the Republican presidential primary race. Now their conflict is moving toward a new battlefield – the Christian vote, and a powerful Iowa evangelical constituency that Rubio is looking to win over.
Cruz and Rubio will appear Friday with a group of candidates at a forum hosted by the Family Leader, a prominent Iowa Christian organization that is expected to draw roughly 1,500 people to its event.
With support from pastors around the state and a recent endorsement from a conservative Iowa congressman, Cruz is in a strong position. But Rubio is about to embark on a five-day tour of the state that will include stops in conservative western Iowa and include meetings with pastors.
“I can tell you for a fact that there are a lot of pastors taking a second look at Marco Rubio because of his strong positions on national security and the pro-life issue,” said Jamie Johnson, a pastor from Story City.
Christian conservative voters traditionally wield significant influence in the Iowa caucuses because they tend to be organized and motivated to participate.
The exit of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, popular with some Christian voters, means some support is up for grabs.
One key endorsement in the evangelical community will be that of Family Leader President Bob Vander Plaats. He said that when he makes a choice, he’ll seek to rally his community to make the most impact.
Cruz argues that evangelical Christians, libertarians, tea party supporters and other conservatives must lock arms behind one candidate or risk losing to a more moderate Republican.
Cruz is trying to cast Rubio as one such moderate, even though both senators rode the tea party wave of recent years to national prominence and have deeply conservative voting records. Rubio casts Cruz as weak on national security because the Texas senator favored limits on government surveillance programs earlier in the year.
Rubio has been rising in the national race and picking up the pace of his efforts in the state with fewer than 75 days before the caucuses.
“We think we can do really well with evangelical voters,” said Rubio spokesman Alex Conant. “I think Marco is uniquely positioned to be able to unite Republicans.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article
Conservative voting records, what about Rubio teaming up with liberals and
rino types for the failed “gang of eight” diabolical?
,
Trump/Cruz 2016!
Say no to Rubio he cannot balance the budget he cannot handle his own finances God says that you have to be able to live life with no debt he’s in debt so how can Christians follow A man that is in debt.
YOU NEED TO CHECK THE OTHER CANDIDATES AND SEE HOW MUCH THEIR WORTH, THEN CHECK SENATOR RUBIO, RUBIO HAS NO DEBTS THAT OTHERS DON’T HAVE, AND GOD WAS SPEAKING OF SIN DEPT. NOT MONEY DEBT. GOD UNDERSTANDS THAT MOST PEOPLE IN TODAYS WORLD WILL HAVE SOME DEBT. I WOULD BET YOU DO TOO.
Rubio for U.S. President ??? L.O.L.
How much is his take from Judaism´s AIPAC vs Cruz ?
These GOP’S will do anything to get one of their politicians elected! Sorry but THE PEOPLE are talking NOW, Tea Party, Independents, Republicans & Democrats want TRUMP to straighten out this mess & corruption & make our country Great again!!!
How do you think Trump got to where he is today? It was not by being charitable! Check out his story before condemning other candidates.
Mr. Trump may have the ability to do the job, but he lacks control of his own emotions, which concerns me. You cannot call everyone you disagree with stupid, moron or idiot. The position of President of The United States requires someone with a little more tact and finesse. I believe Dr. Carson, Cruz, Rubio, and Ms. Fiorina can all beat Clinton.
More of the same old same old. Both of these guys are shills for the 1% and the MIC (military industrial complex) – neither has said anything nor will they say anything that would be of interest or benefit to working people. And the demorats are no better – Hillary is a case hardened war monger and controlled by New York jews. Americans are stupid.