“Once again, we have made history,” Sen. Ted Cruz began after Saturday's South Carolina primary. His supporters “continue to defy the pundits and produce extraordinary results,” he continued.
Exceeding expectations was the theme of Cruz’s speech. The Texas senator, who is currently neck-and-neck with Marco Rubio in the battle for second place, reflected on his victory in Iowa and his defying expectations in New Hampshire. He also beamed about tonight, saying “despite millions in nasty attacks” from his opponents, South Carolina has given him another “remarkable result.”
Cruz embraced his outsider status, noting he could hear the groans from the nation’s capital.
“The Washington cartel is in full terror that the conservative grassroots are rising up,” he said.
He also took a few moments to acknowledge Gov. Jeb Bush’s campaign exit.
“Bush is a man who had a terrific record as governor of the state of Florida,” Cruz said.
Bush, he said, is “a man who ran a campaign based on ideas, based on policy” and who “didn’t go to the gutter and engage in insults and attacks” and “brought honor and dignity” to the race.
He also offered moment of silence for late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia during his remarks. He attended Scalia’s funeral earlier on Saturday.
Cruz concluded his remarks by pledging to make the case against Clinton, Sanders or “whatever other socialist they nominate.”
He also insisted he was the only candidate who could beat Donald Trump to the nomination.
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