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GOP Candidates Vie for Evangelicals Ahead of SC Primary

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GREENVILLE, S.C. -- South Carolina voters are now facing a firestorm of ads, rallies, and political promises. The crucial Republican primary is Saturday and already tensions are on the rise.

In one of the most surprising presidential races in ages, billionaire Donald Trump and Tea Party maverick Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, have emerged as the Republican dynamic duo. They split the first two states, leaving a crucial rubber match in South Carolina.

Cruz told CBN News the math is simple.

"I think this is more and more becoming a two-person race," Cruz told CBN's David Brody. "It's between me and Donald Trump. What Iowa and New Hampshire have demonstrated is the only person who can beat Donald Trump is me."

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South Carolina is a treasure trove when it comes to evangelical voters. Conservative Christians make up more than half the voters in the GOP primary and that's good news for Cruz, who needed evangelicals to win in Iowa.

Now the question in South Carolina is can he pull off the repeat? He is hoping to pull it off again by encouraging South Carolina pastors to engage their flocks.

CBN News cameras were there for one private get together.

"Without exaggeration, I believe the men and women in this room, in the circle of influence you have, in the people that listen and trust your wisdom, your guidance, your counsel, the men and women in this room have the ability to change the outcome of the South Carolina primary, and in doing that change the outcome of the presidential election and in doing that change the outcome, the direction of this country," Cruz said.

But his push to mobilize Christians is under scrutiny. First, Ben Carson complained that the Cruz campaign used questionable tactics to discourage his Iowa supporters from voting for him.

Now Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Donald Trump are unhappy with the way Cruz is framing their views on the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

"Several Republican candidates, including my two leading competitors in this state, said publicly that decision was settled, it was the law of the land (and) we must surrender, accept it, and move on. Now, those are word-for-word Barack Obama's talking points," Cruz said.

At the time, Trump and Rubio did call the decision the law of the land, but they disagreed with the ruling so they don't appreciate the comparison with President Obama.

Trump took to Facebook, saying, "How can Ted Cruz be an evangelical Christian when he lies so much and is so dishonest?"

Aboard his campaign bus, Rubio had a few choice words too.

"It's very disappointing that Ted says these things. It's just not true," Rubio said. "I really think it's become very disturbing to make things up out of cold cloth just to win an election."

Cruz said his campaign is being run with integrity.

"If others want to impugn my character, they can do that. I will sing their praises, but I do think people are seeing the way we are running our campaign with integrity, with character, focusing on issues, focusing on substance not going into the gutter," the Texas lawmaker said.

"If I were to stray, the first person to hold me accountable would be my dad," he added.

As that battle plays out, former Gov. Jeb Bush is going after South Carolina Christians with tough talk about being a president ready to battle over nominating conservative Supreme Court justices.

"The Left is going to go after whoever we appoint, and we better be ready and this will be war," he said.

Bush hopes to claim the establishment lane, but he'll need to fight off Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who did well in New Hampshire.

Meanwhile, Rubio is trying to put that poor debate performance in his rear view mirror.

"Adversity is relative," Rubio said. "Yes, we didn't do as well in New Hampshire as we wanted to, but real adversity for some people around the world are things much deeper and worse than that, so God is going to provide. He'll either provide a way around it or He'll provide a way through it."

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About The Author

David
Brody

David Brody is a thirty-four-year veteran of the television industry and currently serves as Chief Political Analyst for CBN News. He’s interviewed many prominent national figures across the political spectrum during his time at the Christian Broadcasting Network, including former President Donald Trump. During Trump’s administration, David interviewed him at the White House, aboard Air Force One, and at Mar-a-Lago. He’s also interviewed former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo three times each. In addition, David has provided on-air political analysis for CNN