GOP hopefuls make case
Fighting terror, upholding religious freedom emphasized by candidates
GREENVILLE, S.C. Scott Walker, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and other Republican presidential aspirants hit conservative hot buttons at a candidates’ forum Saturday, emphasizing religious freedom and counterterrorism.
Walker said President Obama’s proposed nuclear deal with Iran and other foreign policies are emboldening terrorists and “radical Islamic” fighters.
“I want a leader that is willing to take the fight to them before they take the fight to us,” the Wisconsin governor said at the forum sponsored by the conservative organization Citizens United.
Other presidential aspirants — Sens. Rubio of Florida and Cruz of Texas — also raised the terrorism issue.
“Radical Islamists behead Christians and even conduct attacks in Texas,” Rubio said.
Cruz said the United States cannot “win a war on radical Islamic terrorism with a president who is unwilling to utter the words ‘radical Islamic terrorism.’ ”
All of the candidates accused the federal government of overregulating the economy and infringing on personal freedoms, particularly involving religion.
Meanwhile, former Florida governor Jeb Bush criticized Obama’s social policies while making the commencement address at a religious school, Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.
One target: The Obama administration’s effort to require health insurance coverage for contraceptives, which is being challenged in court by religious groups.
Noting that the Little Sisters of the Poor is among those plaintiffs, Bush said: “From the standpoint of religious freedom, you might even say it’s a choice between the Little Sisters and Big Brother — and I’m going with the Sisters.”
Other Republicans echoed Bush’s attacks during the all-day candidates’ forum.
“Our fundamental liberties are under assault today,” said Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator who is expected to announce he’s running this month.
Rick Perry, a former Texas governor, echoed GOP complaints over excessive government by saying, “I do not believe we need more Washington in our lives — we need less.”
They and the other candidates attacked both Obama and Hillary Clinton, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, saying the latter would continue the policies of the former. Republican candidates vowed to change Obama’s health care law, improve frayed relations with Israel, and beef up the U.S. military. They generally vowed to try to create jobs and stimulate economic growth via tax cuts and less regulation of businesses.
Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, who has not yet decided whether to run, said Obama is encouraging dependence on the government and “trying to turn the American Dream into the European nightmare.”
While Walker, Bush and others have yet to formally declare their intentions, the crowd in South Carolina heard from four announced candidates: Cruz, Rubio, businesswoman Carly Fiorina and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson.
Carson, a newcomer to politics, urged the crowed to resist “the purveyors of division” on racial and gender issues.
Fiorina, the only woman in the Republican presidential field, spent much of her time criticizing Clinton’s record. She said the federal government has become too big, powerful, costly and “corrupt.”
Businessman and television personality Donald Trump, who is flirting with a presidential campaign, also attended the event. He denounced what he called professional politicians, saying they are “all talk — no action.”
“I do not believe we need more Washington in our lives — we need less.”
Rick Perry, former Texas governor