i saw your story on book tv. i always felt the need to reach out to the people in prison, but have been kind of fearful. something within me that i , ited to reach out to them gave me such great insight. i don't know if you have anything you can offer. i still do have a strong desire. your beautiful family stuck with you. can offer me any advice as to how i can reach out to them. guest: thank you for the kind , thank you for your

interest in serving people who are incarcerated. i want to encourage anyone -- theg to reach out amount of loneliness and misery -- overwhelming with misery was overwhelming. have the phone cut out before he had a chance to talk to his son or daughter -- there is so much loneliness. if you could go to a prison to visit with people, people would be delighted to talk with you as the cover -- as the other colors alluded to. -- other callers alluded to.

emotion is weakness, so prisons have no one to talk to. they have no one to explain these feelings of loneliness. there are tons of nonprofits that do work in this realm. i'm on the board of the prison entrepreneurship program. you don't have to be a business person to volunteer with them. everyone needs someone to listen to and most people do not have anyone. a couple of people have mentioned my wife. the day i file for office again, filingrun into my wife for diverse. -- filing fororce divorce.

taking the you for time to talk to our viewers. we are now going to take you to the national press club. the muslim organization is holding a news conference to talk about major initiatives to address growing islamophobia in america and to enhance national security. live coverage on c-span. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org]

then i only give out the wi-fi -- >> they only give out the wi-fi -- >> will -- we are waiting on this organization. it is a collection of local and national groups. south carolina senator and republican president lindsey

graham is dropping out of the race. politico is reporting he's suspending his campaign on the same day of the deadline to remove his name from the primary ballot in south carolina. toator graham did not want have a potentially poor performance in his home state. wastor graham said, i hoping i didn't have to make this call, but it is time to suspend my campaign. i have come to a point where do not see how to grow the you can read more about lindsey graham suspending his presidential bid. anti-muslim sentiment and u.s. national security, starting shortly on c-span.

>> live, we are at the national press club in washington dc. waiting on the council of muslim andnizations to begin, their summit on islamophobia. starting shortly here, also today at noon eastern time, a discussion of the conflict.

they'll be hosted by the potomac institute at noon eastern time. tonight, the final on c-span series landmark cases, with a look at roe v wade. at 9 p.m. eastern, 6 p.m. pacific.

life this morning here at the national press club, just conversation to get started with the u.s. council of muslim organizations, local muslim of groups, talking about islamophobia and the result of the recent summit, also the

united states and national security. south carolina senator and republican senator lindsey graham dropping out of the 2016 race. politico reporting he's suspending his campaign on the same day as the deadline to remove his name from the primary carolina.south also later at noon eastern time, we will be taking a look at the israeli palestinian conflict, escalating violence, and trying to create stability in that area. later tonight, the last in our series of landmark cases on road wade and- on roe v supreme court decision.

>> i guess they are coming. ok.

>> i think he wants to closer to the podium. -- wants you closer to the podium. >> good morning. i am the national director of care on the council of islamic american relations. announcere today to some initiatives and campaigns on behalf of the american muslim community. conference is taking place after a summit that was held yesterday here in virginia at the offices of the u.s. organizations.im leaders, muslim national, regional, and local toders, met yesterday

discuss the rising issues of islamophobia and crimes against the american-muslim community. we also discuss countering violent extremism in the context of national security. fewame up with a resolutions and initiatives. introduce theo speaker who will read the statement on behalf of the coalition. the secretary-general of the u.s. council of u.s. muslim organizations. to comesk the speaker to the podium to pronounce their name and spell it for you. without any further a dude -- any further a do. morning. oussama jammal.

majorwe are announcing educational outreach and civic empowerment initiatives to islamophobiarowing and to enhance national security through the promotion of freedom and justice. proposed initiatives include a drive to register one million voters prior to the 2016 elections. campaign toamerican enhance the understanding of american muslims and islam. increaseto help interactions between american muslims and citizens of other creeds and backgrounds. another initiative, planned by our national muslim coalition,

includes the formation of new and strengthened alliances with industry partners, social justice groups, and other communities that continue to face similar challenges. poor islamic institutions and an individual -- four islamic institutions and individuals, to address the rising hate crime happening nationwide. organization has discussed the real and present threat of violent extremist groups praying on young people, be it on the internet, and who twist the to justifythe koran their atrocities. it was noted that groups such as

isis kill more muslims than they do other people. according to law enforcement experts, american muslims have been on the front line of identifying and reporting suspected activity. also share their information regarding command -- regarding community affected solutions to combating violent extremism. and with the aim of providing strategies that expand on and approve their current effort. the coalition committed itself. field shared some factors related to radicalization that includes isolation the presentation of

andted religious ideology anti-muslim rhetoric and a negative perception of american policy, particularly in the middle east. these strategies will seek to prevent the targeting of a members -- of members of the american muslim community and will help young people to rejoin the mainstream community. members will seek to protect the civil liberties of all americans. leaders and members understand the magnitude of the challenge facing our community and our nations. we will not allow isis or to define who we

are or to determine our destiny. we will chart our own destiny. he initiatives were discussed of moren a long day than 100 national and regional muslim leaders in virginia, representing all areas of the country and all segments of the community. convened int was response to the unprecedented incidences in the wake of paris terror attacks and the san bernardino killings. however, we would like to take to thank theity overwhelming support we have's

-- we have received from our fellow citizens. candidates,litical and from our neighbors and supporters. this is america and how we see america. this is how america will continue to be one nation for all. thank you. >> now i would like to introduce the national or chair on the board of coalitions. >> the council of american islamic organizations, a innding member, joined us this summit. the summit brought together a diverse group to address the serious concerns of security facing our community and nation. in past year, the american

muslim community found itself to be subject to increasing islamophobia and violence in our community. care issued a report outlining the increase in threats. we are particularly proud to enjoy -- proud to join in the one america campaign. thank you. >> i would like to call on -- to -- call on -- presenting the muslim alliance of north america. >> i come this morning representing the muslim alliance in full support of the work done by this tremendous summit.

most of the members of the muslim alliance on or around america. we are clear we have to do a toter job of reaching out the mosques in america, teaching them how they can avoid seductive approaches found on the internet from groups like isis and others. believe the issue is bigger than isis, it is a conspiracy to take advantage of our young people. we are redoubling our efforts as a community, building closer with civil rights organizations, african-americans, hispanics, and others, along with our

jewish brothers and sisters who have experienced the kind of racist rhetoric we see coming out of the political environment today. i want to close by saying i think the presence of the cmo and all the member organizations that joined us this weekend that wemessage to isis are part of the solution of ridding them and their toxic message from around the world. thank you so much. >> i like to call on -- representing the islamic circle of america. .> hello are one of the largest

grassroots organizations. we thought of what is happening islamophobia is giving us a wonderful opportunity. this has been discussed by the party of muslim leaders. that will be -- we will be doing that together with communities and organizations. thank you.

>> i will call on -- for presenting american muslims -- kristinme is szremski. i'm sorry, i have to put on my reading glasses. i am with the american muslims for palestine advocacy organization. i'm the director of media and communications. it is a founding member of u.s. cmo. and supportorse this statement, a major undertaking by the muslim community, the america first project.

it is imperative we do a better job of outreach so our neighbors can get a sense of who we are. we have been doing outreach and condemning terrorism for years and years. the real problem is people haven't been listening. now representing the muslim community from coast to coast, our voices will be united and we will be heard. teachingally support our youth how to become in the civic engagement process as a path for american citizens. that is why we participated on muslim advocacy day, a project organized by care, and why a.m. p held the first ever palestine

advocacy day, where we taught them how to be delegates and engage with their congressional representatives. youth be safe, and exposing them to this type of activity is a path toward empowerment, and a sense of belonging to the diverse family known as american society. i want to thank all of the media who came out today. need your help in overcoming rampant state of islamophobia in this country. we appreciate the stories and coverage that have occurred and bring our stories to light and contextualize islamophobia out there. journalist five trade. yesterday on the sunday programs, one of the announcers

certain political candidates stance on muslims, as if we are not sentient human eating is, individuals with our own agency. imagine replacing them with some other ethnic or minority group. we appreciate you coming out to hear about this initiative. i am personally very excited about this. iq. >> i will call on -- representing the islamic society of north america. >> good morning. i serve as the vice president of the islamic society of north america. regionalateful to join organizations to launch these initiatives. these are difficult times for our nation.

we have been through difficulties before. this initiative is not a muslim only effort. we benefit from the collaboration and the love of our and the partners, neighbors, and coworkers. this is also not an abstract this is a real exercise for us, to make sure our children know they will make great contributions to the resolution of complex social problems addressing american from injustice, poverty, inequality, and oppression. sidehildren stand set by with covering the uninsured, protecting the sanctity of life, and indeed we want to make it clear that anti-muslim bigotry,

anti-muslim hostility are un-american. most muslims are concerned with the recent this concern does not negate the fact that for the most part muslim americans are thriving as contributing members of their neighborhoods, communities, schools, colleges, universities, and workplaces. bigots will never change this reality. to take time clear to meet with and share your visions for better cities, better counties, better states and our nation as a whole. and engagestituents us as potential voters. aspire to political victory. hatred,hoose to spew

of muslimilification americans, you do so at your own political risk. yourll ensure that candidacy never succeeds. thank you. >> thank you. on the american muslim alliance. >> thank you. good morning. i am here to associate myself with a statement in the initiative of the u.s. dmo. as a longtime civil rights and human rights advocacy in america, we have seen dark days

before. we have seen it demagoguery in the political arena going back to as far as george wallace. this is nothing new. because wethe plate have had these kinds of cases. the civil rights community says it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. muslim -- as a a muslim parent, i am very proud of this movement to make sure that our young muslims are safe from such vicious organizations as isis. shouldershoulder to with them. as a parent, i am proud of the political initiative that is channeling our young children into constructive proactive

engagement, pushing back against bigotry and islamophobia and moving forward to predicting as well as letting american know what we always know, that our youth are not terrorist suspects, but rather they are america's brightest prospects. on the muslim public affairs council. >> thank you. directorcommunications for the public affairs cancel. -- counsel. i would like to thank this aroundnt conversation

this issue. i think it's important to know that each of our organizations have then working on these efforts, building interfaith relations and advocacy work and building programming within our communities to have some families -- help families. we are coming together to rely on each other's strengths. oftentimes, people talk about how the american muslim community is silent. part of that has to do that we make up a small minority of the larger population. this will amplify the efforts that we have been collectively working on. the building of the ships does not and with the american muslim community. we can only overcome the challenges we face if we extend and build partnerships outside the community. the challenge of islamophobia and anti-muslim bigotry,

extremism, this can only be dealt with as we come together. i would like to use this opportunity for any organization country, weout the can work together for a better america. least, i hope i did not mispronounce your name. presenting the islamic leadership council of new york. good morning. >> i am here from new york. theou know, new york is

brother of the united states if new york is on board, everyone else's on board. we are here to support and endorse the u.s. cmo. we want to thank those organizations and public officials who came out in support of american values and defended the muslim community. york, the reason we have a good relationship with our isernment and with ourselves we have a very good relationship with our public representatives. that, i think the local government in new york for all of what they said and the policies they put in place.

the other thing i want to say, as you asked the units the muslim community to say that extremist hijacked our religion, there are people out there who hijacked american values. we expect americans to come out and defend their own values. thank you. thank you all. we are open for questions and answers. ifase identify yourself and you have a question to a specific guest,.

>> anyone can take this. 9/11, have things ramped up? we had ater 9/11, more coherent and united front. be -- the state -- despite our objections, president bush defended american values. he stood by the muslim community and he cautioned against russia's to judgment. he called on the public and the public officials not to target or skate note -- scapegoat for political reasons.

terroristsnable the and their goals. is a, we feel that there division in the nation. we anticipate muslim hate speech before the elections. it is -- for it to start a year before the elections, we feel the heat. we are seen firebombing of mosques. this is caused by irresponsible lyrical writer. scaring the public. confusing facts. the york times just released this. obama quoted this fact.

thatew york times said beena 2014, there have three isis inspired attacks. been 50,000re have gun violence incidents causing the deaths of people. we have to put things in perspective. getting attacks are disproportionate media and political attention. we have been unequivocal against isis and their attacks against americans. contextualizee to what's going on in our community as a backlash. 9/11, the neighbors around

my mosque in northern virginia came with candles, they are perimeter in we want to make it clear that these people who pray here are our neighbors and our friends. with the heated rhetoric that is going on now in the local sphere, our mosque, there was an attempted firebombing of my mosque by a young man that went to high school with other children who pray at that mosque. they caught him in the middle of the night, let them go. facebook they went on and we turned it into law enforcement. the boy's mother called me and said that she wanted to apologize. my son is suffering with mental

illness. in the climate of fear in hostility, he acted out. case with someone shouting you need to accept jesus. we called law enforcement and they did an excellent job. this is a person who is caught up and they are psychologically unstable. we did not see this after 9/11. you mentioned the u.s. medium -- media coverage. >> i am not a doctor.

thank you. unfortunately, allow me to be critical. the media is our gateway to express our opinions and share what we think and what we do. i believe the media has been caught in this competition of ratings. if it bleeds, it leads. the muslim committee has been scapegoated and unfairly trade in the media. i think the media should not help. think they should criticize it

in a way they did criticize donald trump on his false accusation. we were morning 9/11 like every american. he did that to divide the public and scare the public. he knows better. despite being corrected several times, he was given a lot of platform. i believe the media contributed to this overwhelming for trail of the american muslim community as being silent and not doing anything. we have gone -- gun violence all over the place. 355 massmore than shootings in 2015. that means more than one per day in the united states.

this is mainly at the hand of non-muslims. we did not see 24/7 coverage of the victims and the traders or the religious identity of the perpetrators. unfortunately, the focus of been mainly on a few acts in the muslim community that has been condemned roundly by american muslims. we have to work to things in perspective. no one will deny the existence of violence. exaggeration gives an oversized for trail of the reality. i think the media plays a role in that. your comments on hillary

clinton's statement. she said donald trump is the best recruiting tool for isis. i happen to agree with her. statements are helping isis. he is playing into their hands. it's helping isis. help than not get her political leaders to scare the have thed have the public be scared by what isis is trying to dupe it isis leaders know they cannot destroy the united states. is to findope to do americans and scare us. my message to all candidates, not just donald trump, stop being afraid. america strong.

>> go ahead. >> i'm sorry to interrupt. i did want to bring this home. this is what it means for american families. a young moment posted on facebook that she went to her secure old daughter's bedroom and the child had packed up her thatgings and said i heard donald trump wants to get muslims out of this country. will the army come in the middle of the night and make us leave. this is the impact of this islamophobia. it is filtering to our children. i just went to contextualize that. >> a final question if you don't mind. from the new york post. thank you for doing this. if you could explain about voter registration. how it will go.

are you supporting a particular candidate? this initiative, muslim americans have been involved in the political process. they have been for quite some time. becauseomes important this is our country and we have the right to voice and make the choices in the selection. this, it's going to be a grass roots, a massive grassroots efforts by these member organizations and the muslim community throughout the country. that the muslim changety alone cannot do or make the difference in one election or the other. we understand that applies to other minorities.

we will do alliances and coalitions. .e will be reaching out all politics are local. we understand how the system works. we are going to mobilize our community. to do early voting. we will have busloads and shuttles to the polling stations. we will be doing every thing possible to make our community of vibrant, active, energetic, understanding, this is their country in the have to make the choices. they have to be part of it. instead of being with this and we're not blame, going to let anybody define who we are. we will do that ourselves.

political engagement is an important factor. activist, iights worked with john lewis and others. we've learned one thing. if you are demonized as a community, if you are denied your rights, if you become a victim of bigotry, the best response is to take your soul to the polls. we will use the ballot. fightl use the ballot to a country. that's what we are going to do. be heard and clear to political candidates be it

donald trump or who else, if you engage in islamophobia, if you bigotry, you will pay a political price. we are going to register our people and we will use our ballots and we will take our souls to the polls and make sure you're out of there. clarify, none of our organizations are endorsing any candidate. there will be another organization that might be formed that would make that decision. most of us are 501(c)(3) organizations we are going to be engaged. in november, we remember. [laughter]

>> former senator rick santorum argues in the hill that the majority of muslims in the u.s. are not trying to confront islamic extremism. he said there are lots of muslims who are trying to confront the cancer. he said most are not and that's her problem. to read more at the hill. south carolina center lindsey graham announces he is ending his run for president. it's the same day to remove his name from his home

state ballot. i am suspending my campaign for president and i want to thank everybody who took this journey with me. you've honored me with your support. goals andward practical solutions to big problems. this has been a problem-solving campaign. the centerpiece of my campaign has been securing our nation. i got into this race to win a war we cannot afford to lose. i believe we made enormous progress. at the first debate, i said any candidate who did not understand that we need more american troops on the ground in iraq and syria was not ready to be commander-in-chief. no one stepped forward to join

me. today, most candidates have recognized this is what is needed to secure our homeland. i am more confident today that our party will reject the doctrine of leading from behind and will provide strong leadership america needs to restore our military and take the fight to our enemies. this is a generational struggle that the man's a strategy and the will to win. i will continue to work every day to ensure that our party takes on this fight. campaign, butg my never my commitment. god bless our fighting men and women and god bless america. >> live coverage and about an

hour from the potomac institute. the escalating violence in jerusalem and how to create debility in the region. we will take you there live at noon eastern time. features aan network lineup of primetime programming. tonight on c-span, landmark cases. this week, it's roe v wade. tuesday, cultural divides in america. wednesday, the site of a mass shooting hosts a discussion on gun violence. thursday, christmas at the white house. friday, bill clinton receives the leadership prize. tv, nonfiction books and authors on politics.

tuesday, presidential history. wednesday, books on the supreme court. events and people in history. on christmas, several of our programs from this year. on american history tv on c-span3, programs on russian spies. tuesday night, congressional history. the 150th anniversary of the end of the civil war. thursday, tom brokaw on world war ii. ,n christmas, williamsburg talking with curators about colonial life. that's some the rims featured in them tank -- i'm time on the c-span networks. ted cruz held a rally near richmond virginia. there was a brief interview with

c-span.

sen. cruz: wow. sen. cruz: god bless commonwealth of virginia. you know, pastor thompson, thank you so much for welcoming me here. thank you for being your. thank you for your friendship. thank you for your strong principled leader. let me say to the men and women of virginia, can could you nelly, he is a strong, principled, courageous conservative. he was a remarkable attorney general. he would have made a tremendous governor of virginia. and he is a fearless conservative leader on the national stage, speaking the truth to power. he was a great leader for the people of virginia.

the people of this state know about fighters. you have a tradition of patriots, and i would note that the commonwealth of virginia shocked and astonished washington, d.c. when you sent dave brat to join us in congress. sen. cruz: there was a sonic boom on the other side of the

potomac. for a second there, people seemed to realize, it's almost as if we the people were sovereign. i will tell you this. i spent all morning in washington, d.c. so it is great to be back in america. so, on tuesday in vegas, we had kind of a quiet evening. how fantastic is it that we have such a tremendous array of young, dynamic, talented republican candidates for president? [applause] sen. cruz: and what a contrast. [laughter] sen. cruz: with the democrats.

you know, i'm pretty sure the first democratic debate consisted of hillary and the chipotle clerk. [laughter] sen. cruz: well, now, actually, that's not fair. we can't forget about bernie sanders. so now the democratic field consists of a wild eyed socialist with ideas that are dangerous for america and the world and bernie sanders. [laughter] sen. cruz: they keep scheduling the democratic debate at 2 a.m. on a saturday on alaska pbs. it's almost like they don't want anyone to see their candidates for president. there is good news.

they have announced the venue for the next democratic debate. they are holding in a leavenworth. they wanted to make it easier for hillary to attend. [cheers and applause] sen. cruz: we are here today because our country is in crisis. we are here today because we are bankrupting our kids and grandkids. because the constitution is under assault each and every day, and because america has receded from leadership in the world and it has made the world a much more dangerous place.

and yet i am here with a word of hope and courage and exhortation. i want to tell you all across virginia and all across this country, people are waking up and i am here to tell you, help is on the way. i want to ask everyone here to look forward. look forward to january 2017. if i am elected president -- [cheers and applause] sen. cruz: amen. i want to tell you what i intend to do on the first day in office.

the first thing i intend to do on the first day in office is resend every single illegal and unconstitutional -- rescind every single illegal and unconstitutional executive action taken by this president. [applause] sen. cruz: you know, president obama likes to say he's got a pen and he's got a phone. you live by the pen, you die by the pen. and my pen has got an eraser. [applause] sen. cruz: sadly, the corruption is not just limited to the white house. it has extended across every agency of the federal government. the second thing i will do on my first day in office is open in investigation into planned parenthood and these horrible videos. [applause]

sen. cruz: and to prosecute any and all criminal conduct by that organization. the administration of justice should be blind to party or ideology. the only fidelity at the department of justice should be to the laws and the constitution of the united states. [applause] sen. cruz: the third thing i intend to do on the first day in office is instructive the department of justice and the irs and every other federal agent that the persecution of religious liberty ends today.

[cheers and applause] sen. cruz: that means that every service man and woman has the right to seek out and worship god almighty with all of our hearts, minds, and souls, and their superior officer has nothing to say about it. that means the little sisters of the poor, a catholic charity right now being persecuted by the obama administration, will find the case against them has been dismissed.

the fourth thing i intend to do on the first day in office is ripped to shreds this catastrophic iranian nuclear deal. [applause] sen. cruz: the single greatest national security threat facing america today is the threat of a nuclear iran, and we need a commander-in-chief who will stand up on the world stage and say unequivocally, under no circumstances will the nation of iran, led by a theocratic ayatollah who chants "death to america," under no circumstances will iran ever acquire a nuclear weapon.

[applause] the fifth thing i intend to do on the first day in office is begin the process of moving the american embassy in israel to jerusalem, the once an internal capital of israel -- the once and eternal capital of israel. [applause] sen. cruz: you know, a lot of presidential candidates, both democrats and republican, have made that exact same promise. yet inevitably when they get to the white house, they don't do it. because what happens is their teams come to them and they say,

you know, if we do this, it will make other folks in the middle east really, really unhappy with us. well, if you hadn't noticed, they are already pretty unhappy with us. and the single biggest difference between me and the other fine men and women on that debate stage, when i tell you i'm going to do something, i'm going to do exactly what i said i was going to do. [applause] sen. cruz: so, that is day one. [laughter] sen. cruz: there are 365 days in a year, four years in a presidential term, and four years in a second term.

sen. cruz: by the end of eight years, there are going to be a whole lot of newspaper reporters and editors and journalists that have checked themselves into therapy. in the days that follow, we will go to congress and we will repeal every word of obamacare.

sen. cruz: we will pass commonsense health care reform that makes insurance personal bowl -- personal and portable and gives the government from getting in between us and our doctors. in the days that follow, i will instruct the u.s. department of education, which should be abolished -- [cheers and applause] sen. cruz: i will instruct the department of education that common core ends today.

in the days that follow, we will finally, finally finally secure our borders and and sanctuary cities. there are about 360 jurisdictions in america that declare themselves sanctuary cities. they will find every penny of federal money cut off. we are going to stop releasing criminal illegal aliens. we are going to pass caselaw, and we are going to end welfare for those here illegally. in the days that follow, we will rebuild our military and we will honor the commitments made to our soldiers and sailors and airmen and marines.

and that includes protecting the constitutional right to bear arms of every man and woman. so that the next time a jihadist walks into a recruiting center in chattanooga, he's going to encounter the business end of firearms wielded by a dozen marines.

in the days that follow, the commander-in-chief will stand up and say to the world, we will defeat radical islamic terrorists. we will have a president willing to utter the words "radical islamic terrorists." and we will not weaken, we will not degrade -- we will utterly and completely destroy isis. we will make clear to any militant on the face of the planet, if you go and join isis, if you wage jihad against america, if you murder innocent americans, you are signing your death warrant.

in the days that follow, we will take on the eva. -- we will take on the epa. and the cfpb. and the alphabet soup of federal agencies, the descendent like locusts on small businesses, killing jobs all across this country. you know, a few years back, i was out in west texas, and i asked folks they are, what is the difference between regulators and locusts? i said, well, the thing is, you can't use pesticide on the regulators. and this old west texas farmer, he leaned back and said "wanna bet?" [cheers and applause] sen. cruz: and in the days that

followed, i will go to congress, and we will pass fundamental tax reform, we will pass as simple flat tax. so every american can fill out your taxes on a postcard. and when we do that, we should abolish the irs. [cheers and applause]

sen. cruz: there are about 90,000 employees at the irs. we need to padlock that building, take all 90,000, and put them on our southern border. now, to our friends in the media, i see that somewhat tongue in cheek. but if you think about it, imagine you traveled thousands of miles in the blazing sun. you are swimming across the rio grande, and the first thing you see is 90,000 irs agents. you would turn around and go home, too. [applause]

sen. cruz: some of you all may be thinking, all of this makes sense to me. basic, common sense. live within your means. don't bankrupt our kids and grandkids. follow the constitution. but can it be done? can we do it? well, you know, scripture tells us, there is nothing new under the sun. i think where we are today is very, very much like the late 1970's.

i think the parallels with the jimmy carter administration are uncanny. same failed economic policy. same misery, stagnation, and malaise. same feckless and naive foreign policy -- in fact, the exact same countries -- russia and iran -- openly laughing at and mocking the president of the united states. the one person in america thrilled with the job barack obama is doing is jimmy carter. [laughter]

[applause] sen. cruz: so, why is it that that analogy gives me so much hope and optimism? because we know how that story ends. all across this country, millions of men and women rose up and became the reagan revolution. and it didn't come from washington. washington despised ronald reagan. by the way, if you see a candidate washington embraces, run and hide. it came from the american people, and it turned this country around. we went from misery and stagnation and malaise to booming economic growth, to millions lifted out of poverty into prosperity and the american dream. we went from our hostages languishing in a rant to winning the cold war and tearing the -- languishing in iran to winning the cold war and tearing the berlin wall to the ground. why am i so optimistic? because the same thing is happening again. all a cross virginia, all across this country, people are waking up.

there is an awakening. there is a spirit our revival that is sweeping this country -- there is a spirit of revival that is sweeping this country. you know, when we launched this campaign here in march at liberty university -- [applause] sen. cruz: when we launched this campaign, "the new york times" opined, cruz cannot win. because the washington elites despise him. i kind of thought that was the whole point of the campaign.

listen, if you think things are going great in washington, then i ain't your guy. on the other hand, if you think washington is fundamentally broken, that there is a bipartisan problem of politicians of both parties that get in bed with special interest and grow and grow and grow government and we need to take the power out of washington and back to we, the people, that is what this campaign is all about. [cheers and applause] audience: [chanting] usa! usa! usa!

sen. cruz: let me close with this. freedom is not some abstract concept we read about in school books. freedom is real. it is personal. it is in our family. i think about my dad. my father was born and raised in cuba. as a teenager, my dad fought in the cuban revolution. when he was 17 years old, the t step through him in prison. he was laying on the floor of a cuban jail cell covered in mud and blood and crime. his nose was broken. his teeth were shattered out of

his mouth. he remembers thinking, i don't have any kids. nobody depends on me. it does not matter if i live or i died. but thankfully, god had different plans for my father. he was released from that jail cell. he was 18 years old. could not speak a word of english. had $100's own into the lining of his underwear. got a job washing dishes. made $.50 an hour. he paid his way through school. he and my mom went on to start a small business together. i grew up in texas, as the son of two small business owners, seeing the ups and downs, the challenges and the triumphs of running a small as this. today, my dad is a pastor. he travels the country, preaching the gospel. [cheers and applause]

sen. cruz: now, my whole life, my father has been my hero. but do you know what i find so extraordinary about his story? how commonplace it is. every single one of us here, we have a story just like that in our background. some of us, many of us, -- some of us, it is us. others are parents. others are great, great, great grandparents. what ties us together, each and every one of us, we are the children who risked everything for freedom and that is why i am so optimistic because it is the fundamental dna of what it is to be an american.

when i was a kid, my dad used to say to me over and over again -- when we faced oppression in cuba, i had a place to flee to. if we lose our freedom here, where do we go. that is why we are here today. because we are not content to go quietly into the night. we are not willing to give up on our kids and grandkids. if we come together and fight for the constitution and fight for the values this country was built on, if we come together as we the people, then we can and we will bring back that last, best, hope for mankind.

that shining city on a hill that is the united states of america. thank you and god bless you. [applause] >> thank you so much. god bless you. sen. cruz: here, let me sign this for a second. >> [indiscernible] >> thank you so much. god bless you. sen. cruz: here, let me sign

this for a second. >> [indiscernible] >> can you get a picture for me? [indistinct conversations] >> my stuff is over there. sen. cruz: [indiscernible] thank you very much. thank you. >> i would really like it if you would come out and do the michael savage radio program. >> senator, [indiscernible] sen. cruz: what is your name? >> [indiscernible] sen. cruz: how do you spell it?

>> [indiscernible] >> let me begin by asking, your

comments about speaker paul ryan. [indiscernible] [indiscernible]

quentin would be willing to serve him die for you, sir. senator cruz: we will turn the country around. thank you. who has the camera? [indiscernible]

>> we are behind you 100%. [indiscernible] senator cruz: you know i have a little girl at home who is seven? >> [indiscernible] senator cruz: you can do something here that no one else can. you know what it is? you can do that. you can also drink with a straw with your mouth shut.

that's very cool. [indiscernible] cruz: as long as it's ok with mommy. sign the hand? ask mommy. [laughter] [indiscernible] senator cruz: absolutely. where are we? which camera? >> the pink one. senator cruz: ok. thank you, thank you so much. senator cruz: thank you very

much. >> [indiscernible] senator cruz: i will take that as a positive blessing. right there? thank you very much. [indiscernible] senator cruz: thank you. [indiscernible] senator cruz: how old are you? 12? >> i'm not. senator cruz: you're not 12?

>> i am 12. senator cruz: your 12? is that your brother? [indiscernible] i agree.ruz: we are going to take a picture. >> come here, baby. oh oh. cruz: >> he wanted all the sticker. senator cruz: i'm glad. >> say cheese. senator cruz: cheese. she's pizza. thank you for being here. >> say cheese. [indiscernible] senator cruz: there you go. >> would you be so kind as to sign my sister's book for her? senator cruz: right here. >> to michelle.

we are your biggest supporters, just to let you know. [indiscernible] senator cruz: thank you very much. >> thank you. senator cruz: how are you doing, sir? >> can hear, buddy. we are going to go this way. come here, buddy. thank you so much. senator cruz: thank you for being here. >> casey with a c? sure. senator cruz: thank you.

>> thank you. senator cruz: take care. >> thank you so much, have a safe trip. senator cruz: thank you for being here. [indiscernible] senator cruz: sure, absolutely. >> pastor doug. thank you so much. it really means a lot. senator cruz: senator cruz: nick? >> yes. >> we are glad you are running this.

>> we are praying. thank you. senator cruz: thank you so much. got bless you. -- god bless you. >> how long will it be? once we have a commander in chief that sets whatobjective, we will do it takes, but with a focused effort we can defeat them now. how it gets --on we need to get in and destroy them. that needs to be the focus, militarily whatever is required. >> [indiscernible] you had better believe it. destroying isis, the whole world changes. 20th, 2017, the world

will change from their perspective. [indiscernible] >> i have an praying for years. i was not sure. fortor cruz: thank you coming. thank you for your prayers and for standing up. >> my name is danielle. hold on one: second. >> thank you so much. >> i'm danielle. these are our three kids. we homeschool and are so happy to be here with you today. you are five? is this your sister? >> yes. >> i'm eight. senator cruz: awesome.

how about you? >> i'm nine years old. senator cruz: i have a little girl at home who is five. and i have a little girl at home who is seven. i don't have a little boy at home. but i think that 5 -- you are just a little bit older than seven. i think it's fun to be five. i think you have the coolest job, being five. thank you for being here. will you step on the other side so that i can get a picture? >> stand right here. turnaround. >> chocolate milkshake. >> chocolate milkshake. >> thank you so much. absolutely.: [indiscernible] >> thank you so much. thank you.z:

got bless you. >> we are praying for you. thank you.z: >> senator, we want to thank you and your family for the sacrifices you and your family are making. senator cruz: we are doing it together. >> got bless you. -- god bless you. senator cruz: what is your name? thanks for being here, jenny. sure. [laughter] [indiscernible] what's your name? [indiscernible] thank you for being here. quite how are you doing? small business owner. [indiscernible] senator cruz: you're welcome. thank you ray much. >> nice to meet you. [indiscernible] senator cruz: thank you for your hard work.

thank you. >> thank you. senator cruz: thank you very much. very good to see you. thank you for being here. thank you very much. >> thank you very much, sir. [indiscernible] thank you very much. [indiscernible]

great to meet you, thank you for being here. [indiscernible] senator cruz: right here? thank you are much. thank you for being here. thank you. thank you very much. sure. >> my daughter is going to snap a picture right there. she works in social media. hop in there with your dad. thank you.

fantastic. thank you for all your good work. >> thank you. [indiscernible] senator cruz: what's your name? thank you for being here. how old are you? senator cruz: >>senator cruz: 10. did you have fun? senator cruz: >> yes. good, -- >> yes. senator cruz: good, i'm glad you came. >> you went to country. i came from poland. we think about that, when you came. senator cruz: absolutely. we need america back. >> that's why i came here. senator cruz: you have seen firsthand what happens when it's taken away. i told themere and that obama was a communist. fortor cruz: thank you setting up that roundtable. [indiscernible]

thank you very much. >> you are going to save the country. senator cruz: we are going to do together. [indiscernible] >> thank you very much. senator cruz: god bless you. [indiscernible] >> thank you. welcome, thank you for being here. thank you for coming. [indiscernible] >> an article that you might

find interesting, i wrote it, it's about arnold schwarzenegger running for president. i'll read it. thank you. >> we are voting for you for sure. >> would you take a picture of my two daughters in there? thank you very much. thanks for playing, sir. thank you so much. senator cruz: thank you. i'm going to slide over here. [indiscernible] >> she's got the camera. [indiscernible] do we know are the camera is? [indiscernible]

senator cruz: thank you. >> thank you very much. senator cruz: good to see you. welcome.

clicks cannot wait until your president. >> thank you very much. welcome, thank you for being here. god bless you. thank you.z: >> thank you. >> got bless you. i really appreciate it. senator cruz: thank you for your

hard work. >> thank you for being here. [inaudible] >> hey, guys, we got two minutes before we have to leave. josh, that you for being here

[indiscernible] >> i look forward to january, when you're president crews. >> guys, got to apologize and move this way.

senator cruz: sorry i have to leave. thank you. >> happy birthday. senator cruz: thank you. [indiscernible] senator cruz: thank you very much. but get a picture. >> get in there. >> thank you. >> i photobombed you. [laughter]

cruz: can we go that way? ] ndiscernible senator cruz: how old are you? thank you for being here. >> we are praying for you. senator cruz: i appreciate you. thank you very much. we are praying for you. can we get a picture with you real quick? >> we will be praying for you. [indiscernible]

>> that's what we did with the last governor. >> a real constitutional conservative. cruz: thank you for being here. [indiscernible]

senator cruz: we want to see which reporters have been naughty in which reporters have been nice. santa claus: well, let me see. [laughter] senator cruz: merry christmas, santa clause. thank you for bringing christmas. santa claus: i'm glad i brought some cool weather. senator cruz: it's a wonderful thing. your reindeer are not happy, though. santa claus: no, they're not. senator cruz: merry christmas, everyone. we are having an incredible trip across the super tuesday states. we had a tremendous rally in las vegas. or miss enthusiasm in minnesota. we are now in virginia, georgia,

going to the march 1 super tuesday states and i will tell that we areusiasm seeing across the country is breathtaking. conservatives are uniting around the campaign. we are seeing it in the early primary states. we are also seeing it throughout the march 1 super tuesday states and throughout the country. this race hasning been very simple. win.nservatives unite, we conservatives are uniting behind the campaign. that's why we are winning right now. any questions? >> [inaudible] what is your reaction to that? i'm going to let marco defend his own voting record. i'm voting against this omnibus.

i think it was of the trail of the many women who elected us. across this country frustrated out of their minds because we keep winning elections as conservatives and then republican leaders keep advancing the agenda of barack obama. this is stunning, it's a trillion dollar deal, thousands of pages in the dark of night, it funds executive amnesty and all of planned parenthood. it does nothing to stop this catastrophic iranian nuclear deal. it does nothing to stop president obama bringing tens of thousands of syrian refugees, even the fbi tells us that they cannot that those refugees to determine if there are isis terrorists among them.