Lynchburg, Va.
Facing a rapt audience as he launched his long-expected bid for the presidency at Liberty University on Monday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz delivered a rousing 30-minute speech in which he pledged to "reignite the promise of America."
That he chose this bastion of Christian conservatism to launch his campaign and become the first candidate in what is expected to be a crowded field seeking the Republican nomination is not surprising.
The university, nestled in the Appalachian foothills of southern Virginia, has been a magnet for Republican aspirants in recent years. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a potential 2016 rival, spoke here in 2011, on his way to his first presidential bid. He was followed by former Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann and eventual 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney.
Each candidate has come with their own agenda.
For Cruz, his pilgrimage to Liberty served as the springboard for a somewhat long-shot grassroots campaign to battle not only liberals and Democrats but also the more establishmentarian elements of the Republican Party, represented by Texas native Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor who many see as the undeclared front-runner.
Some of the shock troops in that campaign might be found in schools like Liberty, founded in 1971 as Lynchburg Baptist College, where Cruz received a warm, enthusiastic welcome.
The gathering was like any other Monday convocation under the Vine Center's white, 10,000-seat dome on the sprawling campus, except the students were handed little American flags to wave on their way through the double-glass doors.
"I believe God isn't done with America," Cruz said to a raucous standing ovation. "I believe in you. I believe in the power of millions of courageous conservatives rising up to reignite the promise of America. And that's why today I am announcing that I am running for president of the United States."
The announcement was met with chants of "USA! USA!" Students mobbed the senator as he left the four-sided arena stage posing for photos and exchanging personal greetings.
"He's going to be the next president of the United States," said Jarryn Bailey, a 19-year-old international relations major from Colorado Springs. "We're going to make it happen. He is anointed by God."
Cruz's speech dovetailed with Christian-themed rock music and prayer at the nation's largest Christian university, a modern evangelical citadel founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell.
The founder's son, University President Jerry Falwell Jr., called it an historic moment both for Cruz and the school, which had to reschedule a planned appearance by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe in order to accommodate Cruz's decision to move up the timing of his announcement.
Falwell stopped short of an endorsement, but praised Cruz as ''a man of character."
Most of the students in the packed arena responded enthusiastically, despite a smattering of empty seats and red "Rand" t-shirts in support of Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, who also is expected to announce soon.
Cruz was accompanied by his wife Heidi, on leave from her job as an executive at Goldman Sachs, and their two young daughters. All four took part in the stage rehearsals over the weekend.
