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U.S. NEWSSaturday 20 February 2016
Republicans get emotional on eve of South Carolina primary
STEVE PEOPLES Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures during a campaign stop, Friday, Feb. Thursday but offered a dis-
BILL BARROW 19, 2016, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. tinctly softer jab on Friday.
Associated Press “Yesterday, the Pope was
MYRTLE BEACH, South (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) great,” Trump told an au-
Carolina (AP) — The Re- dience. “They had him
publican battle for South paign: March 1’s Super a particularly painful blow along the U.S.-Mexican convinced that illegal im-
Carolina turned deeply Tuesday. Trump appeared to Cruz, whose focus on border, the leader of the migration was like a won-
personal on the eve of Sat- to hold a commanding Christian values and south- Roman Catholic Church derful thing.”
urday’s presidential prima- lead less than 24 hours be- ern roots should have given said those who seek to Cruz tried to take advan-
ry, as businessman Donald fore voting began in South him a distinct advantage. build walls instead of bridg- tage of the spat by high-
Trump eyed a delegate Carolina. With a big win, Trump’s campaign con- es are “not Christian.” The lighting his own religious
sweep and his Republican the undisputed Repub- tinued trying to brush off pope was returning home devotion.
rivals fought for a southern lican front-runner could an extraordinary criticism from a visit to Mexico and “Every minute that you’re
surprise. take home most, if not all, from Pope Francis the day the border. not on the phone calling
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the of the state’s 50 delegates. before. When asked about Trump called the Pope’s friends and loved ones,
son of a pastor, evoked Such a victory would mark Trump’s call to build a wall words “disgraceful” on spend beseeching God,
“the body of Christ” while praying for this country,
fending off allegations of that this spirit of revival
campaign misconduct in a that is sweeping this coun-
state where most Republi- try continue and grow,
cans identify as evangeli- and that we awaken the
cal Christians. body of Christ,” the Texas
Ohio Gov. John Kasich senator said. Meanwhile,
opened up about the his campaign faced new
death of his parents. And questions about a web-
former Florida Gov. Jeb site it created this week
Bush turned to his mother attacking Rubio’s record.
to help revive his underdog The site features a photo of
campaign. Rubio shaking hands with
Friday marked an emo- President Barack Obama.
tionally charged day in Cruz’s campaign acknowl-
the campaign, with 50 edged that the photo was
delegates up for grabs in manufactured using a
the primary contest. Can- computer program.
didates were also looking Meanwhile, the lesser-
for some badly needed known Kasich continued to
momentum heading into highlight his compassion-
the next phase of the cam- ate side. q
The fight over Ted Cruz’s ballot
eligibility moves to courtrooms
CHICAGO (AP) — The de- and Republicans will re-
bate over whether Canadi- place him with a moderate
an-born Ted Cruz is eligible candidate.
to be U.S. president is mov- Joyce says he’s backing
ing from the campaign trail Ben Carson but is acting in-
to the courtroom. dependently.
Lawsuits challenging the A Cook County judge set
Texas Republican’s eligibil- a hearing for March 1 on
ity for the ballot have been a motion to dismiss the
filed in states including Il- suit filed by Cruz’s lawyer.
linois, New York and Ala- By then, ballots for Illinois’
bama. Fellow candidate March 15 primary will be
Donald Trump also has printed and early voting
threatened to sue over the under way.
issue. Cruz and legal ex- Asked about his eligibility
perts say he’s eligible be- during a CNN town hall this
cause his mother was a U.S. week, Cruz said by law he’s
citizen when he was born. been a U.S. citizen since
The Illinois plaintiff is phar- the day he was born.
macist and lawyer Law- The Indiana Election Com-
rence Joyce. mission on Friday rejected a
He says he fears if Cruz challenge to whether Cruz
becomes the Republican may remain on the state’s
nominee, Democrats will May 3 primary ballot.
get him kicked off the bal- Cruz won a similar ballot
lot in some states or Cruz challenge in New Hamp-
will be forced to drop out shire in November.q
