Texas Sen. Ted Cruz brought his no-compromise message to the RedState Gathering on Saturday, thrilling hundreds of hardened conservatives who flocked to Atlanta with a pledge to reject "mealy-mouthed statements about acceptance and surrender."
Cruz received one ovation after another for his crowd-pleasing promises to repeal President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul, "rip up and rescind" the proposed nuclear deal with Iran and shower Israel with support.
He vilified Hillary Clinton and other Democrats, but reserved some of his harshest attacks for fellow Republicans who have struck compromises across the aisle.
"What exactly has this new Republican majority accomplished? Nothing? It's actually worse than that," he said, ticking through deals struck over budget plans and high-profile Obama appointees. "In this case, our team is playing for the other side."
He added: "Here's one simple question: Which of those decisions is one iota different than it would have been with [Democrat] Harry Reid in the Senate?"
Cruz quick hits
Biggest applause line: "I cannot wait to stand on the debate stage with Hillary Clinton. And to make clear if you vote for Hillary you are voting for Iran to have nuclear weapons."
Sharpest jab at a Republican: "Are you looking for a meaningless showboat, or do you actually want leadership?"
Sharpest jab at a Democrat: "I'm pretty sure the Democrats' debate consists of Hillary and the Chipotle clerk ... They actually did plan to have a debate earlier. The problem was, the invitation was emailed to Hillary."
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