Ted Cruz joins McCain, Romney with Liberty University speech
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Liberty University is no stranger to presidential politics.
The institution founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell will be in the spotlight Monday as Sen. Ted Cruz formally jumps into the 2016 presidential race with a speech at the school's weekly Convocation.
It's not the first time a presidential candidate has made remarks on the campus nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Mitt Romney, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, used his commencement address at the evangelical university that year to defend Judeo-Christian principles and stress the importance of faith, family and service. Romney's appearance was an attempt to appeal to Christian conservatives, some of whom were suspicious about his Mormon faith.
"People of different faiths, like yours and mind, sometimes wonder where we can meet in common purpose, when there are so many differences in creed and theology," Romney said. "Surely the answer is that we can meet in service, in shared moral convictions about our nation stemming from a common worldview."
Arizona Sen. John McCain came to campus in 2006 to deliver the commencement address, as he prepared for his 2008 presidential campaign, and vigorously defended the war in Iraq.
In 2000, McCain had criticized Falwell and televangelist Pat Robertson, calling them "corrupting influences on religion and politics" who were "agents of intolerance" aligned with George W. Bush -- then McCain's rival for the GOP presidential nomination.
Cruz is no stranger to Liberty University students: Last year, he used his Convocation address to say religious liberty is "under assault" under the Obama administration.
Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann, both 2012 GOP presidential candidates, have also spoken at the university.
Jerry Falwell Jr., son of the university's founder, is now president of Liberty University. He told the student newspaper on campus, The Liberty Champion, that Cruz's appearance is a good thing.
"We're honored that political candidates are now requesting to appear at Liberty," the younger Falwell is quoted as saying. "We never had that happen years ago -- we had to invite them. I think it's a testament to what Liberty students have accomplished and what they are accomplishing."
Falwell said he got a call about a week ago that Cruz was requesting to speak. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, was originally slated to speak Monday morning but his talk will be rescheduled.
The university president said he hopes Liberty will become a regular stop for presidential candidates, but told the campus newspaper that it has no intention of providing a formal endorsement. "Liberty, of course, by law, can't endorse candidates and we don't plan to break the law," he said.