COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The candidates vying to be the next president of the United States are continuing to criss cross South Carolina drumming up support.
Ted Cruz was in Columbia, South Carolina where he spoke at the Columbia Armory.
The crowd of several hundred people here at the armory was made up of many service members as well as military veterans, and for them, the message of a strong military and respect for those who serve was exactly what they had been hoping to hear.
Cruz fired up the crowd as he spoke about his disappointment with the current administration.
He says he will build up the military, and push to have the United States show military leadership across the globe, and not retreat from difficult battles.
He says he believes when it comes to defense, the nation has been going in the wrong direction.
“The philosophy toward rebuilding the military will be simple more tooth, less tail. We're going to focus on the war fighters, we're going to focus on the brave men and women who risked it all keeping this country safe,” said Cruz.
Cruz was joined by war heroes who support his philosophy on strengthening the military, as well as by former Texas governor Rick Perry who spoke about his strong support for Senator Cruz.