For some reason, both he and Liberty University (the largest evangelical college in the country) thought that he should announce his candidacy there. Some thoughts:
This really drives the unspoken narrative that if you're a democrat, an independent, or even a moderate Republican (as Ted Cruz is one of the most extreme members of the Tea Party), Christianity and evangelicalism especially are not for you. Which, if you're here, you know I find upsetting.
It's also just ugly to me that a Christian university is letting an extremely polarized politician speak there, let alone announce their presidential bid. God is not a Republican or a Democrat.
It's particularly ridiculous that they let *Ted Cruz* speak there, as very few politicians have been as callous toward the poor, the immigrants, and the oppressed, which evangelicals who actually read their Bibles will know God wants us to look out for.
The last line of the article about "Liberty" University and this libertarian-ish candidate: "Student attendance at the convocation is mandatory." Ironic, though I suppose that's about chapel, generally, and not this particular chapel (which somehow is being led by a *distinctly* un-Christian politician). While highly ironic, it adds to the kafka-esque "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills" sensation - a Christian university is requiring it's students to attend a political rally. Rend unto Ceasar, indeed - or something.
All that said, the propoganda video he linked on his "announcement tweet" is amazing - my inner 3rd grader (who believes all the ridiculous "America is the free-est place in the world, since we INVENTED freedom" stuff I was told growing up) really wants to vote for him when I watch it.
Sigh.
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