article_snippet: These are all of our stories,Cruz told the audience Monday, roaming around the circular stage at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Virginia, opening Cruz remarks by spotlighting Cruz family history and Cruz own path to Washington.
article_snippet: Cruz drew on the past only to focus on the future, repeatedly and emphatically asking the Liberty University student audience to "imagine" the U.S. under conservative leadership -- laying out Cruz vision for the country and a Cruz presidency.
article_snippet: The senator from Texas, who burst into the national limelight with Cruz staunch opposition to Obamacare and Cruz willingness to shut down the federal government, presents a direct challenge to the expected bids of establishment Republicans such as Florida Gov. Jeb Bush -- candidates Cruz coyly refers to as the "mushy middle.
article_snippet: The venue choice at this socially conservative campus aims to give Cruz an early boost among evangelical voters, who will be key to boosting presidential hopefuls in states like Iowa and South Carolina that have early nominating contests.
article_snippet: Jerry Falwell Jr., the university's president and son of its founder and evangelical icon, introduced Cruz as a senator who "has gone against the tide" and a "man of great character," all while stressing that the University does not endorse candidates for office.
article_snippet: Falwell picked up on Cruz's assertion that millions of evangelical Christians did not vote in 2012, pointing out that "if any candidate can energize that group, that group will make a huge difference in any national race.
article_snippet: " Asked after the speech how Falwell prepared for the event, Cruz said Falwell "spent some time in prayer" thinking about the message Falwell wants to convey.
article_snippet: At the end of the day it's listening to the people about the vision for turning the country around," Cruz told CNN, adding that Falwell was "incredibly" encouraged and inspired by the support.
article_snippet: Cruz's announcement came on the five-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which Cruz has fought in the Senate to repeal.
article_snippet: Cruz marked the anniversary by pledging to repeal "every word" of the healthcare law as president.
article_snippet: Cruz also jabbed at Common Core education standards -- which Bush supports -- and repeated Bush pledge to abolish the IRS, instead suggesting Americans could file Americans taxes on a postcard.
article_snippet: And Cruz drew the longest and loudest applause from the audience when Cruz prompted the audience to "imagine a President who stands unapologetically with the nation of Israel.
article_snippet: A constant and vocal critic of the Obama administration, Cruz is perhaps best known for Cruz stalwart fight against Obamacare in 2013, which led to a tense standoff between Democrats and Republicans and ultimately resulted in a 17-day government shutdown.
article_snippet: The showdown was punctuated by Cruz's 21-hour speech on the Senate floor.
article_snippet: We got to tell that story,Cruz Cruz said.
highlights_snippet: Cruz follows up with a speech at Liberty University in Virginia .