To the Right

Trump, Cruz Sport Contrasting Styles Before South Carolina Tea Partiers

The Texan appeals to evangelicals; the billionaire, to bikers.

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz greets guests after arriving for a speech at the 2016 South Carolina Tea Party Coalition Convention on Jan. 16, 2016, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Photographer: Scott Olson/Getty Images
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The two leading contenders for the Republican presidential nomination presented a study in contrasting style Saturday, as U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and billionaire Donald Trump delivered dueling speeches at an annual Tea Party convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Cruz's tone and delivery mirrored that of a Sunday sermon. Trump's seemed more geared towards a Saturday night bar crowd. (He opened his remarks by thanking the dozen or so Myrtle Beach motorcycle bikers who stood outside cheering for him.)