New Hampshire Republicans Get a Preview of 2016

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Here in a state where presidential politics are never far from anyone's mind, three Republicans who are considering a run for the White House - Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor - pitched their views on Saturday for how conservatives can retake power in Washington.

It was an unusually early event for such an overt discussion of 2016, even by today's accelerated electoral calendar. Not only is the next presidential election still more than two and a half years away, most states have not even held their primary elections for the midterm elections this year.

The event was the Freedom Summit, a gathering of several hundred people put together by two of the most influential groups on the right, the Americans for Prosperity Foundation and Citizens United. And what unfolded on stage in a conference center next to the regional airport was a display of today's Republican Party in all its dynamism, division and sometimes strange spectacle.

Mr. Paul offered up his message of making the Republican Party more ecumenical by reaching out to Americans who feel conservatives do not look out for them. And in doing so, he offered some blunt advice.

'The door's not going to open up to the African-American community, to the Hispanic community, until we have something to offer,' he said, adding that Republicans should care more that minorities are so overrepresented in the country's prison population.

'But your kids and grandkids aren't perfect, either,' Mr. Paul said. 'The police don't come to your neighborhoods. You get a better lawyer. These are some injustices. We've got to be concerned about people who may not be part of our group, who may not be here today.'

Mr. Cruz gave a more traditional view of conservatism, but with the caustic delivery that has earned him few friends in Washington.

'I think every Republican should have two words tattooed on their hands: growth and opportunity,' he said, right before disparaging the people he works with every day. 'I'm spending my time not focusing on Washington, not trying to convince Washington of anything, because they ain't listening. What I'm trying to do instead is help energize and mobilize the American people.'

The names on the Freedom Summit marquee - some who have run for president, some who might run for president, and some who have been teasing people for years with the possibility but never follow through - reflected the crossroads at which the Republican Party finds itself.

On the one hand were the dynamic, new politicians like Mr. Paul and Mr. Cruz who are energizing many disillusioned conservatives but arouse skepticism in some corners of the party for different reasons.

On the other hand were those like Newt Gingrich, Mr. Huckabee and Donald Trump, who have been speaking at events like the Freedom Summit for years and have loyal followers but are not likely to bring with them any constituencies that will expand the party's reach.

Mr. Trump, who reminded the audience that he had been in Republican politics for 'a long time,' sounded more passionate about his new developments in Florida than about politics.

'I'm a builder; I build great buildings,' he told the crowd. Then he talked up his new golf course near Miami. 'It's going to be the most beautiful resort in the country,' he said. He also spoke about his work for wounded military veterans. 'I meet so many of them - with the legs, the arms and the trauma.'

Mr. Trump tossed out a few one-liners that lighted up an otherwise fairly sedate crowd, such as telling them that he would use his building prowess to construct a border fence 'like you've never seen.' His mentioning of Jeb Bush's remarks last week that crossing the border illegally is for many families 'an act of love' drew a few disgusted sighs and boos.

Mr. Gingrich used his speech to promote some of his own business endeavors, mentioning two of his films, a book and a podcast, which he noted is free. He also threw the crowd some red meat, mocking Kathleen Sebelius, who resigned last week as secretary of health and human services. And he declared the Obama administration 'the worst administration since Buchanan, which is really quite a record.'

Senator Mike Lee of Utah, who at 42 is one of the youngest Tea Party favorites, took a jab at the advancing age of many of his fellow senators in a story he told about being yelled at by a Capitol police officer for leaning on one of the Senate's 200-year-old desks. Those desks, he noted, are 'as old as some of my colleagues.'

Ryan Bernier, 24, a recent college graduate who was in the audience on Saturday, said that he wanted to see the party embrace fresher ideas. He felt himself drawn most to Mr. Paul, whose speeches he has watched online.

'He's principled, and we need principle in this country right now,' Mr. Bernier said. 'He's Republican, but he's willing to call out Republicans. He says, 'You think I'm talking about electing Republicans, but I'm talking about electing lovers of liberty.' He's got some courage.'

But not everyone, even some of the younger people in the audience, were so sold on Mr. Paul - a reminder of how far he will have to go to win over certain segments of the party.

'He's a loose cannon,' said Lauren Rumpler, a 25-year-old who lives in Manchester. 'He's a little wishy-washy. And there are moments when he reminds me of John Kerry - kind of a flip-flopper.'

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