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MYRTLE BEACH They were loud, numerous and enthusiastic, but how relevant will they be heading into the 2016 presidential run?

Hundreds of South Carolina tea partyers crammed into an oceanside resort ballroom here Sunday to hear from Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Dr. Ben Carson and other conservative speakers in what many see as the opening salvo of next years S.C. presidential primary run.

While President Barack Obama was a constant target of the rhetoric, what was more apparent among many attendees is that the so-called establishment candidates namely Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush are lagging far back in terms of preference.

I look at them as being part of the large government machine, said Columbia-area tea party member Bill Krecker, who said Cruz is among those drawing his early interest. I dont think they are working toward limited government.

Theres such a frustration from conservatives that the Republican establishment is not conservative enough, added Richard Summerford, who operates an evangelical mission in Columbia.

The eroding of freedoms is among his concerns. He wore a Carson sticker on his shirt.

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Tea party faithful rally in Myrtle Beach

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. Sen. Ted Cruz urged arch-conservatives on Sunday to help nominate a Republican from their own ranks in 2016 or risk losing a third consecutive national election. The unspoken message: someone like him.

Cruz called GOP nominees like Mitt Romney in 2012, John McCain in 2008 and Bob Dole in 1996 "good, honorable and decent men" but not conservative enough. All lost their bids for the presidency.

"If we nominate a candidate in that mold, the same people who stayed home in 2008 and 2012 will stay home in 2016 and the Democrats will win again," Cruz told hundreds of activists at the South Carolina Tea Party Coalition Convention.

South Carolina will cast the South's first primary ballots in 2016, shortly after the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.

Cruz's appearance came days after Romney confirmed at the Republican National Committee's winter meeting that he's considering a third White House bid. Romney weathered an uneasy relationship with the GOP's conservative wing in 2012 in part because no single candidate among several conservative alternatives could sustain a viable campaign.

But this time former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are in the picture, courting some of the same donors, consultants and media attention that went to Romney four years ago. Neither has committed to a campaign yet.

Tea party convention goers from several states this weekend have expressed optimism that the new dynamic could create an opening for Cruz or another establishment critic if he can consolidate rank-and-file conservatives who distrust the GOP's traditional power structure.

Cruz, beloved among tea party conservatives for his role in the partial government shutdown in October 2013, pointed to the GOP's success in the November midterms as proof that the nation is ready for an unapologetically conservative president. The "Washington graybeards" warned that the fight over the nation's borrowing limit was "too risky" and would cost Republicans in 2014, he said.

"We just saw an historic tidal wave of an election," Cruz said, adding that the "graybeards" still haven't admitted their political calculus was wrong.

The senator mocked President Barack Obama, comparing him to one-term President Jimmy Carter, who lost in 1980 to GOP icon Ronald Reagan. He repeated his calls to repeal the federal Affordable Care Act and the Common Core education standards adopted by many states.

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Ted Cruz blisters Obama, GOP establishment at South Carolina tea party event

South Carolina's Tea Party Coalition Convention started Saturday in Myrtle Beach, drawing hundreds from across the country.

Joe Dugan, the executive producer of the convention, has been a Tea Party leader, organizer, and activist since 2009.

In 2011, Dugan started the South Carolina Tea Party Coalition Convention and rallied volunteers to help him bring national and local leaders, along with experts, to discuss issues facing the United States and South Carolina.

On Saturday, attendees were able to speak with vendors from across the state that support the convention.

The Tea Party Patriots is the main sponsor for the convention.

"Our core values that we think we can get everyone behind are personal friend, economic freedom and a debt free future for the next generations," said Kevin Broughton, the national communications director for the Tea Party Patriots. "It's impressive the theme that the South Carolina folks have is an opportunity not an entitlement."

When the convention was first started in 2011, the purpose was to establish a gathering of grassroots activists across South Carolina. Since 2012, every speaker invited to the convention has been encouraged to speak honestly and boldly about their ideas, issues and solutions.

"I think what establishes us as a national Tea Party entity from other groups is that we actually get out and do stuff with the local groups," said Broughton.

Dr. Benjamin Carsonis scheduled to speak on Sunday at the convention, along with Senator Ted Cruz, of Texas.

On Monday, businessman Donald Trump and former senator Rick Santorum are the headline speakers.

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SC Tea Party Coalition Convention kicks off in Myrtle Beach

Tea Party with Bella
Bella Sweetheart Cavalier has tea with her little girl.

By: Ewesheepster

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Tea Party with Bella - Video

Senator Mike Lee #39;s Republican Shuffle
How one politician is trying to stay true to his Tea Party principles while, at the same time, figuring out how best to play the D.C. insider game to push his agenda.

By: One America News Network

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Senator Mike Lee's Republican Shuffle - Video