"We don't just need someone to go to Washington and vote with us," Cruz said. "We need someone with the courage of his convictions to stand up and do the right thing.

"The biggest divide we have in this country is not between Democrats and Republicans," Cruz continued. "The biggest divide we have in this country is between entrenched career politicians and the rest of us.

"I'm supporting T.W. Shannon because I believe he has the courage to look party politicians in the eye and say no."

Palin brought energy and personality to the stage  and an us-versus-them attitude.

"Surely," she said, "there are more of us than there are of them."

Ultimately, though, the stage was Shannon's, and he made good use of it. An engaging speaker who hits all the right notes for his target audience, he added onto his friends' populist chorus.

"My fellow patriots, our freedoms are under assault, but it stops today," he said. "Let's reduce the size of government today."