Ted Cruz called on the deportation of illegal immigrants, an end to the IRS and Common Core, and encouraged U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions to serve in his cabinet during a campaign rally speech Saturday in Daphne.

And it was Sessions, a popular senator among conservative voters, who provided Cruz with a political boost when he defended his colleague's stance against a 2013 immigration reform bill that failed to pass Congress: "I believe, without the vigorous opposition from Ted Cruz, this bill very likely, would have passed."

Cruz's 31-mintue speech at the Daphne Civic Center, which followed opening remarks from Sessions and Rep. Bradley Byrne, also served as a recruiting opportunity for the senator who urged attendees to donate toward his campaign in Alabama. The state, which has historically supported conservative-leaning candidates during past presidential elections, joins a dozen other mostly southern states during the March 1 "SEC Primary."

"I think the role of Alabama is going to help and ensure the next Republican for president and the next president is a real conservative," Cruz said before a cheering audience of approximately 1,500.

Cruz is currently polling strong and is considered a top contender for the GOP nomination. He sits only behind Republican leader and real estate tycoon Donald Trump in most polls. In many cases, he's viewed as the most popular candidate among voters who identify themselves as "very conservative."

Immigration defense

But in the past week, Cruz has had to fend off accusations from Sen. Marco Rubio that he's a double-talker when it comes to immigration and is not as hardline on the issue as he presents himself. Cruz and Rubio tangled at a GOP debate Tuesday over immigration.

To counter that attack in Daphne, Cruz brought out Sessions who spoke favorably about Cruz's role in thwarting the 2013 measure backed by Rubio.

"It was a near done thing," Sessions of Mobile said, recalling the bipartisan "Gang of Eight" effort to push forward a reform measure that included a path for undocumented immigrants already in the U.S. to become citizens contingent on certain border security and visa tracking improvements.

"It was a worst bill everyone would acknowledge," he said. "I was really worried about it."

Sessions added, "Ted Cruz was with me, Steve King, Mike Lee and others who were opposed to this bill. Don't let anyone tell you differently."

Rubio, also a GOP presidential contender, has accused Cruz of being open to legalization in the past and that he only became more hardened toward it since announcing a run for president.

Sessions, in speaking with reporters, later said he was confused why Cruz's position had been called into question and criticized Rubio's role.

"Everything in the Gang of Eight bill Rubio created," Sessions said. "He wrote it. Marco has some great talents. He's a fine person and I have admiration for him. But there is a big difference between his vision of good immigration policy and mine and Senator Cruz's. I find it odd that it's gotten any legs to it."

Sessions' defense of Cruz's immigration record and criticism of Rubio's position followed similar comments made by former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a tea party favorite, who endorsed Cruz during a rally in Mechanicsville, Va.

Wooing Sessions

Sessions did not make an endorsement. "I'm looking over the candidates just like everyone else is."

But Cruz wasn't shy in wooing the Mobilian: "For anyone who wonders, can we really secure the border, I got three words for you: Secretary Jeff Sessions."

"You want to talk about Homeland Security, he'll go down there and build the wall himself," Cruz added.

Sessions, who also appeared at a Donald Trump rally in Mobile about four months ago, said he believed Cruz was "teasing" about the overture.

"I'm sure he was teasing or making a rhetorical point," Sessions said. "I do think he has the right values and will do as he says. Ted is smart and capable and not afraid and he'd be a monumental improvement on immigration policy in America."

First day and more

Cruz kicked off his speech by describing what he planned to do during his first day as president: Rescind President Barack Obama's executive actions, instructed the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Planned Parenthood, end "the persecution of religious liberty," and revoke the president's Iranian nuclear pact.

He also touted his strong conservative positions of repealing the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as "ObamaCare") and replacing it with a "common sense health care reform" plan. Cruz pushed to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education and the IRS.

His comments drew applause from an audience that waved American flags and held up Cruz signs. Some stood in line for nearly four hours before the rally began.

Patricia Rupell and Cindy Colantuono of Daphne were the first in line, both attending their first presidential rally of the 2016 season.

For Colantuono, it was the first political rally she's attended since a 1980 rally in support of then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan.

But both women are undecided on whom they will support. "I thought this was a great opportunity to come to a political rally," said Colantuono.

The stop in Daphne is part of a 12-day swing to 12 cities, most of which are in the Deep South where Cruz hopes to curry conservative support. He will be in Trussville for a 1 p.m. rally Sunday and will close out the tour Dec. 23 in Oklahoma City.