Delegates at the Republican National Convention thunderously booed Ted Cruz for refusing to endorse Donald Trump Wednesday – clouding an evening meant to highlight vice presidential candidate Mike Pence as a unifying force for the party.
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Diane Bitter, a New Hampshire delegate to the Republican National Convention who was pledged to Cruz, told NH1 News “I was not disappointed by what he said because he said exactly what I expected him to say”. Cruz finished second to Trump in the delegate count. “Don’t stay home in November”, Cruz urged the audience.
Ted Cruz inflamed tensions within the Republican Party on Wednesday night by declining to endorse Donald Trump.
Missouri Republican Party Chairman John Hancock said he believes that by not endorsing Trump, Cruz may nonetheless have helped rally Republicans behind Trump. During the address, Cruz urged Republicans to “vote your conscience” in November, a direct reference to Trump detractors that lobbied members of the RNC rules committee on a “conscience clause” that would have allowed delegates to vote for someone other than the victor of their state’s primary results.
There’s little love lost between Cruz and many of New York’s delegates, many of whom are elected officials, party leaders or political donors.
“I am not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my father”, he said. When Cruz talked about religious freedom, he even added this very surprising line: “Whether you are gay or straight, the bill of rights protects the rights of all of us to live according to our conscience”.
“I will not be voting for Trump in November”, he said at the convention in Cleveland. About half of the crowd stood up and gave him ovations whenever he defended his decision as principled and not personal to Trump.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano said, “They all pledged to support the victor of the primary, and that was Donald Trump, and I think he missed a good opportunity today to further unify the party”. I knew that he would be strong on his principles.
“I think it’s hurtful to the party, it’s hurtful to America, but Ted Cruz has always been in the business of Ted Cruz, so I can’t say I’m surprised, ” Dean continued.
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“Sen. Cruz tried to destroy the Republican Party tonight just like he’s tried to destroy the Republican caucus”, Indiana Sen. As Cruz’s speech concluded, delegates chanted “endorse Trump” over the former presidential candidate. Attendees also took aim at Ted Cruz’s wife, Heidi, yelling “Goldman Sachs!” “Than all of the people who voted in the elections?” he said.
