Trump also took jabs at the appearance of Cruz’s wife, Goldman Sachs executive Heidi Cruz, and the Texas senator responded that Trump is a “sniveling coward” and later “a pathological liar”. “Telling Republicans to “vote their conscience” can only be an affront to the GOP if they’re admitting a vote for Trump violates conscience”, wrote Cruz supporter and radio host Steve Deace.
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The differences between Cruz and Trump were based in personality and policy.
Trump appeared on stage shortly after to congratulate his vice presidential candidate, IN governor Mike Pence, who accepted his nomination today.
“He had a moment and I think he missed it”, said Patricia Saint Aubin, a MA delegate and Cruz supporter. “It’s time to win in November”. But then the Republican’s candidate’s name was never heard again.
Cruz was expected to continue sidestepping a formal endorsement of Trump during his convention remarks. He explained to the crowd that all the senator said was that they should vote with their conscience for anyone who will uphold the constitution.
He encouraged voters to back his father because he is “quite frankly, my friends. the one candidate who does not need this job”.
It’s one thing for Republicans who are old and out or nearly out of politics-like the Bushes, Mitt Romney, even John McCain-to speak out against Trump and stay away from the convention. Trump began calling Cruz “Lyin’ Ted” at every opportunity.
“Our party now has a nominee”, Cruz said, laughing as Trump’s personal plane flew overhead. Trump said he had seen the speech two hours before “but let him speak anyway”.
While showing his support of the Republican Party, Cruz, who dropped out of the presidential race two months ago when it was clear he lost to Trump, deliberately avoided endorsing Trump during his speech, sending the crowd into a fury.
So what Cruz says later Wednesday during his prime-time convention speech will be closely watched for clues about his presidential aspirations.
“Stand on principle and alienate those you work with”, he said.
Second, Cruz’s speech was tremendously important for Republican congressional candidates.
“I think you misunderstood one paragraph that Ted Cruz, who is a superb orator, said”.
His only mention of Trump was to congratulate him on his official nomination, and by the end of the speech rapt attention had shifted quickly to disdain.
The lackluster speech by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Trump’s vice president pick, didn’t help, because it was not a solid upbeat for Trump, a good take down of Democrat Hillary Clinton or an aspirational anthem.
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“I hope Ted Cruz gets up there tonight to speak at the convention and keeps his word and endorses Donald Trump”, he said during a CNN national security forum. Pence also praised Trump’s “utter lack of pretense” and “intense respect for those who work for him”. “Governor Rick Perry, Governor Chris Christie, Governor Scott Walker, Dr Ben Carson, Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Ted Cruz have all responded to Donald Trump’s generosity”, he said. He also said the USA should “fix its own mess” before pressuring other governments.
