A GOP delegate says mega-donor Sheldon Adelson has made it clear where he stands on Ted Cruz’s nonendorsement of Donald Trump. He said Cruz’s personal ambition won over keeping his word, and Cruz is now “immaterial” to the 2016 campaign.
Advertisement
“I am not in the habit of supporting someone who attacks my wife and attacks my father”, he said.
A series of distractions at the convention largely thwarted a bid by the Trump campaign to show him as a caring father and magnanimous business leader who would bring greater prosperity and safety to the United States. Ted Cruz tried to link arms with Republicans at the party’s national convention but was booed lustily by delegates when he ended his speech without offering Donald Trump his endorsement – or even saying he would vote for the NY billionaire.
Cruz delegate Eric Burlison, a Missouri House member from Springfield, said Cruz would have been better off sending a videotaped message as Florida Sen. Yet his nominating convention has featured awkward silences on the rare occasions when gay rights have come up. But as you can see starting around the 20-minute mark, the crowd lost interest in Cruz’s themes and started shouting, “Endorse Trump!” “I am watching, I am listening”, Cruz said.
Sen. Ted Cruz is not backing down.
In his speech, Trump portrayed himself as a fresh alternative to traditional politicians, willing to consider new approaches to vexing problems and help working-class people who may feel abandoned.
Commentators suggested the ill-timed spat might damage Cruz’s long-standing dream of becoming president.
As the GOP primary came down to the two candidates this spring, Trump and his surrogates attacked Cruz’s family. I saw his speech two hours early but let him speak anyway. Nor did he ask his supporters, hundreds of whom encouraged him to run for president in four years at an event on Wednesday afternoon, to vote for the newly minted Republican nominee.
Trump’s NY allies stood up and started chanting “We want Trump!”.
He urged people not to stay at home in November; at this point many through that he will endorse his former opponent.
Apparently the use of the phrase “vote your conscience” was seen as code for sticking it to Trump, because that same phrase was the one used by people who wanted to unbind the delegates. “The standard that I apply is, which candidate do I trust to defend the Constitution?” said Cruz.
“We deserve leaders who stand for principle, who unite us all behind shared values, who cast aside anger for love”, said Cruz, effectively listing criticisms leveled at Trump.
Some of the delegates have said they feel divided and like the whole convention is a waste of time.
But Trump said later on Twitter that Cruz’s lack of an endorsement was “no big deal!”
“Didn’t honor the pledge!”
“He’s a chicken”, said Eugene Delgaudio, a delegate from Sterling, Virginia, who clucked like a chicken when asked about Cruz’s decision.
Advertisement
A former U.S. Senator inside the Adelson’s luxury box at the Quicken Loans arena told Independent Journal Review that Cruz approached the suite after he finished his speech that fell short of endorsing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. “We’re going to walk away” from the presidential campaign, Coletto said.
