The poll has Cruz being supported by 45 percent of Republican voters with Donald Trump 16 points behind at 29 percent. “We’ll have that teed up”, Trump said. “The man has shown the courage of his convictions”, Pence said, citing Cruz’s fight against government spending and the federal health care law, and his “strong and unwavering stand for the sanctity of life”. Ted Cruz in IN ahead of Tuesday’s primary. From Pence’s point of view, then, there’s little point in being anti-Trump.
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“If you don’t win in IN under these circumstances, is this race over?” asked “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace”.
The latest IN poll is from Clout Research, and it has Trump leading Cruz 37-35, with about 32 percent of respondents saying they’re not all that committed to their positions.
And Pence was careful with his phrasing as he announced his endorsement: “I’m not against anybody”, the governor said, “but I will be voting for Ted Cruz in the upcoming Republican primary”.
Cruz has repeatedly made statements such as “the people would quite rightly revolt” if the establishment tries to parachute in a “white knight” establishment candidate. He selected Carly Fiorina as his running mate earlier this week, and is looking for any help he can get to pick up all 57 of Indiana’s delegates. He questioned why Cruz was focusing so much effort in blue-collar northern in, where Trump is popular, instead of the voter-rich suburban counties that ring the state capital.
Still, Todd relentlessly pressed Cruz to answer.
Pence’s endorsement was closely watched, in part, because he’ll be on the ballot this fall as a candidate for re-election, and because, in the past, he’s been seen as a possible Republican presidential candidate. His hedging could also be savvy politicking, as he’s in a hard race for reelection in November.
“Now, I have met with all three of the candidates as of about Tuesday of this week”. The governor equivocate his endorsement by also lavishing praise of Cruz’s rival, Donald Trump. John Kasich takes up the rear at 13 percent with 13 percent undecided. Cruz “seems to plan for every contingency”.
The senator added that Pence was “an incredible leader of the state of IN”. “He has really demonstrated that when you cut taxes, when you reducse regulations, that jobs follow”.
The feeling appears mutual, if more muted on Pence’s end.
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“A guy that would come into this state and think that we played with rings instead of baskets is not a guy that’s very well prepared to do a whole hell of a lot”.
