Ted Cruz pointedly refused to endorse Donald Trump and urged Republicans to “vote your conscience”, igniting thunderous boos.
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“For those of you who don’t know me, which is most of you, I grew up on the front row of the American Dream”, he said of his IN upbringing.
Huckabee said that “from where I sit, I didn’t see a statesman step forth for the country’s future”. “Vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution”.
Ted Cruz says he won’t vote for Hillary Clinton, but he’s not promising to endorse Donald Trump, “like a servile puppy”. But he said Cruz “didn’t honour” the pledge that Republican primary candidates had made to support the eventual GOP nominee. “I don’t think anything too serious”.
Eric Trump, speaking on NBC’s Today show, said some people believe Cruz committed “political suicide”.
Trump addressed the situation later on Twitter. He called Cruz’s speech “badass”.
Trump, 70, a businessman and former reality TV star who has never been elected to public office, made his entrance to the convention hall near the end of Cruz’s speech, applauding Cruz’s remarks but, by his appearance, drawing attention away from his former rival.
Presumptive Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton also weighed in when she tweeted, “Vote your conscience”, with a link to the voter registration page on her website. He said Cruz should have followed the example of Ronald Reagan at the 1976 convention, who he said “went on to live to fight another day”. “I think it would have been better, but I also admire Donald Trump for letting him speak”.
A Cruz adviser who asked to remain anonymous said Senator Cruz had anticipated a backlash from the crowd if he did not endorse Mr Trump.
According to media reports, Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson would not let Cruz into his suite at the convention following the speech.
“I thought it was classless, to tell you the truth”, he said. “What does it say when you stand up and say “vote your conscience” and rabid supporters of our nominee begin screaming what a disgusting thing to say?”
Led by the NY delegation, seated at the foot of the podium, the cheers quickly turned to jeers and boos, as he encouraged Americans – including, he said, those watching at home – to simply “vote your conscience” in November.
“Mike Pence saved the night for Republicans and now we have a clear picture of who needs to lead our party”, Coats said.
The campaign had hoped Pence’s address would quiet Republican doubts about Trump.
Between Wednesday’s night’s speech and Thursday morning’s combative meeting, it begs the question whether Cruz is being honest, or just trying to incite trouble and prepare himself for a 2020 presidential run.
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Interrupted by chants of “Trump, Trump, Trump”, Cruz paused and said with a smile, “I appreciate the enthusiasm of the NY delegation”.
