Sen. Ted CruzTed CruzMcConnell hints for Trump to stick to script in speech Fox News wins conventions ratings race on night 3 Texas delegate: Trump needs to “shut up his ugly mouth” MORE”s (R-Texas) speech at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night, where he declined to endorse presidential nominee Donald TrumpDonald TrumpMcConnell hints for Trump to stick to script in speech Fox News wins conventions ratings race on night 3 Texas delegate: Trump needs to “shut up his ugly mouth’ MORE, dominated online chatter”.
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Manafort told NBC’s “Today” on Thursday that Cruz “understood what the responsibilities are, someone in his position”.
Cruz allies have since repeatedly pointed to that low blow from Trump as a reason for refusing to support the Republican nominee. So the reactions to Cruz’s speech were nearly guaranteed to be negative.
Trump first suggested that Cruz’s father was involved in the assassination of Kennedy the morning of the in primary, citing the tabloid story.
But the closest as Cruz came to saying he wanted Trump to win the White House was when he said: “I want to see the principles that our party believes in prevail in November”. The result were a chorus of boos in the Quicken Loans Arena as Cruz wrapped up his speech after telling the crowd to vote “your conscience”. He also denied that he was encouraging his supporters to write in his name on the ballot in November and thus withheld their support for Mr Trump.
Cruz’s speech – considered a blatant call to withhold votes from the Republican nominee Donald Trump – incited a rush of anger on the convention floor that went beyond the boos audible to television viewers, according to several reports.
We never thought we’d say this, but well played shade Cruz.
Democrat Hillary Clinton, in a tweet, quickly echoed Cruz, saying, “Vote your conscience”. However, Cruz had always promised to support the party’s nominee, no matter who that would be, having signed a pledge to do so along with his fellow Republican presidential candidates.
“He’s a chicken”, said Eugene Delgaudio, a delegate from Sterling, Virginia, who clucked like a chicken when asked about Cruz’s decision.
It’s hard to think of a better introduction to Pence than his debut speech on the national stage. As he began to be drowned out by chants of “Endorse Trump!”, Trump himself was entering the venue, taking his seat with his family and looking none too pleased. The outspoken Trump backer, like Cruz bested by the real estate mogul in the GOP primaries, said the voters made clear that Trump is their choice.
During a Texas delegation breakfast this morning, Cruz was asked about his hesitation to support Trump and said he isn’t in the business of endorsing those who attack his wife and father.
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Cruz used his convention speech as the foundation for a fundraising email for his Senate campaign: “Will you stand with me by making an immediate donation $5, $10, $25, or whatever you can afford today?”
