I'll offer some of my take on all this. I have and am a Trump supporter from way before the first primary. So that is where I am coming from.
After watching it all, I am jaw dropped over how solid Mike Pence is. He connected 100% with me. Knowing and seeing how calculating Trump has been to now, I think he had Cruz speak on Pence's night to make sure that Pence (or whoever his VP selection would be) did not overshadow Trump by dampening the media narrative with some dark drama. I think that answers the "why did Trump let Cruz speak" question.
After hearing and becoming acquainted with Mike Pence, I can see how Pence could have stole the heart of the convention. I actually believe he set himself up well for the future.
For Cruz, yes he is obviously targeting 2020, and he wanted to help that along by denting Trump apparently in tilting the Election to Hillary. All he accomplished really was cementing further the negative aspects of his persona in the minds of... a huge republican audience. Terrible.
I am soooo proud of my children, Don, Eric and Tiffany - their speeches, under enormous pressure, were incredible. Ivanka intros me tonight!
He’s going to spend his time in the Senate fighting Trump on everything.
I don’t think so, with all due respect.
Trump gave Cruz the chance to endorse him or not. Either way Trump wins on this. Cruz could have come out and joined the ticket. He chose not to.
Did not diminish Pence in the least.
I think Pence is the perfect VP pick. Perfect.
Someone said Newt should have a special assignment ie to head up a task force that will identify and get rid of gov’t waste, un-needed departments, set the goals in various areas including space exploration etc.
I’m hearing that the Trump kids and others suggested NOT to have Cruz go on stage, fearing it would upstage Pence.
I think it turned out right. Trump HAD to offer the opportunity to Cruz. He had a copy of the speech two hours ahead of time. Newt made changes to his speech, and put that in the teleprompter. It was not ad libbed.
Trump waited until he was sure the guy was not going to endorse him, and came out at the last minute. I don’t see why Trump would want to under mine or under cut his VP Pence.
You know something. On second thought, I think you’re right. Trump put Cruz out there deliberately to contrast with Pence. Trump is a very very smart man.
I’m not sure what is fact and fiction, because we’re hearing that Cruz went off the script he submitted to Trump.
Don’t know why he would do that, but I’m thinking Cruz wanted Trump to deny him the chance to speak.
Walking out into the arena before the guy’s speech was over was sure manly, and what you’d expect from a leader.
With just one speech, Pence has managed to endear himself to the Party. Trump has said he wants a VP he knows can take over if need be and he found one. If Trump gets in and manages either one or two terms, it will be Pence, and not Cruz, next up to bat. And he came this far without having to endure the primary.