Posted on 07/21/2016 8:18:20 AM PDT by Drango
Less than 12 hours after he was booed for not endorsing GOP nominee Donald Trump during his late-night speech before the Republican National Convention, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz isn't backing down.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential nominee, headlined Wednesday's event. But all eyes were on Ted Cruz earlier in the evening for his refusal to endorse Donald Trump. POLITICS Pence Makes The Case For Trump After Cruz Is Booed At an emotional event with the Texas RNC delegation Thursday morning, Cruz defended his decision to withhold his endorsement at a time when Republicans are trying to rally around their nominee ahead of the general election.
Sen. Ted Cruz leaves the stage after speaking during the Republican National Convention on Wednesday. POLITICS Trump-Cruz Feud Flares Anew On Third Night Of Convention "I am doing what millions of Americans are doing. I am watching and I am listening. The standard that I apply is, which candidate do I trust to defend the Constitution?" said Cruz.
"I can tell you I am not voting for Hillary," said Cruz, who also said he was "watching" other candidates.
As the GOP primary came down to the two candidates this spring, Trump and his surrogates attacked Cruz's family. That including tweeting an unflattering photo of Cruz's wife and alleging without any firm basis that Cruz's father, Rafael, was involved in the plot to assassinate President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
"I am not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my family," said Cruz, who added he would not be "a servile puppy dog" to the Trump campaign.
Vanquished Republican presidential hopefuls, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, also addressed the convention's third night, delivering lukewarm endorsements of Trump.
Cruz said Trump should not have been surprised by the content of his Wednesday night address because the campaign "knew exactly what I was going to say." A preview copy of Cruz's remarks was released to reporters earlier in the evening.
He said it was "dismaying" that Trump supporters booed him from the floor when he encouraged Republicans to "vote their conscience" in November.
The first-term senator emphasized that he has no plans to campaign against Trump this fall. "I don't intend to say negative things about Donald Trump," said Cruz.
Meanwhile on Twitter, Trump criticized Cruz implying that he's encouraging people to vote for Democrats:
Follow Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump Ted Cruz talks about the Constitution but doesn't say that if the Dems win the Presidency, the new JUSTICES appointed will destroy us all! 8:12 AM - 21 Jul 2016 3,349 3,349 Retweets 9,324 9,324 likes Wednesday night Trump wasn't so harsh, tweeting that he let Cruz speak even after seeing his remarks and that it was "No big deal!"
Follow Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump Wow, Ted Cruz got booed off the stage, didn't honor the pledge! I saw his speech two hours early but let him speak anyway. No big deal! 9:45 PM - 20 Jul 2016 17,801 17,801 Retweets 50,522 50,522 likes Cruz is already positioning himself to run again for the White House in 2020 and discouraged supporters from casting a vote for him this fall. "I am not encouraging anyone to write my name in."
LOL! Yup. First rule of “hole”. When you can’t see out, quit diggin’. Guess teddy never heard that one.
What kind of commander in chief would he make if he sulks like a baby?
He reiterated his promise at a later debate. He totally understands the concept of “giving his word” and he doesn’t care. He must know inside he’s doing wrong.
Wallace: Will you support Donald Trump if he’s the nominee?
Cruz: Yes, because I gave my word that I would...
He made a pledge.
Adios Ted....Time to join the Mounties.
Way to show gravitas and act presidential, Ted. Way to put your party above your own petty issues. Way to support the future of the United States.
Good luck in 2020.
Cruz said he wouldn’t vote for Hillary but was “watching other candidates”?
What exactly does that mean? Gary Johnson?
Sheesh.
He keeps saying he’s not voting for Hillary and watching “other” candidates. Who is he referring to when he says “other” candidates?
FUTC
Listen here “Dawg”,it’s called teamwork. You WILL be ‘housebroken’, you will heel, you will learn to tolerate, even ‘love’ your leash OR your political career will be euthanized for humanitarian reasons. You choose!
Translation: ‘The GOP does NOT want the WH, this go around’!!
Goodness. I don't see how anyone in their right mind could continue supporting this sleazy, slimy, whiny little piece of grabasstic sh!t after last night.
A long time ago, I was a Cruzer. But mid-campaign, when he started the nasty snark, I left his side. He is now showing what I saw in him several months ago. I hope this was his LAST hurrah. The Republican/Conservative Party doesn’t need some one so spiteful. Go Trump!
the only dog metaphor that applies to ted cruz right now is the pooch that he screwed last night.
He sure crapped like a puppy all over last night.
Don’t go away angry,Ted.
Just.
Go.
Away.
I am 100% positive that Trump has never believed that Cruz would endorse him. Cruz has excessive pride and it would have been absolutely impossible for him to overlook what he believed to be personal attacks on it his wife and father. Trump believes that this incident will work to his advantage and so far he has always been right about that kind of thing. Trump knew that Cruz would hurt himself. I think that Trump is secretly smiling.
What a train wreck.
He also will not be a dependable service dog, or a good friend for that matter.
Cruz doesn’t understand the Rule of Holes. And he IS one!
Wow he’s becoming intensely unlikeable. How did we miss this for so long?
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