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.
I am not saying Trump meant to undermine or undercut Pence, but rather to not let the night be the climax of the convention and thus undermine or undercut Trump and tonight. I am just looking at things with through the "orchestration" filter and wondering why Cruz was Prime Time last night. It is more than just an "enough rope" thing or magnanimity in my estimation.
But I will reiterate, Pence showed himself a heavyweight slam dunk serious individual that I think connects the party and conservatism with a future. I think without the Cruz drama, comparisons to Trump tonight to Pence last night would be what everyone would be measuring for success. I really don't think the bar has been lowered for tonight though, the movie better have a sensational ending or we will find it difficult to get a head of steam after next week in the real comparison, Trump vs. Clinton.