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."
what really surprises me is how he insults trump supporters with his remarks.
Why would he want to do that?
I believe Trump invited Cruz to speak at the convention; he’s the nominee and pretty much gets what he wants.
Does this guy understand that by not endorsing Trump, he is essentially a "Servile Puppy Dog" to the Mrs. Clinton capaign?
FUTC. You would only be “servile” to YOUR OWN D@MN PROMISE! THAT’S IT!
@-HOLE!
Nice pic. Seems kind of odd to see Bob Dole as anything other than a fossil.
Instead of a servile puppy dog, Cruz will be a selfish brat. And irrelevant.
What a grudgy guy... arrogant and troubled.
2020 as relates to why Cruz appeared last night.
Trump’s election is a done deal IMO. Sure we all have to do what we have to do but I think Trump has it.
The key year is 2024 which is the year the RIGHT GUY MUST be elected to continue what Trump started and TAKE DOWN 80%+ of the mostly unconstitutional $4 trillion federal government. Otherwise this Trump Movement like the Reagan Revolution, will amount to a mere speed bump on the road to ruin.
ROTFL!
I’m sure they are. I just know some of my nevertrumper evangelical friends are pushing Hoefling. That’s who their conscience is pointing towards.
Heidi was another Hellary in waiting
Cruz desperately wanted to rain on Trump’s convention. With what is at stake this is treason. Beyond the pale.
Yep, Trump might have given Ted the rope to hang himself. Time will tell.
“Instead of a servile puppy dog, Cruz will be a selfish brat. And irrelevant.”
Cruz is the real “Dog In The Manger”.
He’s down to a small number and a few nutters plus super Trump haters. He gets any decent challenge for his senate seat in 2 years, Cruz will lose.
Hopefully Rick Perry will do a public service and primary Cruz. He could beat him without breaking a sweat, serve a term in the Senate and pick up a fat Congressional pension.
Weren’t the clothes modest in this photo? Sometimes I feel sorry for the wives. Enough scrutiny would drive most to drink. Remember Betty Ford’s alcohol problem? Gosh I remember reading all about Kitty Dukakis’ drinking problem and even at one point that she drank some rubbing alcohol. How desperate does one have to get to do that?
Wonder what wife of Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton will be driven to drink, snort or consume due to the intense scrutiny? LOL
Fuster Cluck
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