It's well known that I did not support Donald Trump in the primary. While I wasn't a particular fan of Cruz, by the time the Missouri primary arrived, he was the only remaining viable conservative alternative to Trump. While Kasich was still running, I think Kasich, besides being non-viable by the time the Missouri primary came around, might arguably be less conservative than Trump.
I do believe that Cruz's comments about voting one’s conscience have created unnecessary problems. At best they were unwise. There were other words he could have used with the same meaning that didn't carry the connotation that phrase carried at this year's convention. At worst, they've created problems not only for himself but also for the Republican Party.
If Cruz's point was “Trump is terrible, and I'm hinting you shouldn't vote for him without quite coming out and saying that,” then I understand the anger directed at Cruz. That anger would be justified. At this point, encouraging a vote for anyone but Trump is trying to get Clinton elected.
Cruz is not stupid. We'll find out soon enough how Cruz acts in the Clinton-Trump race this fall. If he wants to say his speech did the same thing as Reagan did at the 1976 convention, he'd better do what Reagan did in the 1976 general election with trying to keep Jimmy Carter out of the White House.
I am seriously concerned about what we're seeing in the polls and the last thing we need is Republicans helping Hillary Clinton win. If Trump wins, he's not my preference but we could do a lot worse.
What I emphatically do **NOT** want is to see Cruz helping Clinton by attacking Trump in the next few months.
Time will tell.
True. The problems he caused for himself he will have to live with. He effectively destroyed any credibility he might have had left. (there wasn't much lately)
As far as problems created for the GOP, he could care less
I've stated this many times here and on twitter: Cruz wants Hillary to win so he can go up against her in 2020 instead of supporting Trump and having to wait until 2024.
His smug self aggrandizing attitude when giving his speech with a smirk on his face show his unawareness of the political climate at this time.
He has deleted his political future.
At this point, encouraging a vote for anyone but Trump is trying to get Clinton elected.
That "vote you conscience" phrase meant, imo, Your conscience is telling you I should be the nominee but if you will help get Hillary elected I can run in 2020.
If he wants to say his speech did the same thing as Reagan did at the 1976 convention
That would be a blatant lie. Reagan ENDORSED and supported Ford as any good Republican would have done at the time.
Cruz did the opposite. He is a thorn in the side of the Conservative Tea Party Movement that wants to revitalize our Constructional Republic.
Cruz has made himself irrelevant to the political climate at this time.
What I emphatically do **NOT** want is to see Cruz helping Clinton by attacking Trump in the next few months.
Oh you will see it. Done in the same smarmy backstabbing way he did in his speech. Making sure it seems subtle and pure as he twists the knife he stuck in Trump's back this week.
He HAS to have Hillary to run against in 2020 as he would not be successful primarying Trump in 2020 and is to "important" to wait 8 years to assume his 'rightful' residency in the White house.