A defiant Sen. Ted Cruz declared Thursday he’s no “servile puppy dog” as he faced a torrent of GOP criticism over his refusal to endorse Donald Trump on the Republican National Convention stage.
Irate convention delegates predicted Cruz had committed political suicide by accepting a prime-time speaking slot Wednesday only to urge Republicans to “vote your conscience,” not vote for the nominee. Although the Texas senator had not been expected to offer an effusive endorsement of his primary foe, many GOP delegates had hoped and expected to hear some expression of support as they struggle to unite their party to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton this fall.
Instead they got the opposite Wednesday night as Cruz’s defiance ripped apart their showcase of GOP unity moments before vice presidential nominee Mike Pence took the stage. The result was a moment of high drama in the convention hall, as delegates booed Cruz angrily and waved their arms, and some even rushed the stage. Only Trump’s sudden appearance in his family’s box, dispensing smiles and waves, quieted the simmering crowd.
Trump himself declared Cruz’s move “no big deal!” in a late-night Twitter post Wednesday. But on Thursday the Texan met anger and denunciations from many sides and was even heckled at a breakfast meeting of his own Texas delegation where a vocal minority of the large crowd was furious.
“Get over it, this is politics!” one man yelled, while another told Cruz he could unite the party by saying just a few words in support of Trump and “You need to do it now!” A third told Cruz to “Stop spinning it!”
Cruz refused and sought to portray his stance as a matter of principle. But he also made clear it was intensely personal after a brutal primary campaign where Trump dismissed him as “Lyin’ Ted,” mocked Cruz’s wife’s looks and linked Cruz’s father to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
“I’m not going to get into criticizing or attacking Donald Trump, but I’ll give you this response: I am not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my father,” Cruz said, adding that those attacks had undone his pledge to back the eventual GOP nominee.
“That pledge was not a blanket commitment that, if you go and slander and attack Heidi, that I’m going to nonetheless come like a servile puppy dog and say, ‘thank you very much for maligning my wife and my father,'” Cruz said.
The Texan argued that the “politically easy option” would be to back the nominee no matter who it might be, but insisted: “This is not a game, it is not politics. Right and wrong matters.”
Yet for Cruz politics is at the heart of the matter as he eyes another run for president in 2020. The last man standing after Trump defeated the rest of this year’s large and experienced GOP primary field, Cruz’s future political viability may now rise or fall on whether his decision to deny Trump at the billionaire’s own coronation looks good or bad four years from now.
In the immediate aftermath critics were easier to find than supporters. Cruz is deeply unpopular with many fellow Republicans on Capitol Hill, after leading a politically disastrous government shutdown in 2013 and clashing with party leadership in the Senate, and defenders were few among elected officials.
“He’s very self-absorbed, he’s a narcissist and the rest of America now knows the Ted Cruz we know and I think he’s ended his political career,” said Rep. Chris Collins of New York, a leading Trump backer.
Cruz delegate Eric Burlison, a Missouri House member from Springfield, said Cruz would have been better off sending a videotaped message as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio did.
“People that probably four years from now or eight years from now would have looked at him as being the next guy, he lost them. They will never forget that and they will never forgive him for that,” Burlison said.
Former House Speaker John Boehner, a longtime critic who has likened Cruz to the devil in the past, opined: “Lucifer is back,” his spokesman said over Twitter.
Cruz’s campaign manager told reporters that some members of the Texas delegation, led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, spoke to Cruz Wednesday and unsuccessfully urged the senator to publicly offer Trump his support.
“He went back on his word to support the nominee. … Your word, in politics, has to be your bond. He’s politically dead,” said B.J. Van Gundy, a longtime GOP activist in Georgia.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Ted Cruz seems to forget that the attacks on Donald Trumps wife came first.
How true and the media never reports it
Ted Cruz is a HYPOCRITE!!! And Banned from Political Office!!
Ted Cruz is a snake and will strike at anytime and anyone.
Exactly! Cruz got exactly what he deserved after going after Trumps wife first. He is a cry baby and hopefully has ended his career. We are SO lucky he lost, he would have never survived the Dems attacks
I’m sorry that I voted for Cruz in the Oklahoma primary. I’ll never do it again.
Some say that Ted Cruz political career is dead. I disagree. I feel the survival of America is at jeopardy with trump at the helm of a sinking ship.
I don’t blame Ted Cruz one bit for not endorsing trump. That name is not worthy of a capital letter. Just as he has bankrupted many of his own companies, in a short time, I feel he will bankrupt America. hillary clinton is trying to do the same thing in a different way. That’s another name unworthy of a capital letter.
If Ted Cruz decided to run today, I, for one, would vote for him in a heartbeat. I may just write his name on the ballot anyway.
TED WHO?
You might as well pull the lever for hillary. I ask you one question. Did you forget the pledge he and the other candidates pressured DONALD TRUMP into signing.? Well, DONALD TRUMP signed it as did ted cruz. I can throw ted in with the likes of jub, the ohio governor Kasiegh (?) and the lady thatt ran. At least the lady has not come out with any negatives. Men are only as good as their signature.
Ted the Rat.
Same thing as just staying home and not voting. Whether you like it or not Donald J Trump will be the next POTUS. Just look at the facts and the numbers.
the Canadian used to be citizen is a slimy, weasley lying piece of shit!! And he is an incognito establishment politician!! He will never be president of these United States!! The Donald will and will help us make America great again!!
To hold a grudge is one thing ,but not to support your republican party is just not right, you accept the nominee for what is and let it go. If you don’t support your GOP candidate then the best thing for Ted is to switch parties.this mess would of never happened if Ted didn’t say something about Trumps wife first. He is a hypocrite.If he is thinking to run in 2022 race for President.Better think twice because people are not going to forget about the 2016 election when you did not endorse Trump. He already has a strike against him.
Over 60 GOP politicians elected not to attend the GOP convention. So I really do not think Cruz is alone in his pledge. I suspect that Trump has more GOP opposition than Cruz ever thought of having. Thanks for listening!
Albert, you’ve been victimized by your own campaign. That’s okay; it’s happened to me and happens to everyone who has that wonderful “loyalty gene.” Separate your actual objections from the campaign’s talking points and the aspersions of the Cruz Campaign’s various chairs. Those criticisms are great just before we charge up San Juan Hill. But they’re dumb, unproven, hypothetical and–worst of all–marginalizing. They marginalize you.
When you can honestly identify the real reasons for your antipathy toward Trump, and validate them, please reply to me. That will help me if your objections hold water. But if they don’t then you won’t repeat them. And that will help you. Deal?
Nowhere in Cruz’ speech did he badmouth Trump. He only mentioned Trump once, and that was to acknowledge him the winner and Republican nominee. His whole speech was on freedom and the US Constitution. Do you people really hate what he said, or are you being mislead into putting words in his mouth? Cruz even tolerates gay marriage if approved by a particular state. He also allowed for Colorado’s acceptance of legal marijuana. He asked voters to show up at the polls and vote for candidates who support freedom and the Constitution. If you readers and the Horn have any complaint with this, then it says more about you than Cruz. Just remember-Nixon was declared dead after the 1960 campaign. He didn’t stay dead. Cruz’ speech was to his loyal supporters, not to the Convention audience. Check back in a few years and see if Cruz is still standing. I’m betting yes.
Albert! I voted for Cruz when he ran for the senate. But latter I found out what he is know differant than Hillert,he will say anything to be elected. When he ran for the senate Dewherst was leading Cruz by double three weeks before the election Cruz ran a commercial with a picture of Mrs Dewherst, that said is this what we what for a senetors wife. It was a plcture when Mrs Dewherst when aressted for a DUI . Dewherst stopped his campaigne and cruz Won. Hiedi Cruz was at the time working for Goldman Sach Teds biggest money backer when Ted became our senator Hiedi became a director and a salary increase of 600,000.00 Dollars. Now all that money that Ted recived from Goldman Sach and Citti Bank and lost the election will be verry lntresing. Tyler Texas
Albert Reynolds you must have dementia !!!
Cruz has a right to his opinion, but he should not have accepted the speaking opportunity. This isn’t the primaries anymore, Ted. Kasich just stayed away. Cruz should have too. And Tom’s comment ‘Ted Cruz seems to forget that the attacks on Donald Trumps wife came first.’, is absolutely correct. So typical – Cruz should have been smart enough to know that was going to leave a mark.
Explain to me how a magazine publishes a photo of Cruz’s father having breakfast with Oswald, and it’s Trump’s fault. Seems to me Cruz should direct his anger at the publisher of said magazine.
Don’t you think the Governor of Ohio Stands for election for Commander-in-chief, and spends Republican Convention in hiding. I think they call that leading from behind
Cruz had a rough education in politics in this race. He’s clearly not ready for this stage-yet.
Cruz obviously has no intention of keeping his word on anything and we sure don’t need another president like the one we have. I think this issue will arise again when he tries to run in 2020 and people will remember it, if not the media. I don’t understand why people support him…I guess it’s the same as those people who unbelievably support clinton.
If Hillary wins it will get pinned on Cruz because of his lying and selfish reasons for not endorsing Trump. He cheated to get Iowa and his campaign ridiculed Malania Trump which was why Trump fought back. Cruz needs to pay more attention To his actions and words and see that he illicit’s responses such as Trumps comments about His wife.
Sen. Cruz didn’t say anything negative about Trump, but an apology from Trump was in order before Sen. Cruz could even consider an endorsement. If Trump had wanted his endorsement, an apology for falsely attacking his wife and father was a bare minimum, but in their meeting prior to the convention, that obviously didn’t happen, so if there isn’t unity, Trump is the reason why. I’m voting for Trump, because we can’t allow Hillary anywhere near the WH, and I hope he’s serious about his SCOTUS picks, but Sen. Cruz stood by his principles and his family, even though it would have been politically expedient to just endorse Trump. If he had, how would his family ever have been able to trust him to defend them? And a man who won’t defend his family, wouldn’t defend his country. A man would won’t stand by his principles, despite the potential negative consequences, won’t stand by the Constitution in the face of political correctness or tyranny. I would vote for Ted Cruz in a heartbeat, for any office he runs for.
DJTX, you are so wrong on so many counts. You must get all your information from the liberal media. DONALD J TRUMP did not start the wife bashing. Cruz and his close buddies pact posted a picture of Melania from her modeling days and asked “Is this who you want as First Lady?” Up until that time they were not jabbing each other. A MOUSE should never poke a sleeping LION, it’s liable to get eaten. Cruz poked and was a quick snack for TRUMP. Nothing in his oath to support had any qualifiers for going back on your word. Cruz claims to be a devout Christian The Bible says “Let your yes be yes.” A real man stands behind his word even or especially when it isn’t easy. Cruz’s true self only interests came out LOUD AND CLEAR. His self interests came before the party and the country. He will live to regret that decision!
What principles? Cfruz signed a pledge to support the eventual nominee. And in a debate, he stated that he would stand by his word as his bond. And he did neither. So much for principles. Why should Trump apologize to cruz when cruz surrogates attacked Trumps wife? Cruz could have ended this whole issue easily, if he were a real man. When the ad came out, all cruz had to do was disavow the ad and apologize for it. But what did he do? All he said,”It wasn’t me.” He didn’t even criticize the ad. And he should have know what would be coming toward him at 90 mph. Trump had every right and obligation to defend his wife. It would have been over if cruz had apologized for the ad, but he didn’t so he has no one to blame for the attack on his wife. If it had been an unprovoked attacked against cruz wife, then he would have every right to be up set.
But then you have to hand it to Trump to let cruz commit political suicide, which he did splendidly. Cruz asked to speak during the convention, so Trump was gracious enough to allow him to speak, knowing that cruz would not endorse him. And at the height of cruz embarrassment, Trump steps out changing the booing to cheers. Even the Texas state delegates were upset with cruz.
GO TO HELL, CRUZ! YOU BEHAVED LIKE A SLIMY, BACK-STABBING TRAITOR TO “YOUR” PARTY……..YOU COULD HAVE STAYED HOME, BUT NO, LIKE A SPOILED, TANTRUM-THROWING BABY, WHO DIDN’T GET HIS WAY, YOU APPEARED AND MADE AN ASS OF YOURSELF! ARE YOU HIL-LIAR-Y’s PICK FOR VP……..YOU COULD BE, BECAUSE YOU SLITHER LIKE A SNAKE! ENJOY YOU NEW FOUND RETIREMENT………..IT IS SAID, “THEY DIDN’T LIKE YOU IN D.C. ANYWAY”.
You talk about principal and loyalty what about your word Mr.
The fact is you started attacking trumps wife
Mr. Trump made it clear if you take a swing at him he’s going to come back at you 10 times harder which he did
You started that by now deal with losing
Acting like a spoiled brat and taking out that primetime space to do so was idiotic
The truth is I would want to man that would attack back ten times harder
Let these other countries mess with America
As it should be Mr. Trump will not tolerate
Hey say you were looking for an apology did you bother apologizing to him
I didn’t think so you are narcissistic spoiled brat
I’m sorry you were beat up in the primaries like you were get over it
You tried to hang in there and fight long past your time
It was obvious to the country that you were not going to win
As far as I concern you will never win nothing again
There was definitely better ways to handle yourself
Cruz should be bolted out of the Republican party and hanged in effigy
Leaving the Republican Party is the best move any GOP member could make these days. It is actually liberating, sad to say…
Cruz broke his promise to support the nominee and that shows that he is not trustworthy. He would brake any promise without even thinking about it, He cannot be trusted, it is so disappointing and then to use the excuse of Heidi??????? He insulted Trump’s wife in the exchange – he needs to apologize. Cruz is worse than Obama.
Hey CRUZ you snot nose little bitch……take a long walk off a short pier.
I voted for Ted Cruz, but I don’t agree with how he handled the situation. If he was not going to endorse Donald Trump it would have been more appropriate for him to have spoke on Monday night.
The stakes this time around are too high to sabotage our candidate (Donald Trump) and wait for 2020. Between now and Jan. 20, 2021, it is likely the president is going to appoint four or five people to the Supreme Court. Those are often lifetime appointments. I can’t see the logic of allowing a liberal president to build a solidly liberal court which will be in the majority for the next 30 years.
Ted Cruz does a poor job when it comes to political strategy. What the story doesn’t say about the 2013 government shutdown is that it hit at the same time as the Obamacare website was being rolled out. As you may remember, the website was a total disaster. Ted Cruz was happy and content to see the government shutdown dominate the news headlines. Fortunately Mitch McConnell had enough sense to get the shutdown ended so everyone could direct their attention to the problems with the Obamacare website. McConnell got elected in an overwhelmingly Democratic state. His strategy skills are great enough that he has easily won re-election every time. He has defeated a number of stars in the Kentucky Democrat Party. Ted on the other hand managed to win a seat in a heavily Republican state. Ted’s campaign remarks is what earned him the boos from the New York delegation. He has no one to blame for losing the primary but himself.
Used to , past tense , like Cruz .. Would never vote for him .. He’s As
Bad as the Washington Cartlel he claims he’s no part of . Good Riddens.
TRUMP/ PENCE 2016
After reading most of these comments, I believe that America will probably be buried and a worse way of living will replace her. It hurts to think of it. Imagine that today’s generation has nothing but venom for one another. How in the world are you going to make America great again with that attitude? Shameful…
My voting for Trump in the coming election will have nothing to do with his relationship with Cruz or any other Republican Candidate. Hopefully the other readers of this site can also separate the two. As I read the comments I realize that many of you cannot. AS I vote for Trump it will be because of his stand on immigration, his tax plans (including changing Corporate Tax rates to return American business/capital), his plans for US military and veterans programs, etc. Like I’ve already said, Trump will need Cruz’ Tea Party supporters to win this election. He may also need a Cruz vote in the Senate on a key piece of legislation. Focus on the campaign ahead-not the one behind.
I find Ted (Rafael is his real name I hear)Cruz, who purports himself to be so in to the Constitution, running for President to begin with just incredible. Is he a U.S. Citizen at all? Maybe. Maybe not. He was certainly Canadian up until a few years ago. By virtue of having dual citizenship he is not a natural born citizen of the United States and therefore ineligible to run for President.
The American people need to be taught the difference between a citizen and a natural born citizen. If you want to be President of the United States you have to be a natural born citizen which means you were born on U.S. soil to two Parents that were both U.S. Citizens at the time of your birth. They can either have been citizens by birth or naturalized, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t make any difference where B.O. was born in Africa or Hawaii. He was never eligible to be POTUS because he was born with dual citizenship. The founding fathers didn’t want anyone being President who might have loyalties to a country other than the United States. Neither one of Marco Rubio’s parents were citizens at the time of his birth.
Who is responsible for vetting these candidates? They are not doing their job.