The morning after U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas refused to explicitly endorse GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, fellow Republicans criticized the conservative firebrand for not getting on board with the party’s candidate.
But at the same time, comments about NATO attributed to Trump in The New York Times caused a new round of intraparty heartburn.
At a final breakfast Thursday for the Florida delegation at the Republican National Convention, some speakers clearly denounced Cruz for not offering his full-throated support to Trump, a real-estate developer who upset the party establishment by claiming the nomination.
“I’m a friend of Ted’s and all,” said U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. “I would just say to you: I think he made a mistake last night.”
Florida Gov. Rick Scott suggested to reporters after speaking to the delegation that Cruz should have made an endorsement.
“There’s only two people on the ballot: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. … The party needs to unify. Everybody needs to support Donald Trump, and we need to have a big win in November,” Scott said.
Cruz’s decision to simply tell convention delegates to vote their conscience followed a nasty primary race in which Trump defeated the Texas senator. The primary included Trump circulating an unflattering picture of Cruz’s wife and falsely implying the senator’s father might have been involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Cruz’s address Wednesday night was greeted with a loud round of boos as it became clear to delegates that Cruz would not offer a direct endorsement. Other Republican candidates who lost to Trump, including U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, have backed the nominee during convention speeches.
“There was a sharp contrast between our senator from the great state of Florida, Marco Rubio, and the comments made by the senator from Texas,” Florida GOP Chairman Blaise Ingoglia said Thursday after the breakfast.
Ingoglia, who is also a state House member from Spring Hill, said Cruz’s comments were “unfortunate” and suggested the implied snub of Trump and the reaction to it might have been what Cruz had in mind.
“I don’t know if that was intended,” Ingoglia said. “But if that was what was intended, I would say that it was extremely unstatesmanlike.”
Even as they knocked Cruz for failing to offer an endorsement, though, Republicans sought to play down the notion that the nationally televised, contentious scene reflected a rift in the party.
Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who followed Cruz on the Cleveland stage Wednesday, recalled being asked by reporters about the possibility of division.
“I said, well, there were 5,000 people on one side and Ted,” he said Thursday morning.
Gingrich offered a suggestion to an audience member worried that some Cruz supporters might still be reluctant to back Trump.
“I candidly think the No. 1 thing we can do is ask them to watch Philadelphia,” he said, referring to the site of next week’s Democratic National Convention.
Meanwhile, Trump continued to stir dissent within the GOP ranks. In an interview published online Wednesday night by The New York Times, Trump left open the possibility of not militarily supporting NATO allies if they are invaded by a newly aggressive Russia.
Trump said that in such situations he would decide whether to aid the countries only after reviewing whether they “have fulfilled their obligations to us,” the paper reported.
Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton cast doubt on the legitimacy of the quote but said he was “disturbed” by the comments if they were truly made by Trump, saying they could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“When an American leader says I’ll look at what the situation is after the Russians attack, that is an open invitation to Vladimir Putin, who has already changed borders on the continent of Europe through the use of military force, something we said in 1945 we would never permit again,” Bolton said.
Sessions said NATO was important, but he backed Trump’s seeming belief that Europe must do more. He recounted conversations with some ambassadors from the continent.
“You must not be so afraid of the Russians if you don’t even spend 2 percent of your (economy) on defense,” Sessions said. “Give me a break. … Europe’s economy is bigger than ours, their population is bigger than ours. It’s time for them to stand up and do a little better in sharing the cost of defending the free world.”
–Brandon Larabee, News Service of Florida
jasonb says
And the train wreck continues, maybe they can end on a high note with Melania working a stripper pole and Palin showing off some of that fancy pageant walking.
Katie Semore says
The whole frigging republican convention has given the US a black eye.
Veteran says
Obama and Hillary have given us a black eye!
YankeeExPat says
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
― Abraham Lincoln
“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.’”
― Isaac Asimov
Knightwatch says
Yeaaa Ted. Tell it like it is. First Amendment and all.
You know Trump’s a special kind of nutcase if Cruz won’t vote for him.
DP says
Not only a black eye, but if they don’t get there shit together and support there candidate regardless of who it is, They ” Republican’s” will hand Clinton the white house. Another 4 years of BS if that happens.
Anonymous says
This is the reaction from a whimp! Cruiz is a sore loser and if he runs again the result will be the same. He is showing what a cry baby he is.
Esther Wagner says
In paragraph 7, you talked about Mr. Trump’s actions against Cruz’ wife; however, if my memory is correct, Cruz started the mud slinging when he posted photos of Melania during her modeling days — before she met Mr. Trump.
PCer says
Hillary for President 2016
A little Common Sense please says
The statement Trump made about evaluating NATO allies input for their own defense, is nothing but political posturing and in a way brinkman ship. Some European countries fell too quickly to the German’s Blitz because they did not keep themselves “war ready”. I think Trump is sending a message to wake the Europeans up by saying the United States is tired of paying for defending their countries from Russia or whoever while we are spending ourselves broke. Trump is saying, Europe get off you wallets and pay more for your own defense. I agree!
Donald Trump's Tiny Fingers says
A whoooooole lotta sheep here. Why would you vote for your party candidate just because it’s your party candidate? Baaaaa.
daveT says
Its pretty obvious Hillary will win, why , she is the best of the worst America has to offer. We will get a proven lair in office, a woman with no morals a woman that takes money from middle eastern leaders. Yep she is a peach of the example America is going to put in the white House. She will screw over everyone just like Obama with the continued promise of change.. The was no change that made America better. The GOP has lost its way and its almost over. Cruz killed the moment and thats all the news is talking about, Typical of the dislike the establishment media has on Trump. So, can Americans be so mindless to elect Hillary, that they enjoy the way the US is running today, the same old same old for another 4 years, we shall see. But I say yes the will. Bet on it.
Fraddy says
Lying Ted as Trump called him could not keep true to his pledge. But Teds lying was not as bad as Hillary’s Benghazi or the deleted emails.
Geezer says
At least Ted didn’t plagiarize his condemnation of the Orange Pompadour.
Ron says
Ted Cruz turned his back on First responders. He voted against providing health care to people that where exposed to toxins durning 9/11.
Who cares if he did or did not endorse Donald Trump. I personally would not want an endorsement from this hypocrite.
Wishful thinking says
Cruz is finished
YankeeExPat says
Orange Pompadour! ………..Friggin Hilarious!……….Oops, my Jerseyism has come out once again.
Good one Geez
Veteran says
The liberal media will elect Hillary just like they elected Obama twice. What a shame the media is not impartial like they should be!
Ivahadit says
GO HILLARY!!!
Edman says
The GOP has to reap what it has sown… for 8 years they have not worked to help this country and now they see the results of their divisive tactics. They spread fear and lies and too many people follow like sheep. Everyone needs to fact check what our politicians say and support candidates that promote what is best for the country based on real facts. We don’t need leaders who deny climate change, forget how diverse our nation is, love the Supreme Court until their decisions fly in the face of their lies, want big government ($) out of their lives until their state faces a crisis, peddle conspiracy theories like Planned Parenthood selling baby parts, etc. The list of such nonsense seems endless. The race to the bottom has to stop!
Edman says
To Veteran says: I bet you watch the “impartial” Fox News. Try tuning in to NPR or even The Wall Street Journal. Most of our media are appalled by the GOP platform.
Lin says
Cruz is irrelevant at this point
But lots of Americans agree with what Trump is saying and we don’t need Fox or anyone else to filter our news. I truly don’t follow the leader on every issue and it is no surprise that republicans don’t all agree with each other. Individualism isn’t to be mocked but admired. Hell, I agree with the democrats on some things.
But our safety as a nation and our security and our intention to be the United States of America not subject to any other country or group’s laws like the EU is one big reason I thought Trump’s speech last night was terrific.
The Obama/Clinton con game doesn’t work with everyone
The economy is not fine
The poor are poorer
We are hell-no not safer
National debt is higher
Wages are lower
Unemployment figures are fake
Seniors are falling behind
Obamacare is raising premiums not lowering costs
Veterans are not respected
Cops are not the villains
Lies are not the truth because Hillary says so
Climate change is not the biggest threat we are facing
Our fine military is hunting parts for planes and missing the tools it needs to protect us.
I don’t trust Hillary to fix ANYTHING except maybe those parts of our country that are NOT broken.
If democrat/liberals were so concerned about helping women and lgbtq people, they would protect us from those who believe in killing these people for their beliefs. Like Isis and alqueda and boko haram and all cultures without those values instead of signing treaties with and taking money from those countries.
As I see it, it looks very split almost 50% to each side so a wild ride of an election.
RG says
Trump can knock him out in the ring too.easily.
Sherry says
Wanna know the just how ridiculous Fox News is. . . take a moment:
Sherry says
BTW. . . Here is a list of SHAME of those in Congress who voted against extending health benefits for the amazingly brave and courageous “911 First Responders” . . . please note that the vast majority are Republicans:
Senate
Who Voted Against The 9/11 First Responders “Zadroga” Bill In The Senate:
Lamar Alexander, Republican, Tennessee.
John Barrasso, Republican, Wyoming.
Robert Foster Bennett, Republican, Utah.
Kit Bond, Republican, Missouri.
Scott Brown, Republican, Massachusetts.
Sam Brownback, Republican, Kansas.
Jim Bunning, Republican, Kentucky.
Richard Burr, Republican, North Carolina.
Saxby Chambliss, Republican, Georgia.
Tom Coburn, Republican, Oklahoma.
Thad Cochran, Republican, Mississippi.
Susan Collins, Republican, Maine.
Bob Corker, Republican, Tennessee.
John Cornyn, Republican, Texas.
Mike Crapo, Republican, Idaho.
Jim DeMint, Republican, South Carolina.
John Ensign, Republican, Nevada.
Mike Enzi, Republican, Wyoming.
Lindsey Graham, Republican, South Carolina.
Chuck Grassley, Republican, Iowa.
Judd Gregg, Republican, New Hampshire.
Orrin Hatch, Republican, Utah.
Kay Bailey Hutchison, Republican, Texas.
Jim Inhofe, Republican, Oklahoma.
Johnny Isakson, Republican, Georgia.
Mike Johanns, Republican, Nebraska.
Mark Kirk, Republican, Illinois.
Jon Kyl, Republican, Arizona.
George LeMieux, Republican, Florida.
Richard Lugar, Republican, Indiana.
John McCain, Republican, Arizona.
Mitch McConnell, Republican, Kentucky.
Lisa Murkowski, Republican, Alaska.
Jim Risch, Republican, Idaho.
Pat Roberts, Republican, Kansas.
Jeff Sessions, Republican, Alabama.
Richard Shelby, Republican, Alabama.
Olympia Snowe, Republican, Maine.
John Thune, Republican, South Dakota.
David Vitter, Republican, Louisiana.
George Voinovich, Republican, Ohio.
Roger Wicker, Republican, Mississippi.
Posted at 2:05 AM 41 notes Permalink ∞
House Of Representatives
Who Voted Against The 9/11 First Responders “Zadroga” Bill In The House of Representatives:
Robert Aderholt, Republican, Alabama’s 4th District. Website
Rodney Alexander, Republican, Louisiana’s 5th District. Website
Steve Austria, Republican, Ohio’s 7th District. Website
Michele Bachmann, Republican, Minnesota’s 6th District. Website
Spencer Bachus, Republican, Alabama’s 6th District. Website
J. Gresham Barrett, Republican, South Carolina’s 3rd District. Website
Joe Barton, Republican, Texas’ 6th District. Website
Melissa Bean, Democrat, Illinois’ 8th District. Website
Robert Marion Berry, Democrat, Arkansas’ 1st District. Website
Judy Biggert, Republican, Illinois’ 13th District. Website
Brian P. Bilbray, Republican, California’s 50th District. Website
Gus M. Bilirakis, Republican, Florida’s 9th District. Website
Rob Bishop, Republican, Utah’s 1st District. Website
Marsha Blackburn, Republican, Tennessee’s 7th District. Website
Roy Blunt, Republican, Missouri’s 7th District. Website
John Boehner, Republican, Ohio’s 8th District. Website
Jo Bonner, Republican, Alabama’s 1st District.
Mary Bono Mack, Republican, California’s 45th District.
John Boozman, Republican, Arkansas’ 3rd District.
Charles W. Boustany Jr, Republican, Louisiana’s 7th District.
Kevin Brady, Republican, Texas’ 8th District.
Bobby Bright, Democrat, Alabama’s 2nd District.
Paul C. Brown, Republican, Georgia’s 10th District.
Henry Brown, Republican, South Carolina’s 1st District.
Virginia “Ginny” Brown-Wiate, Republican, Florida’s 5th District.
Vern Buchanan, Republican, Florida’s 13th District.
Michael Burgess, Republican, Texas’ 26th District.
Dan Burton, Republican, Indiana’s 5th District.
Steve Buyer, Republican, Indiana’s 4th District.
Ken Calvert, Republican, California’s 44th District.
Daye Camp, Republican, Michigan’s 4th District.
John Campbell, Republican, California’s 48th District.
Eric Cantor, Republican, Virginia’s 7th District.
Shelly Moore Capito, Republican, West Virginia’s 2nd District.
John Carter, Republican, Texas’ 31st District.
Bill Cassidy, Republican, Louisiana’s 6th District.
Michael N. Castle, Republican, Delaware At Large.
Jason Chaffetz, Republican, Utah’s 3rd District.
Howard Coble, Repubican, North Carolina’s 6th District.
Mike Coffman, Republican, Colorado’s 6th District.
Tom Cole, Republican, Oklahoma’s 4th District.
Michael K. Conaway, Republican, Texas’ 11th District.
Jim Cooper, Democrat, Tennessee’s 5th District.
Ander Crenshaw, Republican, Florida’s 4th District.
John Culberson, Republican, Texas’ 28th District.
Geoff Davis, Republican, Kentucy’s 4th District.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Republican, Florida’s 21st District.
Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican, Florida’s 25th District.
Charles Djou, Republican, Hawaii’s 1st District.
David Dreier, Republican, California’s 26th District.
John J. Duncan Jr., Republican, Tennessee’s 2nd District.
Vernon J. Elhers, Republican, Michigan’s 3rd District.
Jo Ann Emerson, Republican, Missouri’s 8th District.
Mary Fallin, Republican, Oklahoma’s 5th District.
Jeff Flake, Republican, Arizona’s 6th District.
John Fleming, Republican, Louisiana’s 4th District.
Randy Forbes, Republican, Virginia’s 4th District.
Jeff Fortenberry, Republican, Nebraska’s 1st District.
Virginia Foxx, Republican, North Carolina’s 5th District.
Trent Franks, Republican, Arizona’s 2nd District.
Elton Gallegly, Republican, California’s 24th District.
Scott Garrett, Republican, New Jersey’s 5th District.
Jim Gerlach, Republican, Pennsylvania’s 6th District.
Phil Gingrey, Republican, Georgia’s 11th District.
Louie Gohmert, Republican, Texas’ 1st District.
Bob Goodlatte, Republican, Virginia’s 6th District.
Kay Granger, Republican, Texas’ 12th District.
Tom Graves, Republican, Georgia’s 9th District.
Sam Graves, Republican, Missouri’s 6th District.
Ralph M. Hall, Republican, Texas’ 4th District.
Gregg Harper, Republican, Mississippi’s 3rd District.
Doc Hastings, Republican, Washington’s 4th District.
Dean Heller, Republican, Nevada’s 2nd District.
Jeb Hensarling, Republican, Texas’ 5th District.
Wally Herger, Republican, California’s 2nd District.
Duncan D. Hunter, Republican, California’s 52nd District.
Bob Inglis, Republican, South Carolina’s 4th District.
Darrell Issa, Republican, California’s 49th District.
Lynn Jenkins, Republican, Kansas’ 2nd District.
Timothy V. Johnson, Republican, Illinois’ 15th District.
Sam Johnson, Republican, Texas’ 3rd District.
Jim Jordan, Republican, Ohio’s 4th District.
Steve King, Republican, Iowa’s 5th District.
Jack Kingston, Republican, Georgia’s 1st District.
John Kline, Republican, Minnesota’s 2nd District.
Doug Lamborn, Republican, Colorado’s 5th District.
Tom Latham, Republican, Iowa’s 4th District.
Steven C. LaTourette, Republican, Ohio’s 14th District.
Robert E. Latta, Republican, Ohio’s 14th District.
Christopher J. Lee, Republican, New York’s 26th District.
Jerry Lewis, Republican, California’s 41st District
John Linder, Republican, Georgia’s 7th District.
Frank Lucas, Republican, Oklahoma’s 3rd District.
Blaine Luetkemeyer, Republican, Missouri’s 9th District.
Cynthia M. Lummis, Republican, Wyoming At Large.
Daniel E. Lungren, Republican, California’s 3rd District.
Connie Mack, Republican, Florida’s 14th District.
Donald Manzullo, Republican, Illinois’ 16th District.
Kenny Marchant, Republican, Texas’ 24th District.
Michael T. McCaul, Republican, Texas’ 10th District.
Tom McClintock, Republican, California’s 4th District.
Thaddeus McCotter, Republican, Michigan’s 11th District.
Patrick T. McHenry, Republican, North Carolina’s 10th District.
Buck McKeon, Republican, California’s 25th District.
Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, Republican, Washington’s 5th District.
John Mica, Republican, Florida’s 17th District.
Jeff Miller, Republican, Florida’s 1st District.
Gary Miller, Republican, California’s 42nd District.
Sue Myrick, Republican, North Carolina’s 9th District.
Randy Neugebauer, Republican, Texas’ 19th District.
Devin Nunes, Republican, California’s 21st District.
Pete Olson, Republican, Texas’ 22nd District.
Ron Paul, Republican, Texas’ 14th District.
Erik Paulsen, Republican, Minnesota’s 3rd District.
Mike Pence, Republican, Indiana’s 6th District.
Thomas Petri, Republican, Wisconsin’s 6th District.
Joseph R. Pitts, Republican, Pennsylvania’s 16th District.
Todd Platts, Republican, Pennsylvania’s 19th District.
Ted Poe, Republican, Texas’ 2nd District.
Bill Posey, Republican, Florida’s 15th District.
Tom Price, Republican, Georgia’s 6th District.
Adam Putnam, Republican, Florida’s 12th District.
Dennis Rehberg, Republican, Montana At Large
David G. Reichert, Republican, Washington’s 8th District.
Phil Roe, Republican, Tennessee’s 1st District.
Harold Rogers, Republican, Kentucky’s 5th District.
Mike Rogers, Republican, Alabama’s 3rd District.
Mike Rogers, Republican, Michigan’s 8th District.
Dana Rohrabacher, Republican, California’s 46th District.
Tom Rooney, Republican, Florida’s 16th District.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Republican, Florida’s 18th District.
Peter J. Roskam, Republican, Illinois’ 6th District.
Ed Royce, Republican, California’s 40th District.
Paul Ryan, Republican, Wisconsin’s 1st District.
Steve Scalise, Republican, Louisiana’s 1st District.
Jean Schmidt, Republican, Ohio’s 2nd District.
Aaron Schock, Republican, Illinois’ 18th District.
James F. Sensenbrenner, Republican, Wisconsin’s 5th District.
Pete Sessions, Republican, Texas’ 32nd District.
John Shimkus, Republican, Illinois’ 19th District.
Bill Shuster, Republican, Pennsylvania’s 9th District.
Mike Simpson, Republican, Idaho’s 2nd District.
Adrian Smith, Republican, Nebraska’s 3rd District.
Lamar Smith, Republican, Texas’ 21st District.
Cliff Stearns, Republican, Florida’s 6th District.
John Sullivan, Republican, Oklahoma’s 1st District.
Lee Terry, Republican, Nebraska’s 2nd District.
Glenn W. Thompson, Republican, Pennsylvania’s 5th District.
Mac Thornberry, Republican, Texas’ 13th District.
Pat Tiberi, Republican, Ohio’s 12th District.
Michael Turner, Republican, Ohio’s 3rd District.
Fred Upton, Republican, Michigan’s 6th District.
Greg Walden, Republican, Oregon’s 2nd District.
Lynn A. Westmoreland, Republican, Georgia’s 3rd District.
Ed Whitfield, Republican, Kentucky’s 1st District.
Joe Wilson, Republican, South Carolina’s 2nd District.
Robert J. Wittman, Republican, Virginia’s 1st District.
Frank Wolf, Republican, Virginia’s 10th District.
Anonymous says
Ted Cruz’s voice hasn’t changed yet into a man voice– maybe one day he will grow into being a man. He still sounds and acts like a child. He is an embarrassment to the Republican Party. He took on this pouting attitude after Trump outed him and his dad. Send him back to Cuba and build a wall to keep him over there.