Cruz: Not supporting candidate who wages personal attacks
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, walked from the podium after speaking during the Republican National Convention, Wednesday, in Cleveland.
CLEVELAND » A day after being booed off the Republican National Convention stage, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz remained defiant about Donald Trump today, saying he is not a “servile puppy dog” and vowing not to support anyone who wages personal attacks against his family.
Speaking to an incensed Texas delegation, Cruz recalled an answer he gave at a Republican debate this year, when he enthusiastically said he would support the party’s official nominee.
“The day that was abdicated was the day this became personal,” Cruz said. “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.”
“And that pledge was not a blanket commitment that if you go and slander and attack Heidi, I’m going to nonetheless come like a servile puppy dog and say thank you very much for maligning my wife and my father,” he added.
Cruz tried to link arms with Republicans at the party’s national convention Wednesday but was booed lustily by delegates when he ended his speech without offering Trump his endorsement or even saying he would vote for the New York billionaire.
The blatant sign of disunity in prime time angered the Trump campaign, with top adviser Paul Manafort saying Cruz “used very bad judgment” and was “not respectful to the invitation by the convention to come and speak.”
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Manafort told NBC’s “Today” today that Cruz “understood what the responsibilities are, someone in his position.”
Trump repeatedly mocked Cruz throughout the campaign as “Lyin’ Ted.” Trump also took jabs at the appearance of Cruz’s wife, Goldman Sachs executive Heidi Cruz, and the Texas senator responded that Trump is a “sniveling coward.” Trump also made suggestions that Cruz’s father had indirect links to John F. Kennedy’s assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald.
As he appeared on stage Wednesday night, Cruz basked in a minute-long standing ovation. Cruz finished second to Trump in the crowded Republican primary campaign and congratulated the GOP nominee on his victory.
But the closest as Cruz came to saying he wanted Trump to win the White House was when he said: “I want to see the principles that our party believes in prevail in November.”
Cruz didn’t tell the convention crowd that he plans to vote for Trump. Nor did he ask his supporters, hundreds of whom encouraged him to run for president in four years at an event on Wednesday afternoon, to vote for the newly minted Republican nominee.
Interrupted by chants of “Trump, Trump, Trump,” Cruz paused and said with a smile, “I appreciate the enthusiasm of the New York delegation.”
But as Cruz ended his remarks, and as the crowd of more than 2,000 delegates at the Quicken Loans Arena waited for Cruz to say something — anything — kind about Trump, he demurred.
“And to those listening, please, don’t stay home in November,” Cruz said. “Stand and speak, and vote your conscience. Vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution.”
Democrat Hillary Clinton, in a tweet, quickly echoed Cruz, saying, “Vote your conscience.”
The delegates responded with angry boos, and Cruz backer and former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli escorted Heidi Cruz off the convention floor as she was heckled by Trump delegates.
But Trump said later on Twitter that Cruz’s lack of an endorsement was “no big deal!” But he said Cruz “didn’t honor” the pledge that Republican primary candidates had made to support the eventual GOP nominee.
“He’s a chicken,” said Eugene Delgaudio, a delegate from Sterling, Virginia, who clucked like a chicken when asked about Cruz’s decision. “He needed to toughen up like every other Republican loser of any nomination battle in the last 100 years since Abraham Lincoln and just suck it up, be a man and back the nominee that he was beaten by, fair and square.”
“If we’re not going to do that, why do we have elections? Because Ted Cruz has decided that he knows better? Than all of the people who voted in the elections?” he said.
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Associated Press writers Vivian Salama and Sam Hananel contributed to this report from Washington. Follow Thomas Beaumont and Steve Peoples on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/tombeaumont and http://twitter.com/sppeoples
95 responses to “Cruz: Not supporting candidate who wages personal attacks”
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Lying Ted!
Puts himself/family 1st. Personal insults are a part of Politics and if your not having a thick skin you don’t belong playing politics. Lying Ted along with Jeb and Kasich smirked and enjoyed putting the GOP pledge in front of TheDonald and looky here today they won’t comply with what they made TheDonald sign. Double standards? for these supposed True GOP members who are held to higher standards of the Democrats. Like I mentioned, now I understand why George W. commented that he couldn’t stand the SOB Ted.
I give the guy credit.
Poncho you are so full of it.
when you start name calling I know your lost for words to trying to defend whatever you believe in. lol
Pocho – You started the thread with the words “Lying Ted.”
Do you understand that is “name calling?” You don’t know many things, but I would have figured you know that.
It’s not name calling. Ted signed the GOP pledge, he lied! Is that name calling. What’s so hard to understand? That’s the problem with Lawyers, they are all about money, they’ll twist and turn anything that comes out of one’s mouth and even their own. No name calling but truth.
Not name calling, Trump called his “ugly” and he said that his father was directly involved with the Kennedy assassination. Without me taking you back to elementary school to learn what the definition of name-calling encompasses, I am short of providing any further assistance. On the other hand, it might just be that you relate to those type of men who lack the fortitude to defend both the name of your wife/mother of your children and your father….
you name called me, I never did that to anyone here in these messages. Your way off based SA friends. lol
How did I name call you? Specify….
Ikefromeli – You are expecting common sense, logic and reason. You can forget that!
Klastri, I am shocked by your admonishment to Pocho for using the words “Lying Ted” which you say is “name calling.” I agree it is name calling, so why do you so often call people liars in these online discussions?
Ronin006 – Please be shocked all you want. You didn’t follow the thread, of course.
Mr. Pocho was criticizing someone for “name calling” when he (Mr. Pocho) started the thread by renaming Senator Cruz “Lying Ted”. I was pointing out the disconnect, which you also don’t seem to understand.
It’s true that I write that people are lying when that is so. But at least I know what that means.
Ike
Re: “and he said that his father was directly involved with the Kennedy assassination”
A person who some say looked like Cruz’s father was seen in a photo along with Oswald.
In commenting on this Trump stated the following:
“His father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald’s being, you know, shot!” Trump said. “I mean, the whole thing is ridiculous. What – what is this right, prior to his being shot. And nobody even brings it up. I mean, they don’t even talk about that, that was reported and nobody talks about it. But I think it’s horrible, I think it’s absolutely horrible, that a man can go and do that, what he’s saying there.”
Trump later added, “I mean what was he doing with Lee Harvey Oswald, shortly before the death – before the shooting? It’s horrible.”
If I have all the facts here, for you to say “[Trump] said his father was directly involved in the Kennedy assassination” is not correct.
What I find most laughable about this particular string of keyboard combat is having someone as verbally vile as klas criticize some one else for name calling…
I’m not surprised some of the Democrats are hypocrites.It’s ok to call people out under the facade of this post. It’s ok for the Democrats to accuse people of being ignorant, racists misogynist, sexist,imbeciles. It’s ok for their Super Pacs to splash nude pictures.
What difference does it make. 4 men were tortured, their bodies mutilated and dragged through the streets of Benghazi. The Democrats would want you to forget about it and move on.
I’m with Pocho. I’m not with her.
Another hypocrite who has gone back on his word to support the winner of the primary campaign after as group all signed the pledge. They are certainly not true Republicans and could care less who is President except themselves. Traitors!
Ted Cruz did what he felt needed to be done. Many are glad he did that.
Do you respect House Speaker Paul Ryan for stifling his personal thoughts and disgust with Trump? Or do you feel sorry for him?
Trump invited Cruz to his own funeral.
Agree, poor House Speaker Ryan.
Is it not cheating to bend the rules of the game and make personal attacks and his about your opponent’s wife and father?
Should we reward those who cheat in order to gain an advantage.
Poncho, I’m not with her. I’m with You.
you lawyers had bust out your Webster man! Did Ted “lie” signing that GOP paper to support the eventual GOP nominee? If that ain’t a lie, well I’ll be a monkey’s xxx. I a Joe6Pack knows what lying is without hitting up Webster. lol
And Trump don’t lie wake up!
so, your God?
Correction: you’re God
so your putting words in my mouth? no different than these Liberal Media people twisting words to make one look bad. lol
I don’t blame Cruz for remaining angry as I feel Trump’s comments often went over the line. Having said this, I wonder what kind of support Cruz would expect should he ever become the nominee in the future. Growing up I often heard advice from my parents about treating others as you’d like to be treated because conditions change over time and you never know when you may need the help of someone you may not currently like. Cruz may end up regretting not being gracious like Rubio.
I understand the hard feeling. Presidential campaigns are not for the weak and terrible things were said. But going to go to your party’s national convention, and to do what Senator Cruz did is inappropriate. Perhaps the better course of action for Senator Cruz would be to have stayed home like other Republicans have chosen to do.
“He needed to toughen up like every other Republican loser of any nomination battle…” That sums up the negative, low-class approach of Trump supporters.
I don’t know the points of agreement Cruz had with GOP organizers, but whatever he did (even if lyin’), the result is something that needed to be done. I bet a LOT of Republicans today are quietly thinking to themselves, “I’m glad he said all that.”
Who let the monkeys out???
“…negative, low class…”
Low-class monkey. Sorry I wasn’t more specific.
sarge, you’re worse than Ted Cruz.
If you can’t stand the heat stay out of the kitchen! Poor loser!
Sore loser.
I’m not with her. I’m with You.
GOP delegate: “He needed to toughen up like every other Republican loser of any nomination battle…” Seems like Trumpzis like the word “loser.” You remember what they taught us in school about people who use the word “loser” a lot…
Trump calls a spade a spade, no BS. Get used to it.
That’s his problem. The problem is that these spades vote! He insulted Cruz’s wife and father. He insults Hispanics, Muslims, women and the list goes on. If Ted Cruz can go on national television and do what he did knowing full well that he was going to face the wrath of the delegates, can you imagine the wrath of others that he insulted.
No
Is this some kind of political strategy for Sen.Cruz? Does he expect the Donald to lose the Presidential election? So he could prove he was right all along? Bad Bet and a sore loser!
Cruz puts out a persona that he’s all about the Constitution and by not fully endorsing Trump he opens the door for Hillary and along with her possible win for the POTUS she’ll be endorsing Liberal Justices. So much for Cruz, the Conservative man he is, he can’t forgive what comes with politics and who is not willing to put his into saving the Constitution he so vehement covets! Cruz is a phony OR he’s self-centered!
my take for what’s it worth. Cruz is all abut Cruz, everything else even what he strongly defends comes after him. Nothin more Nothin less
you all think of Trump as a narcissus, OMG is there another word to use to characterize Cruz?
Pocho, Cuban Canadian anchor baby?
Even without Cruz, Clinton is expected to win. In the sinking ship of the Republican Party, All the rats are leaving.
Trump’s instincts again proves to be correct, and “lyingTed” confirmed it himself. Trump’s assessments of his opponents certainly are becoming to be accurate, a quality needed to become the POTUS. Those that have gone back on their pledge to support the winner have finally shown their true stripes. A no support for Trump is vote for Hillary! All the traitors just demonstrated that their personal ambitions are more important than the National interests.
I’m not with her.I’m with You.
It goes without saying that Ted Cruz is an effete elitist, that said, he demarcated a line in the sand towards Trump, that no other Republican has been able to muster or even envision. Summarily, you talk about my wife (who is almost apolitical) or my father, and it’s on!!!
Cruz’s view of the world and his attendant policies are putative at best, however I do respect him taking on Trump right at his nose……he exhibited a profound amount of gravitas and courage, whereas his contempories danced around with shallow semantics and delicate side-stepping.
Mr. Cruz’s strategy is pretty clear now. He knows that Mr. Trump will lose the general election (everyone should at this point) and it’s a better bet for Mr. Cruz to position himself to unseat Mrs. Clinton in 2020.
Agreed. So, while in real time, TC, might take a broadside hit, he is allowing himself to pivot out of this election cycle in a much more meaningful way, e.g. separating himself from Mr. Rubio.
Stick a fork in Ted. He’s done. Good morning President Trump. Fantastic speeches last night and Newt summed up lyin Ted’s speech in just a few words.
Really, almost every mainstream media outlet, including ALL conservative leaning ones, have said that the convention is at a historic level of failure and crisis…….give me just two publications declaring this a huge success–just two–waiting?
They all had nothing positive to say about Donald Trump one year ago and look at him now. The libs have been brainwashed for so long that they have lost their ability to think. Listen carefully to tonights speeches and enjoy the show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3umaLe37-LE
Thank you, you fully answered my question. In short, you provided a personal opinion, and moreover, submitted a vantage not supported by evidence.
Ike
I think the onus is on you since you started this train.
You need to give the list of the leading conservative publications that say it is “at a historic level of failure”.
I think the top 5 should be enough.
Until you give such a specific list, you are kind of doing the same thing of which you are accusing others.
Rare do I lean down to those who do not bring meaningful thought to the conversation, that said, here you go:http://www.nationalreview.com/article/438075/2016-gop-convention-failure-donald-trump
Or http://www.weeklystandard.com/author/stephen-f.-hayes or
http://spectator.org/you-wanted-trump-youve-got-him/
CAmos, I am not going to do your homework. That said, I’ll play your game for a brief moment, so from the last 48 hours, from the leading and most popular conservative journal, the National Review: see, http://www.nationalreview.com/article/438075/2016-gop-convention-failure-donald-trump
As we speak, I’m purviewing at least another dozen articles with similar themes and/or contents.
Chirp, chirp, awkward silence huh?!
One of the top candidates being considered for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Running mate in 2016 has had some email problems of his own.
Tom Vilsack, the former governor of Iowa and President Barack Obama’s current secretary of agriculture, was caught up in a 2004 scandal that resulted in emails being “inadvertently” destroyed. Vilsack partially blamed himself for destroying emails regarding the Iowa Department of Economic Development Foundation. The Des Moines Register had requested the emails. – via The Daily Caller
What difference at this point does it make. Vote your conscience.
Sorry, I’m not her her. I’m with him. Vote your conscience.
There must be many (majority?) Republicans glad that Cruz did what he did. Paul Ryan wishes he had the cajones to do the same.
We’ll see what the result is for Ted in 2020. No matter what, he spoke his conscience (or at least spoke what many are thinking).
The incumbent President Trump will beat the loser Teddie in a landslide in 2020.
What may I ask do you mean when you say “it’s on!!!”
What difference at this point does it make. Vote your conscience.
“I do respect him taking on Trump right at his nose”
I guess this would be Trump’s nose?
“What difference at this point does it make”. HRC
I’d like to know, has Carly endorsed Trump? A true Lady who keeps her words! lol
I’m not with her. I’m with You.
My respect for Cruz has increased. I never thought I’d say that. He has an ounce of integrity. That’s what Trumpets can’t stand.
“He has an ounce of integrity.” Only an ounce when tons of integrity are available? He sure does.
I’m not with her. I’m with You.
Is there something wrong with you?
He sucked up to Trump for months while it helped him.
When he decided to make his move he turned on Trump.
He got his butt blown off, when what he tried was directed back at him 10-fold.
Childishness at its best. What do you call people with adult bodies and children’s brains? Can hardly wait to see the Democratic Convention. Ted has burned his back door down. Stupidity is now mainstream.
Ted Cruz is not well-liked by his Senate colleagues and that is a given fact as they all concur that Cruz is only for himself. If he thinks he can run in 2020 for President, he is delusional. He, like the Bushs, Romneys, Kasich, are all cry babies and sore losers. Nothing more and nothing less.
He’s Not a sore loser. He knows that Mr. Trump is going to lose in a landslide, so he’s positioning himself for 2020.
He’s a sore loser. He knows that Mr. Trump is going to win in a landslide, so he’s positioning himself for a defeat 2020. That was pretty easy.
IF, he believed this I’d think he’d take a better approach. Remember, he made a pledge to support the eventual nominee. What will be his position in four years if he’s asked to make that same pledge and who would believe him if he said he would?
I’m glad Senator Cruz came out and showed his true colors.
All through his campaign I suspected he was unstable.
Cruz or his PAC started it by attacking Melania. People might have forgotten. What people will never forget is Benghazi.
Cruz was trying to channel Ronald Reagan and his 1976 speech at the Republican National Convention. He failed.
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4518663/reagans-1976-republican-convention-speech/?#sp=show-clips
Ted Cruz demonstrated what a small, small minded person he is. It’s all about Ted and no one else even using the feeble excuse of defending his wife/parents. If he really felt that way, he should have just declined the invitation to speak. Instead, he had to grandstand himself. Even Cruz supporters were shocked and sympathy for Trump grew. What ever happens in November, let’s hope that we never hear from this selfish man again.
Nope. It is Trump who bears the responsibility. Mr. Cruz contacted him 24 hours before his appearance and in no uncertain terms said he would NOT support him, and that he had existing problems with the nominee. Further, and more important, Trump and his senior staff had an advance copy of the text of his speech. In short, everything was provided to the Trump people prior to his appearance.
The underedcuated are not good readers!
Amen
I don’t think he cares if he gets any supports whatsoever from those this has cost him. Actually I admire Cruz for speaking up for his name. Too many politicians just follow the crowd in order to continue to receive the good graces of the establishment. I don’t think Cruz is a coward. Far from it. Trump has shown no decorum whatsoever and when it is dished out to him he acts like he’s so innocent of such behavior. Trump simply lacks all the requirements to become our commander in chief. The delegates simply do not see this as many who follow cults will overlook the truth in order to support their leader who has promised to deliver them to the promised land. Sure he has a lot of promises but remember he had not shown a doable plan. This man has ripped off many contractors that he has worked with. I would not want such a man representing this grea country of ours.
looks like Cruz’s ethics are a tad better than Trump’s…
The epitome of mudslinging; entertainment for the masses.
Ted Cruz did not endorse Trump by name but he did indirectly endorse him by urging people to get out and vote for people “up and down the ticket” in November. That would include Trump, would it not?
I don’t care what anybody says. I’ve made up my mind. I’m with Trump.
This is a free country and Cruz has moral standards. This is a consequence of Trump’s big mouth. Nothing more to say.