Texas Senator Ted Cruz hasn’t quite forgotten Donald Trump’s insult branding him as ‘Lyin’ Ted’ at televised rallies across the country – as he reminded a group of his own supporters just hours before he’ll address the Republican Convention that nominated Trump.
Cruz brought up the insult as he recounted his crushing decision to bow out of the race after a humiliating loss in Indiana to Trump.
‘One of the things that I’m sorriest about one of the things that I most regret is that after suspending the campaign,’ Cruz said, was failing to hug each and every campaign volunteer.
‘I am to this day upset with myself,’ Cruz said. But the reason wasn’t indifference: it was raw emotion.
NO CRYIN’ IN POLITICS: Cruz said he didn’t linger to thank each supporter when he lost the Indiana primary because he didn’t want to get tagged as ‘Cryin’ Ted’
‘I confess that I didn’t have the strength to not break up,’ Cruz recounted to his supporters.
‘I wasn’t gonna let those SOBs turn Lyin’ Ted into Cryin’ Ted. So I lasted through about two people and then I had to go back stage,’ he continued. ‘I am so grateful that Heidi stayed and hugged every person there,’ he said, referencing his wife, who was a constant presence at his side during the campaign.
Cruz mentioned Trump, but instead of using his name said, ‘Our party now has a nominee’ – prompting the crowd to let out a chorus of boos.
He was cryptic about his next move, though staff moves and the creation of new financial entities is already stoking talk that a future campaign is being assembled.
‘I don’t’ know what the future’s gonna hold,’ he said. ‘Every one of us follow our conscience – to speak the truth, and truth is unchanging.’
Cruz speaks to the Republican convention tonight. He spoke to the state convention in Dallas in May
Cruz’s supporters enjoy the view, but many are still steamed at Donald Trump for his attacks on their favored candidate
‘I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that from the very first days of this nation, God has blessed the United States of America and I am convinced God is not done with this country.’
‘If we defend liberty, if we defend the Constitution, if we empower the people then I promise you there are brighter days ahead for the United States of America,’ he concluded.
When he paused, members of the crowd cheered out ‘We love Ted.’
But in what could be the ultimate in high altitude trolling, Donald Trump’s plane landed in Cleveland and got TV coverage while Cruz was still speaking.
As for his speech, Cruz advisor Jeff Roe indicated that he will mention Trump’s name, though he waffled a bit. Asked whether the speech would bring the party together, Roe responded: ‘That’s for every voter to do.’
‘He’s not really that kind of guy anyway – doesn’t tell other people how to vote. He’s just never done that sort of thing. But it’s a unifying speech. The values that make us strong as a party are on full display in this campaign and he gave a good run, he got second place. I think he’ll speak to those people that supported him and those that didn’t.’
Cruz will utter the words ‘Donald Trump,’ Roe said – although he provided multiple hedges about how he would do so.
‘That’s a good question. I don’t know if the last draft has that or not, but there’s certainly I think they’ll be pleased with the speech,’ he said, meaning Team Trump.
Asked by DailyMail.com how Trump could be pleased with a speech that might not include his name, he said, ‘I don’t know that it doesn’t say his name. I think it’s in there. I don’t recall how we say it, but he’s gonna be pleased.’
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon