The entire brouhaha over Ted Cruz's speech need not have happened.
Why are so many Republicans outraged by the exhortation to vote according to conscience? Aren't they confident in the case for Trump? Aren't they assured that he fits the description of a candidate "who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution"? Shouldn't this be a moment of affirmation? Shouldn't Republicans be able to honestly declare their conscientious support for their party's nominee? Really, what's the problem here?
NOTHING he said was wrong and EVERYTHING he said was right.
I've said this before and I'll say it again --- The response to Cruz's exhortation demonstrates what may be the worst problem facing the Trump campaign.
His own voters don't believe in him. So many Republicans backing Trump today are doing so for no other reason than his status as the nominee. That's it. It's a completely pragmatic choice based on the alternative of Hillary Clinton, and it's a choice that goes against their own privately held beliefs.
Newt, the wiley old politician he is, saw that and tried to set the tone for how to handle what Cruz said. Trump, however, has an ego like the Hindenburg. Large, inflated, and highly combustible.
Trump felt that lines: "And, to those listening, please don't stay home in November....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." Was a dig. Trump also stated that Cruz added to his speech from the transcript he was given and that what he added. The conscience line was in the transcipt and Trump knew to be prepared for that. The line that was added was this: "God bless each and every one of you, and God bless the United States of America." I think Trump took that as a dig against his religion. Which raises the question why didn't Trump let it go why is he so insecure?
