Cruz still 'assessing' whether to support Trump

[skeeter]

Trump has received the majority of votes period.  He is the presumptive nominee.  I find it really troubling that there is continued talk about stopping Trump when in essence the majority of voters voted for him.  Granted he is making some huge mistakes and he is seemingly starting already to hand Hillary the White House ... but they would have to significantly change the rules in order for him not to become the nominee.  What about those that voted for him?  I am a Cruz supporter and won't vote for the guy, but on what grounds are you going to deny him the nomination?  The only things that I can think of that could possibly happen to deny him the nomination is if he is found guilty of a crime and is incarcerated or falls ill and cannot accept.

Well, as certain much maligned pundits recently pointed out officially its the party's nominee, not the voters.

For what its worth.

Yes, there would be a huge sh*tstorm if the party pulled anything at the convention to deny Trump the nomination. Even though that may be the country's only salvation.

[Norm Lenhart]

Trump has received the majority of votes period.  He is the presumptive nominee.  I find it really troubling that there is continued talk about stopping Trump when in essence the majority of voters voted for him.  Granted he is making some huge mistakes and he is seemingly starting already to hand Hillary the White House ... but they would have to significantly change the rules in order for him not to become the nominee.  What about those that voted for him?  I am a Cruz supporter and won't vote for the guy, but on what grounds are you going to deny him the nomination?  The only things that I can think of that could possibly happen to deny him the nomination is if he is found guilty of a crime and is incarcerated or falls ill and cannot accept.

First thing a Cowboy will tell you is that when a herd stampedes, get out of the way.

Personally, everyone in America but me could vote for Donald Trump and I'll still tell them they were wrong. Because they would be. Because Trump is a very bad idea based on facts in evidence. I'll stick with being on the right side of the argument even if I argue alone.

Secondly, he's as you say, presumptive regardless. As in not nominated to begin with.

[libertybele]

The day Cruz comes out for Trump is the day I'm done with him.

Cruz stated long ago that he would support the GOP nominee.  He has hesitated so far and his comments about hoping we wind up with someone who will get Washington off our backs struck a familiar note. He may very well decide to support him, but I don't look for him to give an actual endorsement, nor do I look for him to hit the campaign trail for him.  The only way that's going to happen is if Trump names him as his VP and he accepts -- I think we all realize that that ship sailed a long, long time ago.

[SZonian]

Supporting Trump is one thing.

Keeping his pledge to endorse the nominee [once formally nominated] can be viewed as "support" but more semantics than anything.  Doesn't mean he's got to do anything to help Trump.

Honoring his pledge [word] will show his supporters that he is a man of his word.  This will help him in future endeavors.

The orangeshirt brigades will never be satisfied, but they're not going to support him in the future anyway...as evidenced by the lunacy at TOS.

[libertybele]

Supporting Trump is one thing.

Keeping his pledge to endorse the nominee [once formally nominated] can be viewed as "support" but more semantics than anything.  Doesn't mean he's got to do anything to help Trump.

Honoring his pledge [word] will show his supporters that he is a man of his word.  This will help him in future endeavors.

The orangeshirt brigades will never be satisfied, but they're not going to support him in the future anyway...as evidenced by the lunacy at TOS.

Cruz gave a great response.  He has gone back to the Senate and his waiting. Trump has already gained the majority of delegates ... so is there really a reason that anyone has to jump in right now and endorse him? 

[Silver Pines]

Cruz stated long ago that he would support the GOP nominee.  He has hesitated so far and his comments about hoping we wind up with someone who will get Washington off our backs struck a familiar note. He may very well decide to support him, but I don't look for him to give an actual endorsement, nor do I look for him to hit the campaign trail for him.  The only way that's going to happen is if Trump names him as his VP and he accepts -- I think we all realize that that ship sailed a long, long time ago.

He did take the pledge, it's true, but after Trump smeared his wife (and, later, his father), Cruz said that he wouldn't support him.  I'm hoping he'll stand firm on that decision.  If he doesn't, he won't be the man I believe he is.  Politics cannot come before family.

However, I don't think Cruz will support him.  I just read this over at redstate.com:

Jennifer Bendery ✔@jbendery
Ted Cruz just stared blankly at us, as elevator doors slowly closed us out, when someone asked if he'll ever endorse Trump.

[skeeter]

Jennifer Bendery ✔@jbendery
Ted Cruz just stared blankly at us, as elevator doors slowly closed us out, when someone asked if he'll ever endorse Trump.

Hilarious.

Is there video? I need to see that.

[skeeter]

Do a google search about Trump backing out of agreement.  There are many news stories around March 30, 2016, about how Trump and pretty much all the remaining candidates said they were backing out of that agreement.  Team Trump wants to pretend that didn't happen, but it did.  So there are three reasons for Cruz not to endorse him.

1.  The "agreement" was backed out of by all parties BEFORE the end of the primary.
2.  Trump essentially broke the agreement with his lies and slander against his fellow candidates
3.  We have learned a lot of bad things about Trump in recent months which themselves contradict all the other principles and promises made by Cruz and therefore OBLIGATE Cruz to not endorse Trump.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/29/politics/donald-trump-ted-cruz-nominee-pledge/index.html

[SZonian]

Supporting Trump is one thing.

Keeping his pledge to endorse the nominee [once formally nominated] can be viewed as "support" but more semantics than anything.  Doesn't mean he's got to do anything to help Trump.

Honoring his pledge [word] will show his supporters that he is a man of his word.  This will help him in future endeavors.

The orangeshirt brigades will never be satisfied, but they're not going to support him in the future anyway...as evidenced by the lunacy at TOS.

Based on the information posted by @ratpatrol...

Do a google search about Trump backing out of agreement.  There are many news stories around March 30, 2016, about how Trump and pretty much all the remaining candidates said they were backing out of that agreement.  Team Trump wants to pretend that didn't happen, but it did.  So there are three reasons for Cruz not to endorse him.

1.  The "agreement" was backed out of by all parties BEFORE the end of the primary.
2.  Trump essentially broke the agreement with his lies and slander against his fellow candidates
3.  We have learned a lot of bad things about Trump in recent months which themselves contradict all the other principles and promises made by Cruz and therefore OBLIGATE Cruz to not endorse Trump.

I retract my comments...

[Texas Yellow Rose]

I find it really troubling that there is continued talk about stopping Trump when in essence the majority of voters voted for him.  Granted he is making some huge mistakes and he is seemingly starting already to hand Hillary the White House ... but they would have to significantly change the rules in order for him not to become the nominee.  What about those that voted for him?  I am a Cruz supporter and won't vote for the guy, but on what grounds are you going to deny him the nomination? 

 
They don't have to change the rules.  Any delegate can vote their conscience on the first round.  They don't need to have "grounds". 

[mlizzy]

The only things that I can think of that could possibly happen to deny him the nomination is if he is found guilty of a crime and is incarcerated or falls ill and cannot accept.

Over on Twitter last night, someone suggested raising $100M to buy him out of the nomination. Silly stuff, I know, but these are desperate times. However, I think the best possible way would be if Trump self-destructs all on his own [like his endorsement of Ellmers; bad!]. It would be a fair way for his supporters to see what a true traitor he is to the cause. Being found guilty of a crime, as you state, works for me, and at 70 years old [and out of shape] and filled with toxins [from both anger and angus], his heart [thus health] could be affected, it's true.

https://twitter.com/allahpundit/status/740269600764366849

[XenaLee]

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/282552-cruz-still-assessing-whether-to-support-trump

June 07, 2016, 04:49 pm
Cruz still 'assessing' whether to support Trump

By Rebecca Savransky

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said Tuesday he is still considering whether to support his former rival Donald Trump for president.

"Like many other voters, I'm watching and listening and assessing what he says and what he does and I think that's what millions of voters are doing and that's the way the Democratic process is meant to operate," Cruz said, according to MSNBC.

"I think voters are going to do that from now right until Election Day, and I'm giving it time and watching and assessing."

Cruz, who dropped his presidential bid last month, feuded with the presumptive GOP nominee several times during his campaign. Before dropping out of the race, Cruz called Trump an "utterly amoral" pathological liar, narcissist and bully.

Last month, the Texas senator told reporters he had plenty of time to make a decision on whether or not to back Trump.

Cruz told MSNBC that he is focused on "defending conservative principles," noting he thinks the party's platform should reflect those principles.

"I am fighting for those principles now in the United States Senate. I had hoped to fight for them and implement those principles from the White House," he said.

"It turned out that was not the way the election went and so I'm back here in the Senate working hard to fight for those very same principles."

He said the American people are looking for a leader who will "get Washington off of our backs, that will bring back jobs and economic growth, that will defend the Constitution and that will keep this country safe."

"And I hope that's what we end up with," Cruz said.

Trump has come under fire over comments he made questioning whether an Indiana-born federal judge might be biased against him because of his Mexican heritage. Republican leaders have condemned Trump's remarks.

Cruz is wise to hold back and wait and watch....and listen.  No telling what Trump will come out or up with between now and November.  Anything is possible.

[libertybele]

 
They don't have to change the rules.  Any delegate can vote their conscience on the first round.  They don't have to have "grounds".

??? Not quite sure about what you are stating.  There are bound delegates and unbound delegates.  He received the 1237 of bound delegates needed.  Those delegates are bound to vote for him as they represent the votes of the people.  This isn't a contested convention, so if I am understanding the process correctly, there won't be additional rounds of voting.

[ExFreeper]

They don't have to change the rules.  Any delegate can vote their conscience on the first round.  They don't have to have "grounds".

Yes TYR.... Or simply a certain strategic number abstain, thus ensuring a 2nd ballot.  The "fat lady" does not sing for another five weeks. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2yIkDVs0cA

Patience my little Cruz grasshoppers, Patience! 

[ABX]

Trump has received the majority of votes period......

Obama received a majority of the votes in the last two elections and actually won the general election, that doesn't mean we can or shouldn't shut up, try to stop what he is doing through exposing him, or standing up and saying he is wrong. It is about principle, not a little "R" versus "D" football game.

...they would have to significantly change the rules in order for him not to become the nominee. 

There are rules in place in both parties to disqualify a candidate based on ethical and/or legal malfeasance. The rules don't need to be changed, just followed if apt. This may be a year both parties pull the trigger on those rules.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Please be sure to light a candle for your savior. I hear they like that.

   @aligncare

[libertybele]

Obama received a majority of the votes in the last two elections and actually won the general election, that doesn't mean we can or shouldn't shut up, try to stop what he is doing through exposing him, or standing up and saying he is wrong. It is about principle, not a little "R" versus "D" football game.

There are rules in place in both parties to disqualify a candidate based on ethical and/or legal malfeasance. The rules don't need to be changed, just followed if apt. This may be a year both parties pull the trigger on those rules.

Certainly I wasn't suggesting that anyone stop voicing their opinion about any candidate, or exposing any candidate for the shortcomings or for that matter their accomplishments.  I wasn't aware that there were rules to disqualify any candidate once they reached the Convention ... I was under the assumption that once they qualified on the ballot in each state, they were deemed to be a 'qualified' candidate; that is why candidates have to meet specific criteria and qualifications in order to get onto the ballot in all 50 states.  The only one who was repeatedly challenged in several states as to his qualifications to be on the ballot was Cruz.  As far as I know, Trump has never been challenged as to his eligibility to be on the ballot.

[ConstitutionRose]

We got one here that is proud of being "Sick of Social conservatives and Bible Thumpers."

Met that one yesterday.  I thought I was on the wrong board for a minute.

[RetBobbyMI]

 
They don't have to change the rules.  Any delegate can vote their conscience on the first round.  They don't need to have "grounds".

But do they have the guts to?

[austingirl]

I certainly hope that Cruz stands by his principles and does not endorse Trump.

[RoosGirl]

??? Not quite sure about what you are stating.  There are bound delegates and unbound delegates.  He received the 1237 of bound delegates needed.  Those delegates are bound to vote for him as they represent the votes of the people.  This isn't a contested convention, so if I am understanding the process correctly, there won't be additional rounds of voting.

There technically are no rules for the upcoming convention.  Each convention has a rules committee that meets about a week ahead of the convention and sets the rules for that convention.  In addition, it seems there's plenty of historical info that shows that delegates are not bound, but can vote for whoever they want to, regardless of the laws of the state that they are from.

[RoosGirl]

See this article with plenty of background info, court cases, etc that support the "conscience clause" being used by delegates that will not vote for their state's primary winner.

http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,208861.0.html

[RoosGirl]

However, you also have the comments from Reince saying that even if a delegate refuses to vote for the winner of their state's primary (or whoever it has already been decided by voting in the state that the delegate is supposed to vote for), the vote will go to the state's primary winner on the roll call.  So, you'd have to have a substantial group of pretty determined delegates if they want their vote counted the way they want it counted.

[libertybele]

I certainly hope that Cruz stands by his principles and does not endorse Trump.

Cruz's endorsement would have the most impact of anyone as he was Trump's biggest challenger and continues to have a huge following and his supporters are mostly #NeverTrump.  Trump made a huge mistake in attacking Ted the way he did.  If Cruz decides to endorse him or support him at all, I don't see him doing so until the convention. He is certainly under absolutely no obligation to Trump. I forsee the MSM interviewing Cruz at the convention and asking him if he endorses Trump ... my hunch is he will continue to avoid endorsing him and say something to the effect that he supports the GOP against Hillary and wishes Donald well.

[Texas Yellow Rose]

??? Not quite sure about what you are stating.  There are bound delegates and unbound delegates.  He received the 1237 of bound delegates needed.  Those delegates are bound to vote for him as they represent the votes of the people.  This isn't a contested convention, so if I am understanding the process correctly, there won't be additional rounds of voting.

Here's a good article :  http://dailycaller.com/2016/03/13/rnc-rules-comm-member-every-delegate-at-gop-convention-not-bound-on-first-ballot/
And another:  https://ballotpedia.org/Rule_16_and_its_impact_on_the_2016_Republican_National_Convention
Rules:  https://s3.amazonaws.com/prod-static-ngop-pbl/docs/Rules_of_the_Republican+Party_FINAL_S14090314.pdf