well ...
Washington (CNN)Ted Cruz endorsed Donald Trump for the presidency Friday afternoon, a stunning turn of events after a contentious primary filled with nasty personal attacks and a dramatic snub at the Republican National Convention.
“After many months of careful consideration, of prayer and searching my own conscience, I have decided that on Election Day, I will vote for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump,” Cruz wrote in a Facebook post.
“A year ago, I pledged to endorse the Republican nominee, and I am honoring that commitment. And if you don’t want to see a Hillary Clinton presidency, I encourage you to vote for him.”
“I am greatly honored by the endorsement of Senator Cruz,” Trump said in a statement obtained by CNN. “We have fought the battle and he was a tough and brilliant opponent. I look forward to working with him for many years to come in order to make America great again.”
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/23/politics/ted-cruz-endorses-donald-trump/
I liked both Cruz and Trump and was bummed when things got ugly between them, but that’s politics.
I thought Cruz should have endorsed earlier and think he did so at a late stage when he realized that going back on his pledge may hurt him in the future and he endorsed after Priebus commented that those not keeping their pledge may not get RNC money in the future.
I think Cruz did it because he felt he had to. I still like Cruz’s positions and hope they can work together. This our shot to get things done and rolled back and I hope Cruz will work with them and not against them. He could further his chances for a future presidential run if he works with them.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said Sunday that it’s high time for Donald Trump’s former primary challengers to come on board and support his campaign—and suggested there could be trouble for them in 2020 or 2024 if they don’t.
“Those people need to get on board,” he told CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “And if they’re thinking they’re going to run again someday, I think that we’re going to evaluate the process – of the nomination process and I don’t think it’s going to be that easy for them.”
Several of Trump’s former Republican primary opponents, including Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush have not endorsed Trump in the months since the GOP businessman secured the nomination. Asked explicitly whether that meant there would be penalties for the handful of 2016 Republican hopefuls who have not endorsed Trump if they opted to run again in 2020 or 2024, Priebus said nothing has been decided but that it’s something the party will “look at.”
Even if it twisted their arms it probably went a long way to help Trump.
“A year ago, I pledged to endorse the Republican nominee, and I am honoring that commitment.”
I stand corrected. I had only heard he said he would vote for Trump, but not that he ever tied an endorsement to that action. Just this past week, someone else said they were voting for Trump but that it was not to be construed as an endorsement. I do remember Ted once saying he expected to vote for Trump, but it was the lesser of two bad choices.
I apologize to Ted Cruz for his September 22-23 comment. Ted, you did clear up the endorsement issue. Thank you!