Ted Cruz Steals Show at RNC by Not Endorsing Trump

Lauren Creekmore
07-20-2016

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Night three was supposed to focus on Gov. Mike Pence's big introduction to the American people, but former candidate Sen. Ted Cruz stole his thunder and angered the crowd by refusing to endorse Donald Trump.

"If you love our country, 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," he said to boos from the crowd. "I appreciate the enthusiasm of the New York delegation."

Then it was the Trump's turn to steal as he upstaged Cruz by entering the arena before he could finish. The excited crowd then turned on Cruz's wife and father.

"People behind her were getting very ugly, and physically approaching her and Raphael," former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said.

Despite the drama, GOP vice presidential nominee Mike Pence tried to get the night back on track, delivering a speech that spoke directly to the base of the Republican party.

"For the sake of the rule of law, for the sake of the sanctity of life, for the sake of the Second Amendment we must ensure that the next president appointing justices to the Supreme Court is Donald Trump," Pence said.

As a born-again evangelical, Pence is the campaign's best hope for making skeptical Christians more comfortable about Trump.

"I am a Christian, conservative, and Republican - in that order," Pence said as he took the stage.

His speech served as a good example as he did not shy away from his faith or social issues.

"While we're filling the presidency for the next four years, this election will define the Supreme Court for the next 40. We all better think very carefully, very carefully about what this means for our Constitution,"

Although Pence endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz months back during the primaries, he says he's come to know and respect Donald Trump. He praised him as the best candidate for the next president of the United States.

Pence says as a Hoosier, he "likes to win," and that is a major reason why he joined the Trump campaign.

He called Trump's leadership as being "no-nonsense" and referred to it as what is needed in the White House. 

"He's a doer in a game that is usually reserved for talkers," Pence said. "You have nominated a man for president who never quits. Until now, he's had to do it all by himself against all odds, but this week, with this united party, he's got backup."

He then discussed the Democratic Party's failed political patterns, as well as Hillary Clinton's time as Secretary of State. 

Pence told the audience they have a choice, to choose a failed establishment in Washington, D.C., to rule, or choose a leader who "will fight every day to make America great again," also noting the change Trump will bring to office will be "huge." 

"He doesn't tip toe around the rules of political correctness, he is his own man, distinctly American," Pence said. 

"On November 8 I know we will elect Donald Trump to be the 45th president of the United States of America," Pence said. 

Trump joined Pence on stage, applauding his new political partner and humorously leaning in to nearly give him a kiss on the cheek.

Cruz and former candidate Marco Rubio did not endorse Trump Wednesday, which brought a negative reaction from the Cleveland crowd. 

The room was filled with booing and Trump's name being chanted throughout Cruz's speech, that did everything but endorse Trump as the presidential candidate. 

Rubio left similar words with the crowd, also not giving Trump an official endorsement. 

This despite Rubio and Cruz both pledging with other primary candidates that they would stand with whoever became the nominee.

Eric Trump took the stage after Cruz and Rubio to speak on his father's nomination noting his father is the candidate with the most votes out of any Republican candidate in history at this point in the electoral process.

Eric Trump began his speech by pointing to his dad in the crowd telling the audience he loves him. 

He said that his father told Oprah that he would only run for president if the country was in a desperate state. He added that his father could no longer watch his country crumble. 

Trump said that 13 months ago his father sat him and his siblings down to discuss his run for president and that "the time had come" and it "would not be an easy path."

"My father is running for you," Eric Trump said speaking directly to the camera and audience.

"It is time for a president that can make America great again, ahead of budget and ahead of schedule too," Trump said. 

Longtime Republican leader and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich also stirred the convention goers with his speech. He reminded them of what is at stake in this election.

Gingrich said there is only one candidate who will protect the Constitution - and casting a vote for Trump is casting a vote to protect the U.S. Constitution and all the freedoms and liberties America has.

Gingrich complimented Trump, saying he would adopt policies that would protect America, rebuild the military, the economy and noted Trump has a genuine love for America. 

"Donald Trump won the nomination because he is willing to tell the truth," Gingrich said.  

He continued to say, "Every American should be terrified at the Hillary Clinton administration." 

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Creekmore