Senator Ted Cruz caused a stir on Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention, but it was more about what he did not say rather than what he said. During his prime-time speech he specifically avoided endorsing Donald Trump.
“Please, don’t stay home in November,” Cruz said. “Stand, and speak, and vote your conscience, vote for the candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution.”
The omission was obvious and intentional.
The following morning, Cruz appeared before the Texas delegation and doubled-down on his not-so-subtle exclusion, adding a personal touch. The one-time presidential candidate said he’s “Not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my father,” a reference to comments by Trump during the campaign.
Cruz’s speech and subsequent comments have opened him up for criticism, particularly at a time when the GOP is trying to unite for the General Election. A number of delegates booed lustily when it became clear Cruz was not going to endorse Trump.
Joe Mathis, a delegate from Alaska, called Cruz a sore loser. “Ted Cruz had a chance to bring the party together,” he told the Wall Street Journal. “It’s a shame. It didn’t help the party.”
No, he didn’t, unless in a perverse way Cruz’s ill-timed rebuke actually serves to build sympathy for Trump. Conventions are supposed to be about bringing the party together, not emphasizing differences and airing grievances.
Fox News media reporter Howard Kurtz opined that Cruz took the low road. “If you can’t bring yourself to do the endorsement thing, if you are still ticked off about being called ‘Lyin’ Ted’ and the criticism of your wife, maybe you stay away the way John Kasich did. It was like showing up at a dinner party, scarfing down the food and not thanking the host.”
Cruz defenders say the Senator is standing by his principled core conservative beliefs, and that he’s justified in holding a grudge because of Trump’s personal attacks on his family.
A Talkline listener texted me: “They invited Cruz to speak. He has consistently held his conservative Christian values throughout his political career. Why would they expect him to be like every other politician and abandon all he has stood for to support a man that insulted his family and constantly called him names?”
I get that, but this is a party nominating process and Cruz lost. Like it or not, this is Donald Trump’s week, his show, and the party’s opportunity to coalesce around their candidate and build enthusiasm.
Ted Cruz doesn’t have to like Donald Trump, support him or even vote for him, but as a devoted Christian he knows well chapter three of Ecclesiastes. There is an appropriate time for everything and this week was not his moment.