Area Republicans blast Cruz for speech

Area Republicans attending the GOP’s national convention in Cleveland blasted Texas Sen. Ted Cruz on Thursday for not endorsing nominee Donald Trump.

In a convention speech Wednesday night, Cruz drew loud boos from delegates after refusing to endorse Trump.

Cruz told delegates, “Vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution.”

At a breakfast Thursday with members of the Texas delegation, Cruz portrayed his stance as a matter of principle.

He also pointed to Trump’s criticisms of him during the primary contests.

He said he is “not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my father.”

He said his earlier pledge to support the eventual nominee was “not a blanket commitment,” and he would not be a “servile puppy dog.” He added, “Right and wrong matters.”

But Missouri delegate and former state senator Jason Crowell called Cruz’s speech “a classless deal.”

Crowell said Cruz had promised early in the primary season to support whoever became the Republican Party’s nominee.

“Ted Cruz’s words mean absolutely nothing,” Crowell said. “His word is worthless.”

The former state lawmaker, who had endorsed Cruz for president, expressed anger over the actions of Cruz at the convention.

“Ted Cruz is a joke,” he said, adding his speech was “pathetic.”

Crowell said delegates throughout the convention booed Cruz toward the end of his speech.

Crowell described himself as more conservative than Ted Cruz but added he is now “enthusiastically supporting Donald Trump.”

Crowell said Cruz should not have given a convention speech if he was unwilling to endorse Trump.

He added he never would support Cruz again.

State Rep. Kathy Swan of Cape Girardeau, an alternate delegate, said she expected to hear Cruz endorse Trump.

“I thought he would come through at the end,” she said. “I was surprised that he did not do that.”

She said many delegates expressed disappointment and frustration in Cruz, including some who had supported the conservative candidate.

Swan described Cruz as “selfish” in not endorsing Trump.

According to Swan, delegates throughout the convention hall yelled, “Say it, say it” as they urged Cruz to endorse Trump publicly.

State Rep. Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson, another alternate delegate, said, “I was so disappointed.”

The Jackson Republican said Trump appeared magnanimous in letting Cruz speak at the convention. She suggested the party is “pretty unified” behind Trump despite the actions of Cruz.

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri’s 8th District is a delegate at the convention. Smith said he was disappointed in Cruz and called the Texas senator’s actions “selfish.”

Smith said those who want to push conservative values have only one choice in the November election: Trump.

The congressman pointed out Trump won the nomination convincingly, securing more than 14 million votes.

Smith said Cruz’s unwillingness to endorse Trump hurts Cruz, not the party.

“Ted Cruz basically walked off the cliff, and his supporters did not walk off the cliff with him,” Smith said.

In his speech, Cruz talked about defending conservative values. But Smith said Trump is running on “the most conservative party platform in the history of our party.”

Jackson Republican Holly Lintner, executive director of the National Federation of Pachyderm Clubs, witnessed the Cruz speech as a guest of the Republican National Committee.

She said party leaders were shocked by Cruz’s speech.

“Their mouths were on the ground,” she said.

Lintner said members of the Texas delegation were upset Cruz did not back Trump.

Like others, Lintner said Cruz acted selfishly.

“I think it is really sad that he couldn’t take a deep breath and have some grace,” Lintner said.

But Lintner said rather than divide the party, Cruz’s speech prompted delegates to embrace Trump more strongly and “helped solidify unity.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641