Backlash brews over Cruz's non-endorsement of Trump
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July 21, 2016
By Jim Barnes
This is one of multiple surveys Ballotpedia will be publishing during the conventions. Stay tuned for additional results in the days ahead.
An anonymous Ballotpedia survey of nearly 250 Republican National Convention delegates conducted earlier today revealed deep splits among delegates over whether Texas Sen. Ted Cruz should have endorsed Donald Trump in his Wednesday night prime time convention speech. The backlash against Cruz among some delegates for spurning the GOP presidential nominee could jeopardize the Texan’s future White House ambitions. And almost one-third of Cruz’s own supporters said he should have formally backed Trump.
At the same time, roughly seven out of 10 Cruz supporters said that, after Trump's attacks during the primary season, the New Yorker and his supporters shouldn't expect a formal blessing. And the comments from some of those Cruz backers suggest that Trump has a ways to go before they will rally around his candidacy.
Ballotpedia emailed questions to about 1,000 convention delegates on Thursday, and 243 responded. The geographic make-up of the respondents resembles the overall regional composition of the 2,472 convention delegates.
The sentiment of Trump’s supporters was clear last night, as many jeered Cruz off the convention stage when he didn’t endorse the GOP nominee. The 84 delegates who responded and said they supported Trump in the primary season were nearly unanimous in saying that Cruz should have endorsed—95 percent.
The views of the 74 delegates who backed neither Trump nor Cruz in the primaries—a group that could be important to Cruz should he seek the White House in 2020 or 2024—were withering toward the Texan. Cruz probably needs to expand his coalition in order to capture a future Republican nomination and his speech last night certainly didn’t win many friends among GOP delegates who supported other candidates or came to the convention uncommitted.
“He showed his true colors,” said one delegate. “He is finished in the Republican Party.” Another delegate noted, “On the bus back to the hotel last night, everyone was expressing disappointment with Senator Cruz and saying his career in politics is probably over.”
The antipathy Cruz engendered by his decision not to endorse Trump was pronounced among many delegates. “He showed that he has a very poor character that he did not live up to his commitment in signing the unity pledge, very cowardly,” said a delegate. “Cruz demonstrated why his Senate colleagues detest him,” added another. Another described Cruz’s action as “arrogant and self centered.”
Cruz may have missed a prime opportunity to burnish his image among delegates who supported neither Cruz nor Trump in 2016. “If he was as smart as he thinks he is, he would have been gracious in defeat and paved the way for the future if Trump doesn't win.” Echoed another, “Sen. Cruz missed an amazing opportunity to display statesmanship. He was warmly received by the conventions and his speech began very well. Sadly, his failure to display a measure of personal humility has probably limited his future prospects on the national stage.”
“The main goal at this point must be to beat Hillary and for the sake of accomplishing that goal, party unity is a must,” observed another delegate. “Ted Cruz threw away a great chance to show he was a bigger man, not petty, but he let that chance slip away.” Another noted, “Conventions are about unifying.” Said one delegate, “The anger among the delegates on the floor was palpable and grew with every moment that Sen. Cruz refused to offer even a weak endorsement.”
“His pledge was to support the nominee, and he went back on his word,” said another. “Will never get my vote; ever.”
Most of the Cruz delegates felt their candidate was justified in not endorsing Trump. Some were even glad he didn’t. “I'm ecstatic Cruz did not endorse Trump,” said one Cruz delegate. “I won't vote for Trump in November.” Echoed another, "I'm very pleased that Senator Cruz did not endorse Trump.” A third Cruz delegate gushed, “I loved what he did.”
Many Cruz delegates explained that Trump’s attacks and swipes against his family were beyond the pale. “Political attacks are OK, but not when they are personal about someone's family,” said a Cruz delegate. “I wouldn’t forget it.” Another observed, “Vile, personal attacks [are] far different from the usual policy mischaracterizations that fill all campaigns.”
Some Cruz delegates believe Trump should be grateful that Cruz showed up at the GOP confab in Cleveland. “Cruz supported Trump by attending the convention, by speaking at the convention, and by encouraging Republicans to vote in November,” maintained one Cruz delegate. “Cruz has stated that he won't vote for Hillary, so the ball is in Trump's court to show that he will fight for the principles and values of Republicans and defend the Constitution,” said another.
Others felt Cruz needed to stay true to his principles. “It would seem hypocritical for Cruz to endorse Trump after spending months pointing out and providing evidence that Trump is not a true conservative,” said a Cruz delegate.
And some Cruz voters thought the controversy was overblown. “He said vote your conscience,” said one Cruz backer. “That doesn't mean don’t vote Trump, unless your conscience tells you not to. Making such a big deal [of this] is stupid.” Added another, “Trump supporters apparently don't believe their candidate would be the candidate a conscience voter would choose.”
And for some Cruz loyalists, his convention speech felt like payback. “Trump supporters love it when Trump campaigns by insult and bombast,” said a Cruz delegate, “but they can't handle it when anyone else tells it like it is.”
Still, some Cruz delegates feel he should have endorsed Trump. “I still love Cruz, but a promise to support the candidate is a promise,” said a Cruz delegate. “He should have at least said that he was voting for Trump, if he was unwilling to expressly endorse,” said another.
“Senator Cruz seriously hurt himself when he broke the pledge to support the nominee,” said one Cruz supporter. “Cruz did not do the county any favors,” said another, "I am disappointed and find it hard to support him in the future.” Added a third, “Ted Cruz ruined any future chances of being president.”
“The primary race was full of negative attacks from nearly all of the candidates to each other, including Cruz,” said one of his backers. “The other candidates have moved past that, and Cruz should, too. The GOP needs unity at this point.”
James A. Barnes is a senior writer at Ballotpedia who has covered every Democratic and Republican national convention since 1984. He is in Cleveland and Philadelphia for Ballotpedia in July. Contact media@ballotpedia.org with interview inquiries.
See also
- GOP delegates applaud Trump's VP pick
- Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016
- Mike Pence vice presidential campaign, 2016
- Republican National Convention, 2016
