Cruz explains: I’m not endorsing someone who smeared my family — Video

Joe NewbyJuly 21, 2016

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On Thursday, Sen. [score]Ted Cruz[/score], R-Texas, addressed the Texas delegation at the Republican National Convention, and explained why he did not specifically endorse Donald Trump by name.

The meeting was somewhat contentious, with one angry Trump supporter wondering why he didn’t honor his pledge to support and defend the nominee.

The Texas Republican made it clear why he didn’t, and explained that the day the pledge was abrogated “was the day this became personal.”

“But I’ll just give you this response: I am not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my father. That pledge was not a blanket commitment that if you go and slander and attack Heidi, that I’m going to nonetheless come like a servile puppy dog and say, ‘Thank you very much for maligning my wife and maligning my father.’”

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Moreover, he said Trump knew well in advance that there would be no endorsement.

“He didn’t ask me to endorse and, indeed, three days ago I talked on the phone with him and told him, ‘I’m not going to endorse you,’” he said.

Here’s the full video:

Reaction on Twitter was mixed, with many castigating Cruz for not openly endorsing Trump.

But there were a number who agreed with his decision.

https://twitter.com/17ebivor/status/755953704088371200

Seriously. @realDonaldTrump mocks Ted Cruz's wife, says dad helped kill JFK … and he should endorse? WTF? It's called principle #RNCinCLE

— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) July 21, 2016

Man, I can't believe Ted Cruz didn't endorse the guy who called his wife ugly, insinuated his dad helped kill JFK. No class!

— Read 'The Quiet American' Please (@bwreed) July 21, 2016