Sen. Ted Cruz Avoids Talk of Uniting Around Trump in Texas Speech

Cruz addressed the Texas Republican Convention Saturday in Dallas

Ted Cruz used his first speech since dropping out of the presidential race not to endorse Donald Trump or call for unity behind him, but to say that a small core of conservatives can save America.

Addressing the Texas Republican Convention at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Saturday, Cruz repeated many promises from his defunct White House campaign.

"People ask are you disappointed, of course you're disappointed," he said.

But Cruz said the movement of freedom-loving patriots is "far more important than one candidate."

He said "we may face some challenges ahead" but that the conservative movement "will be the remnant, will be the core" that can pull "this country back from the abyss."

Once friendly, Cruz and Trump clashed bitterly before Cruz suspended his campaign. The Texan since hasn't endorsed the real-estate businessman.

Before Senator Cruz went on stage, he spoke to NBC 5 political reporter Julie Fine. He told her it is good to be home, calling it an incredible journey

“Obviously I am disappointed not to be on the campaign trail anymore, but I can’t think of a more wonderful place to be than in the great state of Texas,” said Cruz. He added , “My principal task today is simply to say thank you thank you for the incredible sacrifices the men and women of Texas put into this campaign.” 
He talked about grassroots support.
“My focus going forward is really two fold.  Number one, fighting for jobs and security and freedom in the senate.  Fighting for 27 million Texans that I am charged with representing, and defending each and every day.  But number two is mobilizing and motivating and inspiring that grassroots army, that movement we saw arise.  I fear we are going to face some very challenging years ahead,  and if that is the case we are going to need the conservative grassroots to step in and pull this country back, get us back to the common sense principles that built America,” said Cruz.
“I have talked to  many of your supporters here. They say they are waiting for direction from you on whether they should support Donald Trump.  What do you say to them,” asked NBC 5.Cruz responded,  “Listen, I think every voter is going to have to make an assessment and listen we have got time,  The national convention is 2 months away.  The election is 6 months away.I can tell you what I am doing and what I suspect millions of Americans are doing, which is looking and listening to what the candidates have to say and in particular, I am looking for a candidate who will defend the conservative principles that this campaign was all about.”

“Obviously I am disappointed not to be on the campaign trail anymore, but I can’t think of a more wonderful place to be than in the great state of Texas,” said Cruz. He added: “My principal task today is simply to say thank you thank you for the incredible sacrifices the men and women of Texas put into this campaign.” 

He talked about grassroots support.

“My focus going forward is really two fold. Number one, fighting for jobs and security and freedom in the senate. Fighting for 27 million Texans that I am charged with representing, and defending each and every day. But number two is mobilizing and motivating and inspiring that grassroots army, that movement we saw arise. I fear we are going to face some very challenging years ahead,  and if that is the case we are going to need the conservative grassroots to step in and pull this country back, get us back to the common sense principles that built America,” said Cruz.

“I have talked to many of your supporters here. They say they are waiting for direction from you on whether they should support Donald Trump. What do you say to them,” asked NBC 5.

Cruz responded: “Listen, I think every voter is going to have to make an assessment and listen we have got time. The national convention is two months away. The election is six months away. I can tell you what I am doing and what I suspect millions of Americans are doing, which is looking and listening to what the candidates have to say and in particular, I am looking for a candidate who will defend the conservative principles that this campaign was all about.”

Cruz also took swipes at President Obama, calling the notice issued to public schools around the country by the Education and Justice Department, which said transgender students are protected under federal law, a "decree."

"Yesterday, Barack Obama issued a decree," he said. "There is no decree clause in the Constitution."

The White House issued new guidelines this week saying schools must allow transgender students to use the bathroom they identify with, or risk losing federal funding. Conservatives are calling it an illegal over-reach that will put children in danger.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us