A few thoughts on the speech last night:
Ted Cruz may have ended his political career, and if so, that’s all right. It’s better to honor your loved ones than the bully who mocked and slandered them. It’s also better to sleep in the bedroom than on the couch. At least Cruz will be able to sleep at night.
Critics are saying Cruz ought to forgive Trump. Why aren’t they saying that Trump ought to ask for forgiveness?
It seems that Cruz did what Reagan did in 1976–deliver a gracious, principled speech without endorsing the nominee. The biggest difference is that Reagan didn’t get booed off the stage.
Cruz’s words were good: freedom, principle, voting your conscience. But he didn’t give the mob the one thing they cared about–his endorsement. His shameful treatment says more about them than about him.
Cruz is taking a principled gamble with his career and looking beyond this election, which is a lost cause. Perhaps in the future character and principle will matter once more. If so, he may be remembered as one of the few who stood tall when everyone else was bowing down to The Donald. If not, then the least thing Ted Cruz will have to worry about is his reputation.
