Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tx.) set the political world on fire Wednesday night after not endorsing Donald J. Trump during his speech at the Republican National Convention. Cruz’s remarks sparked fierce debate among Republican primary voters, some of whom credited the Texas senator for making a principled stand, while others criticized him for being a sore loser. Alabama-based, nationally-syndicated political columnist Quin Hillyer counts himself among the former.
Hillyer, who previously ran for Congress as a Republican in Alabama’s 1st Congressional District, has been one of Trump’s most vocal critics and on Thursday took to Facebook to react to the Cruz dustup.
Trump: Cruz is a liar.
Trump: Cruz’ wife is ugly, plus I’ll “spill the beans on her” (one mental health issue years ago).
Trump: Cruz’ dad worked with Lee Harvey Oswald…..
Cruz: Vote for your conscience and the Constitution…..
The new Trump GOP, and the media: Oh, gosh, how can Cruz be so obnoxious!!!!!…..
Readers, please note: There is something seriously wrong with this picture. A Republican Party that boos when somebody says to vote conscience and the Constitution is no longer the Republican Party my dad sacrificed for and that I sweated for. It is now a hateful, lunatic mob. And a Party that expects a man to endorse another man when the second man horrendously maligned the first’s wife and father is a Party that understands nothing about personal honor. ….. To anybody that can’t understand these simple concepts: What is WRONG with you?
Hillyer has also at times been deeply critical (while at other times supportive in other matters) of his home state senator, Jeff Sessions, who has been one of Trump’s biggest proponents.
Poor Sen. Sessions is now delusional. https://t.co/sIGYnhEsyj
— Quin Hillyer (@QuinHillyer) May 30, 2016
Sessions should mind his own bleeping business. Ryan has House members to protect. https://t.co/nisfnPrgz6
— Quin Hillyer (@QuinHillyer) May 31, 2016
Other Alabamians took to Twitter Wednesday night to join Hillyer in expressing their support for Cruz.
@Cliff_Sims sore losers stay home like Kasich, men with principles go into the lions den.
— Luke Glover (@LGLOVER89) July 21, 2016
@Cliff_Sims Sticking to his guns. Trump said horrible things about his wife and father. Why on earth should he endorse after that?
— Joshua Williamson (@joshwill90) July 21, 2016
Other Alabamians harshly criticized the Texas senator.
@Cliff_Sims @SenTedCruz Sore loser and not a man of his word! No respect!
— tigergrad85 (@Tigergrad85) July 21, 2016
@Cliff_Sims nothing principled about playing both sides of the fence after pledging to support the candidate. Self over country isn't brave
— Jason Cooke (@jasonwcooke) July 21, 2016
@Cliff_Sims he's a schmuck
— Jason Putman (@JL24601) July 21, 2016
@Cliff_Sims sore loser…. for sure
— Nick Watkins™ (@N_Wat) July 21, 2016
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