Md. Man Who Wrote Emotional RNC Speech Won't Vote For Trump
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A Maryland man who wrote one of the most compelling speeches at the Republican National Convention says he cannot now vote for Donald Trump.
It's an example of the mixed emotions some voters are feeling over their party's candidate for president, WJZ's Pat Warren reports.
The mother of a Benghazi casualty brought tears to the eyes of Trump supporters in her speech criticizing Hillary Clinton.
"My name is Patricia Smith. My son, Sean, was one of four brave Americans killed during the 2012 terrorist attack at Benghazi," said Smith.
Her speech was written by lifelong Maryland Republican Richard Cross III, active in the state GOP.
"I blame Hillary Clinton," Smith said during the speech.
"I think Hillary Clinton deserves a lot of scrutiny over how she handled Benghazi," Cross said.
But since the convention, Cross has turned his scrutiny to Donald Trump, and for the first time, will not vote for the Republican nominee for president.
"It's like the presidential contest is an Olympic sport... 'The Most Awful.' And I think Donald Trump is probably leading by a tenth of a point," said Cross.
Cross says his feelings are shared by other Maryland Republicans. Former governor Bob Ehrlich, the first Republican elected governor in 40 years, says dissatisfaction applies to candidates in both parties.
"If you would have said a year and a half ago too that Hillary Clinton with new scandals, with two-thirds of the country thinking she's a serial liar would become the Democratic nominee, or, on the other hand, that Donald Trump would be the Republican nominee, I would have said you're crazy," Ehrlich said.
For Republicans like Cross, it's too hard to commit.
"People see a train wreck coming and they just want to stay away from it," he said.
For many, neither Trump nor Clinton inspire confidence.
The big campaign push traditionally comes after Labor Day.
