Ted Cruz Says He's Voting For Donald Trump For President
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Ted Cruz said Friday that he will be voting for Donald Trump for president -- a shocking about-face after he rocked the Republican convention by dramatically refusing to endorse the GOP nominee.
The Texas senator said on Facebook that he made the decision for two reasons. First, his promise to support the Republican nominee. And second, his belief that Democrat Hillary Clinton is "wholly unacceptable."
"If Clinton wins, we know — with 100% certainty — that she would deliver on her left-wing promises, with devastating results for our country. My conscience tells me I must do whatever I can to stop that," Cruz said.
As CBS2's Dick Brennan reported, Trump and Cruz did not exactly hit it off on the campaign trail.
Trump nicknamed Cruz "Lyin' Ted," while Cruz called Trump a "serial philanderer" and a "pathological liar."
Trump even suggested Cruz's father was involved in the Kennedy assassination.
Cruz's flip-flop on Friday was a stunner since the Texan was booed lustily during a floor speech at his party's convention for urging Republicans to "vote your conscience" without naming Trump.
"I am greatly honored by the endorsement of Senator Cruz. We have fought the battle and he was a tough and brilliant opponent. I look forward to working with him for many years to come in order to make America great again," Trump said in a statement Friday.
Cruz finished second to Trump in a bitter primary and for months balked in offering support, despite his previous pledge to endorse the eventual Republican nominee.
Polls have since suggested that Cruz's popularity was slipping nationally and back home in Texas, where he could face a primary challenger for re-election in 2018.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
