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Republican convention live: Cruz speech sets up test for Trump on day four Republican convention live: Cruz speech sets up test for Trump on day four
(35 minutes later)
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Though Donald Trump will be giving a far lengthier speech on the final night of the convention, he had a few words to say on the podium while doing a sound check this afternoon.
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David Smith
Jeff Roe, former campaign manager for Ted Cruz, has said there was never a chance that the Texas senator would endorse Donald Trump in his convention speech on Wednesday night.
“I think it was a great speech,” he during a panel debate organised by Politico. “He’d worked on it for maybe the last four or five days. He had played counsel on the endorse or not endorse question for a lot of folks within the team, outside the team, donors and activists and friends and conservative movement types and he’s a very patient listener and he receives good feedback but it was never part of the consideration to endorse. If it had been tied to the speaking engagement then he wouldn’t have spoken.”
Roe, who had offered to negotiate with the Trump camp, confirmed the accuracy of Trump’s tweet that that he had seen Cruz’s speech two hours in advance but let it go ahead. He said “clearly” the nominee was hoping for a last minute change of mind. If Cruz had been vetoed and barred from speaking, Roe added, “he’d be more of a martyr than he is today”.
But he also said of Trump’s team: “They were professionals all the way through... They played straight up. Donald came out at the end to kind of wrap it up. It’s all good theatre. Ted’s very clear and very consistent and very precise in his belief that our party is based on something beyond personalities and so that’s why he’s not there yet. That’s not to say that he won’t be there.”
Despite the fall-out on Thursday, Cruz has no regrets, Roe insisted. “He’s at peace in a remarkable way, not a consultant’s reaction way, because he knows he did the right thing. He called his daughters. His daughters were, ‘Why are they booing?’ ‘Sometimes it’s hard to do the right thing. I did the right thing.’ So that’s what it’s about for him.”
Roe denied that there was a political upside for Cruz. “Someone would have to show it to me. It’s just too easy. How many outs did he have? The outs that he had is not go, is to say I support the nominee, say I support some man for president who’s 6ft 2 and from New York, just dance and say his or name or not. That’s all political bullshit... I can’t see the political expediency here.”
He described it as a “raw political moment for the party” but promised Cruz will not say negative things about the nominee. Roe also told the audience about some text messages he received on his BlackBerry during the speech:
He’s killing itThis is awesomeDid Ted Cruz really just say atheist?Did he really just say Muslim?Did he really just say gay or straight?Did he really just talk about freedom and state rights?Did he really just say Colorado? (Roe: which denotes pot smoking, by the way).(Roe: And New York versus Iowa, that whole playbook.)Did he really say all those things?Like where was this guy?
“And then it was, ‘Oh, that kind of sucks’. And then the next one was, ‘I can’t believe he did it!’ That was the night of text messages.”
Aware that it was a “Trump room”, Cruz tried to avoid teasers about an endorsement, Roe said. In one version of the speech Cruz’s congratulations to Trump for winning the nomination came towards the end, but they opted for version in which it appeared at the start. “I think we felt we’d maybe get a little bigger bang for the congratulations right out of the gate... That was intended to take the oxygen out of the room.”
They had also considered a joke in which Cruz said, “I always intended to be here, I just had a different speaking order in mind,” but it didn’t make the final cut.
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In an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Eric Trump Jr. said the campaign does not need Ted Cruz’s endorsement to make its case to the American people, and accused the Texas senator of being so “anti-establishment” that he has “literally no fans, no friends.”In an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Eric Trump Jr. said the campaign does not need Ted Cruz’s endorsement to make its case to the American people, and accused the Texas senator of being so “anti-establishment” that he has “literally no fans, no friends.”
“He is a true politician,” Trump said of Cruz. “He tries to play the anti-establishment guy. Guess what: during his initial stage, he wanted to work for the Bush campaign. The problem is, he’s so unlikable. Literally, no fans, no friends. And he only became anti-establishment when he couldn’t be a part of the establishment because no one wanted to be with him.”“He is a true politician,” Trump said of Cruz. “He tries to play the anti-establishment guy. Guess what: during his initial stage, he wanted to work for the Bush campaign. The problem is, he’s so unlikable. Literally, no fans, no friends. And he only became anti-establishment when he couldn’t be a part of the establishment because no one wanted to be with him.”
When asked whether the Trump campaign still needs his endorsement to unify the Republican party, Trump was dismissive.When asked whether the Trump campaign still needs his endorsement to unify the Republican party, Trump was dismissive.
“I don’t care,” Trump responded. “We got it de facto from the people with that matter: the people my father’s been speaking to directly. The hard-working people in this country would have been left in the dust.”“I don’t care,” Trump responded. “We got it de facto from the people with that matter: the people my father’s been speaking to directly. The hard-working people in this country would have been left in the dust.”
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Following Donald Trump’s statements on Nato, the White House made an emphatic statement this afternoon reiterating the United States’ commitment to the alliance.Following Donald Trump’s statements on Nato, the White House made an emphatic statement this afternoon reiterating the United States’ commitment to the alliance.
In an interview with the New York Times, Trump suggested that under his leadership America would not necessarily come to the aid of a Nato ally under attack, saying he would first consider how much they have contributed to the alliance.In an interview with the New York Times, Trump suggested that under his leadership America would not necessarily come to the aid of a Nato ally under attack, saying he would first consider how much they have contributed to the alliance.
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Law enforcement in Cleveland during the Republican National Convention has resembled a mini-convention of its own:Law enforcement in Cleveland during the Republican National Convention has resembled a mini-convention of its own:
Political convention or police convention? What a ten minute stroll through a park in Cleveland looks like right now pic.twitter.com/inEg6ogibDPolitical convention or police convention? What a ten minute stroll through a park in Cleveland looks like right now pic.twitter.com/inEg6ogibD
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Illinois delegate stripped of credentials for 'whitepride' media handleIllinois delegate stripped of credentials for 'whitepride' media handle
An elected delegate from Illinois was stripped of her Republican National Convention delegate credentials yesterday for using the handle “whitepride” on social media and posting racial slurs online.An elected delegate from Illinois was stripped of her Republican National Convention delegate credentials yesterday for using the handle “whitepride” on social media and posting racial slurs online.
Lori Gayne, of Chicago, was stripped of her RNC credentials once posts about “white pride” being comparable to black pride became known, state GOP Chairman Tim Schneider told the Chicago Tribune.Lori Gayne, of Chicago, was stripped of her RNC credentials once posts about “white pride” being comparable to black pride became known, state GOP Chairman Tim Schneider told the Chicago Tribune.
“The Illinois Republican Party has zero tolerance for racism of any kind and threats of violence against anyone,” Schneider said in a statement.“The Illinois Republican Party has zero tolerance for racism of any kind and threats of violence against anyone,” Schneider said in a statement.
“Let me be unequivocally clear, racism and threats of violence have absolutely no place in the Illinois Republican Party or in a civil and inclusive society,” he said.“Let me be unequivocally clear, racism and threats of violence have absolutely no place in the Illinois Republican Party or in a civil and inclusive society,” he said.
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Seen on the floor of the convention:Seen on the floor of the convention:
Not entirely sure what this sign in the front row of the New York delegation means pic.twitter.com/ic4naa7SRjNot entirely sure what this sign in the front row of the New York delegation means pic.twitter.com/ic4naa7SRj
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Donald Trump threatens The Art of the Deal ghostwriterDonald Trump threatens The Art of the Deal ghostwriter
By some counts, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has been involved in roughly 3,500 lawsuits over the past three decades. As of this morning, however, that number may need to be updated.By some counts, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has been involved in roughly 3,500 lawsuits over the past three decades. As of this morning, however, that number may need to be updated.
After Tony Schwartz, the ghostwriter of Trump’s defining memoir-slash-business book The Art of the Deal, gave an in-depth interview to the New Yorker in which he said that he felt “a deep sense of remorse” for contributing to Trump’s rise and declared that “if Trump wins and gets the nuclear codes, there is an excellent possibility it will lead to the end of civilization,” he received a cease-and-desist letter threatening “liability for damages and other tortious harm” as a result of his “defamatory statements.”After Tony Schwartz, the ghostwriter of Trump’s defining memoir-slash-business book The Art of the Deal, gave an in-depth interview to the New Yorker in which he said that he felt “a deep sense of remorse” for contributing to Trump’s rise and declared that “if Trump wins and gets the nuclear codes, there is an excellent possibility it will lead to the end of civilization,” he received a cease-and-desist letter threatening “liability for damages and other tortious harm” as a result of his “defamatory statements.”
The letter, penned by Trump Organization general counsel Jason D Greenblatt, demanded that Schwartz mail “a certified check made payable to Mr Trump” for the seven-figure fortune he has earned from the book’s royalties, as well as his share of the book’s half-million dollar advance.The letter, penned by Trump Organization general counsel Jason D Greenblatt, demanded that Schwartz mail “a certified check made payable to Mr Trump” for the seven-figure fortune he has earned from the book’s royalties, as well as his share of the book’s half-million dollar advance.
Greenblatt, citing “the totally baseless and shocking nature” of Schwart’z statements, also ordered the ghostwriter to issue a written retraction of his comments, which Greenblatt posited were fabricated out of professional resentment.Greenblatt, citing “the totally baseless and shocking nature” of Schwart’z statements, also ordered the ghostwriter to issue a written retraction of his comments, which Greenblatt posited were fabricated out of professional resentment.
“Your defamatory statements are the sour grapes of a man who always wanted to do more with Mr Trump but was replaced with other writers,” Greenblatt wrote. “Your disloyalty to Mr Trump ... is disappointing and unacceptable.”“Your defamatory statements are the sour grapes of a man who always wanted to do more with Mr Trump but was replaced with other writers,” Greenblatt wrote. “Your disloyalty to Mr Trump ... is disappointing and unacceptable.”
Schwartz told the New Yorker that, given Trump’s predilection for courtroom showdowns, he had anticipated legal threats from the Trump Organization, but said he planned to continue speaking out against the presidential candidate.Schwartz told the New Yorker that, given Trump’s predilection for courtroom showdowns, he had anticipated legal threats from the Trump Organization, but said he planned to continue speaking out against the presidential candidate.
“I fully expected him to attack me, because that is what he does, so I can’t say I am surprised,” Schwartz said. “But I’m much more worried about his becoming president than I am about anything he might try to do to me.”“I fully expected him to attack me, because that is what he does, so I can’t say I am surprised,” Schwartz said. “But I’m much more worried about his becoming president than I am about anything he might try to do to me.”
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DC Republicans complain after delegates allocated to Donald TrumpDC Republicans complain after delegates allocated to Donald Trump
Delegates from the oft-neglected District of Columbia have filed an official objection with the decision by the secretary of the Republican National Convention to register all 19 of its delegates in support of Donald Trump, despite Trump not earning any delegates during the district’s March 12 primary.Delegates from the oft-neglected District of Columbia have filed an official objection with the decision by the secretary of the Republican National Convention to register all 19 of its delegates in support of Donald Trump, despite Trump not earning any delegates during the district’s March 12 primary.
“We strongly object to the Convention Secretary’s decision Tuesday evening to transfer all 19 of DC’s delegate votes to Presidential nominee Donald Trump,” the statement, signed by 11 of those delegates, declared.“We strongly object to the Convention Secretary’s decision Tuesday evening to transfer all 19 of DC’s delegate votes to Presidential nominee Donald Trump,” the statement, signed by 11 of those delegates, declared.
The letter complained that after 3,000 Washington, DC Republicans voted in the party’s primary election, 10 delegates were bound to Florida senator Marco Rubio and 9 delegates were bound to Ohio governor John Kasich. Despite assurances that those delegate allocations would be respected at the RNC, the letter protested that “the Republican National Committee Convention Secretary decided to take advantage of conflicting language in the DC Republican Presidential Convention and Delegate Selection Plan to ... unfairly determine that all 19 of DC’s votes would be registered in support of Donald Trump.”The letter complained that after 3,000 Washington, DC Republicans voted in the party’s primary election, 10 delegates were bound to Florida senator Marco Rubio and 9 delegates were bound to Ohio governor John Kasich. Despite assurances that those delegate allocations would be respected at the RNC, the letter protested that “the Republican National Committee Convention Secretary decided to take advantage of conflicting language in the DC Republican Presidential Convention and Delegate Selection Plan to ... unfairly determine that all 19 of DC’s votes would be registered in support of Donald Trump.”
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Less than 24 hours before the Republican national convention comes to a close on Thursday evening, all seems quiet before Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump takes the stage - but there’s still time to take a look at where the magic happens: the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui gives a tour.Less than 24 hours before the Republican national convention comes to a close on Thursday evening, all seems quiet before Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump takes the stage - but there’s still time to take a look at where the magic happens: the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui gives a tour.
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How will Trump enter the convention tonight?How will Trump enter the convention tonight?
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David SmithDavid Smith
Tom Cotton, senator for Arkansas, was FaceTiming his wife during Ted Cruz’s convention speech. “We both had it on the background but I didn’t appreciate how exciting it was at the time,” he said at an event organised by the Politico website in Cleveland.Tom Cotton, senator for Arkansas, was FaceTiming his wife during Ted Cruz’s convention speech. “We both had it on the background but I didn’t appreciate how exciting it was at the time,” he said at an event organised by the Politico website in Cleveland.
Asked if Cruz was right to take the podium at Trump’s convention, Cotton replied: “That was a decision that Donald and Ted made. Ted has said that Donald is ‘terrific’ and he speaks the truth so hopefully they can get over their differences soon.”Asked if Cruz was right to take the podium at Trump’s convention, Cotton replied: “That was a decision that Donald and Ted made. Ted has said that Donald is ‘terrific’ and he speaks the truth so hopefully they can get over their differences soon.”
Cotton admitted that he does not know Cruz well but described him as “a smart guy” who “adds a lot to the caucus in various ways”.Earlier in the discussion, Cotton appealed for party unity after a rocky week. “My fellow Republicans should spend more time talking about the failures of the Obama administration,” he said.Cotton admitted that he does not know Cruz well but described him as “a smart guy” who “adds a lot to the caucus in various ways”.Earlier in the discussion, Cotton appealed for party unity after a rocky week. “My fellow Republicans should spend more time talking about the failures of the Obama administration,” he said.
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The scene on the floor...The scene on the floor...
Donald Trump is perusing the stage at the #RNCinCLE, nine hours before his acceptance speech. pic.twitter.com/DPDnmHQ7KTDonald Trump is perusing the stage at the #RNCinCLE, nine hours before his acceptance speech. pic.twitter.com/DPDnmHQ7KT
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On Monday, The Atlantic’s David Graham ran into North Carolina delegate Robert Orr on the floor of Quicken Loans Arena, and was told by the former state supreme court justice that he planned to break his family’s century-long tradition of voting for a Republican presidential candidate.On Monday, The Atlantic’s David Graham ran into North Carolina delegate Robert Orr on the floor of Quicken Loans Arena, and was told by the former state supreme court justice that he planned to break his family’s century-long tradition of voting for a Republican presidential candidate.
“I think Trump is dangerous for the country. He’s singularly unqualified to be commander-in-chief,” Orr said. “I don’t think Donald Trump cares about the Republican Party.”“I think Trump is dangerous for the country. He’s singularly unqualified to be commander-in-chief,” Orr said. “I don’t think Donald Trump cares about the Republican Party.”
Within a day, Orr’s credentials were suspended by the RNC.Within a day, Orr’s credentials were suspended by the RNC.
“They didn’t say, ‘We’re not going to give them to you,’ but it was one of those situations where I said, ‘Look, just keep the credentials. I’m going to head back,’” Orr said.“They didn’t say, ‘We’re not going to give them to you,’ but it was one of those situations where I said, ‘Look, just keep the credentials. I’m going to head back,’” Orr said.
Party unity in action.Party unity in action.
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Republican National Committee chief strategist Sean Spicer implied that he thinks Ted Cruz is an “asshole,” echoing statements made by Representative Peter King:Republican National Committee chief strategist Sean Spicer implied that he thinks Ted Cruz is an “asshole,” echoing statements made by Representative Peter King:
.@RepPeteKing called Ted Cruz an "a--hole" -- "I'd probably use the same verbiage" says RNC's @seanspicer https://t.co/X6YfIktVyN.@RepPeteKing called Ted Cruz an "a--hole" -- "I'd probably use the same verbiage" says RNC's @seanspicer https://t.co/X6YfIktVyN
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