CLEVELAND – Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich attempted to restore order to the convention floor Wednesday night minutes after Ted Cruz was booed for encouraging Republicans to “vote [their] conscience” in November.
“Ted Cruz said you can vote your conscience for anyone who will uphold the Constitution this election,” Gingrich told the GOP delegation.
“Now, I think you misunderstood one paragraph that Ted Cruz, who was a superb orator, said,” he continued. “This election, there’s only one candidate who will uphold the Constitution – and that’s Donald Trump.”
Cruz declined to endorsed Trump during his much anticipated speech Wednesday night, drawing several rounds of boos from the 2,472-member delegation and raising new questions about party unity in the GOP.
Hours before Cruz’s speech, the Texas senator’s former campaign manager told reporters they could expect “forward” and “optimistic” remarks Wednesday night.
“It’s a great opportunity and a huge opportunity for him, and a very nice gesture from the Trump campaign to do so,” said Jeff Roe.
