Top Republicans still refusing to endorse Donald Trump
Aol.com Editors
Aug 13th 2016 5:00AM
Donald Trump
was officially named the Republican presidential nominee during July's
Republican National Convention--but some party leaders are still not on
board with his candidacy.
During the week long gathering in Cleveland, while names the likes of
Chris Christie and Mitch McConnell tossed their political weight behind
the billionaire businessman, a number of prominent GOPers not only
skipped the convention but have refused to endorse the party's ticket.
Perhaps the most high-profile political snub of the 2016 election cycle came at the hands of Texas Senator
Ted Cruz, who was promptly booed after failing to endorse Trump during his prime-time address at the RNC.
Click through to see Republicans who refuse to support Donald Trump:
Following the controversial speech, Cruz said he is "not in the habit
of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my father."
"Wow, Ted Cruz got booed off the stage, didn't honor the pledge!"
Trump tweeted following Cruz's speech. "I saw his speech two hours early
but let him speak anyway. No big deal!"
While Cruz made an appearance at the RNC, a few of Trump's defeated
primary rivals skipped the big Cleveland event, including the governor
of The Buckeye State
John Kasich.
When asked if he would support the Republican nominee, Kasich said,
"Why would I feel compelled to support someone whose positions I kind of
fundamentally disagree with?"
Previous Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has also refused
to endorse the former reality TV star, even making a point to make
speeches voicing his disappointment with the GOP candidate. "Here's what
I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud. His promises are as worthless
as a degree from Trump University," Romney said in March.
Trump fired back at Romney saying he "understand losers, you can make
a lot of money with losers," adding that Romney's 2012 presidential run
was a failure because the former Massachusetts governor "choked like a
dog, he's a choker."
Not only haven't previous Republican presidential nominees not backed
Trump, but both living former Republican presidents, George H. W. Bush
and George W. Bush, have abstained from supporting the 2016 GOP ticket.
George W. Bush, who has supported every GOP ticket since leaving
office, has said he is worried he may be "the last Republican
president." While George H. W. Bush has made it clear that after
campaigning for his son Jeb Bush, who also refuses to back Trump, he has
no plans to endorse.
Paul Ryan is one big-name Republican who eventually threw his support
behind Trump after initially saying he was "not there right now" when
asked if he would endorse the billionaire businessman.
Trump recently returned the favor by saying he was "not quite there
yet" when regarding the endorsement of Ryan in the Wisconsin primary.
"I like Paul, but these are horrible times for our country."
