The Cruz Speech
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I have to admit that, hearing the speech in real time, I actually more or less shared Newt Gingrich’s ex post argument that Cruz had endorsed Trump de facto if not be jure. I thought he was trying a cuter, have-it-both-ways version of the ridiculous distinction between “I’ll vote for Donald Trump” and “I endorse Donald Trump” that various media types were trying to make with respect to Nikki Haley and Marco Rubio. But since I’m part of a small minority it seems I misinterpreted it.
Two other highlights. One:
Gay or straight, the Bill of Rights protects the rights of all of us to live according to our conscience.
Ted Cruz believes that, gay or straight, you are protected by the fundamental rights of the constitution, unless you’re gay.
And second, a strong entry in the “let’s pretend the party of Calhoun is still the party of Lincoln” genre:
Our party was founded to defeat slavery. Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. We passed the Civil Rights Act, and fought to eliminate Jim Crow laws.
Kevin Williamson’s science fiction retelling of the Republican Party’s civil rights history reaches the RNC floor!