Trump, Cruz And Kasich Rescind Pledge To Support Republican Nominee
In the middle of so much spat and cross-talk, it seemed to be just Republican front-runner Donald Trump's style to vow Tuesday that he will not honor last September's pledge to support the party's nominee for the presidential election. Hence, for him, it's all for himself, and not for anyone else.
The other two Republican candidates, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, riposted by taking back their pledges too. Kasich said that he too would not support Trump if he becomes the party's selected candidate. Cruz said he would "have a hard time" to support Trump if he wins the nomination.
With the declarations given at a town hall in Milwaukee, moderated by Anderson Cooper, there was quite a storm of cross-talk.
Cruz started it with references to Trump's recent attacks on his wife.
"I'm not in the habit of supporting someone who attacked my wife and attacked my family. I think that is going beyond the line. I'm not an easy person to tick off, but when you go after my wife when you go after my daughters, that does it," he said.
Trump simply brushed off his statements and said he did not require Cruz's help in the first place. He added that he was disappointed at the unfair treatment from the Republican party.
"When somebody goes in and wins the election and gets fewer delegates than the guy that lost, I don't think that's right. He doesn't have to support me. I have many many more delegates than him. I don't want to make people uncomfortable. I don't need their support," Trump said.
The statement that drew the loudest cheers from the seated audience was probably from the John Kasich, who is currently last in the GOP race. He said that the mudslinging and overall bitterness in the campaign are setting a bad example for America's children.
"If name-calling, bringing in spouses, ripping each other below the belt and wrestling in the mud is the new politics, we all need to stand against it. Our children are watching. This is America. I'm not going to go down there. I could screw up, but I hope not," he said.
