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WILKES-BARRE — The man who finished a distant second to Donald Trump in the quest for the GOP nomination for president, addressed the Republican National Convention Wednesday and was booed off the stage.

Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas, failed to do what most Republicans were waiting for him to do — endorse Donald Trump. Instead, Cruz delivered a speech urging his fellow Republicans to vote their conscience for any candidate that will uphold the U.S. Constitution.

“I think he (Cruz) struck out,” said U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton. “He didn’t hurt Donald Trump — he possibly ended his political career.”

Barletta said he was told that Cruz was loudly booed at Thursday morning’s breakfast meeting of the Texas Delegation — his home state.

“He had an opportunity to hit a home run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, then he just blew it,” Barletta said.

Rick Morelli, delegate from the 11th Congressional District, said he was not surprised that Cruz failed to endorse Trump.

“I’ve talked to a lot of delegates who expressed disappointment and anger,” Morelli said. “We all thought it was wrong.”

Morelli said a lot of the buzz at the convention dealt with the pledge that the Republican candidates signed during the campaign that basically said they would support the GOP candidate.

“He went back on his word,” Morelli said of Cruz. “From Day One, Ted Cruz has been for Ted Cruz only. Throughout the campaign, he came off as a selfish politician. What he did was totally unprofessional and in the process he committed political suicide.”

Morelli agreed with Barletta that this will have no effect on Trump and his chances in November.

“But I do believe that this will end any chance of Cruz ever running for president again,” he said.

Morelli said as Cruz continued to speak, the crowd was getting more and more anxious, waiting for him to endorse Trump. He said the crowd began chanting “say it, say it, say Trump for president,” but Cruz ended his speech without offering support for his party’s candidate.

“When he ended, he was booed off the stage,” Morelli said. “It was very loud.”

Since the start of the convention, the GOP has been hoping to see a unified Republican Party. But after Cruz’ speech and Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s decision to boycott the convention, Morelli said he still feels Trump and the party are unified.

“All they are doing is hurting their own political careers,” Morelli said. “These guys went against their own word by not holding up to that pact.”

<strong>Trump’s speech</strong>

Morelli said he has one hope for Trump’s acceptance speech — that he comes across as presidential to the American viewing public.

“I think he needs to come across as a leader who can handle the tough decisions,” Morelli said. “He really needs to show that in his speech.”

Barletta said the party is unified. He said Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker endorsed Trump.

<strong>RNC notes</strong>

• The state GOP emailed a recap of Thursday’s breakfast meeting of the Pennsylvania Delegation., calling for support of the GOP ticket, including U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, attorney general candidate John Rafferty, and all others.

• John Ratzenberger, the actor who portrayed Cliff Clavin on the sitcom “Cheers” and has been a huge Trump supporter, addressed the Pennsylvania Delagation. According to Megan Sweeney, state GOP communications director, Ratzenberger “understands the need for a resurgence of manufacturing in America, and show the world that American-made goods are the best in the world.”

• A surprise speaker at the breakfast was Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Trump’s vice president choice. Barletta said Pence only addressed the Indiana and Pennsylvania delegations.

“Gov. Pence talked about how Donald Trump speaks coal,” Barletta said. “That got him a standing ovation.”

• U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-Lycoming Township, also spoke to the group. He and Barletta said Pence emphasized the importance of Pennsylvania in the general election.

• Barletta spoke to the West Virginia and Nevada delegations on behalf of the Trump-Pence ticket.
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By Bill O’Boyle

boboyle@www.timesleader.com

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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

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Barletta: GOP unified despite Cruz decision to not endorse Trump