After Loss, Cruz Works to Keep Supporters Engaged

Source: Texas Tribune | May 9, 2016 | Patrick Svitek

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In the days since the landslide loss in Indiana that triggered Cruz’s exit, his campaign has been reaching out to supportive delegates with an eye on giving them a say on convention rules and the GOP platform. Cruz’s campaign is also not letting up on its efforts to get loyalists elected in states that have not yet picked their delegates to Cleveland — including Texas, whose state GOP holds its convention Thursday through Saturday in Dallas. 

“There’s an important process here that we need to continue, and that’s making sure the conservative movement continues,” said Robert Uithoven, who had served as western states regional political director for the Cruz campaign. 

Cruz’s campaign believes he emerged from the presidential race as the undisputed national leader of the conservative movement, with a vast network of loyal supporters at his disposal. They don’t want to let it go to waste, especially with the GOP on the cusp of crowning a nominee who has bucked conservative orthodoxy on a variety of issues. 

“Just look at what happened since Ted Cruz ended his campaign,” Uithoven said, alluding to Trump’s recent comments — many of them out of step with the GOP — on the debt and taxes. “It hasn’t even been a week yet, and there’s a number of red flags.” 

Trump has alarmed Cruz supporters with his talk of changing the Republican platform in Cleveland, and the senator is moving to provide whatever safeguards he can against the possibility. It was reportedly a topic of conversation in conference call Monday night with delegates. The New York Times first reported the call would happen.

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Cruz’s time out of the spotlight is likely to be short lived. He is expected to return to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, then come home for the Texas GOP convention in Dallas — where he has a speaking slot Saturday afternoon, according to a schedule released Friday.  

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