Cruz allies press Trump to hand over convention speaking spot

Source: Politico | July 6, 2016 | Kyle Cheney

Delegates are gathering signatures to officially submit Cruz’s name for the nomination, which would put him on track to the stage.

Donald Trump’s carefully crafted convention lineup may include an uninvited guest: Ted Cruz.

Delegates from Colorado and Maine have begun collecting signatures to place Cruz’s name into nomination at the convention alongside presumptive nominee Donald Trump. If enough other states follow suit, it would guarantee Cruz a high-profile opportunity to address convention delegates. And that could create an uncomfortable split screen as Trump and the party try to present a unified front heading into the general election.

It remains unclear, however, whether Cruz would accept a speaking role if his allies were to succeed in securing one for him. Conflicting reports have emerged about Cruz’s desire to speak at the convention, and his former campaign manager, Jeff Roe, declined to say whether Cruz was interested in speaking. Roe told POLITICO that he and Cruz “haven’t ever discussed” the prospect of giving a nomination speech, and he doesn’t intend to speak to the senator about it.

Trump has signaled his intent to feature a nontraditional lineup of speakers at the convention — his family members, most prominently, but also celebrities and athletes, rather than the litany of GOP stars who have headlined convention agendas in previous cycles. He has indicated that he’s inclined to reject speaking roles for Cruz and other presidential rivals who haven’t endorsed his candidacy, and Cruz hasn’t publicly indicated he’d fight for a speaking role.

But that hasn’t stopped some of Cruz’s diehard supporters from trying to place his name into nomination.

The process is complicated but achievable for Cruz’s allies. Under the party’s current rules, the name of any candidate for president can be placed in nomination with the support of delegates from eight states or territories. Cruz won 10, and he also installed loyal convention delegates in a slew of states he lost as well, from Virginia to North Carolina to Arizona. Those delegates must sign forms indicating their support, and if majorities in eight or more states and territories agree to place Cruz’s name into nomination, he’ll get his chance. Even delegates who back Trump — or accept party rules requiring them to back the mogul — can sign nomination papers for other candidates. And delegates can sign forms for multiple candidates if they choose.

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