With 69 Delegates, 66 Alternate Delegates, and many staff members all present at the convention, the Illinois Republican Delegation is bound to contain many differing views on proceedings here. Since almost all delegates in Illinois are bound to vote the way people in their Congressional districts voted, these differences are set in stone. This morning, we visited the hotel where the delegation was staying and asked many of them their views on one of the most contentious moments of the convention so far: Ted Cruz’s speech.

Bob Anderson (Lockport, IL): “I was not impressed, I mean I think he should have made the endorsement….Trump made some comments that probably shouldn’t have been made [in the primary], but on the other side so did Cruz and it’s time to bury the hatchet.

Charlene “Char” Foss-Eggemann (Park Ridge, IL): “He did say voters should vote their conscience for anyone up and down the ticket that is willing to support the Constitution and in this election it’s a binary choice: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, so voters just have to decide who is going to better protect the Constitution, so I think you can make an inference from his comments that we all need to rally around Donald Trump….I think he just didn’t go all the way. He went 99% of the way there and not 100% and in some ways that’s understandable.”

Barbara Kois (Wheaton, IL): “[His speech] was appalling, abominable, and he earned his name of ‘Lyin’ Ted.’ Trump was absolutely right. So I hope his career is over. I think it should be.”

Jim Kinney (Chicago, IL): “You know, he was in a difficult position and I think he did the best he could do, I mean he had to be true to himself….I think the loyalists wanted him to come out and do a firm endorsement, but I think it would’ve rung shallow if he did that. So I thought he did a good job and I thought it was unfortunate that he got booed. I think people should’ve accepted it for what it was.”

Alan Goldstein (Chicago, IL): “I was a little disappointed and felt that it was unfortunately not reflective of his commitment after signing the pledge, as well as disappointing that he didn’t endorse the nominee.”

 

We also asked delegates if they thought that Trump should mention Cruz’s comments in his speech today, and there was much more unity in the delegation on that point, for example:

Anderson: “I think he should let it slide, but I think as everybody knows Mr. Trump, I think something will be said.”

Goldstein: “No, but if he does, it’s going to be in a humorous way”