Former GOP rivals rally for Trump on second night of RNC
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Republicans who were once the biggest impediments to former president Donald Trump leading the GOP lined up Tuesday to sing his praises on the second night of the Republican National Convention (RNC).
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz won Wisconsin's GOP primary in 2016. During that campaign, he attacked Mr. Trump's character during a period when he was seen as the best alternative for conservative who's refused to embrace Mr. Trump. Tuesday, he was among the first primetime speakers.
Cruz was followed by Former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, who acknowledged she's had disagreements with Mr. Trump. Haley was the last high-profile Republican to continue a primary challenge of Trump in the 2024 cycle before dropping out in March.
Haley then told the crowd there's much more on which she agrees with the former president than disagrees, drawing loud applause. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was the earliest challenge of Mr. Trump in this cycle, was more of an attack dog in his speech, slamming President Joe Biden's handling of the southern border.
While encounters with illegal immigrants surged several months ago, reaching record high levels, U.S. Border Patrol data show May saw the fewest migrant encounters of any May during Mr. Biden's time in office.
Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, a longtime close ally of Mr. Trump, said Tuesday's speaker list demonstrated new levels of unity for Republicans during the Trump era.
"It shows that, I believe, over a period of time, he has proved to them what a great president he is," Guiliani said. "I know in the (2016) convention, I thought I would never forgive Ted Cruz. Now I love him."
Wisconsin Congressman Bryan Steil said the support from former rivals showed Republicans are currently more united than Democrats, who've been debating recently in both public and private whether to replace President Biden as their party's nominee.
"What a contrast between the unity behind President Trump tonight and the absolute dysfunction right now of the Democratic Party in trying to even figure out who their nominee is," Steil said.
Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said he rejected the idea Democrats were less united. Instead, he said Tuesday's list of speakers highlighted how Republicans' guiding principal is simply trying to avoid upsetting Mr. Trump.
"The Democratic Party is a party where you can have a healthy debate," Wikler said. "You don't have to be worried that Donald Trump will send a social media mob after you if you criticize the dear leader of the Republican Party."
Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz said Mr. Trump's past GOP rivals were not acting out of fear. Gaetz, who's been one of the most hardline members of the House Republican caucus, drawing the ire of Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden, among others, said the support of Cruz, Haley and DeSantis signals Republicans expanding the size of their tent under Mr. Trump.
"I think your question proves that grace is a part of the MAGA movement. In the MAGA movement, we actually accept converts," Gaetz said. "We accept people who maybe had a different perspective but now want to align with President Trump to unify the country, to get the inflation down, to end the border invasion."