Donald Trump and Ted Cruz battle for delegates at RNC meeting in Florida
The Republican National Committee began holding its three-day spring meeting at a seaside resort in Hollywood, Florida, on Wednesday, and the Ted Cruz and Donald Trump campaigns are there courting Republican officials, especially in states that haven't voted yet. Cruz himself met with RNC members, telling reporters that even after his loss in New York, "what's clear today is that we are headed to a contested convention." If Trump doesn't win on the first ballot in Cleveland, "I believe we will have a tremendous advantage in that battle," Cruz said.
Trump was campaigning in Indiana on Wednesday, decrying the RNC's "rigged, crooked system," but his new political director, Rick Wiley, was at the luxury Florida resort holding private meetings with GOP officials. Other top aides will make Trump's case to RNC officials on Thursday. Cruz and Gov. John Kasich can no longer win the Republican nomination outright, so they are working to stop Trump from getting a majority of delegates.
Trump, after losing several state delegate fights with Cruz, has beefed up his staff with veteran campaign consultants, and he says he is going to start using a teleprompter for some speeches and, for the first time, hire a speechwriter. "The campaign is evolving and transitioning, and so am I," Trump told The Wall Street Journal. "I'll be more effective and more disciplined," he added. "I'm not going to blow it." But while he's hiring someone to write his speeches, "I'm still the same candidate," Trump told The Journal. "Can you imagine how upset my supporters would be after waiting for hours?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 16, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - sleepyhead, little people, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns
Speed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
House GOP scuttles FISA vote at Trump's urging
Speed Read Right-wing lawmakers blocked Speaker Mike Johnson's surveillance bill
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published