NJ delegates react to Cruz failing to endorse Trump

CLEVELAND (WPVI) -- Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was booed off the stage at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday night after he failed to endorse presidential nominee Donald Trump in a speech.

Instead, he urged Republicans to vote their conscience.

On Thursday we spoke to members of the New Jersey delegation after a breakfast that featured Gov. Chris Christie. They were on the floor when the place erupted into boos.

"At the end, I was disappointed that Cruz didn't endorse Donald Trump. He had the opportunity to address a large crowd at the convention, and also the TV audience, and I think he had an obligation to throw his support formally behind Donald Trump. He didn't do it. That's very disappointing," said Ocean Co. Republican Chairman George Gilmore.

"I think he was attempting to set himself up for 2020, but when you try to thread that needle to sharply and you miss it, it comes back to bite you. I think that's what happened on the floor," said Sean Gertner of Jackson, N.J.

"I think we all should get behind our nominee Donald J. Trump. That's all he needed to say, and I think that people were waiting for that," said Virginia Haines of Toms River.

On Thursday afternoon, Donald Trump and his oldest daughter, Ivanka, did a walk through on the stage at the Quicken Loans Arena. She will address the convention first, and then introduce the man the Republicans believe will be the next president of the United States.

"I think you're going to continue to build on the excitement, this idea of trying to be more presidential. That also, to some extent, I think that's a media-driven connotation. The bottom line is that he is plain spoken," Gertner said.

"I think you'll see a little bit of theatrics. I don't know if Donald can keep that out of him," said Gilmore.

Trump's allies were furious with Cruz. Governor Christie told New Jersey delegates that his speech showed why Ted Cruz is the most disliked person in either party.