Ted Cruz Ends Campaign

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After the Indiana primary, presidential candidate Ted Cruz announced the end of his campaign. He told a crowd of supporters that he doesn't see a "viable path" to the office: 

"And so, with a heavy heart, but with boundless optimism for the long-term future of our nation, we are suspending our campaign. But hear me now, I am not suspending our fight for liberty. I am not suspending our fight to defend the Constitution, to defend the Judeo-Christian values that built America. Our movement will continue. And I give you my word that I will continue this fight with all of my strength and all of my ability."

His message is positive, but he was not so just hours before the polls opened when he said, "If Indiana does not act, this country could well plunge into the abyss." 

Cruz tried to defeat Donald Trump in the past couple of weeks by announcing former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina as his vice presidential running mate. But a Morning Consult Survey reported that this decision would have no impact on voters, and the results have played out. This tweet refers to the downsizing at Hewlett Packard when Fiorina was CEO:  

Cruz and Fiorina

Discussion Starters: 

  • Analyze the primary and secondary audiences for Cruz's speech. How well does he meet their needs?
  • Also analyze his tone and delivery style. In what ways does this match what you would expect of a presidential candidate ending his campaign, and how does it differ?