In a stunning primary election development GOP
presidential contender Ted Cruz shut down his campaign following a
resounding defeat in Indiana. The move all but assures that rival Donald Trump will become the Republican contender in the general election for US president.
Cruz made the announcement that he was
dropping out in Indianapolis after a crushing loss to Trump. Cruz has
long been the underdog but there were some expectation that he could
still become the GOP presidential candidate in a contested convention.
"I've said that I would continue on as
long as there is a viable path to victory. Tonight, I'm sorry to say it
appears that path has been foreclosed," Cruz said as he announced his
decision to cries from the audience of "No!"
He added: "We gave it everything we've got.
But the voters chose another path. And so with a heavy heart — but with
boundless optimism, for the long-term future of our nation — we are
suspending our campaign."
The announcement followed a contentious,
fraught day between the rivals, with Trump falsely claiming that Cruz's
father was pictured with John F. Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald,
based on a story from the supermarket tabloid the National Enquirer, and
a furious Cruz calling Trump a "pathological liar."
The only possible — and weak — obstacle in
Trump's path to becoming the Republican Party candidate for president
now is Ohio Governor John Kasich. He has no hope of catching up with
Trump in the race for GOP delegates — but could possibly have a tiny
thread of hope in a contested convention, reports the Washington Post.
But Kasich remains in fourth place in the
delegate count, trailing even long-gone Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
Cruz's withdrawal makes it almost certain that Trump will win the 1,237
delegates he needs to lock up the nomination, and avoid a contested
convention.
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