Ted Cruz may have been looking to build his future prospects when he avoided endorsing Donald Trump during last night's speech at the Republican Convention. However, as Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy tells WBFO, the Texas Senator likely alienated his biggest supporter in Western New York.
Shortly after Ted Cruz shocked the Republican Convention with his speech, McCarthy heard from Russ Gugino.
"This is not just any Cruz supporter. Russ Gugino ran Ted Cruz's....entire Upstate effort during the April Presidential Primary," McCarthy said.
"He organized events. He brought him around. He served as his spokesman during those crucial two weeks."
That connection may have been irreparably harmed after last night's speech when Cruz encouraged the convention "to vote their conscience" in the upcoming election, a plea that was met with negative fury.
"Gugino was outraged, he was incensed."
While the Cruz incident garnered early conversation today, McCarthy expects the focus to quickly shift toward tonight.
"When all is said and done, it's the speech at the end of the convention (from Donald Trump), which we will see late tonight, that really sets the tone for campaign."
Now a veteran of a dozen conventions, McCarthy is eager to see what happens. He's not alone.
"Millions of people will tune in tonight just to see what this man says. Just to see, I think, if he has indeed become Presidential."
