All eyes are on Donald Trump in the Empire State primary Tuesday. But while the media looks at a state Trump should easily win, Ted Cruz has been crushing it in the delegate stakes.
On Saturday, the Cruz slate swept the 14 delegates up for grabs in Wyoming. These add to his elected total of 9. The final Wyoming tally: 23 for Cruz, 1 for Trump, 1 for Rubio and 1 uncommitted.
Reports say Cruz’s campaign has already decamped to Washington.
Adding to the sense of chaos in Camp Donald, Gov. Sarah Palin, the former Vice-Presidential nominee and Tea Party darling, canceled—at the last minute—an appearance at a rally she was supposed to do for Trump.
Perhaps Palin didn’t want to be associated with what her advisers must have told her would be a fairly epic loss.
Ted Cruz spoke at Wyoming’s delegate convention, whereas Donald Trump reportedly said: “I wasn’t going to send big teams of people three, four months ago, have them out there.”
Cruz, however, seems happy to do just that. Not only had his campaign worked Wyoming for months, Cruz operatives are now in Washington – a month in advance of its May 18th state republican convention. Dozens more delegates will be up for grabs then.
The Cruz sweep in Wyoming will give pause to those who thought the appointment of veteran delegate-wrangler Paul Manafort would stem the Donald’s delegate bleeding.
Trump is indeed expected to get over 50% in New York, and as a result, significantly increase his count. But while the media’s eyes are on the reality TV star, Ted Cruz is closing the gap and making his own nomination at a contested convention far more likely.
Palin’s bailing may reflect a new reality. Several of Trump’s few GOP backers, including Gov. Sandoval of Nevada, who had said he would support him if he were the nominee, are now reversing their backing.
Breaking: @GovSandoval tells me he is no longer sure he'll support Trump as nominee "considering some of the things he has said lately." 1/2
— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) April 13, 2016
Shortly after this, Gov Sandoval announced he was in fact backing Gov. John Kasich.
.@GovSandoval knows defeating Hillary Clinton is essential. That's why he's endorsed John Kasich for president. pic.twitter.com/8DY4Z7xwGP
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) April 16, 2016
