WINK at RNC: Trump’s comments on NATO get stiff disapproval

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CLEVELAND – Donald Trump said in an interview with the New York Times that he would be hesitant to support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization until he was certain every party in the alliance was fulfilling its obligations.

His comment received stiff disapproval from several party leaders. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said Thursday that the United States would definitely intervene if Russia were to invade any country in NATO, despite Trump’s position.

Majority Leader and Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell flat out said he disagreed with Trump’s stance, even going as far as to suggest Trump had a disregard for history.

“I disagree totally with what he said about NATO,” McConnell said. “It’s the most important military alliance in world history and remains relevant today.”

Another subject gained a lot of attention: Ted Cruz’ refusal to endorse Trump for president, even amid calls for party unity. The Texas senator and former rival to Trump made it apparent that the rivalry wasn’t over after the candidate attacked his wife. He was congratulatory, but stopped just short of endorsing the GOP nominee.

“Vote your conscience,” he said Wednesday to the crowd at the Republican National Convention.

One Southwest Florida delegate, Bill Folchi, said Cruz’ move will have consequences.

“Well, it irritated me and I was extremely disappointed because I fully expected it but the only person that’s going to be impacted by that is Ted Cruz,” he said.

Cruz got boo’d off the RNC stage but Trump, ever-present on Twitter, called the whole ordeal “no big deal.”

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