The FACT is Reagan did NOT endorse Ford at the 1976 convention

Conservative Review Editor-in-Chief Mark Levin spoke out on social media Wednesday about the liberal media’s manufactured controversy. Specifically speculating if Senator Ted Cruz would use his speech to the Republican National Convention to endorse Donald Trump for president.  

Lib media already attacking Ted Cruz, even before he speaks https://t.co/iNfkvytgDz

— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) July 20, 2016

An Associated Press story accused Cruz of having “Texas-size political ambitions,” implying that he would give tonight’s speech with an eye towards 2020, making a supposedly calculated decision to avoid endorsing Trump. Trump supporters and pundits have equated a non-endorsement from Cruz as tantamount to a “betrayal.”

Ridiculous: Newt Gingrich Says It’s A “Betrayal” if Ted Cruz Does Not Endorse Trump https://t.co/1uPYwwbz6M

— RedState (@RedState) July 19, 2016

Mark Levin will have none of it ...

"The Reagans were furious at how the Ford campaign had attacked them," Levin wrote. "Paul Manafort will know this as he was a top delegate counter for Ford and against Reagan at that convention. Ford won the nomination, of course, then lost to Jimmy Carter. Four years later, Reagan won the nomination, won the general election in a landslide, and the rest is history."

Levin interviewed Craig Shirley on his radio program Wednesday night to set the record straight.

Shirley was emphatic that Reagan DID NOT endorse Ford at the convention in 1976.

Interesting story except Reagan never endorsed Ford after the Kansas City convention. Too much water over the dam. https://t.co/HBXmdpDfPm

— Craig Shirley (@CraigSBPA) July 20, 2016

There is no mandate for Cruz to endorse Donald Trump, who gave him the moniker “Lyin’ Ted,” accused his father of involvement in the assassination of JFK, and mocked his beautiful wife. And there is no precedent for him to make that endorsement.

Chris Pandolfo is a writer for the CR Wire. He holds a B.A. in Politics and Economics from Hillsdale College. His interests are Conservative Political Philosophy, the American Founding, and Progressive Rock. Follow him @cpandolfo2128.