For a Republican Party that has remained rather divided throughout the presidential race, it is shocking that Republican Senator Ted Cruz refused to support Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention. What some may see as a protest to Trump’s attack on Cruz’s family, others see as an example of what happens when a “poor loser” is given a microphone. By refusing to support Trump, Cruz defied his own Texas delegation to put the party above his inhibitions and back Trump.

According to a CNN/ORC poll, Cruz's public image among Republicans has dropped fifty percent as a result (down to 33%). At the end of his speech, Cruz was barraged with boos from the crowd and chants of "We want Trump!"

Big names such as Paul Ryan finally granted Trump their support at the convention. As for Cruz, some have suggested that he committed political suicide.

The even more perplexing reason for Cruz's refusal to support Donald Trump is both individuals support many of the same programs and ideas.

Trump vs. Cruz: A Small Breakdown

Trump on Abortion

• Millions are helped by Planned Parenthood, but defund it. (Feb 2016)
• I am pro-life; fight ObamaCare abortion funding. (Feb 2011)
• Pro-choice, but ban partial birth abortion. (Jul 2000)

Cruz on Abortion

• Allow vote to end Planned Parenthood's funding. (Aug 2015)
• Ban taxpayer funding of abortion & partial birth abortion. (Mar 2015)
• Protect innocent human life with partial-birth ban. (Jul 2011)
• Opposes public abortion funding. (Oct 2012)

Trump on Civil Rights

• I'm "fine" with affirmative action, for now. (Oct 2015)
• Same-sex marriage is a state issue. (Jun 2015)
• No gay marriage; no same-sex partner benefits. (Mar 2011)

Cruz on Civil Rights

• Supreme Court gay rights ruling undermines the Constitution. (Jul 2015)
• Adopt economic affirmative action instead of race-based. (Jun 2015)
• Insidious affirmative action: we can't make it on merit? (Jun 2015)
• Apply 10th Amendment: states decide on gay marriage. (Jun 2015)
• Opposes gay pride parades and opposes gay marriage. (Feb 2012)
• Sponsored state definition of marriage supersedes federal gay marriage. (Feb 2014)

Trump on Healthcare

• Keep pre-existing condition coverage; not individual mandate. (Feb 2016)
• Removing cross-state barriers solves many insurance issues. (Feb 2016)
• Replace Obamacare with Health Savings Accounts. (Oct 2015)
• ObamaCare is a catastrophe that must be repealed & replaced. (Jun 2015)
• Don't cut Medicare; grow the economy to keep benefits. (Jun 2015)
• Save Medicare & Medicaid without cutting them to the bone. (Jan 2015)
• Increase insurance competition across state lines. (Dec 2011)
• Enumerated powers of Congress don't include ObamaCare. (Jun 2015)

Cruz on Healthcare

• Personal, portable, & affordable, after repealing ObamaCare. (Jun 2015)
• Save Medicare by raising eligibility age. (Aug 2012)
• Defeat ObamaCare; rein in the federal government. (Jul 2011)
• Defund, repeal, & replace federal care with free market. (Jul 2010)
• Repeal any federal health care takeover. (Aug 2012)
• Supports repealing ObamaCare. (Oct 2012)
• Supports market-based health insurance. (Oct 2012)

Trump on Taxes

• Kill death tax & corporate tax. (Dec 2011)
• Cutting tax rates incentivizes a strong national work ethic. (Dec 2011)
• Previously supported wealth tax; now supports Bush tax cuts. (Apr 2011)
• Repeal the inheritance tax to offset one-time wealth tax. (Jul 2000)
• Simplify tax code; end marriage penalty & other hidden taxes. (Jul 2000)

Cruz on Taxes

• Tax returns on a postcard. (Feb 2016)
• There are more words in the tax code than in the Bible. (Nov 2015)
• Eliminate payroll tax, death tax, business tax, and IRS. (Oct 2015)
• Repeal tax hikes in capital gains and death tax. (Jul 2010)
• Supports eliminating the inheritance tax. (Oct 2012)

Trump on Gun Control

• Mass shootings are due to a huge mental health problem. (Jan 2016)
• No limits on guns; they save lives. (Jan 2016)
• Keep enemies of the state away from guns. (Nov 2015)
• Make concealed-carry permits valid across all states. (Nov 2015)
• Gun-free zones are target practice for sickos. (Oct 2015)
• Gun ownership makes US safer, not more dangerous. (Oct 2015)
• Mental health more important than gun control. (Oct 2015)
• Laws are ineffective in preventing gun violence. (Oct 2015)
• Gun violence is inevitable; regulations won't help. (Oct 2015)
• Protect the Second Amendment, but address mental health. (Sep 2015)
• Take guns from good people & bad people have target practice. (Jul 2015)
• A very strong person on the Second Amendment. (Jun 2015)
• I am against gun control. (Feb 2011)

Cruz on Gun Control

• Lack of individual right to guns leads to confiscation. (Jan 2016)
• Obama is coming for our guns. (Oct 2015)
• Enforce gun laws on dangerously mentally ill. (Jun 2015)
• Assault weapon bans have had zero impact on crime. (Jun 2015)
• Criminals like nothing better than unarmed victims. (Jun 2015)
• 2nd Amendment is ultimate check against government tyranny. (Jun 2015)
• Prosecute felons who try to illegally purchase guns. (May 2013)
• Target violent criminals with serious mental illnesses. (May 2013)
• Opposes unreasonable and burdensome gun restrictions. (Jul 2011)
• Voted NO on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets. (Apr 2013)
• Opposes restricting the Second Amendment. (Oct 2012)
• For assault weapon ban, waiting period, & background check. (Jul 2000)