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Cleveland
(CNN) Donald Trump painted a picture of a dystopian America -- and sold
himself as the only one who can fix it. As he accepted the Republican
nomination here Thursday night, Trump delivered tough talk, promising to
eradicate crime, build a ...
10 takeaways from Donald Trump's Republican Convention
Story highlights
- Donald Trump presented himself as the only person who can fix problems facing America at home and abroad
- His 75-minute speech capped a tumultuous GOP convention in Cleveland
Cleveland (CNN)Donald Trump painted a picture of a dystopian America -- and sold himself as the only one who can fix it.
As
he accepted the Republican nomination here Thursday night, Trump
delivered tough talk, promising to eradicate crime, build a border wall,
defeat ISIS, rejuvenate the economy and prod U.S. allies to step it up
or else.
"I'm with you," Trump said. "I will fight for you, and I will win for you."
Here are CNN's takeaways from 2016's Republican National Convention:
Trump's style of 'presidential'
Vice presidential nominee Mike Pence compares Trump to Ronald Reagan -- but on stage Thursday night Trump was no happy warrior.
Trump
channeled Americans' grievances at home and abroad, pinning blame for
spikes in violence and drugs on undocumented immigrants, casting the
battle on terrorism as one being lost and demanding a return to law and
order.
This is what presidential
means to Trump. To his critics, it will come off as vacant and
dictatorial. But to his backers, it's the very embodiment of they've
been thinking, but not feeling welcome by society to say.
The
speech that ran more than 75 minutes was signature Trump, offering
America a prime-time look at his ability to channel voter anger that won
him the nomination.
No wonder
Trump spooks party loyalists. This was no Bush speech. Trump called for a
much more activist government -- intervening regularly in international
economics, cracking down ferociously on illegal immigration and even
taking special care to prevent LGBT Americans from targeted attacks.
Nighttime in America
Channeling
Richard Nixon, Trump insisted that he'd preside over "a country of law
and order." He pledged -- without explaining how he'd fulfill the
promise -- that crime would drop as soon as he took office.
Trump cast the country as in "a moment of crisis."
Donald Trump's entire Republican convention speech 01:15:34
"The
attacks on our police, and the terrorism in our cities, threaten our
very way of life. Any politician who does not grasp this danger is not
fit to lead our country," he said.
Trump
spent the most time on immigration -- touting his call for a
U.S.-Mexico border wall (with chants of "build that wall!" breaking out
occasionally) and making clear it's the issue that's reached him
personally.
"Of all my travels in
this country, nothing has affected me more -- nothing even close, I have
to tell you -- than the time I have spent with the mothers and fathers
who have lost their children to violence spilling across our border,"
Trump said.
"Which we can solve --
we have to solve it," he said. "These families have no special
interests to represent them. There are no demonstrators to protest on
their behalf."
Asked by CNN's Jake
Tapper after the speech whether Trump's remarks were dark, campaign
chairman Paul Manafort signaled Trump truly does see the country as
desperately needing saving. "It wasn't dark," Manafort said, "it was
reality."
A nudge toward LGBT acceptance
The Republican Party wasn't ready this year to moderate its platform's language on same-sex marriage or transgender rights.
But
some of its delegates cheered nudges in the direction of LGBT
acceptance -- including one from the party's nominee -- on Thursday
night.
Fact checking Donald Trump on crime 03:05
When
Trump promised to protect LGBT citizens from attacks like the shooting
at an Orlando nightclub that left 49 dead, the crowd cheered, and Trump
ad-libbed.
"I have to say, as a Republican, it is so nice to hear you cheering for what I just said," he said. "Thank you."
The crowd broke into a chant of "Help is on the way."
Trump's
speech came after PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel told the audience he is
"proud to be gay" and urged the GOP to drop its "fake culture wars."
"Now
we are told that the great debate is about who gets to use which
bathroom. This is a distraction from our real problems," Thiel said,
getting big cheers when he read the words that were capitalized on his
Teleprompter: "WHO CARES?"
It's important to note: These were moments. They could reflect a change in attitude on policy -- but it hasn't happened yet.
An introspective Trump
The famously braggadocious and in-the-moment candidate offered a few rare glimpses inside his own head.
Late
in the speech, Trump offered a rare biographical detail that wasn't
about his own business history -- discussing the origins of the
billionaire's working-man appeal.
Donald Trump's big night in 90 seconds 01:30
"My
dad, Fred Trump, was the smartest and hardest working man I ever knew. I
wonder sometimes what he'd say if he were here to see this and to see
me tonight," he said.
"It's
because of him that I learned, from my youngest age, to respect the
dignity of work and the dignity of working people," Trump said. "He was a
guy most comfortable in the company of bricklayers, carpenters, and
electricians and I have a lot of that in me also. I love those people."
Another
moment designed as a nod to evangelical Christians who'd supported him
came with an admission about their support. "I'm not sure I totally
deserve it," Trump said, going off-script.
Trump gives no quarter to the old guard
Trump's
speech came with an olive branch for evangelicals and a mention of the
National Rifle Association. It was rife with "America First" themes and
calls to rescue the working class.
Nowhere to be found: Anything for the Jeb Bush wing of the Republican Party.
Trump's wild ride to take over the GOP 02:41
Trump
showed no interest in addressing fiscal policy. His indication he'd
break from NATO unless smaller countries stepped up their efforts left
neoconservatives apoplectic. His insistence on renegotiating every trade
deal, and swiftly enforcing trade rules with any and every ounce of
authority he can muster, would have fit in a Bernie Sanders speech.
The
Republican nominee flouted conservative orthodoxy all night, betting he
has little to gain courting those establishment types. Instead, he
trashed their hold on American politics, promising to fight for the
little guy instead -- because he's big enough himself that he has
nothing to lose.
Ivanka, the future candidate
Trump
was introduced Thursday night by his daughter-turned-confidante Ivanka —
perhaps the speaker Republican delegates were most eager to see besides
the nominee himself.
Her biggest
strength: Trump's composed, well-spoken daughter -- a powerful figure
in her own right -- could validate her father with women, who at this
stage polls show holding overwhelmingly negative views of him.
Ivanka
Trump touted her father as "colorblind and gender-neutral," and made a
lengthy call for equal pay for women, saying her father has a personal
record of promoting female figures within the Trump Organization.
"Politicians
talk about wage equality, but my father has made it a practice at his
company throughout his entire career," she said. "He will fight for
equal pay for equal work, and I will fight for this right alongside of
him."
Her speech would've fit at
the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia next week. It left
social media buzzing about her own political prospects.
Trump
spoke of her father more in professional than personal capacities --
though she recalled, as a child, "constructing miniature buildings with
Legos while he did the same with concrete, steel and glass."
Photos: The Republican National Convention
Wisconsin
Gov. Scott Walker delivers a speech Wednesday. "A vote for anyone other
than Donald Trump in November is a vote for Hillary Clinton," the
former presidential candidate said.
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Delegates hold up signs Wednesday.
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Retired astronaut Eileen Collins waves to the crowd before delivering a speech Wednesday.
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Trump
addresses the crowd on Tuesday. "We're going to make America great
again," he said in a video message shortly after winning the nomination.
"Have a fantastic evening. I'll see you tomorrow night, I'll see you
Thursday night, and we will win in November."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Ben
Carson, a retired neurosurgeon and former presidential candidate,
speaks on stage Tuesday. He said Trump skeptics who would vote for
Hillary Clinton are "not using their God-given brain to think about what
they're saying. ... She'll be appointing people who will have an effect
on us for generations. And America may never recover."
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A member of the activist group Code Pink protests inside the arena during Carson's speech.
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Donald
Trump Jr. delivers a speech Tuesday. "We need to elect a man who has a
track record of accomplishing the impossible," he said of his father.
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Members of the Trump family watch as Donald Trump Jr. gives his speech.
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Donald
Trump's daughter Tiffany addresses the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena.
"Whatever (my father) does, he gives it all and does it well," she said
on Tuesday. "His desire for excellence is contagious. He possesses a
unique gift for bringing that out in others."
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U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst waves as she stands with other first-term senators on Tuesday.
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New
Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivers a speech that was heavily critical
of the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee. "It is our obligation to
stop Hillary Clinton now and never let her within 10 miles of the White
House again," Christie said of the former secretary of state. "It is
time to come together and make sure that Donald Trump is our next
President. I am proud to be part of this team. Now let's go win this
thing."
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Delegates fill the floor of the arena on Tuesday.
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Four
of Donald Trump's children -- from left, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka
Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump -- celebrate on the floor of the
convention, where Donald Trump Jr. announced the New York delegates that
clinched the nomination for his father.
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A delegate shows support for Donald Trump's wife, Melania, on Tuesday.
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A delegate whistles as roll call votes are cast on Tuesday.
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Delegates take a photo with Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, center, on Tuesday.
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A Florida delegate holds a "Hillary for prison" sign on the floor of the arena.
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A convention attendee wears American-themed shoes on Tuesday.
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House Speaker Paul Ryan bangs the gavel to open the second day of the convention on Tuesday.
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Melania
Trump kisses her husband, Donald, after she spoke Monday on the first
day of the convention. "If you want someone to fight for you and your
country, I can assure you, he's the guy," she said of her husband. "He
will never, ever give up. And most importantly, he will never, ever let
you down."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Donald Trump walks to his wife after she delivered her speech.
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Melania Trump claps during her speech.
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Donald Trump comes out to the song "We Are the Champions" before introducing his wife.
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Former
New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani delivered a fiery speech before
Melania Trump. Among his topics was the fight against terrorists. "We
know who you are, and we're coming to get you!" he said.
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A protester flashes a peace sign on the floor of the convention on Monday.
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Milwaukee
County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. salutes the crowd before speaking
Monday. He got huge applause when he started off his speech by saying,
"Blue lives matter!"
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Patricia
Smith, mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith, told the crowd in
Cleveland, "I blame Hillary Clinton personally." Clinton, the Democratic
Party's presumptive nominee, was secretary of state when the attack
occurred in Libya in 2012.
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President Barack Obama is seen on a screen as Smith leaves the stage Monday.
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Marcus
Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL who was awarded the Navy Cross for his
service in Afghanistan, spoke about the need for an elite military. The
convention's theme for Monday was "Make America Safe Again."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Actor
Scott Baio gives two thumbs up during his speech on Monday. "Let's not
just make America great again," he said, referring to Trump's campaign
slogan. "Let's make America America again!"
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Willie Robertson, star of the hit TV show "Duck Dynasty," promised the crowd that Trump "will have your back."
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Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, the GOP's presidential nominee in 1996, waves after listening to a speech on Monday.
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Marlana VanHoose performs the national anthem prior to Monday's evening session.
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Former
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, center, was among the
delegates shouting for a roll call vote Monday on the rules of the
Republican National Convention. GOP officials dismissed the move,
saying there were not enough signatures to force a roll call vote.
While it's unlikely a roll call vote would have rejected the rules
package, it could have been an embarrassing protest vote against Trump
and the Republican National Committee.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Virginia delegate Waverly Woods protests on the floor of the convention.
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Delegates from Texas protest.
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Reince
Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, bangs a gavel
as resolutions are adopted at the start of the convention.
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Delegates stand and turn toward the camera for an official photo on Monday.
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People walk in front of a screen displaying the American flag.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Donald
Trump, the Republican Party's presidential nominee, delivers a speech
Thursday at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. "I have had
a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and
exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for
you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Trump is seen on screen as balloons fall from the ceiling of Quicken Loans Arena.
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Trump's family joins him on stage along with the family of his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.
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Confetti falls at the end of Trump's acceptance speech.
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Trump and Pence acknowledge the audience after Trump's speech.
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Trump claps on stage with his wife, Melania.
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The Trumps embrace on stage.
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Trump hugs his son Barron after his address, which lasted well over an hour.
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Trump,
like many of the convention's speakers this week, went after Hillary
Clinton, the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee. "Big business,
elite media and major donors are lining up behind the campaign of my
opponent because they know she will keep our rigged system in place," he
said. "They are throwing money at her because they have total control
over everything she does. She is their puppet, and they pull the
strings."
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Trump delivers his speech.
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Trump said the United States will be a nation of "generosity and warmth" and "law and order."
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A delegate listens to Trump's speech.
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"Nobody
knows the system better than me, which is why I alone can fix it,"
Trump said. "My message is that things have to change -- and they have
to change right now."
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Trump accepts the party's nomination as he begins his speech.
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Trump's daughter Ivanka takes the stage Thursday before giving a speech introducing her father.
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"This
is the moment, and Donald Trump is the person to make America great
again!" Ivanka Trump said to a big cheer. She called her father a
fighter, saying now he will "fight for his country."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Peter
Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, became the first openly gay person to
speak the Republican National Convention. "I am proud to be gay," he
told the crowd Thursday. "I am proud to be a Republican. But most of all
I am proud to be an American."
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Reince
Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, delivers a
speech on Thursday. "We are the party of new ideas in a changing and
faster world than ever before," he said.
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Legendary basketball coach Bob Knight delivers a video message to the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena.
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Motivational speaker Brock Mealer was among those who spoke on Thursday.
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A delegate dressed as Hillary Clinton is accosted by another delegate on Thursday.
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Delegates stand for the national anthem Thursday.
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Young singer Heavenly Joy performs.
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Trump gives a thumbs-up Wednesday after Pence gave his speech.
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Trump gives an "air kiss" to Pence after Pence's speech.
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Pence receives a kiss from his mother, Nancy, as his family joins him on stage after his speech.
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Pence acknowledges the crowd as he walks on stage to deliver his speech.
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"I'm a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order," Pence told the crowd.
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Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich delivers a speech on Wednesday.
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Trump smiles on the floor of the convention on Wednesday.
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Eric Trump, one of Donald Trump's sons, walks on stage to deliver a speech Wednesday.
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Trump listens to his son's speech along with other members of his family on Wednesday.
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Delegates shout on the floor of the arena on Wednesday.
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U.S.
Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump's main adversary in the primaries, was booed at
the end of his speech when it was clear he wasn't endorsing Trump. Cruz
told people to "vote your conscience."
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People react to Cruz's speech.
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Cruz gives a thumbs-up as he walks off stage.
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U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, another one of Trump's primary opponents, delivers a video message.
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A delegate checks his phone at the arena.
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Wisconsin
Gov. Scott Walker delivers a speech Wednesday. "A vote for anyone other
than Donald Trump in November is a vote for Hillary Clinton," the
former presidential candidate said.
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Delegates hold up signs Wednesday.
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Retired astronaut Eileen Collins waves to the crowd before delivering a speech Wednesday.
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Trump
addresses the crowd on Tuesday. "We're going to make America great
again," he said in a video message shortly after winning the nomination.
"Have a fantastic evening. I'll see you tomorrow night, I'll see you
Thursday night, and we will win in November."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Ben
Carson, a retired neurosurgeon and former presidential candidate,
speaks on stage Tuesday. He said Trump skeptics who would vote for
Hillary Clinton are "not using their God-given brain to think about what
they're saying. ... She'll be appointing people who will have an effect
on us for generations. And America may never recover."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
A member of the activist group Code Pink protests inside the arena during Carson's speech.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Donald
Trump Jr. delivers a speech Tuesday. "We need to elect a man who has a
track record of accomplishing the impossible," he said of his father.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Members of the Trump family watch as Donald Trump Jr. gives his speech.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Donald
Trump's daughter Tiffany addresses the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena.
"Whatever (my father) does, he gives it all and does it well," she said
on Tuesday. "His desire for excellence is contagious. He possesses a
unique gift for bringing that out in others."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst waves as she stands with other first-term senators on Tuesday.
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New
Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivers a speech that was heavily critical
of the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee. "It is our obligation to
stop Hillary Clinton now and never let her within 10 miles of the White
House again," Christie said of the former secretary of state. "It is
time to come together and make sure that Donald Trump is our next
President. I am proud to be part of this team. Now let's go win this
thing."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Delegates fill the floor of the arena on Tuesday.
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Four
of Donald Trump's children -- from left, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka
Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump -- celebrate on the floor of the
convention, where Donald Trump Jr. announced the New York delegates that
clinched the nomination for his father.
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A delegate shows support for Donald Trump's wife, Melania, on Tuesday.
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A delegate whistles as roll call votes are cast on Tuesday.
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Delegates take a photo with Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, center, on Tuesday.
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A Florida delegate holds a "Hillary for prison" sign on the floor of the arena.
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A convention attendee wears American-themed shoes on Tuesday.
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House Speaker Paul Ryan bangs the gavel to open the second day of the convention on Tuesday.
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Melania
Trump kisses her husband, Donald, after she spoke Monday on the first
day of the convention. "If you want someone to fight for you and your
country, I can assure you, he's the guy," she said of her husband. "He
will never, ever give up. And most importantly, he will never, ever let
you down."
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Donald Trump walks to his wife after she delivered her speech.
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Melania Trump claps during her speech.
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Donald Trump comes out to the song "We Are the Champions" before introducing his wife.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Former
New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani delivered a fiery speech before
Melania Trump. Among his topics was the fight against terrorists. "We
know who you are, and we're coming to get you!" he said.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
A protester flashes a peace sign on the floor of the convention on Monday.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Milwaukee
County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. salutes the crowd before speaking
Monday. He got huge applause when he started off his speech by saying,
"Blue lives matter!"
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Patricia
Smith, mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith, told the crowd in
Cleveland, "I blame Hillary Clinton personally." Clinton, the Democratic
Party's presumptive nominee, was secretary of state when the attack
occurred in Libya in 2012.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
President Barack Obama is seen on a screen as Smith leaves the stage Monday.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Marcus
Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL who was awarded the Navy Cross for his
service in Afghanistan, spoke about the need for an elite military. The
convention's theme for Monday was "Make America Safe Again."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Actor
Scott Baio gives two thumbs up during his speech on Monday. "Let's not
just make America great again," he said, referring to Trump's campaign
slogan. "Let's make America America again!"
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Willie Robertson, star of the hit TV show "Duck Dynasty," promised the crowd that Trump "will have your back."
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Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, the GOP's presidential nominee in 1996, waves after listening to a speech on Monday.
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Marlana VanHoose performs the national anthem prior to Monday's evening session.
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Former
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, center, was among the
delegates shouting for a roll call vote Monday on the rules of the
Republican National Convention. GOP officials dismissed the move,
saying there were not enough signatures to force a roll call vote.
While it's unlikely a roll call vote would have rejected the rules
package, it could have been an embarrassing protest vote against Trump
and the Republican National Committee.
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Virginia delegate Waverly Woods protests on the floor of the convention.
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Delegates from Texas protest.
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Reince
Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, bangs a gavel
as resolutions are adopted at the start of the convention.
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Delegates stand and turn toward the camera for an official photo on Monday.
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People walk in front of a screen displaying the American flag.
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Donald
Trump, the Republican Party's presidential nominee, delivers a speech
Thursday at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. "I have had
a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and
exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for
you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."
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Trump is seen on screen as balloons fall from the ceiling of Quicken Loans Arena.
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Trump's family joins him on stage along with the family of his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.
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Confetti falls at the end of Trump's acceptance speech.
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Trump and Pence acknowledge the audience after Trump's speech.
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Trump claps on stage with his wife, Melania.
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The Trumps embrace on stage.
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Trump hugs his son Barron after his address, which lasted well over an hour.
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Trump,
like many of the convention's speakers this week, went after Hillary
Clinton, the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee. "Big business,
elite media and major donors are lining up behind the campaign of my
opponent because they know she will keep our rigged system in place," he
said. "They are throwing money at her because they have total control
over everything she does. She is their puppet, and they pull the
strings."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Trump delivers his speech.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Trump said the United States will be a nation of "generosity and warmth" and "law and order."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
A delegate listens to Trump's speech.
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"Nobody
knows the system better than me, which is why I alone can fix it,"
Trump said. "My message is that things have to change -- and they have
to change right now."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Trump accepts the party's nomination as he begins his speech.
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Trump's daughter Ivanka takes the stage Thursday before giving a speech introducing her father.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
"This
is the moment, and Donald Trump is the person to make America great
again!" Ivanka Trump said to a big cheer. She called her father a
fighter, saying now he will "fight for his country."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Peter
Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, became the first openly gay person to
speak the Republican National Convention. "I am proud to be gay," he
told the crowd Thursday. "I am proud to be a Republican. But most of all
I am proud to be an American."
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Reince
Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, delivers a
speech on Thursday. "We are the party of new ideas in a changing and
faster world than ever before," he said.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Legendary basketball coach Bob Knight delivers a video message to the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena.
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Motivational speaker Brock Mealer was among those who spoke on Thursday.
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A delegate dressed as Hillary Clinton is accosted by another delegate on Thursday.
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Delegates stand for the national anthem Thursday.
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Young singer Heavenly Joy performs.
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Trump gives a thumbs-up Wednesday after Pence gave his speech.
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Trump gives an "air kiss" to Pence after Pence's speech.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
Pence receives a kiss from his mother, Nancy, as his family joins him on stage after his speech.
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Pence acknowledges the crowd as he walks on stage to deliver his speech.
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"I'm a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order," Pence told the crowd.
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Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich delivers a speech on Wednesday.
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Trump smiles on the floor of the convention on Wednesday.
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Eric Trump, one of Donald Trump's sons, walks on stage to deliver a speech Wednesday.
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Trump listens to his son's speech along with other members of his family on Wednesday.
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Delegates shout on the floor of the arena on Wednesday.
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Photos: The Republican National Convention
U.S.
Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump's main adversary in the primaries, was booed at
the end of his speech when it was clear he wasn't endorsing Trump. Cruz
told people to "vote your conscience."
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People react to Cruz's speech.
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Cruz gives a thumbs-up as he walks off stage.
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U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, another one of Trump's primary opponents, delivers a video message.
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A delegate checks his phone at the arena.
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Wisconsin
Gov. Scott Walker delivers a speech Wednesday. "A vote for anyone other
than Donald Trump in November is a vote for Hillary Clinton," the
former presidential candidate said.
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Family matters
Pence
delivered a solid speech Wednesday night, and Trump's friend and fellow
businessman Tom Barrack delivered a wedding toast-style stemwinder
Thursday night.
But only a Trump can sell a Trump.
It was impossible to tune into the GOP convention without noticing just how thoroughly Trump's campaign is a family affair.
The
most effective speeches of the week came from Trump's kids: Ivanka,
Donald Jr., Eric and Tiffany all captured the audience's attention. And
his youngest son, Baron, came onto the stage with wife Melania at the
end of the night Thursday.
Trump's
children's speeches were mostly short on personal anecdotes -- the
kinds of revealing stories about their father that Trump himself often
seems uncomfortable (cut with) sharing.
But
their approach to the week in Cleveland -- eating dinners together,
walking into the arena together, staring down Ted Cruz together -- left
the feeling that voters are getting an entire clan. And voters might
like the rest of that clan just as much -- or maybe even more -- as the
nominee himself.
Plagiarism controversy steps on message early
The
convention got off to a rocky start message-wise when a portion of
Melania Trump's Monday night remarks -- a testimonial to her husband's
values -- turned out to be plagiarized from Michelle Obama's speech at
the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
It
was a mess made worse by the 36 hours of denials and deflections.
Trump's advisers spent Tuesday pointing fingers at one another, while
RNC strategist Sean Spicer invoked "Twilight Sparkle from 'My Little
Pony'" in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, to attempt to
demonstrate that similar phrases have come from a host of public
figures.
That ended Wednesday,
when Meredith McIver, a family friend and writer for the Trump
organization, issued as statement saying she was the person responsible
for lifting phrases for Melania's speech. McIver apologized and offered
to resign, but said the Trumps did not accept her resignation.
For
a candidate who's a master of stagecraft and whose selling point is his
competency, it was a troubling signal that his campaign was struggling
to pull off a pre-planned event over which it exerted total control.
#NeverTrump is nevermore
The anti-Trump movement was crushed on the convention floor in one epic, made-for-TV moment.
Forget
the rules fights of the last two weeks, all won by Trump's camp. The
real battle began when Ted Cruz took the stage Wednesday night and
refused to endorse Trump, telling delegates to "vote your conscience."
Cruz was booed off the stage in a dramatic moment of political theater.
Trump's
counter-attack during the speech was carefully orchestrated. Cruz had
showed Trump's campaign his speech two hours before he took the stage,
and on the convention floor, Trump floor whips were seen actively
encouraging the booing that helped drown out the end of his remarks.
Trump
also walked into the arena as Cruz's speech concluded, pulling the
national television cameras off the Texas senator and onto himself.
Cruz
had been outmaneuvered one final time in the 2016 campaign, and
opponents of Trump were out of options to block his nomination or even
voice their opposition at his convention.
Philadelphia, here we come
With the RNC over, the political circus heads to Philadelphia and the Democratic convention.
Hillary Clinton and a vice presidential nominee to be named shortly will have four days of theater to respond to Trump.
The
plan for Democrats is clear. The party's two most recent presidents,
Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, will tout Hillary Clinton's ability to
carry their party's torch.
Bernie
Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, meanwhile, will fire up the liberal base
-- talking about some of the fear and economic uncertainty Americans
feel.
Everyone will hit Trump as dangerous to the future of America.
But
as wild as the Republican convention was, Democrats might have just the
opposite problem. Their challenge: finding ways to make things
unpredictable.
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