USA TODAY's Susan Page sets up the week ahead at the Republican National Convention. USA TODAY
CLEVELAND — The opening gavel fell Monday on the Republican National Convention as the Grand Old Party somewhat begrudgingly celebrated Donald Trump and the populist billionaire candidate's quest to become the nation's 45th president.
Monday’s theme is “Make America Safe Again," and GOP Chairman Reince Priebus started things off with a moment of silence for fallen police officers. The convention then rolled into a mix of patriotism, music and routine business.
The party really gets started in the evening, when a lengthy mix of speakers will take the stage. Among them are Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson, Scott Baio, known for his role as Chachi on Happy Days, former Texas governor Rick Perry, survivors of the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, immigrant activists and  former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.
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Trump Nation: Supporters see themselves in Republican nominee
Trump claimed the GOP throne with a shoestring budget but an unrelenting social media campaign, pounding challengers into submission with blistering criticism. His campaign started with two simple premises — build a wall to keep immigrants out, and make America great again.
It worked.
He roared to the top of the Republican polls and stayed there. A wide swath of Americans who felt the economic recovery was passing them by and that Washington was out of touch bought in. Plenty of icons of his own party didn't, and the list of GOP dignitaries skipping his four-day Cleveland lovefest is impressive, including the last two Republican presidents and the party's nominees from 2008 and 2012.
Even John Kasich, governor of the state hosting the convention, passed on the party. Trump's campaign manager accused Kasich, the last challenger to drop out of the GOP presidential race, of "embarrassing" his state.
No matter. Trump's lineup of speakers includes plenty of family members, veterans, business people, entertainers and a smattering of top-drawer Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and even bitter rival Ted Cruz.
Trump himself may double dip, with rumors flying in Cleveland that he could break with tradition and make an appearance to see the Monday headliner, his wife Melania.
USA TODAY
Melania Trump speaks to a nation that's rarely heard her voice
It will be the first time many Americans hear the Slovenia-native's voice. That first impression may be crucial for Trump, who is struggling to lure female voters. His 34% support among women in an ABC News/Washington Post poll released Sunday is a record low — lower than the level of female support on Election Day for any Republican presidential candidate since World War II.
But the polling news for Trump isn't all bad. A Monmouth University poll released Monday says Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, holds a 3 percentage point lead among registered voters and a 2 point lead among those most likely to vote. Last month, Clinton led by 6 points with registered voters and 7 points among likely voters.
A few blocks from the convention, about 100 anti-Trump protesters marched through downtown. Law enforcement officers on bicycles providing security drew shouts of encouragement from onlookers.
On Tuesday, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence will be formally chosen as the vice presidential candidate. On Wednesday, the ceremonial roll call of the states will install Trump as the party's candidate. And the climax is Thursday, when Trump formally accepts the nomination.
A few days later, attentions will turn to Philadelphia, the Democratic National Convention and Hillary Clinton. Then the three-month race to the White House begins in earnest.
Contributing: Kevin Johnson, Herb Jackson, Carl Weiser and Rick Hampson, USA TODAY Network
Monday at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland
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