After running the most unconventional presidential campaign in modern history, Donald Trump accepted the Republican nomination in Cleveland on Thursday with a speech that touched on many themes that are by now familiar: the perceived dangers of immigration, the threat posed by Islamic extremism, and claims that his Democratic challenger, Hillary Clinton, is responsible for numerous world’s ills. The disorder provided fresh reminders of the fissures that remain.
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Cruz walked onto the Cleveland stage to a standing ovation and held the audience’s rapt attention until he told delegates to “vote your conscience” with no mention of nominee Trump, who had called him “Lyin’ Ted” on the campaign trail. The crowd then turned on him with loud boos.
In her speech, Ivanka focused on advocating for women’s rights including equal pay and maternity leave, as an attempt to appease the women voter base Trump had previously alienated. “There are still a lot of people at the convention and within the party who are not sure where he’s going to stand”.
But his speech, rich in rhetoric, offered scant detail beyond sweeping promises to put “America first”.
All hell broke loose as Cruz hogged more than 20 minutes on stage, pushing Pence’s speech beyond prime time.
“I don’t want to go back to Texas and explain to people why I was part of the problem and not part of the solution”, the former governor told CNN. “Lucifer is back”, former House Speaker John Boehner remarked Wednesday night, a former aide noted.
“I heard “Lock her up” last night and thought it would be amusing if I went out and bought an orange prison jump suit”, he said.
Later on Thursday – after an interview with the kids’ TV channel Nickelodeon – he tried to make that case to Milwaukee-based conservative radio host Charlie Sykes, who continues to carry the “Never Trump” banner.
Minnesota state delegate Mary Susan, clad in a red cape with blinking lights that formed the name Trump, said the convention could be a “failure” if Trump can’t rally the broad coalition of Republicans in the coming months.
Pence framed the November presidential race as crucial to defining the makeup of the Supreme Court for the next 40 years.
Trump reinforced his position from the convention stage, saying the United States has been “picking up the cost” of NATO’s defenses for too long. But, Trump’s opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, “will be wrong 100 percent of the time”.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus spoke at the event, applauded traditional Republican values and called for party unity by saying “let’s stand united as Republicans, let’s get to work to expand our Republican majorities”.
Fraley pointed out that another former presidential candidate, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, joined Cruz in declining to endorse Trump.
But for others in the party, even those who lament the reality of Trump as their standard-bearer, Cruz’s behavior and style cement their disdain for him.
“I’m trying to spread some love to my favorite city in the world – I was born and raised here”, Alberty said.
Trump’s son, Eric, also addressed the convention.
“My father not only has the strength and ability necessary to be the next president, but also the kindness and compassion”, she said.
Cleveland breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday night as the Republican National Convention closed without major incident. But like many other Republicans, Shipley said his vote in November’s general election will be less an endorsement of Trump than “an alternative to HRC (Clinton) and standard politicians”. McIver said she wrote down the passages and later included them in the speech.
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“USA! USA! USA!” the crowd chanted as Trump made his grand entrance in the Quicken Loans Arena here in Cleveland.
