There was little opposition on the floor as delegates cast votes for Trump state by state.
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“This is the beginning the phone the beginning of the second American Revolution”.
Melania Trump was praised for making progress in highlighting her husband’s personal qualities during her Monday night address.
Perhaps capturing the most attention from political insiders will be House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
In Mrs. Obama’s 2008 speech in Denver, she said: “And Barack and I were raised with so numerous same values: like, you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond, that you do what you say you’re going to do, that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don’t know them and even if you don’t agree with them”.
The boisterous roll call featured officials bragging about their states, per tradition, and enthusiastically declaring Trump the victor of their delegates. NY put him over the top in the delegate count, with Trump’s son Donald Jr. delivering that state’s results.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s name wasn’t formally placed in nomination even though he was closest to Trump in the primaries.
Being officially nominated means a candidate is entitled to have supporters deliver a nominating and seconding speech. But Trump’s campaign and GOP officials eager for a show of unity behind Trump worked to head that off.
Endangered Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, one of the few Republicans facing tough re-election match-ups to embrace Trump, will speak, as will New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie – who just lost out in the vice presidential sweepstakes. Riled up, the crowd yelled “Lock her up!”
Trump’s Slovenian-born wife Melania took the stage with all the allure of a former model and in a strong accent made the case for Americans to entrust Trump with the presidency. “He does not give up”, she said of her husband, portraying him as a loving father and successful businessman who would be a strong and compassionate president.
“Impossible is just a starting point”, Trump Jr. said of his father’s determination.
Clinton pounced on the tumult, saying the Republican gathering had so far been “surreal”, comparing it to the classic fantasy film “Wizard of Oz”.
“I’m going to present the case now on the facts against Hillary Rodham Clinton”, said Christie. “Chip in now to make sure he never steps foot in the Oval Office”.
But her speech was quickly overtaken by charges that it included two passages- each 30 words or longer – that matched a 2008 Democratic convention address by Michelle Obama almost word-for-word.
“I think Frank and the Trumps see eye-to-eye on their message”. Trump’s campaign only kept the controversy alive on Day 2 of the convention by insisting there was no evidence of plagiarism, while offering no explanation for how the strikingly similar passages wound up in Mrs. Trump’s address. Police on bicycles pushed back a surging crowd, and Jones was whisked away.
The night’s most prominent speech will come from Indiana Gov. Mike Pence – who, as the GOP vice presidential candidate, will be the prime-time headliner.
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Several Trump allies will speak, too.
