Hillary Clinton’s turn: Guide to the Democratic National Convention
It’s Hillary Clinton‘s turn. The Democratic National Convention opening Monday in Philadelphia is Clinton’s chance to hit reset after a vigorous primary against Bernie Sanders and the unlikely movement that formed behind the Vermont senator. Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, has endorsed Clinton, but many of his supporters have not. Some of them were dismayed by her choice of Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., as her running mate. Last week’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland exposed deep, lingering reservations about Donald Trump from within his own party. The Democratic gathering is expected to be a more smoothly choreographed display of unity among Clinton, Sanders and Democratic lawmakers and voters. What to know about the week: THE POINT Both parties use their national conventions to formally nominate candidates for president and vice president. Party leaders showcase their nominees, and the prime-time speeches by the candidates and prominent politicians win some of the largest television audiences of the campaign. That makes the convention a critical opportunity for a party to introduce its candidates to the country. Democrats also will adopt its platform, which lays out policy principles but has no binding effect. THE LOCATION The Wells Fargo Center, home to the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, is the convention site. The arena has been transformed with stages, platforms, cameras and lights. Democrats are hoping that city’s historical role in the founding of American democracy will serve as a powerful backdrop for the themes they’ll highlight. WHO’S GOING More than 5,000 delegates are among the 50,000 people set to be in Philadelphia. They include alternates, lawmakers, special guests, journalists and protesters. Among the delegates, about 15 percent are superdelegates, mainly members of Congress and members of the Democratic National Committee. At the GOP convention, a striking number of prominent Republican lawmakers and party leaders were nowhere to be seen, including the party’s previous two presidents and its two most recent presidential nominees. In contrast, bold-name Democrats have been eagerly vying for a chance to speak in Philadelphia. Most Democratic senators and House members are expected to attend. THE SCHEDULE First lady Michelle Obama is set to speak Monday. That’s also when Sanders will give his speech — a closely watched moment for signs of whether his loyal supporters will line up behind Clinton, as he’s asked them to do. Former President Bill Clinton, the candidate’s husband, is the speech to watch Tuesday. A day later, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden come to Philadelphia. On Thursday, the final night, Chelsea Clinton will introduce her mother for her speech accepting the Democratic nomination. Kaine, who made his debut as Clinton’s running mate at a joint appearance Saturday, will give a speech introducing himself to the country. Officials haven’t yet said when, but the running mate typically speaks Wednesday. Other scheduled speakers are Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. THE ENTERTAINMENT Shoop Dogg, Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz and Cyndi Lauper will appear in Philadelphia during the convention. Fergie will perform at The Creative Coalition’s gala. THE ROLL CALL States will get a chance to announce how their delegates are voting in the formal roll call Tuesday. It’s a high point for Sanders delegates; they’re pushing to have their votes fully tallied. In 2008, Clinton halted the roll call midway through to call for then-Sen. Barack Obama’s approval by acclamation, or unanimous vote. Sanders says he favors a state-by-state roll call, but he hasn’t indicated exactly what he will do. There’s a total of 4,763 delegates. It takes 2,382 to win the Democratic nomination. Clinton arrives in Philadelphia with 2,814 delegates to Sanders’ 1,893, according to an Associated Press count. That includes the superdelegates, who can vote for any candidate they choose. This year, those superdelegates overwhelmingly backed Clinton. The remaining 4,051 are pledged delegates, won by the candidates based on the results of state primaries and caucuses. THE PROTESTS If there are any fireworks in Philadelphia, expect them to come from Sanders supporters. They have said they plan to show up in full force. Philadelphia officials estimate between 35,000 and 50,000 people will demonstrate across the city each day. Activists have put the estimate higher, at roughly 100,000. Among the groups planning to demonstrate are gun control advocates, the group Occupy DNC Convention and Trump supporters from Pennsylvania. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Republican Convention: what to watch for on Day 4
Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention was one for the history books. The raucous evening was highly dramatic as former presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz refused to endorse Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in primetime. After which, loud boos emanated from the crowd, marking a clear end to the pretense that Republicans were uniting behind their nominee. Tonight may prove to be even more dramatic. Why? Trump is poised to take the stage for a crucial primetime speech formally accepting the party’s presidential nomination. Themed “Make America One Again,” Trump will endeavor to do just that — to unite his fractured party on the final day of the convention behind the idea of keeping presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton out of the White House. Thursday night’s program gives insight to the the planned mood of the evening: America faces serious challenges at home and threats from abroad. In order to turn our challenges into opportunities and keep America secure, we need leadership that will focus on what unites us, not what divides us. Donald Trump will move our country beyond the divisive identity politics that have been holding us back by restoring leadership, building trust, and focusing on our shared love of country and our common goal of making America great again.. Here’s the full list of Thursday’s primetime speakers, which begin speaking at 7:30 p.m.: Brock Mealer: Motivational Speaker Marsha Blackburn: U.S. Congresswoman from Tennessee’s 7th District Mary Fallin: Governor of Oklahoma Dr. Lisa Shin, National Diversity Coalition for Trump Reince Priebus: RNC Chairman Jerry Falwell, Jr.: President of Liberty University and evangelical leader Peter Thiel: Venture Capitalist Tom Barrack: CEO of Colony Capital Ivanka Trump: daughter of Donald Trump and EVP at the Trump Organization Donald J. Trump: Republican candidate for President of the United States
Liar. Lucifer. Lock her up. GOP denounces Hillary Clinton
Liar. Lucifer. Lock her up. Republicans may have mixed feelings about nominating Donald Trump for president, but one thing they can all rally around is a deep dislike for Democrat Hillary Clinton. Convention speakers have “prosecuted” Clinton at a mock trial, accused her of being a serial liar and even linked her to the Devil himself. Throughout the campaign, Trump has reveled in referring to his opponent as “Crooked Hillary.” The attacks are an echo of the 1990s when conservatives denounced President Bill Clinton as the chief executive dealt with scandal and impeachment. The most blistering assault at the GOP convention came Tuesday night when New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took on the role of prosecutor and put Clinton on trial “for her performance and her character.” The audience responded with chants of “Lock her up! Lock her up!” But others have piled on. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told the crowd scandal follows Clinton and former President Bill Clinton “like flies.” “She lied about her emails. She lied about her server. She lied about Benghazi. She even lied about sniper fire. Why, even she lied about why her parents named her Hillary,” McConnell said. And Wednesday, Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort said the airport meeting between former President Bill Clinton and Attorney General Loretta Lynch last month probably helped Clinton’s wife escape criminal charges over her use of a private email server. He told ABC that Lynch “probably” gave Bill Clinton special information that helped his wife. Manafort even tried to blame Clinton for the controversy over Melania Trump lifting passages of her convention remarks from a speech that Michelle Obama delivered in 2008. “For people to try and disparage that speech and say that it was something that it wasn’t is once again politics,” he told Fox News. “It’s Hillary Clinton once again feeling threatened by a woman and trying to destroy the woman and demean her as a way of positioning her own fate.” Perhaps the wildest attack on Tuesday came from former GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson, who told the crowd that one of Clinton’s “role models” — community activist Saul Alinsky — “acknowledges Lucifer” in a 1971 book. “So are we willing to elect someone as president who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer?” Carson said. “Think about that.” Clinton wrote a college thesis about Alinsky and has said she agreed with some of his opinions on social change, but disagreed with his view that the system could only be changed from the outside. Some Republicans are wary of going too far. Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, one of the more prominent Trump skeptics, Tweeted late Tuesday: “@HillaryClinton now belongs in prison? C’mon. We can make the case that she shouldn’t be elected without jumping the shark.” But attacking Clinton may be the most effective tactic with polls showing high unfavorable ratings for both candidates. An Associated Press-GfK poll this month found that three-quarters of voters say their pick for president is motivated by a desire to cast their ballot against Clinton or Trump. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
GOP nominates Donald Trump, now standard-bearer for party
Donald Trump has officially won the Republican Party’s presidential nomination, making the businessman the GOP standard-bearer after a rollicking primary season that saw him vanquish 16 rivals. The roll call vote of states on Tuesday gave Trump enough delegates at the Republican National Convention to win the nomination after months of speculation and dissent within the GOP ranks. There was little opposition on the floor as delegates cast votes for Trump state by state. On Wednesday, Vice Presidential nominee Mike Pence delivers a prime-time address along with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the primary runner-up who remains reluctant about endorsing Trump despite calls for party unity. So far, many of the speakers have devoted more time to denouncing presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. She was talked about more than Trump himself on Tuesday night. House Speaker Paul Ryan said Clinton represents a third term of Barack Obama‘s presidency instead of the “clean break from a failed system.” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Clinton has “a tortured relationship to the truth.” Trump himself briefly appeared in a videotaped statement: “This is a movement, but we have to go all the way,” he said. What to know about the second day of the convention: — THE NOMINATION The boisterous roll call featured officials bragging about their states, per tradition, and enthusiastically declaring Trump the winner of their delegates. New York 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. Earlier Tuesday, some Republicans were saying Cruz’s supporters wanted to gather enough signatures to allow the Texan to be nominated. 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. — THE SPEECHES New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a former federal prosecutor, laid out an aggressive case against Clinton, asking the crowd to weigh in on her leadership on the Islamic State group, China, and an al-Qaida-linked group in Nigeria. Riled up, the crowd yelled “Lock her up! Lock her up!” Failed Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson went so far as to associate Clinton with Lucifer. While politicians at the podium heaped criticism on Clinton, Trump’s children made direct appeals in favor of Trump. Tiffany Trump, the candidate’s 22-year-old daughter from his marriage to Marla Maples, said her father is a “natural-born encourager” who has motivated her to work her hardest. Donald Trump Jr., his eldest son and an executive vice president at The Trump Organization, cited his father’s business acumen and said his father approaches business projects the same way he has approached his campaign and life in general. Speakers also included some unknown names, such as Andy Wist, founder and CEO of a waterproofing company in the Bronx, as well as Dana White, president of the popular Ultimate Fighting Championship, which promotes mixed martial arts. — CLINTON WEIGHS IN Clinton said the first day of the Republican gathering had been “surreal,” comparing it to the classic fantasy film “Wizard of Oz.” “When you pull back the curtain, it was just Donald Trump with nothing to offer to the American people,” Clinton said during a speech in Las Vegas. After the roll call, Clinton tweeted a fundraising appeal: “Donald Trump just became the Republican nominee. Chip in now to make sure he never steps foot in the Oval Office.” She also tweeted, “If you think Chris Christie can lecture anyone on ethics, we have a bridge to sell you,” a reference to the George Washington Bridge scandal. — MONDAY NIGHT HANGOVER Trump’s wife, Melania, received criticism because her speech Monday included two passages with similarities to a speech first lady Michelle Obama delivered at the 2008 Democratic convention. Mrs. Trump’s speech was well received in the convention hall. Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort called the criticism “just absurd” and said the issue had been “totally blown out of proportion.” — OUTSIDE THE HALL Police broke up scuffles between groups of demonstrators a few blocks from the Republican National Convention as crowds in the hundreds gathered Tuesday afternoon. There were no arrests, police said, despite several tense moments that saw officers step in between protesters pushing and shouting at each other during some of the biggest, most raucous gatherings in downtown Cleveland since the four-day convention began on Monday. One skirmish broke out when right-wing conspiracy theorist and radio show host Alex Jones started speaking in downtown’s Public Square through a bullhorn. Police on bicycles pushed back a surging crowd, and Jones was whisked away. — THE REST OF THE WEEK Vice presidential pick Mike Pence, the Indiana governor, is set to speak Wednesday. Cruz, who has not yet endorsed Trump, is set to speak too. Trump will close the convention with an acceptance speech Thursday night. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Republican Convention: what to watch for on Day 2
Republicans will officially nominate Donald Trump for president Tuesday. After Monday’s national security focus, “Make America Safe Again,” the second day of the Republican National Convention is expected to feature the Trump campaign’s economic message — “Make America Work Again” — a criticism of the effect President Barack Obama has had on the labor-force participation rate and economic growth. The convention program provides insight of what to expect from Tuesday’s lineup of speakers: The Obama years have delivered anemic economic growth, the lowest labor-force participation rate in 38 years, and job-killing regulations and legislation like Obamacare. These policies are crushing middle-class families, and a Hillary Clinton presidency would merely be an Obama third term that would deliver the same poor results. Donald Trump is a successful businessman with a solid record of creating jobs and the experience we need to get America’s economy up and running … and get Americans working again. The full list of Tuesday’s primetime speakers: Sharon Day: Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee Dana White: President, UFC Asa Hutchison: Governor of Arkansas Leslie Rutledge: Arkansas Attorney General Michael B, Mukasey: Former Attorney General of the United States Andy Wist: Businessman Ron Johnson: U.S. Senator from Wisconsin Chris Cox: Executive Director of NRA Institute for Legislative Action Natalie Gulbis: golfer, LPGA Mitch McConnell: U.S. Senator from Kentucky; U.S. Senate Majority Leader Paul Ryan: Wisconsin Congressman, U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy: California Congressman, U.S. House Majority Leader Chris Christie: Governor of New Jersey Tiffany Trump: daughter of Donald Trump Kerry Woolard: general manager of Trump Winery Donald Trump, Jr.: son of Donald Trump and EVP, The Trump Organization Shelley Moore Capito: U.S. Senator from West Virginia Dr. Ben Carson: former Republican presidential candidate, neurosurgeon Kimberlin Brown: actress
Jeff Sessions at the GOP Convention: ‘Donald Trump will build the wall’
Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions took center stage Monday night at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland where he delivered a speech on a topic near and dear to his heart: immigration. As the first U.S. senator to endorse Donald Trump‘s candidacy for president, Sessions was handsomely rewarded with the prime-time speaking slot during the convention’s opening night. “The fact is, we don’t have enough jobs for the people who are here,” Sessions said during his eight-minute speech. “Doesn’t this help to explain why our wages have fallen and why we have the lowest percentage of Americans actually holding a job in 40 years? Our duty as elected officials is to get our people jobs first.” Sessions explained the influx of immigrants has led to lower wages, fewer jobs and a higher risk of terrorism here at home. He said to remedy that, presumptive Republican presidential nominee would “build the wall” with Mexico. “That is why we need Donald Trump,” Sessions said. “Donald Trump is the leader that will bring change. He has the strength, courage, and will to get it done.” The Alabama delegation, situated front and center directly to the left of the Quicken Loans Arena convention stage, appeared to approve of what their junior senator was saying in his speech as they cheered wildly throughout its delivery. Watch Sessions’ speech below: Read Sessions’ full speech below, as prepared for delivery: “Thank you good friends. Speaking from this podium today is a long way from the rafter seats my wife and I had as college students in Miami in 1972. “Our voters spoke clearly on two critical issues in our primaries: trade and immigration. They affirmed Donald Trump and his positions. “They oppose Obamatrade. They demand a lawful system of immigration that protects their safety and their financial well-being. “Average Americans have been the first to know something is wrong with this economy. “Our middle class is steadily declining, with our African-American and Hispanic communities being hurt the most. But, the Washington establishment, the media, and big corporations have been in denial. “Fellow Republicans, we must understand that the incomes of middle class Americans today are $4,186 per year less than in 1999. “This is an economic disaster. We are on the wrong track and the people know it. “Yet, Hillary Clinton‘s plan is more of the same: more government, more taxes, more regulation, more immigration, and more debt. “She has been a champion of globalist trade agreements. But the facts are in. They have not worked for our people. When those agreements were signed, Presidents Clinton and Obama promised our dangerous trade deficits with China and Korea would be reduced. But, the deficit with China has increased five-fold and the deficit with Korea doubled. These are job-killing numbers. Worst of all, they are now pushing the disastrous 5,554-page Obamatrade — the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. “This election has also been about immigration. For 30 years, our good people have rightly pleaded for an end to the lawlessness, and for sound immigration policies that are fair and advance the national interest. “To this legitimate plea, our elites have responded with disdain, dismissal, and scorn. “But is there anyone in America that does not understand that when we bring in more workers than we have jobs for that job prospects and wages will fall? Top economists and the Congressional Budget Office have told us that. Is it too much to ask that we slow down and protect our national security and jobs? “Let’s consider the facts. We lawfully admit 1.1 million permanent residents annually, more than any other country. In addition, we have 700,000 foreign guest workers taking jobs. “The majority of these are not seasonal or agricultural. There are about 350,000 people who succeed in crossing our borders illegally each year, and almost 500,000 more unlawfully overstay their visas. These are extreme numbers. But the only solution from Obama and Hillary Clinton is to capitulate to the lawlessness and give amnesty and citizenship to all. “Understand this. From 2000 to 2014, while our existing population increased by millions, the number of jobs held by Americans actually declined. “Amazingly, all the net job growth during that period went to immigrants. Combine that with the reality of efficient businesses, robots, and slow growth. “The fact is, we don’t have enough jobs for the people who are here. Doesn’t this help to explain why our wages have fallen and why we have the lowest percentage of Americans actually holding a job in 40 years? Our duty as elected officials is to get our people jobs first. “It cannot be our policy to have workers from abroad take jobs while we provide support payments for unemployed Americans. “Bad trade deals close factories, and end high-paying jobs. Excess immigration floods the labor market, reducing jobs and wages. “Improper vetting places our nation at risk of terrorism. Remember, the president has the clear power to “suspend” immigration to protect America. “Americans want help now. This election will make it happen. “That is why we need Donald Trump. “Donald Trump is the leader that will bring change. “He has the strength, courage, and will to get it done. He is attracting more and more Independents and Democrats to our movement. “Donald Trump will kill Obamatrade. “Donald Trump will build the wall. “DONALD TRUMP WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Here’s Alabama’s 50 delegates at the Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention kicked off Monday in Cleveland, and 36 of Alabama’s delegates are bound to support Donald Trump as the presidential nominee on a first ballot. The delegates — 50 total from the Yellowhammer State — are a mix of party officials and elected officials as well as rank-and-file Republicans. The Republican National Convention runs July 18-21 and Trump is slated to be named the Republican nominee. In the wake of police violence across the nation, Alabama’s delegation will wear blue ribbons in support of law enforcement. Many delegates, as well as attendees from across the state, are hopeful Trump will address national unity in his Thursday night acceptance speech. Among those attending is Alabama Today Publisher and Vice President of the 60 Plus Foundation, Apryl Marie Fogel. “I believe the only message that’s going to resonate across the board for all Americans regardless of party is one of unity,” Fogel said to AL.com. “We have to face the troubles we come across as a nation together … be it the safety of law enforcement or Black Lives Matter protesters and supporters. Americans have to tackle these tough conventions together in a way that doesn’t alienate one another.” While not centerstage, Alabama’s delegates have a prime seating spot at the Convention, situated front and center directly to the left of the convention stage with an unobstructed view of the stage. Here’s the full list of Alabama’s Convention delegates: Trump At Large Place 1 Delegate: Jim Bonner Alternate Delegate: Terry L. Butts Place 2 Delegate: Jim Carns Alternate Delegate: J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner Place 3 Delegate: Judy Carns Alternate Delegate: Pat M. Wilson Place 4 Delegate: Ed Henry Alternate Delegate: Jim Wilson Place 5 Delegate: Shaun McCutcheon Alternate Delegate: Deanna K. Frankowski Place 6 Delegate: James Mathews Alternate Delegate: Sallie Bryant Place 7 Delegate: Bob Baccus Alternate Delegate: Will Sellers Place 8 Delegate: Perry O. Hooper Alternate Delegate: Rebecca L. Chambliss Place 9 Delegate: Will Mathews Alternate Delegate: Phyllis Davis Place 10 Delegate: Barry Moore Alternate Delegate: Jonathan O. Barbee Place 11 Delegate: Catherine Crosby Long Alternate Delegate: Trey Garner Place 12 Delegate: James Henderson Alternate Delegate: Britney Garner Place 13 Delegate: Chess Bedsole Alternate Delegate: Grady H. Thornton Place 14 Delegate: Dennis H. Beavers Alternate Delegate: Patsy W. Vines Place 15 Delegate: Bob Clayton Alternate Delegate: Taylor Means Place 16 Delegate: Laura E. Payne Alternate Delegate: Gina Dearborn Place 17 Delegate: W. Brent Woodall Alternate Delegate: Beth Clayton Place 18 Delegate: Frank H. Long, Jr. Alternate Delegate: Tom Davis Place 19 Delegate: Terry Lathan (No alternate delegate position available.) Place 20 Delegate: Paul Reynolds (No alternate delegate position available.) Cruz At Large Place 1 Delegate: Tom Parker Alternate Delegate: Alex Fox Place 2 Delegate: Bonnie Sachs Alternate Delegate: Judy Owens Motlow Place 3 Delegate: David Wilson Alternate Delegate: Joan Reynolds Place 4 Delegate: Tom Ford Alternate Delegate: Cheryl Mathews Place 5 Delegate: Chad Mathis Alternate Delegate: Sue Alexander Place 6 Delegate: Arnold Mooney Alternate Delegate: Cam Ward Place 7 Delegate: Carla S. King Alternate Delegate: Suzelle Josey Place 8 Delegate: David Pinkleton Alternate Delegate: Andrew Sorrell Place 9 Delegate: Vicki Drummond (No alternate delegate position available.) District 1 Trump 3 Place 1 Delegate: Frank Burt, Jr. Alternate Delegate: Jacquelyn “Jackie” Gay Place 2 Delegate: Jeff Sessions Alternate Delegate: Jerry Lathan Place 3 Delegate: Candace Cooksey Alternate Delegate: Stephanie K. Alexander District 2 Trump 2 Place 1 Delegate: Jeana Boggs Alternate Delegate: Alva M. Lambert Place 2 Delegate: Bill Rayborn Alternate Delegate: Lee Sellers Cruz 1 Place 1 Delegate: Mike Holmes Alternate Delegate: Darlene Hutchinson Biehl District 3 Trump 2 Place 1 Delegate: Charles Whatley Alternate Delegate: Tom Whatley Place 2 Delegate: Kathleen Moore Alternate Delegate: Joseph R. Fuller Cruz 1 Place 1 Delegate: Michael McCabe Alternate Delegate: Denise Bates District 4 Trump 3 Place 1 Delegate: Bradley L. Williams Alternate Delegate: J. Holland Place 2 Delegate: Mack N. Butler Alternate Delegate: Caroline Aderholt Place 3 Delegate: Tim Wadsworth Alternate Delegate: District 5 Trump 2 Place 1 Delegate: Jim Peters Alternate Delegate: Tom Fredricks Place 2 Delegate: Shannon Matthew Moore Alternate Delegate: Christopher Drensek Rubio 1 Place 1 Delegate: Dean Brandon Alternate Delegate: Matthew Sorrell District 6 Trump 2 Place 1 Delegate: Joe Freeman Alternate Delegate: Renee Gentle Powers Place 2 Delegate: Jef Freeman Alternate Delegate: Swaid N. Swaid Cruz 1 Place 1 Delegate: Colin Luke Alternate Delegate: Charles Knight District 7 Trump 2 Place 1 Delegate: Teresa I. Beeker Alternate Delegate: Margie George Place 2 Delegate: Chris Beeker III Alternate Delegate: Edmon H. McKinley Cruz 1 Place 1 Delegate: Ann C. Eubank Alternate Delegate: Jamey Clements
Republican Convention: what to watch for on day 1
The Republican National Convention — a four-day event where presidential hopeful Donald Trump is expected to be officially selected as the party’s presidential nominee — kicks off in Cleveland Monday. The convention officially begins at 1 p.m. ET. The RNC’s first-day theme will be “Make America Safe Again,” — a play off of Trump’s campaign slogan of “Make America Great Again” and plays well with Trump’s emphasis on a strong military presence. Monday night’s speeches will emphasize immigration, national defense, and counterterrorism policy and speakers will include survivors of the Benghazi attack and family members of those killed by undocumented immigrants. Trump’s wife, Melania, and Alabama U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions are also scheduled to speak. The main session will begin at 8 p.m. The full list of Monday’s speakers: Willie Robertson: chief executive of Duck Commander and Buck Commander, and star of “Duck Dynasty.” Rick Perry: former Governor or Texas Scott Baio: actor and television producer best known for his roles in “Happy Days,” “Joanie Loves Chachi,” and “Charles In Charge.” Pat Smith: mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith Mark Geist: U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served in Benghazi, Libya John Tiegen: U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served in Benghazi Kent Terry and Kelly Terry-Willis: whose brother, a Border Patrol agent, was killed under a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives effort to track AK- 47 style rifles being smuggled across the border Antonio Sabato, Jr.: soap opera actor Mary Ann Mendoza: whose son was killed by an unauthorized immigrant driving drunk Sabine Durden: whose son was killed by an unauthorized immigrant who was driving without a license and without insurance Jamiel Shaw: whose son was killed by an unauthorized immigrant Michael McCaul: Texas Republican Congressman and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman David Clarke: Milwaukee Sheriff Sean Duffy: Wisconsin Republican Congressman and former star of MTV’s “The Real World.” Rachel Campos Duffy: spokeswoman for the Libre Initiative, a Hispanic outreach group funded by energy executives Charles and David Koch. Darryl Glenn: El Paso County Commissioner Tom Cotton: Republican U.S. Senator from Arkansas Karen Vaughn: whose son, a Navy SEAL, was killed in Afghanistan. Jeff Sessions: Republican U.S. Senator from Alabama Rudy Giuliani: Former mayor of New York City Melania Trump: Donald Trump’s wife Michael Flynn: Retired Army Lt. Gen. Joni Ernst: Republican U.S. Senator from Iowa Jason Beardsley: Concerned Veterans for America Ryan Zinke: Republican Congressman from Montana Watch the Convention live below: [Live video provided by the Republican National Convention]
GOP team addresses America Saturday
After frenzied, final decision-making, Donald Trump announced Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate Friday, adding an experienced politician with deep Washington connections to the Republican presidential ticket. Trump’s pick was aimed in part at easing some Republicans’ concerns about his temperament and lack of political experience. Pence spent 12 years in Congress before being elected governor and his demeanor is as calm as Trump’s is fiery. While some conservatives are skeptical of Trump’s political leanings, Pence has been a stalwart ally on social issues. Yet Pence is largely unknown to many Americans. And his solidly conventional political background runs counter to Trump’s anti-establishment mantra. The two men scheduled a news conference for Saturday in New York to present themselves to America as the Republican team that will take on Hillary Clinton and her Democratic running mate in November. The duo will head to Cleveland next week for the Republican National Convention. As Pence arrived for a private meeting with Trump Friday, he told reporters he “couldn’t be more happy for the opportunity to run with and serve with the next president of the United States.” In choosing Pence, Trump appears to be looking past their numerous policy differences. The governor has been a longtime advocate of trade deals such as NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, both of which Trump aggressively opposes. Pence also has been critical of Trump’s proposed temporary ban on foreign Muslims entering the United States, calling the idea “offensive and unconstitutional.” The reaction to the Pence choice from Republican officials was overwhelmingly positive — no small feat for Trump, given how polarizing he’s been within his own party. “It was a pick that clearly shows he is pivoting to the general election,” said GOP chairman Reince Priebus, who was in the midst of an interview with The Associated Press when Trump announced his decision. “He is choosing a person who has the experience inside and outside Washington, Christian conservative, very different style that I think shows a lot of maturity.” Pence, a staunchly conservative 57-year-old, served six terms in Congress before being elected governor and could help Trump navigate Capitol Hill. He is well-regarded by evangelical Christians, particularly after signing a law that critics said would allow businesses to deny service to gay people for religious reasons. Clinton’s campaign moved quickly to paint him as the “most extreme pick in a generation.” “By picking Mike Pence as his running mate, Donald Trump has doubled down on some of his most disturbing beliefs by choosing an incredibly divisive and unpopular running mate,” said John Podesta, Clinton’s campaign chairman. Clinton spent Friday holding meetings in Washington about her own vice presidential choice. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a favorite of liberals and one of the Democrats’ most effective Trump critics, and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, were seen in separate cars that left Clinton’s home. Housing Secretary Julian Castro also met with Clinton, according to a person familiar with the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the private gathering. Trump spent weeks weighing vice presidential contenders, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and only zeroed in on Pence in recent days. In fact, the selection process appeared on the verge of sliding out of control in the final hours before the announcement, sparking speculation that Trump might be changing his mind. Word that Pence would be joining the Republican ticket began trickling out in news reports Thursday before Trump had made a final decision or called Pence to offer him the job, according to a Republican familiar with the situation. Trump was in California for fundraisers, separated from his closest aides, and was fuming about leaks that he viewed as an attempt to pressure him into the decision. Still, Trump called Pence Thursday afternoon to offer him the job and ask him to fly to New York for a Friday morning news conference. Pence accepted and boarded a private plane, along with his wife. A few hours later, a huge truck barreled through a crowded holiday celebration in Nice, France, killing more than 80 people. With Pence sitting in a New York hotel, Trump decided to postpone the announcement. The billionaire businessman then went on Fox News to say he had not yet settled on his “final, final” choice. He also held a midnight conference call with his top aides to discuss the situation, according to two people with knowledge of the call. By Friday, plans were back on track. Trump sent out a Twitter message saying he was pleased to announce Pence as his running mate. Moments later, one of Pence’s aides filed paperwork with the Indiana Secretary of State’s office withdrawing him from the governor’s race. Pence was up for re-election, and state law prohibits candidates from being on ballots in two contests. Trump’s formal announcement came about an hour before Pence’s noon Friday deadline for withdrawing. Paul Manafort, Trump’s campaign chairman, strongly rejected suggestions that the candidate considered changing his mind about Pence. “Never waffled once he made his decision,” Manafort wrote in an email. Gingrich, one of the finalists for the vice presidential spot, said he was “very comfortable” with Trump’s decision and praised Pence as someone who could help unite the party. But as of Friday afternoon, Gingrich had yet to share his support with Trump himself. He told The Associated Press he had not received a call from Trump telling him he wasn’t getting the job. Meanwhile, Trump did speak with Christie, according to a person familiar with their conversation. Ironically, Christie traveled with Trump to Indiana in April to help introduce the candidate to Pence when Trump was trying to win his endorsement ahead of India’s primary. Pence endorsed Trump’s rival Ted Cruz instead. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Donald Trump taps Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his Vice Presidential running mate
Donald Trump has offered Mike Pence the vice presidential spot on his Republican ticket, and Trump aides have told the Indiana governor the formal announcement event could be made on Saturday. That’s according to a Republican with direct knowledge of the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the details of Trump’s search for a running mate. Trump made the offer and Pence accepted Thursday afternoon, before the governor traveled to New York, the Republican said. The announcement had been planned for Friday morning in midtown Manhattan, but Trump delayed his plans after the truck attack in Nice, France, that left more than 80 people dead. The staunchly conservative Pence, who is 57, served six terms in Congress before being elected governor and could help Trump navigate Capitol Hill. He’s well-regarded by evangelical Christians, particularly after signing a law that critics said would have allowed businesses to deny service to gay people for religious reasons. The announcement delay created a complication for Pence. He’s up for re-election in Indiana, but state law requires him to withdraw from that race by noon Friday if he’s joining Trump on the Republican ticket. Pence’s team has drawn up the paperwork for the withdrawal, the Republican said, but as of Friday morning, the documents had not been submitted. Trump’s frenetic decision-making process was made more complicated by the fact that the businessman was in California Thursday for a series of fundraisers, isolated from nearly all of his closest advisers, including his three adult children and his campaign chairman, Paul Manafort. Frustration among Trump and his advisers mounted because of news reports that Pence was the pick, sending top aides scrambling to insist no final decision had been made. The billionaire said in a series of television interviews Thursday night that he’d not yet settled on a “final, final” choice, leaving open the possibility the unpredictable presumptive nominee could change his mind. But Manafort said Friday morning he believed Trump had “reached a decision but he isn’t prepared to announce it yet.” Manafort dismissed suggestions in an interview on Fox News Channel that Trump was having second thoughts about his choice. He said Trump was planning on making an announcement this weekend. A second Republican said Friday he spoke to Trump on Thursday morning, and the New York real estate mogul said he had chosen Pence and would be calling the governor to make the offer and ask him to fly to New York. That Republican also spoke on condition of anonymity, because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the conversation. Trump’s prospective choice of Pence as his running mate adds political experience – and a dose of unflappability – to the Republican presidential ticket. Pence would be a reliably conservative No. 2 with a calm demeanor and deep ties to Washington. His apparent selection signals Trump is serious about addressing GOP concerns about his own conservative credentials and lack of Washington experience. Trump also seriously considered offering the running mate post to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, according to people familiar with the process. In a brief interview with The Associated Press Friday morning, Gingrich said he had still not been told by Trump that he would not be the choice. After spending much of Thursday in Indianapolis, Pence flew to New York. Local television stations posted video showing him arriving at a private airport outside New York and then entering a hotel. Trump has little time to re-schedule his announcement. The Republican convention kicks off in Cleveland Monday. Top party officials are already in Cleveland, where a committee voted late Thursday to rebuff a push to let delegates vote for any presidential candidate they’d like. It was a major blow to Republican foes of Trump who have been working to try to thwart his nomination. Pence would have the backing of GOP leaders and ease some of their concerns about Trump’s political inexperience and volatile temperament. Pence also has influential allies in Trump’s inner circle. But some of Trump’s children, who have been closely advising their father, were said to favor different candidates. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Cleveland, a fractured city, an apt place for GOP convention
Donald Trump‘s effort to unite a splintered Republican Party around his candidacy is about to take center stage in a city that is itself deeply fractured. Once an industrial powerhouse, Cleveland is one of the poorest and most segregated big cities in America. Two out of five people live below the poverty line, second only to Detroit. Infant mortality rates in its bleakest neighborhoods are worse than in some Third World countries. The city’s mostly blighted east side is almost entirely black, the slightly more prosperous west side more mixed. And there’s deep distrust between the black community and police, in part because of police shootings such as the killing of 12-year-old Tamir Rice and a U.S. Justice Department report that found a pattern of excessive force and civil rights violations by the department. Yet there are also islands of prosperity, created in part by a wave of college-educated young people moving into downtown neighborhoods, a trend that has reshaped the city’s image and helped attract the Republican National Convention, which will be held July 18-21. “It’s a city full of neighborhoods and a city full of divides,” said John Grabowski, a local historian. ___ This is the place that in the 1970s — when the city was in default and a quarter of its population was moving out — embraced the slogan “Cleveland: You Gotta Be Tough.” Tough is a good way to describe Cleveland’s east side, where blacks from the South filled industrial jobs and settled during and after World War II. It’s now marked by high crime and abandoned factories. Over half the children live in poverty. Chris Brown, a 41-year-old black man and lifelong Clevelander, admits he was part of the problem in his younger days. “I was a thug, almost. On a highway going nowhere fast,” he said. Caught selling drugs, he went to prison for three years. Afterward, getting by was a struggle until he started working at a commercial laundry four years ago. Funded by civic leaders, foundations and local institutions, the laundry is part of a wider mission to stabilize east side neighborhoods by creating jobs. Built inside a former torpedo factory, it employs about 40 people, most of whom have done time in prison, and operates as a worker-owned cooperative. The employees can use their wages to buy a piece of the company and get a split of the profits. Brown took advantage of its loan program to buy his first house on the east side, where 1 in 5 homes is vacant. “Where we come from, there ain’t many guys like that,” Brown said. Those behind the cooperative, which also operates a greenhouse and a renewable-energy business, aren’t selling it as a solution to pervasive unemployment. But it’s a bright spot in an area desperately needing something positive, said plant manager Claudia Oates. “It shows we work, we believe in work,” she said. The convention will mean more hotel sheets for the laundry to wash, but apart from that, Brown said, the money the event will bring into the city won’t show up where he lives. “I don’t know many black people who’ve got anything to do with convention,” he said. “Nobody else I know is getting a job or money from the convention.” ___ Downtown is where delegates will spend their money at souvenir shops and sidewalk cafes. It’s also where millennials are moving into renovated warehouse apartments and new condominiums. Once a ghost town at night, it’s now home to 14,000 people. In the two years since the GOP awarded the convention, vacant downtown storefronts have been filled with new businesses, and the Public Square underwent a $50 million renovation. Health care and high-tech jobs are drawing young people, stabilizing the city’s population at about 388,000 after a peak of over 900,000 in the 1950s. “Cleveland’s got a long way to go. I’m not going to sugarcoat it,” said Bill Mangano, a white man who bought a downtown apartment after growing up in the city’s western suburbs. “We’re never going to be New York or Chicago, but we can carve out our own place.” Peter Karman, a 27-year-old white man, left behind a two-hour commute in San Diego for a job within walking distance. “All of my family and friends asked, why Cleveland?” he said. Here, he said, he can afford a lifestyle not possible in California, living in a downtown warehouse overlooking the Cuyahoga River. ___ The crooked river that caught fire during the 1950s and ’60s from industrial pollution sparked an environmental movement resulting in the federal Clean Water Act. But in Cleveland it was the city’s racial boundary for many generations. Blacks stayed east of the river and out of the white neighborhoods to the west, fearing unwelcome stares and police harassment. Kevin Conwell, a black city councilman, remembers his parents warning him 40 years ago not to cross certain streets or risk having the police haul him back home. “People my age still tell kids not to go over there,” he said. “How do you break down that gap?” To this day, many of the east side neighborhoods are at least 90 percent black, according to census data. But over the past 15 years, more blacks are moving to areas once off-limits, creating neighborhoods that are more racially diverse yet still poor. Overall, blacks make up about 53 percent of the city’s residents, whites 37 percent, Hispanics 10 percent. What’s holding back the neighborhoods now, Conwell said, are companies and unions that won’t hire minorities and lenders that won’t offer them home loans. “When you’re not working, you tear your neighborhood apart,” he said. “That’s your great divide.” Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Why Dump Trump effort faces likely defeat at GOP convention
Despite a continuing effort and lots of noise by a band of insurgents, Donald Trump and the Republican Party are on track to defeat rebels trying to head off his nomination at this month’s convention. Far from giving up, the “dump Trump” forces are seeking new supporters and spending money to run ads, hire staff and set up office space near the GOP convention site in Cleveland to try to prevent the real estate mogul from becoming the GOP presidential nominee. Here’s why it will be hard for them to succeed: ___ THE NUMBERS … — Numbers are stacked against the insurgents. Trump triumphed in the vast majority of this year’s primaries and caucuses, giving him 1,542 delegates, according to The Associated Press. That’s well above the 1,237 needed to clinch the nomination. Now, it’s true those delegates can vote however they wish during convention battles to change the rules, so delegates pledged to a candidate could back anyone they want. And you can count on such defections, because some delegates representing Trump actually prefer his defeated rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, or others. But Trump still has a big numerical advantage. According to an informal count by one party insider, Trump can rely on a solid 900 delegates, compared to a combined 650 for Trump opponents plus delegates backing Cruz or other candidates. That leaves over 900 remaining delegates. Trump would need only about a third of them to prevail. And don’t forget, many delegates are party regulars inclined to want a gathering that’s peaceful, not a GOP civil war on prime time TV. The anti-Trump forces have said they have more than 400 delegate supporters. ___ THE ESTABLISHMENT … — The Republican Party hierarchy has largely been lining up behind the real estate mogul, despite his divisive statements and unruliness as a candidate. Their argument: Whatever Trump’s faults, how do you take the nomination away from the guy who won 13.4 million votes, far more than his opponents? And besides, who’s the alternative candidate? Along with staff from Trump’s still small campaign, members of the Republican National Committee, state GOP leaders and others have formed a team of around 150 “whips” who are contacting delegates and cajoling them, though perhaps not always gently. Kay Godwin, a Cruz delegate from Georgia who backs the effort to “unbind” delegates from their pledged candidates, says one Georgia GOP official said her group is “‘tearing the party apart,’ which is ridiculous.” On the 112-member convention rules committee, a likely battleground for efforts to free the delegates, around a third are from the 168-member GOP national committee and most will loyally back Trump in rules fights. There are exceptions. Also on that rules committee is Colorado delegate Kendal Unruh, a leader of the fight to let delegates to vote their “conscience,” and North Dakota RNC member Curly Haugland, who has long insisted that even under current rules, delegates are free to back anyone. Many RNC members say the rebels will lose overwhelmingly in committee votes. ___ COUNTER MOVES — Unruh says she has enough votes on the rules committee to allow the full convention to vote on her “conscience” proposal — she needs just 28 votes for that to happen. Her opponents say she’d lose in full convention anyway, but are countering with their own amendments. An RNC member from Oregon, Solomon Yue, is proposing that any rules changes take effect only after this month’s convention, to “take the politics out of” the rules debate. Arizona RNC member Bruce Ash, a GOP rules expert, is offering language aimed at ensuring that delegates remain bound to their candidates. Another tactic party officials are discussing: using their muscle to prevent any rules changes, period. They argue the current rules already mean delegates must stay with their candidates. ___ REBELS’ LEVERAGE — They may be outnumbered, but the dump Trumpers have cards they could try playing to be disruptive. Under current rules, a sympathetic delegate can slow down roll calls by demanding that their state delegation chairman recount the tally. They could force roll calls on minor matters that would usually pass quickly by voice vote, and lodge other time-consuming procedural challenges. “We should not be bound by a prime-time television schedule,” Regina Thomson, a Colorado delegate and executive director of Free the Delegates, said recently during a conference call of rebellious Republicans. There’s a limit to that strategy. The convention’s presiding officer, which at times will be House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the convention chairman, doesn’t always have to recognize delegates seeking recognition. And if the dissenters try the same tactic repeatedly, he or she can rule their moves dilatory and move on. Another dissidents’ hope — what if Trump’s poll numbers get really, really bad? “What is the Republican Party’s tipping point?” asked Steve Lonegan, a leader of Courageous Conservatives, which is backing the rebellion by raising money for ads and other expenses. “Is it down 10 points, 12 points, 20 points?” Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
