It's Trump's big night before the nation - and GOP skeptics

[webfact]

It's Trump's big night before the nation - and GOP skeptics
By JULIE PACE and ROBERT FURLOW

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donald Trump takes the final-night stage at his Republican convention facing a daunting array of challenges, many of his own making. At the top of the list: Unifying a fractured party and quieting Americans' concerns about his preparedness for the presidency.

Overseas U.S. allies as well as voters at home will be closely watching his Thursday night address, which comes the day after his suggestion that he might not defend America's NATO partners as president.

His comments only added to the chaotic nature of Trump's nominating event, which has been consumed by a plagiarism charge, unusually harsh criticism of Democrat Hillary Clinton, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's dramatic refusal to endorse the GOP nominee from the convention stage.

Trump's wife, Melania, foreshadowed it all on opening night, noting, "It would not be a Trump contest without excitement and drama."

His team hopes to close the convention on a more traditional note, with the businessman delivering a scripted speech to the convention crowd and millions of Americans watching on television. Balloons will drop from the ceiling, and the stage will be filled with Trump family members and supporters.

Trump is to be introduced by his eldest daughter, Ivanka, one of his most polished and effective advocates.

Father and daughter took the stage together in the afternoon for an extensive walkthrough, taking turns standing at the podium and staring out into an arena that will be filled with jubilant delegates by evening.

"I love the media," Trump said with a smile as he tested the microphone.

By night's end, Trump's campaign hopes voters see the real estate mogul as a candidate who, despite his unorthodox political temperament, is prepared to lead the nation.

"I think he needs to lay out some clear policy views," Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback said. "There are still a lot of people at the convention and within the party who are not sure where he's going to stand."

On the eve of his address, Trump suggested a new course for U.S. foreign policy, saying he would set different conditions before coming to the defense of NATO allies. The remarks, in an interview published online Wednesday by The New York Times, deviate from decades of American doctrine and seem to reject the 67-year-old alliance's bedrock principle of collective defense

As president, Trump said he would defend allies against Russian aggression only after first ensuring they had met their financial commitments. "If they fulfill their obligations to us, the answer is yes," he said.

Democrats, Republicans and international partners warned of the risks of backing away from NATO obligations.

"Two world wars have shown that peace in Europe is also important for the security of the United States," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.

Democrat Clinton's top policy adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Trump's proposal showed he was "temperamentally unfit and fundamentally ill-prepared to be our commander in chief."

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, a reluctant Trump backer, praised NATO's role in the world and said he hoped the comments were only "a rookie mistake."

Trump had hoped the four-day Republican convention would bolster his support among GOP leaders and win over skeptics. But that goal seemed guaranteed to go unfulfilled following Cruz's stubborn defiance on the convention stage.

The Texas senator refused to endorse Trump during his Wednesday speech, even as delegates loudly jeered him from the convention floor. It was a surreal moment given how carefully scripted political conventions normally are, and served as a fresh reminder that Trump events rarely go by the rules.

Trump's advisers say they saw Cruz's remarks in advance and had not expected an endorsement. However, a Cruz aide said Thursday that one of Trump's advisers had reached out to the senator's team shortly before the speech in hopes of getting a last-minute commitment.

Trump supporters were furious at Cruz, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who called the senator "totally selfish."

Speaking to members of the Texas delegation, Cruz held his ground. He moved no closer to an endorsement, saying only that he, too, would be watching and listening Thursday night. He insisted he would not be a "servile puppy dog," especially after Trump's criticism of his wife and father.

Steve Lonegan, who ran Cruz's New Jersey presidential campaign, defended the Texan's refusal to back the nominee.

"There was a time in American history when a real man would have called the other guy out to a duel" for disparagement of his wife, Heidi, Lonegan said. "Every woman in this country should wish they had a man like that."

Trump brushed aside the controversy, insisting Cruz was an outlier in an otherwise unified party.

"Other than a small group of people who have suffered massive and embarrassing losses, the party is VERY united. Great love in the arena!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

___

AP writers Kathleen Hennessey, Alan Fram and Thomas Beaumont in Cleveland, and John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-07-22

[ClutchClark]

"Steve Lonegan, who ran Cruz's New Jersey presidential campaign, defended the Texan's refusal to back the nominee.

"There was a time in American history when a real man would have called the other guy out to a duel" for disparagement of his wife, Heidi, Lonegan said. "Every woman in this country should wish they had a man like that.""

-----------------------

I think we all owe a debt of gratitude to Ted for leaving his brace of dueling pistols at home that night.

As we all know, as a Texan, he had every Right to call that yellow bellied (and yellow haired) Yankee to a duel right there on the Republican stage.

Edited July 21, 2016 by ClutchClark

[Boon Mee]

The Donald will certainly make the most of his Big Night knowing full well that the Dems are in full panic mode. A Flop-Sweat like no other!

DEMOCRATS BEFORE CONVENTION: “We’re Panicked.”

"Were PANICKED, friends," said an email shot from the Democratic Governors Association." 55555

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/dems-before-the-start-of-the-dnc-were-panicked/article/2597251

[Boon Mee]

Trump At RNC Will Declare ‘They’re With Her… I’m With You

"Republican Party nominee for President of the United States Donald Trump is tonight expected to draw a stark dividing line between himself and his presumptive Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton by focusing on the failures of the Obama administration and highlighting the narcissism of her “I’m with her” campaign slogan."

http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/07/21/exclusive-details-trump-acceptance-speech-theyre-with-her-im-with-you/

The Full Text Of Donald Trump’s 2016 RNC Drafted Speech

http://thefederalist.com/2016/07/21/the-full-text-of-donald-trumps-2016-rnc-drafted-speech/

Pretty good contrast between the two candidates. One is on your side and Crooked Hillary is on her own side, eh?

[puukao]

My feeling is TV is more democratic. Why? Well, Thais like Americans in general and why rock the boat? Trump might be good for Thai-USA relations, but my gut said it won't be. won't be horrible, but could be horrible. but won't be great......

I am someone under 50 who enjoys the world to be in total chaos!!!!! fun reading!!! Go Trump!!!! WWIII here we come!!!!

[ClutchClark]

My feeling is TV is more democratic. Why? Well, Thais like Americans in general and why rock the boat? Trump might be good for Thai-USA relations, but my gut said it won't be. won't be horrible, but could be horrible. but won't be great......

I am someone under 50 who enjoys the world to be in total chaos!!!!! fun reading!!! Go Trump!!!! WWIII here we come!!!!

Unless Trump relies heavily on legislating from the WH as Obama has done with his abuse of Executive Orders, even the most mundane of Trump campaign promises will need approval from Congress.

Trump's term in office will be rather mundane compared to Obama since the Republicans are content with the American Value System and not looking for a revolution like our current POTUS.

Now if Hillary gets in and continues on her predecessors path of creating massive social unrest--which only serves to weaken America--well all bets are off.

[puukao]

My feeling is TV is more democratic. Why? Well, Thais like Americans in general and why rock the boat? Trump might be good for Thai-USA relations, but my gut said it won't be. won't be horrible, but could be horrible. but won't be great......

I am someone under 50 who enjoys the world to be in total chaos!!!!! fun reading!!! Go Trump!!!! WWIII here we come!!!!

Unless Trump relies heavily on legislating from the WH as Obama has done with his abuse of Executive Orders, even the most mundane of Trump campaign promises will need approval from Congress.

Trump's term in office will be rather mundane compared to Obama since the Republicans are content with the American Value System and not looking for a revolution like our current POTUS.

Now if Hillary gets in and continues on her predecessors path of creating massive social unrest--which only serves to weaken America--well all bets are off.

Of course you may be right. All I know is 100% of all hispanics and blacks I speak with HATE Trump. I know about 100 or more. It's deep hatred, and family hatred. I haven't talked to any Muslims, but I'm guessing mainly hatred. And government employees are afraid of Trump. Chinese? I know some but they don't have a real opinion. But not one said they like Trump, just not sure.

The wall is going up!!! Marines on the ground in China, and the US dollar will garnish 1,000 baht!!!! lol

The question from intellectuals are, "will the politician Trump be the same at president trump?" they tell me he is playing a game now to win, then will mellow..

who knows

[ClutchClark]

My feeling is TV is more democratic. Why? Well, Thais like Americans in general and why rock the boat? Trump might be good for Thai-USA relations, but my gut said it won't be. won't be horrible, but could be horrible. but won't be great......

I am someone under 50 who enjoys the world to be in total chaos!!!!! fun reading!!! Go Trump!!!! WWIII here we come!!!!

Unless Trump relies heavily on legislating from the WH as Obama has done with his abuse of Executive Orders, even the most mundane of Trump campaign promises will need approval from Congress.

Trump's term in office will be rather mundane compared to Obama since the Republicans are content with the American Value System and not looking for a revolution like our current POTUS.

Now if Hillary gets in and continues on her predecessors path of creating massive social unrest--which only serves to weaken America--well all bets are off.

Of course you may be right. All I know is 100% of all hispanics and blacks I speak with HATE Trump. I know about 100 or more. It's deep hatred, and family hatred. I haven't talked to any Muslims, but I'm guessing mainly hatred. And government employees are afraid of Trump. Chinese? I know some but they don't have a real opinion. But not one said they like Trump, just not sure.

The wall is going up!!! Marines on the ground in China, and the US dollar will garnish 1,000 baht!!!! lol

The question from intellectuals are, "will the politician Trump be the same at president trump?" they tell me he is playing a game now to win, then will mellow..

who knows

I have met some Hispanics in Colorado who support the GOP but not Trump. I suppose I would not support Trump either if my family and friends were all in the US illegally.

As for blacks, there again, who would vote GOP when the Dems want to give you all sorts of special privileges and free healthcare? I just wish the Dems would do something about all those blacks killing blacks out there in Chicago. For the life of me I can't figure out why those black lives don't matter.

I think we will see a different Trump after the first 100 days. Trump is a business man and ai don't think he has any desire to destroy the country he is so heavily invested in. He will work to protect his assets. Atleast that is just my guess.

If you dream of total chaos, then these are fun days for you on both the National and Global theatre and its only going to get crazier in the decade ahead. I will be dead soon enough and ai am glad I lived the majority of my life in a much better era than today.

Cheers

[Scott]

Off-topic post removed.

[webfact]

CLEVELAND (AP) - Donald Trump "humbly and gratefully" accepts the Republican nomination for president, joins crowd in chant of "USA! USA!"

[webfact]

Trump: I'm voice of 'forgotten' Americans

Businessman Donald Trump formally accepts the Republican presidential nomination at party's convention in Cleveland /BBC

[Chicog]

This is like watching the worst panto ever. He's appalling at reading off an autocue but the children love it.

555555555

[puukao]

My feeling is TV is more democratic. Why? Well, Thais like Americans in general and why rock the boat? Trump might be good for Thai-USA relations, but my gut said it won't be. won't be horrible, but could be horrible. but won't be great......

I am someone under 50 who enjoys the world to be in total chaos!!!!! fun reading!!! Go Trump!!!! WWIII here we come!!!!

Unless Trump relies heavily on legislating from the WH as Obama has done with his abuse of Executive Orders, even the most mundane of Trump campaign promises will need approval from Congress.

Trump's term in office will be rather mundane compared to Obama since the Republicans are content with the American Value System and not looking for a revolution like our current POTUS.

Now if Hillary gets in and continues on her predecessors path of creating massive social unrest--which only serves to weaken America--well all bets are off.

Of course you may be right. All I know is 100% of all hispanics and blacks I speak with HATE Trump. I know about 100 or more. It's deep hatred, and family hatred. I haven't talked to any Muslims, but I'm guessing mainly hatred. And government employees are afraid of Trump. Chinese? I know some but they don't have a real opinion. But not one said they like Trump, just not sure.

The wall is going up!!! Marines on the ground in China, and the US dollar will garnish 1,000 baht!!!! lol

The question from intellectuals are, "will the politician Trump be the same at president trump?" they tell me he is playing a game now to win, then will mellow..

who knows

I have met some Hispanics in Colorado who support the GOP but not Trump. I suppose I would not support Trump either if my family and friends were all in the US illegally.

As for blacks, there again, who would vote GOP when the Dems want to give you all sorts of special privileges and free healthcare? I just wish the Dems would do something about all those blacks killing blacks out there in Chicago. For the life of me I can't figure out why those black lives don't matter.

I think we will see a different Trump after the first 100 days. Trump is a business man and ai don't think he has any desire to destroy the country he is so heavily invested in. He will work to protect his assets. Atleast that is just my guess.

If you dream of total chaos, then these are fun days for you on both the National and Global theatre and its only going to get crazier in the decade ahead. I will be dead soon enough and ai am glad I lived the majority of my life in a much better era than today.

Cheers

I know Colorado VERY well.

[Chicog]

Oops he forgot "God Bless the United States of America".

Simply not Presidential material.

[Chicog]

Poor old Fox presenters. Can't quite get it right...

"LTBTQ"... "LGBTPQ"..."LTB...".

Mind you, Donald only read it off the autocue, I doubt he knows what it stands for.

Edited July 22, 2016 by Chicog

[Berkshire]

Trump made some positive comments about the LGBT community...and was actually surprised the audience applauded. He even had to comment that he was pleasantly surprised. Interesting.

[ClutchClark]

Poor old Fox presenters. Can't quite get it right...

"LTBTQ"... "LGBTPQ"..."LTB...".

Mind you, Donald only read it off the autocue, I doubt he knows what it stands for.

That was pretty funny to watch.

What does it stand for anyway?

Is that where people with certsin sexual practices receive unique federsl protections not available to ALL Americans?

Or was that the group who claimed sole ownership of the rainbow ?

[Berkshire]

Poor old Fox presenters. Can't quite get it right...

"LTBTQ"... "LGBTPQ"..."LTB...".

Mind you, Donald only read it off the autocue, I doubt he knows what it stands for.

That was pretty funny to watch.

What does it stand for anyway?

Is that where people with certsin sexual practices receive unique federsl protections not available to ALL Americans?

Or was that the group who claimed sole ownership of the rainbow ?

That's more like a typical Republican. Your boy Trump disagrees with you.

[Pinot]

The Donald will certainly make the most of his Big Night knowing full well that the Dems are in full panic mode. A Flop-Sweat like no other!

DEMOCRATS BEFORE CONVENTION: “We’re Panicked.”

"Were PANICKED, friends," said an email shot from the Democratic Governors Association." 55555

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/dems-before-the-start-of-the-dnc-were-panicked/article/2597251

Panicked

Republicans who feel good about what happened at this convention, don't understand what happened at this convention.

At least he won't hear charges of plagiarism after this babbling incoherent mess of a speech.

[ClutchClark]

Poor old Fox presenters. Can't quite get it right...

"LTBTQ"... "LGBTPQ"..."LTB...".

Mind you, Donald only read it off the autocue, I doubt he knows what it stands for.

That was pretty funny to watch.

What does it stand for anyway?

Is that where people with certsin sexual practices receive unique federsl protections not available to ALL Americans?

Or was that the group who claimed sole ownership of the rainbow ?

That's more like a typical Republican. Your boy Trump disagrees with you.

How can you know if he agrees or disagrees with me? I have not even provided my position on the subject.

[sujoop]

Dark, grave speech, about as aspirational as Mordor...

Young kids will be looking under their beds tonight...

like most ardent Trump fan-boy/men likely always do.

[Alive]

Some honest words from Tony Schwartz, the ghost writer of Trump's book "The Art of the Deal'. This is from Wednesday night on Bill Maher's Special Realtime Republican Convention show.

[ClutchClark]

Some honest words from Tony Schwartz, the ghost writer of Trump's book "The Art of the Deal'. This is from Wednesday night on Bill Maher's Special Realtime Republican Convention show.

He accuses Trump of lying without conscience.

Maybe there is more politician in the Donald than many give him credit for.

[Skywalker69]

USofA a banana republic in the making!

[ClutchClark]

USofA a banana republic in the making!

nothing more original?

That old line has been around since NAFTA was first discussed.

The wage stagnation and loss of workplace benefits today supports the claim to be sure.

[tomwct]

Go Trump!

[sujoop]

USofA a banana republic in the making!

nothing more original?

That old line has been around since NAFTA was first discussed.

The wage stagnation and loss of workplace benefits today supports the claim to be sure.

70-80% of jobs will disappear in the next 20 years:

http://thecoverage.my/lifestyle/will-amazed-guy-speaks-changing-times-technology-society/

Donald Trump: Sociopath?

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/07/trump-and-sociopathy/491966/

"'Even though Spy went out of publication more than a decade ago, Carter still hears from Trump about the (small fingers) insult. He'll send me pictures, tear sheets from magazinesand he did it as recently as April, Carter said earlier this year. With a gold sharpie, he'll circle his fingers and in his handwriting say, see, not so short."'

-America (and the world) needs a forward looking leader who identifies where the jobs of the future will be appearing (not saying this is Hilary either). But instead Trump is focused on delivering 'promises' to bring back coal mining jobs... and even this is just a deceptive attempt to swing the rust-belt states vote -which he knows if he can do he wins it all.

God help America (and the world) if this dangerous, self-interested, sociopath, charlatan (and yes, short-fingered;) guy gets in...

Edited July 22, 2016 by sujoop

[Skywalker69]

USofA a banana republic in the making!

nothing more original?

That old line has been around since NAFTA was first discussed.

The wage stagnation and loss of workplace benefits today supports the claim to be sure.

Yea but this time it´s going to happen.

[bendejo]

Trump made some positive comments about the LGBT community...and was actually surprised the audience applauded. He even had to comment that he was pleasantly surprised. Interesting.

In all four days there wasn't any real gay bashing or Jesus references, that I heard. No reference to N. Carolina style bathroom laws. Not a mention of same-sex marriage. Thiel outed himself, then started saying things that made him sound like a James Bond villain. Nobody booed him. Contrast this to one of the 2012 GOP town halls where an Iraq vet said he was gay and got booed. No real banging the drum for values this time, the focus was death, blame and fear.

The convention was really about Hillary. I think if someone did a word count her name was probably spoken more than his, or just as much.

Edited July 22, 2016 by bendejo

[Buzzz]

Fact check.

Trump says the USA is giving Iran $billions.

No. Iran is getting access to their money that was frozen with the sanctions.

Now you know.