The naysayers trumpeted that Donald Trump’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland would be an unmitigated disaster start to finish. Only three words can describe that prediction; they were wrong.
The billionaire mogul turned politician wowed the standing-room-only crowd Thursday night with generalities and tart specifics. The Donald rocked the convention center and millions of Americans.
His acceptance speech was impassioned and on point to where America is today and where he wants to take it tomorrow. Donald Trump the man showed character and amazing depth. His stock rose sharply after a wildly successful week in Cleveland.
With the convention now over and the Democratic National Convention next week in Philadelphia, who will be remembered from Cleveland and who not so much.
Ultimate Winner Donald Trump
Trump lay to rest the vast majority of pundits, talking heads and a frightened Republican establishment. He conquered with a vengeance 16 rivals in the GOP primary. He made the best speech of his short political career while fending off comments unscripted to the delight of his campaign hierarchy. It came in at one hour and 20 minutes with forcefulness and believable determination.
He underlined the message that he will work for those currently ignored by the political class and singled out the LGBT community, women and African-Americans. Now his campaign waits to see how much of a bump in the polls he will get. However, history was made in winning his party’s nomination and accepting its crown. It can’t be ignored he received more GOP votes in the primaries than any other Republican in history.
Other standouts at the convention included Donald Trump Jr., Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr., syndicated columnist Laura Ingraham and the City of Cleveland, OH and the many police officers who kept the peace.
Trump Jr., Sheriff Clarke and Laura Ingraham gave electrifying speeches that dug deep into the American psyche enabling Americans to remember Ronald Reagan’s presidential-winning comment to then President Jimmy Carter during their debates. “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”
In this case it is eight, but the message was sent with eloquence and intelligence.
Honorable Mention VP Pick Indiana Gov. Mike Pence
In retrospect, Trump’s choice of the mild-mannered Pence was a brilliant decision. Instead of selecting a washed-up New Jersey governor, Chris Christie or a former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich who has made scores of political enemies and would make an excellent White House Chief of Staff, Pence fits the mold.
He has been happily married for decades, has a wonderful family, was a former congressman for six terms and governor where he has balanced the budget and raised employment significantly. He called himself “A Christian first, Conservative second and Republican third.” That sends a huge message to the powerful evangelical voting base, along with needed Midwestern roots and a plus in rust belt states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Sore Losers
Texas Senator Sen. Ted Cruz was the primary loser. Other losers include Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the “No Trump” movement, The Weekly Standard Publisher Bill Kristol, syndicated columnist and pundit George Will, The Bushes and failed presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
It is safe to say, aside from Ted Cruz and “possibly” Kasich, the GOP establishment came out looking silly and vindictive. Cruz’s surprise speech at the convention most likely killed his presidential aspirations for good and the rest relegated to back of the Trump miracle.
