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| English: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH Français : Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Actually, the mood was set long ago when Donald Trump accumulated enough delegates to win the GOP nomination, and will claim his prize Thursday in a speech that should break all records for TV ratings.
Trump's unconventional approach to campaigning (so to speak)--lots of name calling, insults and stream of consciousness chatter about the issues--have alienated so many big-name Republicans that they've chosen to sit this convention out. Only the delegates who are committed to other candidates are forced to sit inside Quicken Loans Arena, enduring all the pro-Trump speakers (mostly entertainers, athletes and Trump family members) and his fans wearing "Make America Great Again" hats. Oh, they tried to force the convention to amend the rules so that Trump couldn't win on the first ballot. But no dice.
Trump's choice to be his straight man/stooge (also known as Vice President) is Governor Mike Pence of Indiana. Pence is more conservative than Trump on some issues, having previously backed Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. The governor once signed a "religious freedom" law limiting gay and lesbian rights in the Hoosier State, until backlash from corporations and sports leagues forced him to retreat. He's also the Koch brothers' boy. But the more we see Trump cutting off Pence in interviews and joint appearances, the more the presumptive nominee thinks he doesn't need a running mate. That he did it only for Constitutional purposes.
Whatever happens in the next four days at the Cavaliers' basketball arena will determine how far the Republican party has sunk in its efforts to get behind Donald Trump. It's up to him to convince the delegates--and the people watching at home--that the city of Cleveland didn't make another mistake by the lake.
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