Mass. Delegates Not Worried About High Profile Convention No-Shows
CLEVELAND (CBS) – Donald Trump's candidacy has caused a deep divide with the Republican Party. Some of the biggest names in New England politics refused to go to the convention in Cleveland.
Governor Charlie Baker made it clear he wasn't interested in celebrating Trump's nomination. And it was no surprise when Mitt Romney the last Republican nominee for president said he too would stay home. During a speech in March, Romney called Trump a "phony" and urged the GOP to shun him.
"They show up missing, that's their loss - not ours," delegate Jeanne Kangas of Boxboro said.
The Massachusetts delegates who did travel to Cleveland for Trump aren't worried about the high profile no-shows. To them, Donald Trump is a new kind of candidate and one they are happy to support
"I had not committed to a candidate for quite a while and then once I saw Trump speak to crowds and the way he was able to generate enthusiasm from crowds," said Amy Carnevale, a delegate from Marblehead.
This is the fourth convention for Kangas - and so far, her favorite. "It's not boring!" she says.
She readily admits - Trump isn't perfect. "Yes, some of the words - the language - is a little over the top for me - that's not my favorite part of Donald Trump," she says.
But she says his brash style is part of the reason for his success.
"I think he will change his tone a little - but I don't want him to not be Donald," Kangas said.
New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte has said she will support the eventual nominee, but she chose not to attend.