Day 4 Of The Republican National Convention: Hits & Misses
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Thursday was a historic night for Republicans in Cleveland. The billionaire real estate developer and reality TV star Donald Trump accepted the party's nomination, promising to kick-start the economy for Americans he says have been ignored by Washington politicians.
"These are the forgotten men and women of our country – and they are forgotten, but they're not going to be forgotten long," said Trump. "These are people who work hard but no longer have a voice. I am your voice."
Many Republicans expected Trump to pivot from his controversial pre-convention proposals. He did not. He called for banning immigrants – presumably Muslims – from countries associated with terrorism.
Delegates chanted "build that wall!" as he promised "a great border wall" between the U.S. and Mexico.
Hit: Trump's Acceptance Speech
Trump did what he needed to do Thursday. He was aiming for anxious voters who think America is spinning out of control. He described vividly a country he says is in crisis.
It was such a dark speech about America that President Obama felt compelled Friday to say it doesn't match reality – that violent crime, police shootings and illegal immigration are actually way down.
Miss: Trump's response to Ted Cruz's snub
Trump moved on Friday in another unexpected direction, lingering for a long time on the Ted Cruz convention snub. At a thank you event for volunteers, Trump commented at length about Cruz getting booed off the stage and refusing to endorse him. Trump now says now he doesn't even want his endorsement.
"Somebody got booed the hell out of the place by thousands and thousands of people. There wasn't one person in the room, not one," Trump said.
"And you know he'll come and endorse over the next little while. He'll come and endorse, because he has no choice. But I don't want his endorsement. What difference does it make? I don't want his endorsement."
Trump's reaction Friday seemed more like the old Trump, while Thursday's speech seems like the new Trump.
Trump also brought up the conspiracy theory linking Cruz's father to the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Now that the RNC has concluded, Hillary Clinton will get to make her case to the American public when the Democratic convention kicks off in Philadelphia Monday.