Keller @ Large: RNC Recap With Paula Ebben
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Republican National Convention is in the books--and before moving on to the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, WBZ political analyst Jon Keller sat down with WBZ-TV reporter Paula Ebben to talk about what happened at the GOP's big week in Cleveland.
Keller said there were two moments during the RNC that seemed to highlight lingering divisions in the Republican party--the floor battle on Monday, and Ted Cruz's non-endorsement speech on Wednesday.
Ebben said the WBZ-TV crew had been told by people on the street in Cleveland that the "Never Trump" delegates would "make a scene."
"Suddenly, there was this screaming and yelling about bringing the vote to the floor," she said. "There was this explosion of activity where I thought, 'boy, you just don't see this in modern-day conventions anymore.'"
She said many delegates later told her they did not like seeing the rules violated.
"They didn't like the way the rules committee had operated," she said. "It was just interesting to see in a way that we don't usually in these pre-scripted, predictable conventions of people really trying to make their voices heard at the 11th hour."
Keller asked Ebben about reports that Trump campaign floor whips were encouraging booing of Sen. Ted Cruz's speech.
"As the arena began to realize about 3/4 of the way through the speech that he was not going to endorse, you began to hear the growing yell of 'say his name,' and you knew the ugliness between the men," she said. "By the time Cruz said 'vote your conscience,' they really flipped out ... I can't say that I specifically saw the floor whips doing that, but they were very active throughout the week getting people to cheer, getting people to respond."
Ebben said she thinks Trump will see greater support among Republicans post-convention.
"All of the delegates that we spoke with there said, 'I was originally with Rubio,' or 'I was originally with Cruz, but I've decided I cannot vote for Hillary Clinton, we cannot let her in the White House," Ebben said.
Keller and Ebben also discussed the anti-Clinton sentiment at the convention, and the "Lock Her Up" chants during Chris Christie's speech.
"It was an unsettling moment," said Ebben. "It was sort of an out-of-control, very visceral, emotional moment."
You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.
