During the summer, the New York Times created an awesome multimedia timeline of Republican leaders denouncing their support for presidential candidate Donald Trump.
It not only lists who doesn’t support Trump (or might even vote for Clinton), but contrasts it with statements by Trump himself, to show what exactly provoked their un-endorsement.
They now extended the timeline and added all the 40+ people who have walked in the last two days.
Check out the full timeline here.
We are already on Day 4 of the Republican convention, and – believe it or not – this is the first time that Donald Trump will appear on stage.
If you want to watch the grand finale together with friends, there are are couple of Watch Parties here in New York.
Thursday, July 21, 6:00 PM
122 E 83rd St., New York City
“Be with your fellow Republicans as we watch this event live from Cleveland, Ohio. They say when it comes to politics, to expect the unexpected and 2016 has proven that to be true. Watch as Donald Trump articulates his vision to, Make America Great Again! “
Free Pizza to be served Wine, Beer and Soft Drinks are also available.
Members: $10
Nonmembers $20
RSVP to Mail@metclubnyc.org or call 212 -288-8606
Thursday, July 21, 7:00 PM
Murray Hill / Kips Bay area – address after RSVP
“The suspence is now finally over! As the shroud of “smoke-filled” rooms, the “conscience voting” by the delegates, the massive protest walkouts, and the boy-cotters trumpetting #NeverTrump will ultimately succumb and be trumped by the anti-climatic crowning of Trump.”
Thursday, July 21, 7:30 PM
Rudy’s Bar & Grill, 627 9th Avenue
“If you can’t look away, don’t watch alone! Come to Rudy’s, grab a pint and enjoy the mess.”
So the Republican Convention in Cleveland had it’s first actual political scandal – Stephen Colbert and a plagiarized speech don’t really count in the grand scheme of things – and it came thanks to Sen. Ted Cruz, who stood by his refusal to endorse Donald Trump.
“I am not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my father,” Cruz said before his convention speech. During the speech itself, Cruz only mentioned Trump’s name once and instead spoke about Republican values.
The crowd wasn’t happy and booed the ending of his speech:
It’s official. On Tuesday, Donald Trump became the confirmed Republican nominee for president.
Speaker Paul Ryan – who refused to endorse Trump for a a very long time – formally declared Trump and VP-candidate Mike Pence to be the Republican standard-bearer.
Trump’s kids loved it.
Later that night, former presidential hopeful Chris Christie went on a tirade against Hillary Clinton. Far from making policy arguments, Republicans this year want to win by sending the other side to prison.
After some turbulence on the convention floor over a rule fight earlier Monday, the night was ready for some big speeches.
First up, where two B (C?)-list celebrities: Willie Robertson from Duck Dynasty and Scott Baio from Happy Days.
Vox.com wrote a perfect summary/analysis of their speeches:
“This is exactly what Trump has been saying but not quite saying this whole campaign. Not that Barack Obama’s policies have led to an increase in Americans being killed by terrorists (more died under George W. Bush) or to an increase in the murder rate (it’s gone down) but to a loss of American identity. That the old America — the one before black presidents and same-sex marriage and political correctness — was the real America, and the new more tolerant and more open America is inauthentically American.”
The main speaker of the night was Melania Trump, Donald Trump’s wife. Melania has tried to stay out of this campaign as much as possible (Trump’s daughter Ivanka speaks much more often than her), but it’s traditional for possible First Ladies to speak during the convention.
Melania Trump did a a good job. That is, until the media realized that her speech sounded familiar. Very familiar.
Even before the Republican Convention had really started, it had its first (mini)-scandal:
“It is my honor to hereby launch and begin the 2016 Republican National Hungry for Power Games! […] I know I’m not supposed to be up here, but let’s be honest, neither is Donald Trump.” – Stephen Colbert
But things got really juicy when the #NeverTrump movement appeared to secure enough signatures to force a vote on a rule change that would “unbind” delegates, so they could vote regardless of their state’s primary results. (A similar attempt failed last week at the rules committee level.)
Chaos broke out at the convention floor, when party leaders refused the vote and went on with business as usual.
While the last-minute attempt had little chance of being successful, it does show that the Republican party is far from united in their acceptance of Donald Trump.
Later tonight, possible first lady in spe, Melania Trump, will address the delegates. And this is what you can expect for the next couple of days:
Starting Monday, the political reality-tv show that is this year’s election cycle will find its (preliminary) culmination – with the start of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
Last week, the rules committee voted against unbinding delegates (so that they can vote who they want, no matter the primary results) which effectively stopped the #NeverTrump movement.
This leaves the stage open for the coronation of controversial real estate developer Donald Trump.
If you want to watch the finale together with friends, there are two Watch Parties here in New York.
Thursday, July 21, 6:00 PM
122 E 83rd St., New York City
“Be with your fellow Republicans as we watch this event live from Cleveland, Ohio. They say when it comes to politics, to expect the unexpected and 2016 has proven that to be true. Watch as Donald Trump articulates his vision to, Make America Great Again! “
Free Pizza to be served Wine, Beer and Soft Drinks are also available.
Members: $10
Nonmembers $20
RSVP to Mail@metclubnyc.org or call 212 -288-8606
Thursday, July 21, 7:00 PM
Murray Hill / Kips Bay area – address after RSVP
“The suspence is now finally over! As the shroud of “smoke-filled” rooms, the “conscience voting” by the delegates, the massive protest walkouts, and the boy-cotters trumpetting #NeverTrump will ultimately succumb and be trumped by the anti-climatic crowning of Trump.”
“The NYCPF does not endorse any candidates or parties. This event is NOT intended to be a “Get Out The Vote” drive, or voter registration or an advocacy / petition effort. Rather, this meetup is intended solely for casual, social purposes only.”
I am interning in Washington, DC, right now, so I am a little behind with filling this blog with everything that’s been going in NY presidential politics – especially concerning the whole Trump University judge controversy.
But instead of writing a lengthily post about how senior Republicans sharply criticize Trump (one even retraced his endorsement) , I found this wonderful video, where Donald Trump himself explains to you “how horrible it all is.” Enjoy.
So it finally happened.
After weeks and weeks of publicly standing up against Donald Trump, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan – the highest ranking Republican in the country – finally caved and endorsed the presumptive nominee.
Ryan wrote an op-ed in his hometown paper saying that Trump can make the Republican agenda come true.
“It’s no secret that he and I have our differences. I won’t pretend otherwise. And when I feel the need to, I’ll continue to speak my mind. But the reality is, on the issues that make up our agenda, we have more common ground than disagreement.”
Name: Michael Machnica
Borough: Upstate New York
I will vote: Donald Trump
“I am a rightly-dividing evangelical King James Bible believer (a tiny minority among so called “Christians”) that supports Mr. Trump (a vastly larger number).”
“I assisted with door-to-door campaigning in New Hampshire and South Carolina, assembly of lawn signs, phone banking and assisting with various small tasks that needed to be done in the headquarters building.”
“I am supporting Mr. Trump because I know for a fact, not just believe, that he wants to turn this country around. He, as well as millions of other Americans, have witnessed in their lifetime this once great country take a free-fall towards oblivion. As a patriotic American, he has an opportunity to do something to stop this country from destruction. History has proven that no civilization is immune from a catastrophic collapse. Mr. Trump wants to do whatever he can to keep that from happening, at least for the foreseeable future.”
“This common core garbage in the schools is dumbing down the nation’s youth. The entire Dept. of Education is unconstitutional. Education is one of the many matters reserved to the localities and states. Far more college students are assigned to read the Communist Manifesto than the Federalist Papers which was written by men who had a key part in the founding of this nation.”
Continue reading “Retired Upstater Travels Country For Trump”
Lady Liberty Votes 