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His Tone Dark, Donald Trump Takes G.O.P. Mantle His Tone Dark, Donald Trump Takes G.O.P. Mantle
(35 minutes later)
CLEVELAND — Donald John Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday night with an unusually emphatic appeal to Americans who feel that their country is spiraling out of control and yearn for a fearless leader who will take aggressive, even extreme, actions to protect them. CLEVELAND — Donald John Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday night with an unusually emphatic appeal to Americans who feel that their country is spiraling out of control and yearn for a leader who will take aggressive, even extreme, actions to protect them.
Mr. Trump, 70, a New York real estate developer and reality television star who leveraged his fame and forceful persona to become the rare political outsider to lead the ticket of a major party, portrayed himself as a truth-teller who would identify and retaliate against threats to the United States. Mr. Trump, 70, a New York real estate developer and reality television star who leveraged his fame and forceful persona to become the rare political outsider to lead the ticket of a major party, drew exuberant cheers from Republican convention delegates as he strode onto the stage of the Quicken Loans Arena and delivered a speech as unusual as his candidacy.
Facing a restive party on the final night of a convention that has been unusually turbulent and divided, Mr. Trump galvanized the audience at the Republican National Convention by focusing sharply on his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, and on multiple enemies to American stability. He accused her of “terrible, terrible crimes.” Portaying himself as a bold truth-teller who would confront and retaliate against threats to the United States, Mr. Trump challenged Republican orthodoxy as he promised to end multilateral trade deals and limit American intervention in global crises. He denounced “15 years of wars in the Middle East” — a rebuke of his party’s last president, George W. Bush — and pledged to help union members, coal miners and other low-wage Americans who have historically supported Democrats.
He dwelled particularly on illegal immigrants and lawless Americans, saying they were as dangerous for the nation’s security as the Islamic State. “These are the forgotten men and women of our country,” said Mr. Trump, a billionaire with a mixed record of job creation and layoffs. “People who work hard but no longer have a voice — I am your voice.”
“Beginning on January 20th, 2017, safety will be restored,” Mr. Trump said, referring to inauguration day for the next president. Facing a restive party on the final night of a convention that has been unusually turbulent and divided, Mr. Trump undertook a last-ditch attempt to galvanize the audience by focusing sharply on their Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, and on multiple enemies to American stability.
While nomination speeches are traditionally optimistic and personal, full of hope and revelations that cast candidates in the best possible light for voters, Mr. Trump largely shaped his speech to resonate with a tense nation, and sought to reassure an electorate that remains skeptical about his temperament and abilities to be commander in chief. He dwelled particularly on illegal immigrants and lawless Americans, saying they are as dangerous for the nation’s security as the Islamic State and Syrian refugees. In doing so, Trump advisers said, he sought to win over undecided voters who are sickened by the recent violence against police officers and worried about safety yet are unsure if Mr. Trump has the temperament and abilities to be commander in chief.
Rather than portray the United States as fundamentally strong, Mr. Trump’s remarks often sounded like those of a wartime president who was determined to be candid with voters about existential risks. “The first task for our new administration will be to liberate our citizens from the crime and terrorism and lawlessness that threatens their communities,” he said.
He was blistering, too, about Mrs. Clinton, and her tenure as secretary of state, arguing that her diplomatic strategy in Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, and other countries had led to civil unrest and political chaos and rendered her unfit to be president. “I have a message to every last person threatening the peace on our streets and the safety of our police: when I take the oath of office next year, I will restore law and order to our country.”
While nomination speeches are traditionally optimistic and personal, full of hope and revelations that cast candidates in the best possible light for voters, Mr. Trump largely shaped his speech to resonate with a tense nation.
Sounding often like a wartime president, Mr. Trump used the word “threat” several times as he promised to “defeat the barbarians of ISIS” and take a strong hand in dealing with Iran, China, and other countries that he regards as adversaries. He also recited homicide rates in American cities and the thousands of illegal immigrants with criminal records, promising to control violence at home and abroad.
“It is time to show the whole world that America is back — bigger, and better and stronger than ever before,” Mr. Trump said.
He was blistering about Mrs. Clinton, too, and her tenure as secretary of state, arguing that her diplomatic strategy in Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, and other countries had led to civil unrest and political chaos and rendered her unfit to be president.
He speculated audaciously that President Obama regretted putting her in charge of the State Department.He speculated audaciously that President Obama regretted putting her in charge of the State Department.
“America is far less safe — and the world is far less stable — than when Obama made the decision to put Hillary Clinton in charge of America’s foreign policy,” Mr. Trump said. “America is far less safe — and the world is far less stable — than when Obama made the decision to put Hillary Clinton in charge of America’s foreign policy,” Mr. Trump was to say.
In a bid to appeal to Democrats unhappy with their party’s embrace of Mrs. Clinton, he invoked the political message of her chief rival, Senator Bernie Sanders, and suggested that Mr. Sanders shared Republicans’ critique of her record.In a bid to appeal to Democrats unhappy with their party’s embrace of Mrs. Clinton, he invoked the political message of her chief rival, Senator Bernie Sanders, and suggested that Mr. Sanders shared Republicans’ critique of her record.
“Her bad instincts and her bad judgment — something pointed out by Bernie Sanders — are what caused many of the disasters unfolding today,” Mr. Trump said. “But Hillary Clinton’s legacy does not have to be America’s legacy. The problems we face now — poverty and violence at home, war and destruction abroad — will last only as long as we continue relying on the same politicians who created them.”“Her bad instincts and her bad judgment — something pointed out by Bernie Sanders — are what caused many of the disasters unfolding today,” Mr. Trump said. “But Hillary Clinton’s legacy does not have to be America’s legacy. The problems we face now — poverty and violence at home, war and destruction abroad — will last only as long as we continue relying on the same politicians who created them.”
Championing his “America First” foreign policy theme, he played on the anxieties of some voters that the rest of the world no longer respects the United States. And he pledged to act quickly to make Americans feel better about their country and put foreign allies and adversaries on notice that the nation would focus exclusively and forcefully on protecting its own interests.Championing his “America First” foreign policy theme, he played on the anxieties of some voters that the rest of the world no longer respects the United States. And he pledged to act quickly to make Americans feel better about their country and put foreign allies and adversaries on notice that the nation would focus exclusively and forcefully on protecting its own interests.
“My message is that things have to change — and they have to change right now,” Mr. Trump said.“My message is that things have to change — and they have to change right now,” Mr. Trump said.
Change has been an enduring theme of Mr. Trump’s campaign, which has defied political tradition and the usual rules for candidates: Mr. Trump rose in the polls last summer even as he made statements about women, Mexicans, and prisoners of war like Senator John McCain that would normally doom presidential contenders. The convention hall was full for Mr. Trump’s speech after several nights of empty seats and muted enthusiasm among delegates, many of whom were still ambivalent about Mr. Trump’s nomination. Delegates were rapt as Mr. Trump’s elder daughter, Ivanka, introduced him as a leader who would “take on the bold and worthy fights, who will be unafraid to set lofty goals and relentless in his determination to achieve them.”
Boldness has been an enduring theme of Mr. Trump’s campaign, which has defied political tradition and the usual rules for candidates: Mr. Trump rose in the polls last summer even as he made statements about women, Mexicans, and prisoners of war like Senator John McCain that would normally doom presidential contenders.
This week’s convention, which typically would have been choreographed carefully, was itself a departure from the norm. But if Mr. Trump injected drama and even spontaneity back into the formulaic gathering, he also tested the limits of improvisation over the last week.This week’s convention, which typically would have been choreographed carefully, was itself a departure from the norm. But if Mr. Trump injected drama and even spontaneity back into the formulaic gathering, he also tested the limits of improvisation over the last week.
The operatic quality of the first three days of the convention worried some Republicans. Presidential candidates have two major issues to deal with over the summer, their vice-presidential selection and their convention, and they felt he had bungled both. Mr. Trump chose his running mate haphazardly and then overshadowed the announcement of Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana by indulging in a rambling speech that revived questions about his seriousness.The operatic quality of the first three days of the convention worried some Republicans. Presidential candidates have two major issues to deal with over the summer, their vice-presidential selection and their convention, and they felt he had bungled both. Mr. Trump chose his running mate haphazardly and then overshadowed the announcement of Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana by indulging in a rambling speech that revived questions about his seriousness.
As Mr. Trump prepared to close out the party gathering, Republicans had made little headway toward making Americans feel comfortable with the prospect of him in the White House, or revealing new dimensions to him.As Mr. Trump prepared to close out the party gathering, Republicans had made little headway toward making Americans feel comfortable with the prospect of him in the White House, or revealing new dimensions to him.
Instead, the party staged a convention that reflected just how fractured they are. There were, to be sure, effective attacks on the character and record of Mrs. Clinton, whose unpopularity among modern presidential nominees is exceeded only by Mr. Trump’s. But some of the anti-Clinton language spilled into ugliness and catcalls. The party at times seemed unified only around a shared determination to imprison the former secretary of state. Instead, the party staged a convention that reflected just how fractured they are. There were, to be sure, effective attacks on the character and record of Mrs. Clinton, whose unpopularity among modern presidential nominees is exceeded only by Mr. Trump’s. But some of the anti-Clinton language spilled into ugliness and catcalls.
But the speeches dedicated to promoting Mr. Trump and the party’s governing vision were hazy and at times collided with the candidate’s own beliefs. But the speeches dedicated to promoting Mr. Trump and the party’s governing vision were hazy and at times collided with the candidate’s own beliefs. Many of the elected officials who spoke extolled a traditional conservative platform that bears little relation to the nationalist agenda on which Mr. Trump is basing his campaign.
Hours before Mr. Pence, a committed internationalist, assured delegates and millions of voters that America would defend its allies, Mr. Trump gave an interview in which he balked at defending NATO countries, a policy that has been the cornerstone of the alliance for 70 years. For example, just hours before Mr. Pence, a committed internationalist, assured delegates and millions of voters that America would defend its allies, Mr. Trump gave an interview in which he balked at defending NATO countries, a policy that has been the cornerstone of the alliance for 70 years.
And while Mr. Pence has advocated the rights of businesses to deny services to gay people based on religious beliefs, Peter Thiel, a Silicon Valley billionaire and major Republican donor, on Thursday declared from the stage: “I am proud to be gay, I am proud to be a Republican, but most of all I am proud to be an American.’’
Even as Republicans prepared to leave Cleveland, they were still straining to come to terms with the views and personality of their newly minted nominee.
“I’m going to vote for Mike Pence,” said Gov. Gary Herbert of Utah, pausing for effect: “And Donald Trump comes along with the package.”
Candidates who are trailing — as Mr. Trump is, according to national polling averages — must maximize the bump they typically enjoy in the polls after their conventions. Mr. Trump may see his standing improve after he leaves Cleveland Friday. But early evidence suggests he failed to fully seize the opportunity he was afforded in the weeks since Mrs. Clinton was upbraided by the F.B.I. director over her private email server. He will have precious few moments to do so again.Candidates who are trailing — as Mr. Trump is, according to national polling averages — must maximize the bump they typically enjoy in the polls after their conventions. Mr. Trump may see his standing improve after he leaves Cleveland Friday. But early evidence suggests he failed to fully seize the opportunity he was afforded in the weeks since Mrs. Clinton was upbraided by the F.B.I. director over her private email server. He will have precious few moments to do so again.
In many ways, the convention’s formality was an awkward fit for Mr. Trump, who soared in the primaries by energizing voters at freewheeling rallies with his off-the-cuff and frequently entertaining remarks.In many ways, the convention’s formality was an awkward fit for Mr. Trump, who soared in the primaries by energizing voters at freewheeling rallies with his off-the-cuff and frequently entertaining remarks.
Instead, for Thursday night, he relied on a teleprompter and a speech heavy with familiar Republican themes like cutting taxes, creating jobs, and pushing for education reforms to give parents more choice in schools for their children. But in it he also promised to be the ultimate safeguard for the younger generations of Americas as well. Instead, for Thursday night, he planned to rely on a teleprompter and a speech heavy with familiar Republican themes like cutting taxes and creating jobs.
Yet he also made more personal promises as well, like being the ultimate safeguard for the younger generations of Americas as well.
“To every parent who dreams for their child, and every child who dreams for their future, I say these words to you tonight: I’m with you, I will fight for you, and I will win for you,” Mr. Trump said.