The RNC began in Cleveland on Monday with the themes of party unity and Make America Great Again.
The Pennsylvania GOP Delegation has been a major focus of the Trump campaign as a battleground state in November. The Monday morning speaker for the state’s breakfast was Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. He even waved a Pittsburgh Steelers Terrible Towel and took selfies with delegates.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PAUL RYAN (LEFT) AND SETH KAUFER
Monday afternoon was the traditional delegate-voting day with approval of the platform and rules of the convention.
The platform was widely approved by voice vote of the convention delegates with minimal changes from past planks and language. Of note to the LGBT community, there was a push by a number of younger delegates to soften language on social issues, but these measures narrowly lost in committee.
The real fireworks came when a push by Never Trump delegates attempted to stage a coup led by Sen. Mike Lee to have a full roll call vote of delegates to unbind them from the primary vote results. It was clearly defeated in a raucous voice vote and was opposed by Pennsylvania delegates.
The Monday evening session had the theme of Make America Safe Again. Speeches focused on Hillary Clinton’s and Barack Obama’s failures over the past eight years that resulted in a less-safe country, including sheriffs and other members of law enforcement.
Parents of the Benghazi attack and illegal immigration murder victims were also highlighted. Other key speeches were given by former Mayor of New York City Rudolph Giuliani, Sen. Joni Ernst and Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn.
Donald Trump also made a quick appearance to introduce his wife Melania for a primetime speech that was very well-received in the hall, and she looked fabulous.
The excitement is building to hear the speeches from nominee Trump, his VP pick Mike Pence and other key speakers. The LGBT delegates are especially looking forward to hearing the speeches from openly gay technology entrepreneur Peter Thiel and daughter of the candidate Ivanka Trump.
The big LGBT party is Tuesday night so stay tuned for more convention and social coverage. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for real-time updates.
Dr. Seth Kaufer is an openly gay gastroenterologist from South Philadelphia and is an elected Delegate to the RNC. He is also the Republican Ward Leader of Philadelphia’s Second Ward and Vice Chair of Philadelphia Young Republicans. Kaufer will be sending daily updates from the RNC to PGN.