With his running mate squared away and the Republican Party more or less
behind him, Donald Trump prepares for a prime-time moment this week
that few would have predicted a year ago: his anointment as the party’s
presidential nominee.
The wealthy businessman’s coronation in
Cleveland will come at the end of the four-day Republican National
Convention that kicks off July 18. Befitting the candidate’s
unrestrained nature, the convention is expected to be a more spontaneous
affair this year than past iterations.
Trump campaign manager
Paul Manafort said the convention will focus on the whole of Trump’s
personality from his family to his business interests and in the end
will show that he is ready to be president.
“I think we’re going to see more of the man,” he said.
On July 16, Trump gave a preview of his showmanship, honed over the years as a reality television star.
While
officially presenting his vice presidential running mate, Indiana
Governor Mike Pence, he detoured frequently to hit Democratic rival
Hillary Clinton and tout his own business record.
Trump did
recognize, however, that he picked the conservative Christian to help
unify a party that has struggled to come to terms with the real estate
mogul’s unorthodox stances and off-the-cuff campaign style.
It
was an admission of sorts that he needs the veteran politician’s yin to
counter his outsider yang in preparation for the Nov. 8 election.
Trump’s July 16 appearance was the last time he is scheduled to speak before his acceptance speech on the night of July 21.
“His
convention speech will be the most important moment of the campaign and
the largest television audience that has ever watched him,” Republican
strategist Matt Mackowiak said.
“The stakes could not be higher.
I expect it to be a prepared speech that is very well-developed, with
poll-tested language for maximum effect. He only has one chance to
deliver his nominating speech.”