| | | | | David Hume Kennerly for CNN | | Donald Trump has never faced more pressure on the national stage than he will tonight when he accepts the Republican nomination. CNN's Maeve Reston looks at tonight's challenge: fashioning a message that can at once soothe concerns among scores of independent women while still firing up the white men who are angry about the direction of the country.
What will Trump say? According to excerpts of his prepared remarks released by the campaign, here's his bottom line: "My message is that things have to change – and they have to change right now." Another key line: "I'm with you, I will fight for you, and I will win for you."
Here's one big pledge: "I have a message for all of you: the crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon come to an end. Beginning on January 20th 2017, safety will be restored," Trump plans to say.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's advice, offered in an interview with CNN's Manu Raju: "I'm a strong advocate for having a great script and sticking to it. That's the way you avoid making mistakes. And driving home the message that America needs to change." (Trump does, indeed, plan to use a teleprompter.)
Mocking the GOP: Trump's speech comes hours after he taunted his former rivals and bragged that the Republican "loyalty pledge" signed by the entire 2016 crop of candidates existed only because a Trump independent campaign worried Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, Politico's Alex Isenstadt, Rachael Bade and Andrew Restuccia report.
Eyes on Ivanka: Eric Trump predicted to CNN's Sara Murray that his sister Ivanka would win over the crowd in her prime-time speech tonight. "She does the princess thing very well and she's immensely close with my father," he said.
Buzzing tonight: Peter Thiel, the tech billionaire who's up three speakers before Trump at the convention, will admonish the GOP for refusing to embrace LGBT rights in his speech. Here's our story. | | | Sights and scenes from the Republican National Committee, shot by David Hume Kennerly for CNN. Check out many more photos from CNN's great photographers -- inside the Quicken Loans Arena and on the streets of Cleveland. | | A defiant Cruz hits Trump even harder | | The morning after his dramatic refusal to endorse Donald Trump got him booed off the floor of the Republican convention, Ted Cruz dug in -- telling the Texas delegation at breakfast he's "not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my father." He said he wouldn't cave like a "servile puppy dog." CNN's Theodore Schleifer has the inside story.
How this could work for Cruz: 1) Trump loses in November. 2) Republicans deeply regret nominating him. 3) Because he didn't fall in line, Cruz will be positioned as a leader of a coalition of conservatives and anti-Trumpers -- and his willingness to risk his political life to stand up to Trump might even appeal to some of the real estate mogul's opponents in the Democratic ranks, as well.
Will this cause Cruz a re-election headache? Trump-aligned operative Roger Stone and InfoWars conspiracy theorist Alex Jones are plotting a challenge against Cruz in the 2018 Texas Senate primary, per The Hill's Jonathan Easley.
Could Trump's feuds cost him Ohio? Since Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort attacked Gov. John Kasich in his home state Monday, "all the top political talent in the state has been called to the sidelines," one Republican close to Kasich told BuzzFeed's McKay Coppins. If those operatives never join Trump's effort, it could hobble him in a crucial swing state. | | "That guy turned over his political testicles long ago." -- Ted Cruz's campaign manager, Jeff Roe, sharing his harsh view of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on "The Chris Stigall Show." Christie bashed Cruz last night. | | | Clinton's VP search nears its end | | Hillary Clinton is nearing her decision on a vice presidential running mate -- and there are four serious contenders, CNN's Dan Merica reports. Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack have gotten the most attention -- but New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker is under "serious consideration," a source tells Dan, and Labor Secretary Tom Perez is a contender.
What we know: Booker, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and Perez met with Clinton last Friday in Washington. She's met at least twice with Kaine and Vilsack.
When it's coming: Saturday in Miami. Here's CNN's latest from Dan and Jeff Zeleny.
In Orlando this weekend: Warren, who's addressing the National Council of La Raza's conference Saturday morning. | | Trump's NATO comments trigger backlash | | Donald Trump became the first major presidential candidate to set conditions for the United States to defend its allies when he told The New York Times' David Sanger and Maggie Haberman (here's the transcript) he'd only defend NATO allies if they've "fulfilled their obligation to us." It's part of an "America First" theme Trump is pushing -- but it's drawn swift criticism across both parties.
Trump was rebuked by Sen. Mitch McConnell, who told Manu Raju: "I disagree totally with what he said about NATO. ... I want to reassure our NATO allies that we will come to the defense of any member that is threatened."
There was also push-back from Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Twitter: | | | Another notable Trump comment from the interview: He wouldn't push authoritarian allies like Turkey over civil liberties. "Look at what is happening in our country," he said. "How are we going to lecture when people are shooting policemen in cold blood?" | | Donald Trump's FEC report shows he forgave $47 million in loans to his campaign in June. ... Democrats are trying to prove their interns are more diverse than the GOP's on Capitol Hill. ... An embarrassing video featuring the Virgin Islands' delegate to Congress was briefly posted online today.
Nightcap bonus: Tomorrow we'll mark the one-year anniversary of Nightcap's launch with a special post-RNC Hangover edition. Check your inboxes in the morning! | | | Get the Nightcap, a comprehensive summary of the most important political news, delivered to your inbox daily. | | | | | |
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