The Slow Bern

Bernie Sanders is in a tough spot. Now facing the end of his self-styled political revolution, he is tasked with ensuring his supporters vote for the woman they fought so hard to defeat. Months of railing against Hillary Clinton only put Mr. Sanders in a position to offer a tepid endorsement and attempt fruitlessly to convince his rabid fans that the former Secretary of State represents the lesser of two evils. While he may reap long-term benefits, Mr. Sanders' current situation is partially a beast of his own creation.

From the Wikimedia Commons

While Mr. Sanders could never have anticipated the massive support he received during the primary, his bravado in carrying on once the contest was decided was not his most honorable moment. Against any normal Republican nominee,  Mr. Sanders' insistence in making a political point may have seemed admirable, however, Donald J. Trump is not a normal presidential candidate. If Mr. Sanders truly sees a Trump Administration as dangerous, as he says, he should have threw his wholehearted support behind Mrs. Clinton once Mr. Trump's nomination became inevitable. Instead, he waited until two weeks before the convention to offer his halfhearted endorsement, reportedly until his demands toward Mrs. Clinton's campaign were fulfilled.

Thus, the backlash from Sanders supporters this week in Philadelphia is far from surprising. Mr. Sanders encouraged enthusiasm throughout his mostly admirable campaign. And while he understandingly does not want to chastise his supporters, time is growing short for him to build the strong coalition he claims is necessary to defeat Trump in November. The political revolution he spearheaded is slowly gaining legitimacy, but he cannot be its torchbearer. Unfortunately for Mr. Sanders and his supporters, if they want their ideas to flourish, a Clinton Presidency is the first step. The only alternative is to wash their hopes and dreams crash and burn at the hands of Donald Trump.

Cleveland Emerges as Real Winner from RNC

While most Americans experienced the Republican National Convention only through their television screens, those who visited Cleveland to attend, work, or volunteer were treated to a host city on top of its game. It is easy to label Cleveland as a comeback city. The impressive revitalization of downtown afforded the city to present itself as a thriving metropolis eager to refute stereotypes. While urban issues continue to blight the city as a whole, Cleveland -- particularly downtown -- exceeded all expectations.

From joiseyshowaa, Flickr

It was easy to be wary of the challenges that faced the city in the many months leading up to the convention. A major national security event anyway, this convention offered unique security challenges because of the vitriol and anger associated with the nominee. As Trump's rallies drew massive crowds often hostile to opposition and the opposition began turning out in larger numbers, the convention was obviously expected by many to serve as a fierce battleground between the two sides. As the Black Panthers and white supremacist groups both planned large events in the city during convention week, organizers, pundits, and attendees all predicted a convention that could easily devolve into mass chaos both inside and outside the Quciken Loans Arena. To counter, the Republican Party quashed all Trump's opposition to prevent raucous fighting inside, and the City of Cleveland and the Cleveland Police Department developed an exhaustive plan to combat any violence, while maintaining the citizenry's right to peaceful assembly.

Ultimately, the convention itself, while certainly not the opulent and scripted coronation that Reince Preibus and Donald Trump had hoped for, stuck mainly to what they planned. But outside, hordes of police from all over the country prevented protests from getting out of control, and were simultaneously praised for their measured and levelheaded behavior toward activists. From my personal experience, visitors from out of town unanimously praised Cleveland as an excellent host and wonderful city to visit. The excellent showcase continues the city's rapid upward trajectory and cements its status as a truly excellent American city.

As the Republicans presented a vision of a violent, crumbling America on the decline, Cleveland proved that isn't the case.

Day Four: The Straw Man

From DonkeyHotey, Flickr

I write again several days after the final day of the convention, partially because of the need for more reflection following what was likely the most long-winded, dark, and self-aggrandizing major speech from a presidential candidate in modern history. I had the unique privilege to sit in the arena as Donald Trump delivered his address and vision to the American public. As the crowd cheered each of Mr. Trump's arguments , it was difficult to discern exactly how abnormal the speech actually was. And as Mr. Trump painted a portrait of an unsafe nation in the middle of an unhinged world that he "alone" has the power to fix, he presented himself as an unsafe and unhinged candidate.

Even among the rapturous applause inside the Quicken Loans Arena, the sinister tone of the address took center stage. Trump described the state of the country using dystopian rhetoric. He exaggerated crime statistics, and attributed the growth of radical Islamic terrorist attacks, police shootings, and racial unrest to President Obama and Hillary Clinton. The toxicity and divisiveness of Mr. Trump's language at the convention, while not unusual for his campaign, is completely without precedent in modern American politics. It is important to make that distinction and remember at all times that Mr. Trump's campaign is not normal.

Additionally, Mr. Trump was completely factually inaccurate at many points during the speech. He claimed that Hillary Clinton is in favor of repealing the Second Amendment and that 58% of black youth are unemployed, both of which are easily debunked with basic research. That Trump seemingly lies indiscriminately displays a disturbing trait for a potential commander-in-chief. Either he knowingly lies without remorse or regard for the truth, or he lies unknowingly -- too lazy to go through the process of basic fact-checking.

Overall, the speech should trouble all advocates of democracy. Trump's strongman complex, coupled with his barbaric tone and systematic lying disqualify him from serving as the world's foremost leader.

Day Three: A Profile in Courage

From Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons

How does the opportunistic, Machiavellian, obtuse runner-up junior Senator from Texas turn up in the spotlight at his party's presidential nominating convention only to pointedly refuse to endorse the nominee, exhibiting traits of fortitude and honor most thought absent? How did he turn expectations on their head and use his primetime speaking spot to usurp headlines from the man whose coronation at which he was only a distinguished guest? How did he use his trademark style of obnoxious sermonizing to deliver a measured homily on "voting your conscience" to a hostile crowd of delegates? How did Ted Cruz continue to remain faithful to his beliefs when so many party elders have fallen in line behind a man they once denounced as a demagogue?

It was surreal to witness Ted Cruz's speech in the Quicken Loans Arena last evening. He seemed strategically placed by the party behind Gov. Scott Walker and Sen. Marco Rubio, both of whom endorsed Trump's candidacy, to be the third major former candidate to candidly support the businessman. However, while Cruz did not delve into the vicious attacks which marked the primary campaign, he made a point to implore voters to vote only for candidates they believed would protect the constitution, and did not explicitly name Donald Trump as one of those people. It was a deliberate, implicit, stinging snub of Trump at the event that was intended to create party unity.

It was an astonishing example of a politician placing country above party, and Ted Cruz was ultimately a surprising messenger. Often considered annoying and difficult, yet a talented politician who has used the Tea Party movement as a springboard for his aspirations, Cruz placed his future in the Republican Party on the line last evening. It was both a deft political maneuver and a courageous stand. His beliefs lined up with his aspirations perfectly. If Trump is soundly defeated and the party suffers, Cruz will benefit mightily as one who stood up to Trump when so many other Republicans fell in line. As he was booed off the stage, he smiled, hoping he would end up having the last laugh. 

Devils and Copycats on Day Two

From Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons

The revelation that Melania Trump's speech Monday night was in part plagarized from Michelle Obama's 2008 DNC speech deepened into a full force political scandal during day two of the convention. Speechwriter Meredith McIver took blame for the blunder and offered her resignation, but Donald Trump reportedly refused. The Trump campaign vigorously attempted to downplay the disclosure, yet the media ensured it got the attention it merited, in a surprisingly honorable turn in a campaign that has been otherwise lacking a fourth estate. The plagiarism does not simply represent a slight hiccup for the Trump campaign, but it is indicitive of a group in which an attitude of apathy, disorganization, and entitlement stems from the top down. The notion that the entire campaign missed such an egregious oversight on a potential First Lady's speech introducing her husband, a pivotal moment in the convention, shows blatant lack of regard for both the intelligence of the audience and the media. But, the campaign doubling down on their error by refusing to admit guilt, then asserting it was guilty, but that voters don't really care, took their sense of untouchability to a new level. While the Trump campaign has time and time again proven that the normal rules of campaigns do not apply to them, I believe that their overt laziness and lack of leadership will come back to haunt them. It is already showing at this convention.

The other truly bizarre moment from day two of the convention came when Dr. Ben Carson went onstage to denounce Hillary Clinton. During Carson's speech, he linked Mrs. Clinton to activist Saul Alinksy, who once invoked Lucifer as an object of praise in his book. The connection was dubious and cheap, and continued the RNC's theme of unapologetic ruthless bashing of Mrs. Clinton in front of a backdrop of a clearly broken and severed Republican Party. She continues to be the only thing all Republicans can unite around, and Dr. Carson tried to exploit that. But instead of coming off as sincere and eloquent, he sounded crazed. The speech continued his fall from grace as a figure that was once universally revered as a medical prodigy.

Day One Naturally Full of Discord and Controversy

The Republican National Convention opened Monday the way only a political coronation of Donald Trump could have. The goal for the day -- styled as "Make America Safe Again" -- was to aggressively attack Hillary Clinton's foreign policy and made the argument that the Obama Administration had failed in protecting Americans, especially police officers and those in the military. And while several speakers made forceful remarks to accomplish that, they were overshadowed by a last ditch attempt to thwart Trump via parliamentary procedure and accusations of plagiarism. The convention has not derailed by any means, but it certainly is not the coordinated celebration that the party had planned.

From the Wikimedia Commons

When the time came for adoption of the rules governing the convention, the "Never Trump" faction seized the opportunity to humiliate the campaign. The Utah Delegation motioned for a roll call vote, a lengthy process that would have processed into the night, possibly delaying the program. However, a few states withdrew their support for the move after pressure on the floor from the Trump campaign. Although their efforts were stymied, they succeeded in disrupting a typically highly coordinated affair.

The controversy didn't stop there. Melania Trump, the headliner, was accused of plagiarizing Michelle Obama's 2008 DNC speech. Indeed, a few sections match nearly word for word. The Trump campaign has vigorously denied copying the speech. 

If the tone of the Trump campaign thus far has been an acutely mesmerizing, hyperbolic yet sinister and disjointed affair, the opening night of the convention reflected that in spades. Anyone expecting anything different should remember to always expect the unexpected.

The Approaching Exploitation of Unrest and Tragedy for Political Gain

What an exhausting week in news.

Two recent events overseas have shaken the world and will certainly prove to have a major ripple effect in American politics. First, the rogue truck disaster in Nice, France has forced terrorism and ISIS to remain as central issues in the presidential election. It enhances the ability for Republicans and Donald Trump to make the case that the Western world is unsafe, vulnerable to terror, and that the government and military needs to play a larger role in fighting Islamic terror outfits. I fully expect Republican politicians and Mr. Trump to espouse that theme in their rhetoric at the convention this week. Polling indicates that Mr. Trump receives high marks versus Hillary Clinton on the issue of national security and he will undoubtedly use the Nice attack to his political advantage.

From a Telegraph story, Jan. 2012

The details are still murky on the other major event of the week, but the military coup attempt in Turkey will also likely factor into the candidates' political calculus While neither candidate has extensively commented on the situation, it represents a major security issue for the government. A compelling analysis published today in the New York Times discussed how this failed coup made an already volatile region more turbulent. It puts the government in the difficult spot of whether they support a non-democratic coup against a leader with which they have a difficult relationship. But the Times piece asserted that issue is secondary to the conflict an unstable Turkey would create in regards to American policy on ISIS. In order for the "fight" against ISIS to maintain its recent success on the ground in Iraq and Syria, Turkey must remain "a willing host to American forces and a stable player in the world’s most volatile corner." I expect both candidates realize this and will likely express their hope for stability to return in Turkey, although both will likely develop attack lines from the situation to target each other.

Poll: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-conventions/clinton-leads-trump-diverse-battleground-states-new-polls-n609551
Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/16/world/europe/erdogan-turkey-coup-us-fear.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=a-lede-package-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news