It is Trump’s Party, and We are All Invited

RNC update #7 by Sue Greenwald, M.D.

Note to readers: I added a large number of photos to this last post about the Republican National Convention. Your email may omit some of the content. If that happens you can see the entire post HERE.

The Nebraska Delegates had a free day on Thursday, so we rested, ate leisurely lunches and attended book signings.

The Fiserv doors opened at 4 pm for the 5:45 start time of the July 18 Republican National Convention. Those without assigned seats got there early as the arena, which had empty upper decks on previous nights, was packed out for this night.

Our position in the front row was a blessing and a curse. We were so close to the speakers and the action on stage, we were in a prime spot for photos. However, I have to admit that I will need to watch the play back to tell you exactly what was said. We were surrounded by walls of photographers, and people greeting, visiting, taking selfies-loudly. Even President Trump was hard to hear, although people were more respectful for he and his son Eric.

Much of the time, I didn’t have my phone out, so I missed some good shots. I was busy taking in my surroundings. I had confidence my fellow delegates would supply the photos, and they did not disappoint.

I arrived 90 minutes early, and watched the place fill up. I was standing in the aisle when our party Chairman, Eric Underwood, pointed to some people and said “follow them.” We were led to the VIP box, where we sat in butter soft white chairs with the best view in the house, 2 rows behind the seats reserved for the President. We were allowed 30 minutes to take it in during the beginning of the program. We saw the colors presented and heard the national anthem. Mary Millben was the name of the singer, and her rendition rivaled Whitney Houston for the best ever.

As we left those VIP seats, a lovely woman handed me a commemorative token on a lanyard as a souvenir. To me, the message sent by the Trump organization, in elegant fashion, was “you are important and deserve to have your expectations exceeded.”

Hospitality, and caring concern for others, is a hallmark of Donald Trump and his entire extended family. The point was brought home by several speakers sharing personal heart warming stories about how their expectations were exceeded. They included people who worked with or for Donald Trump, people involved with his golf courses, and pastors that he has befriended.

The goal of the night clearly was to remind voters that this is a kind and generous man, who has been demonized by the press and the politicians to the point where a significant slice of the population wishes him dead.

When Tucker Carlson came onstage, the scrum in front of us became a wall of photographers and screamers. I heard almost nothing he said, except something about Donald Trump trying to save Democracy.

Eric Trump’s job was to talk about policy. He was on point and eloquent. He enumerated the failures of the Biden administration. He contrasted those with the historic successes of the first Trump administration, which the press has either never acknowledged, or has memory-holed.

Eric Trump’s repeated line was “I’m sorry.” I’m sorry this is happening to you, my country-men and -women. We know it’s bad, and we will fix it.

Melania Trump arrived in style, she did not speak but she has incredible stage presence. It can’t be overstated that she is a stunningly beautiful woman.

The entertainment was then provided by personal friends of Donald Trump: Kid Rock, and Hulk Hogan. His introduction was provided by his close friend Dana White of the UFC. It struck me that Donald Trump’s closest friends are very masculine men.

During President Trump’s speech, there was a press perimeter in front of us. Secret Service agents were positioned to the side of us and above us. The press tried to be respectful, but they could not help being in our view. A few of us from the Nebraska Delegation got up to stand with the press. We were standing maybe 35 feet from the President. We kept eye-checking each other and expected someone to tap us on the shoulder, but no one did. It was the second surreal moment of the evening for me.

President Trump was more subdued than we are accustomed to seeing him. He recounted his near-death experience as if he were addressing his family. He explained how the death count could have been much worse if the crowd had stampeded, but the Patriots stood firm. He honored the casualties. He humanized Corey Camporatore, the husband and father who was killed, and in a poignant moment, kissed the helmet of Corey’s firefighter gear displayed on the stage.

For me, the two most important themes of his speech were to welcome everyone to the MAGA movement, and to remind people not to limit their dreams and expectations.

He said he wants to be President for all the people, not half. He wants to unite Americans behind a common history, a common patriotism, a common respect for the importance of faith and family, and a healthy economy that benefits every citizen. These concepts have no color or creed or sexual orientation. Trump invited everyone in.

“I am here tonight to lay out a vision for the whole nation. To every citizen, whether you are young or old, man or woman, Democrat, Republican, or Independent, Black or White, Asian or Hispanic, I extend to you a hand of loyalty and friendship.”

The money quote of Trump’s speech was about expectations. The Biden administration has forced people to live smaller lives. That was the recurring theme that linked the four days of the convention together. We are all being groomed to expect less. Masks and vaccine mandates, churches closed, businesses destroyed, taxes and prices raised, home mortgages unaffordable, crime encouraged and police defunded. Stolen elections, political prisoners and hostages, demoralized military, endless war, FBI raids, corruption in plain sight, constant censorship, propaganda media, demolished borders, homelessness and addiction, and the attempted assassination of one of the few leaders who isn’t cowering from the crushing weight of it.

“You have been told to lower your expectations and to accept less for your families,” said Donald Trump. “I am here tonight with the opposite message: your expectations are not big enough!”

I was not sure what to expect from this Republican National Convention, but my expectations were not big enough. In spite of the fact that due respect was given to the imprisoned, the murdered, and the combat casualties, it was a joyous week. It was over-the-top wonderful. It was a circus in a good way. It was a homecoming. It was a week with family.

And…the balloon drop was INSANE! Those gold balloons are larger than beach balls.

Throughout night four of the Republican National Convention, my personal impression was that it felt we were attending a private party; a party where the host is loved and appreciated by his inner circle. It was Trump’s party and he invited a few million of his closest friends. It was Trump’s party during which he debuted Trump’s Party. It is dark and lonely in the land of Never-Trumpers today.