Five big issues New York Republicans are talking about at the RNC
After the first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, New York’s delegates regrouped at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Tuesday morning to listen to speeches, chat about the proceedings and give interviews to the press. Here are five big topics that they are talking about.
Party unity
Delegates opposed to Trump forced a high-profile confrontation Monday as they tried to force a vote on the rules that would have allowed them to vote their conscience, among other changes. The effort failed, but it drew attention to segments of the party that have yet to embrace the presumptive nominee.
“I was not that impressed or concerned about the roll call revolt on the floor. I thought it almost played into Trump’s hands. I was not a Trump supporter, but the guy won 37 states and for at the last minute to try to delay the roll call … was petty, like a last dying gasp. … As I’ve gotten more closely involved with Trump over the last few weeks, I still have some real issues, we disagree over Iraq, but having said that, I think the thrust of his candidacy is the right one. I certainly support him over Hillary Clinton, so I’m supporting him.” -Rep. Peter King
“As unconventional as this campaign has been, this, I think, was pretty great day to start this convention. We as a delegation had a big role. We sit front and center in this convention. We had to spring into action and make sure our people were in their seats and deliver the votes that we need to for New York and for the RNC. You had a crybaby walkout by the Colorado delegation.” -Nick Langworthy, Erie County Republican Committee chairman
“I found the convention got off to a rocky start at the early session. At the conclusion, I felt more unity as it moves on through this week. It started out, obviously, with some difference of opinion in the afternoon, and moving more towards a unified party as concluded on the first day. I’m looking forward to the second night of speeches and bringing people together so we can understand Donald Trump’s platform and how he proposes to reach to all our Americans and bring not only the party together but the country together.” -Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano
Melania Trump’s speech
The initial reaction to Melania Trump’s speech was positive, but the big moment for the potential first lady was quickly marred by allegations that she lifted passages from a similar speech given by first lady Michelle Obama in 2008. The Trump campaign denied she had plagiarized the speech.
“That speaking hits all soccer moms around America. An individual doesn’t have a family like Donald Trump has of remarkable individuals, you don’t raise kids like he has raised, without being a remarkable father.” -Rep. Chris Collins
“I thought her speech was terrific. The whole talk about the sentences being taken out, yeah, it shouldn’t have happened. It certainly wasn’t done intentionally by anyone. I prefer that the Trump people would end it and get it over with. The bottom line is I think the American people liked what they saw in Melania Trump.” -Peter King
“I don’t care what these people are saying about who wrote what. Melania Trump was poised, she was excellent, she was inspirational and I think she is going to be a huge asset on the campaign trail. I think most of the criticism this morning, and trying to create a scandal out of nowhere, is because they want to change the story. It was as if they killed someone last night, the discussion, because there’s similarities. Obviously two women were speaking inspirationally about their husbands. We don’t know who wrote the speech and I don’t care and I don’t think the American people care.” -Nick Langworthy
“I haven’t really looked at that, haven’t had a chance to. I don’t know anything about it.” -Ed Cox, state Republican Party chairman
Rudolph Giuliani’s speech
The former mayor of New York City elicited some of the loudest cheers from the crowd on Monday night as he gave a rousing speech defending law enforcement and emphasizing the importance law and order in the wake of the high-profile killings of police officers.
“Rudy Giuliani knocked it out of the park. It was terrific, it was exciting for the New York delegation to have Rudy out there being Rudy in a very effective way.” -Ed Cox
“Mayor Giuliani was a rock star. I hope he is going to campaign out on the street for Trump. I think we will have a great surrogate there. People clearly think he should have a big role, when it comes to the Trump administration.” -Nick Langworthy
Trump’s New York chances
A new Quinnipiac University poll this week found that Trump trails Clinton by 12 points, with 47 percent of voters backing the Democrat and just 35 planning to vote for the Republican. However, some Republicans argue that Trump has a shot in the Empire State.
“The polls at this point don’t count for much. We’ll have to see after the convention, see what happens after their convention. That’s when the campaign really starts.” -Ed Cox
“I think Trump can win New York. It’s very competitive. As you saw in the primary, his voter turnout was significant and unmatched in prior presidential primaries in New York. He obviously has a strong appeal in the suburbs and upstate. So for a change, New York is now a competitive state in this presidential election.” -Ed Mangano
“New York is in play. It’s the blue wall, the two pillars to the Democratic Party strategy – they take California and New York. If we win New York, it’s a game-changer.” -Adele Malpass, Manhattan Republican Party chairwoman
Potential cabinet posts
Now that Trump has selected Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate, the speculation has turned to who might fill out the cabinet in a potential Trump administration. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who addressed the New York delegation on Monday, is open to serving; Giuliani, who gave a well-received speech Monday, could also be considered, perhaps as secretary of Homeland Security; and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who’s set to speak tonight, is also in the mix.
“Look, Rudy Giuliani, talk to me about a person who solved the problems of New York City and cut the welfare rolls, versus Newt Gingrich, who passed the laws that permitted him to do it. He came in in an era of crime and grime in New York with the “broken windows” theory of going after crime, and crime went down drastically and has continued to go down. There are similarities now with the people who feel upset about what’s going on in this country, there’s questions of security from threats at home and abroad, and I think he addressed those things very well.” -Ed Cox
“Mr. Trump hasn’t asked me for my advice yet. (Laughs.) We’ve got great leaders across the country, and I’m sure that a President Trump will include them in decision-making. I’m here as an observer.” -Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro
-with reporting by Justin Sondel