CLEVELAND—The Republican National Convention is set to kick off as the nation reels from another deadly shooting and dissident delegates stage a longshot, last-gasp effort to deny Donald Trump the GOP nomination for president.
Amid the tumult, it was undeniably Trump’s moment — a week at the pinnacle of American politics that few could have imagined when the New York billionaire entered the race a year ago.
“We want America to understand who Donald Trump the man is, not just Donald Trump the candidate,” said campaign chairman Paul Manafort.
Yet the first act Monday was likely to underline how divisive Trump has been. Delegates were voting on the rules that will govern the convention week, and insurgent delegates said they would try to force a state-by-state vote — a move that could disrupt floor proceedings even if they fail.
Trump’s opponents want to change a rule that requires delegates to vote for the candidate to whom they were committed after state primaries and caucuses. Trump’s nomination is essentially automatic under the current rules, because he has far more than the 1,237 delegates required to win.
Some rebellious delegates threatened to walk out if they are thwarted, perhaps on Monday. Should that occur in significant numbers, it could leave television cameras panning across empty seats.
