Good afternoon from the quicken loans arena in cleveland, ohio, site of the 2016 republican convention. At 1 p. M. Comes down eastern time and cspan, as we 1984, willoing since bring you every minute of the convention. For the next hour or so, we will be here to set the stage for the session, both the afternoon and the evening, the politics and policy of what is going on in cleveland. Theou are following convention on our networks, i want to tell you what we will be doing on our website you can watch streamed coverage on your laptop and on mobile and we have a page where everyone of the speeches will be available on demand. You can share it with other friends who are interested in politics. We are going to be talking to a number of people who will help us understand what is going on. There are two sessions today. 1 00 eastern time and it will be focused on some of the business of the Republican National committee, reports that the committee must met last week. The rules committee which sets the stage for what happens here from a procedural standpoint as the Platform Committee. Whoill talk with a reporter has been following all of this and what it might mean for the delegate who are unhappy with their selection of the candidate. In the first prime session begins at 8 00 eastern time. The theme is make america safe again. They have a number of guests lined up to speak including senator tom cotton of arkansas, senator Jeff Sessions of alabama and rudy giuliani, former mayor of new york. Will be speaking as is the tradition of potential first ladys and then we have attorney general michael flint, joni ernst of iowa and representative ryan c key of montana, a member of the House Armed Services committee. Lets go down to the floor and introduce you to caitlin who is covering the convention for real clear politics. Lets start with the 1 00 p. M. Session where the rules committee will be reporting to the full convention. We know there are still some delegates who are wishing for an avenue to present another option to the convention. Do they have any means of doing that . Good to be with you. This is the last, last ditch effort for those opposed to the truck nomination to have their last stand. Do today tove to approve the rules determined by the rules Committee Last week and have majority support for those rules. There could be some ruckus on the Convention Floor by some of those delegates who want to vote their conscience, so to speak, which has been a term used to describe this whole effort and some are expected to protest this vote. Be a majority to opposition to those rules will to those rules. Its unlikely to deter trump from getting the nomination. There are all sorts of things going on by groups involved in that effort but it is a last that attempt to stop trump we dont really see coming to fruition. Thehat is happening with protesters outside the convention . We have read that at noon today, the protesters are really expected to gear up. Are the protests going on outside . Of cleveland has been preparing for this kind of thing. As you have seen, being here at the quicken loans arena and at the Convention Center across town where most of the media is here isthe security extremely tight. There are barricades all around the perimeter. There are police everywhere and they really seem to have this under control at this point. I was here yesterday and it was quiet and people are getting into town and checking in their hotels. They are expecting protests throughout the weekend may have been preparing for that sort of thing. Theinside here and at Convention Center, the mood among delegates, there is a sense of and dizzy as him, people getting into town and getting excited for a lot of these delegates. This is a big moment for them. They come across the country from all over, there delegations have breakfast meetings during the day, and have guest speakers. Some of them are working behind the scenes to prevent this nomination but that number is pretty small at this point. To the politics of the nomination, theres the National Situation that is providing a storyline going into this. The campaign has picked up on tonight, their theme make america safe again. Can he talk about the events in baton rouge and the events in the acts in nice that look like terrorism. And for the campaign, as it makes its pitch to the public, how does that play into what we are going to see . Those events are certainly going to shape the course of this convention and the course of a president ial campaign. You have had both candidates weighing in on certain events. National security is always a highlight of programming in some ways. You will have several speakers, tom cotton, as you mentioned, has been a very hawkish member of the senate from arkansas, you have Jeff Sessions, and others who are highly involved in these kinds of issues in congress. Wants to campaign present a contrast to how the Current Administration is handling things. You are going to hear from former veterans and it is shaping what is going to go on in this campaign. The Trump Campaign has been talking about National Security in a way thats talking about more robust National Security. Trump has been in his language and rhetoric very fierce when it comes to talking about this rhetoric while democrats and the Clinton Campaign have been talking about a steady hand and leadership. I think you will see a lot of speakers draw contrast with the anocrats, given that this is event for republicans. That is what im looking at night. Milani a trump will be speaking tonight and thats a big speaker because shes not the traditional spouse of a candidate. We have not seen her out on the trail that much. Debuts is in many ways a for her as a potential first lady, so a lot of eyes will be watching her. What is interesting is that the Trump Campaign is saying the candidates will be appearing over the course of several nights. They have the big speech on thursday night and trump is expected to introduce his wife and the two of them are expected to leave afterwards and return later in the week. Lots more there to pick up. We will be back, but lets go to my colleague down on the floor of the convention. We want to show you the and theamera position teleprompter. You can see the network positions and we are joined by a writer with cleveland. Com from northeastern ohio. His family is from akron and the youngstown. Lets talk about this then you and this city. This is the home of the lake erie monsters. How did this city and this venue transform itself . I go to a lot of cavaliers games and its been amazing to see how quickly they have turned things around. I was here a few weeks ago and it was nowhere near this place. The fact that they made an extended run meant that they have to have a compressed timeline. We were talking about the security around the quicken loans arena. What can delegates expect . This area has been transformed zone withhly secured a lot of officials protecting the venue. Media center and the Convention Center across town. They had a dedicated shuttle for the media and i went in quickly, so speaking as a reporter, its pretty easy to get in but i hear there is a line forming outside the arena right now. Have not only this that get you on the floor of the convention but a new fast that has not been used by the secret service, allowing you to come in why that added level of security . There are things going on in the world and i think the secret service felt they needed to make it more secure. I cant speak to why that is exactly but they are very conscious about the security environment here. You have been writing about the Economic Impact of this convention. What is it . There is money that will be spent here. Thing people are excited about is the attention everyone is going to get. Positivea lot of feedback to did not know anything about cleveland and they were impressed with the food scene and the urban amenities we have to offer for a small city. Think its pretty good. The last time cleveland hosted a convention was 1936. What will you be following this week and what will you be writing for your website . Im interested to see how the event goes off and if cleveland is logistically handling things and how it looks to the people who are here. I will be doing some spot coverage here and there, but im concerned that this is impactful for the people who live downtown and they are concerned about whether their workers can get in. We are interested to see whether it pays off in the proposition is positive coverage will be a city. Hing for the if things go right, it will be great, if things go wrong, it will be the opposite of great. Thank you very much for being with us. Ofsteve scully on the floor the convention. As we proceed, we are going to return to caitlin with real clear politics. You are spotting what is going on behind you. Its about 45 minutes until the first gavel comes down. The delegates are starting to come in and this is the kickoff to the convention. It will officially gavel in at 1 00. Getting to the floor and checking out their seating arrangement. All of the programming is controlled by the rnc and the campaign. Lot of reporters are going to the floor and we will be heading soon to talk to delegates ahead check out theg to color of the scene, but it seems like a very energetic atmosphere and people just getting excited for this weeks events. One of the other things that is happening is the report of the Platform Committee. Whats the role of a Party Platform as far as the campaign . ShapedParty Platform is by the base of the Republican Party were democratic party. That talksocument about the principles of the party and talks about various issues from National Security to social issues like gay marriage and several other items. This is a chance for Republican Leaders in Party Activists as we talk about the rnc to shape the principles Going Forward and a way to present to the American People that this is what the party stands for and what we want to campaign on this year. A lot of times, the parties that conservative on the republican side or more progressive on the democratic side than the actual ticket, especially in a general election when candidates are reaching toward independent voters and activating their respective bases. The Trump Campaign has not had much of a hand in terms of some of these issues. There has not been as much drama tensionsed given the between this candidate and the party we have seen over the course of the primary, but this is a document shaped by the party base. Explore that concept of party unity starting with a press conference by the Trump Campaign lead asking questions about party unity, specifically citing the fact that passed republican nominees and president s are not attending this convention. It is highly unusual. Unified party. What can you say about the state of the party at this point . I think thats the biggest narrative coming into this convention. This is an Unconventional Campaign with trump and his party with lots of official member still reluctant to come on board. He has received endorsements from Top Party Leaders and the rnc has tried to form a the trumpip with campaign but there are high tensions running here. What was interesting today, talking about some of those who were not here, one of the people not speaking is the sitting governor of ohio, john kasich is a former president ial candidate and was one of trumps last remaining rivals. He has not endorsed trump, but it comesey player when to republican politics in ohio. Republicans historically cannot win the white house without ohio. You have seen some particular attention when it comes to leaders of the ohio Republican Party and donald trump. So it will be interesting to see how that plays out. Paul ryan is here, house speaker. A is going to be having speech at the convention and has talked a lot about the need for party unity. From the going to hear Vice President ial nominee, mike pence will stop when he was announced as a running mate, i talked to a lot of conservative activists who were reluctant to support trump who thought tense was a solid pick. Lots of activists i talked to gave him a strong rating and said he could help get some of those more reluctant members on board the campaign. So he is being brought on to help the party as well. We will talk more about this election of governor mike pence in just a minute. Lets show you one of the major arena. Ints in the q the printer has been moved farther out and extra layers of security have been added. Lots of people checking credentials as you go through each section of the security perimeter and you can see the scene on the sunny and warm day. N cleveland, ohio temperatures a little high but hopefully the mood of the people coming into the Convention Center are a happy one. Steve scully is on the Convention Floor talking to one of those delegates. We have two delegates here. Your third convention. Your first was in Atlantic City for the democrats. My father and money father and mother were act those in democratic party, but that has changed. The first order is approving the platform and the rules will stop do you expect any issues coming forth in the next couple of hours . I do not. Mr. Trump is going to be the nominee, 100 sure. Does the stop Trump Movement were you in any way . It never did. Because of the mandate will stop the millions of people who voted for him, the odds of that being overturned seems to be about zero. You were the mayor of hamilton, new jersey. The state . Ere in right in the middle, the ninth largest in new jersey. This is my First Convention in the first time i was active in national politics. You cannot sit home during this election. Heres too much at stake the nation is at a critical point. Be at get involved would dereliction of the right to vote and your duty to vote. You have some great real estate, front and center. A lot of attention on your governor, chris christie. Are you disappointed he was not selected as the running mate . I think pence was an outstanding choice. I think some of the accomplishments and his state no disrespect to chris christie, i think what he has brought to the table as far as personality adds toces and it just the conversation republicans are having that we can have different viewpoints and come to the table and provide great leadership. I believe Chris Christies strength not only as governor but as a Law Enforcement officer was a different asset he can bring to the republican organization, probably in a cabinet position, but both being from the east coast, i think that would have been hard for the entire rnc party to look at that. One from new york, one from new jersey, i think that would have then a tough sell for the entire party. Looking at the poll numbers come in ashley, donald trump is down four or five percentage point in some of the battleground states. Think hes going to win and i think you may take 40 states. I think he has just begun to campaign and will come out of this convention with a good. He may be tied were way ahead but i think hes going to continue to discuss the issues and people will hear him now that he is the nominee and they will have to make a choice. Insidering what is going on the world and whats going on in the country, people will think about and choose donald trump. Delegates here from the new jersey delegation, thank you for being with us. Usthank you for being with in the cspan skybox at the quicken loans arena. 12 20 two eastern time as the first session of the convention will be gaveling in at approximately 1 00 eastern time. This afternoon session is all about the Party Business will stop the rules and Platform Committee will be making its report and the optimistic delegates about this being business as usual on this first day. Caitlin will be with us for eight more minutes, covering the convention or real clear politics. Ofant to return to the theme party unity. Mike pence and donald trump giving their first joint interview last night to 60 minutes to cope 60 minutes. He said one of the reasons he chose mike pence was for party unity. How does mike pence help to unify this party for donald trump . Party unity is the goal of this convention. Mike pence is an unconventional pick because donald trump is an unconventional candidate but hes a traditional Vice President ial pick if you think about how Vice President ial nominees can help the top of the ticket, mike pence has many deep relationships in congress, having served several terms in the house before leaving to run for governor of indiana. So he has executive experience as governor. Donald trump talk a lot about the need for someone who has political experience will stop donald trump as an outsider candidate and a businessman who has never been involved in politics officially as a candidate, so mike pence can help those gaps. He received a lot of applause from people like paul ryan and other Party Leaders and conservative activists who seek mike pence as a strong conservative. He has demonstrated his appeal in that way in congress and in indiana. He has also received criticism from conservative activists for his handling of a religious freedom law that he signed in his state. It was a very controversial law seen as being antigayrights. So he had to walk a fine line in terms of promoting that law and making some changes to it. That invited some criticism from both sides. Now you are seeing lots of democrats way and in a traditional sense, calling mike pence and extreme candidate. But in terms of what he brings to the ticket for donald trump is that congressional relationship, the executive experience, and someone who is very low key, especially compared to donald trump. What is interesting about this relationship is that there has not then a relationship between these two men. They are really actually starting to get to know one another, so it will be interesting to see the chemistry the two men have together as they go throughout this weekend once they had the campaign trail trying to capitalize on the momentum gained. Trump ise does do for that hes not to do no harm and not thought to overshadow donald trump, which is a concern for this candidate than most candidates and that position. In that position. They do have differing stated opinion in a number of areas. How will they be navigating that . That is especially important to highlight. One issue in particular is trade. Donald trump has made an entire campaign against tpp and what he calls and trade deals. Mike pence has been supportive of tpp and supportive of trade deals in the past. Thats one place where mike pence is in line with the Republican Party conventionally and somewhere donald trump is out of step in terms of trade. Also, mike pence expanded medicare in his state medicaid in his state, which is seen by some conservatives as a liability. He has had some policy differences with donald trump, at theave heard beginning of the primary cycle that he was critical of the muslim ban, even calling it unconstitutional. He has started to walk that criticism back. Hisarted to see advisers of and they believe he has his own moral compass and is able to stand his ground, but he will have to be a real cheerleader for the top of the ticket. Criticismn to waging against the opposing side. So it will be interesting to he navigates this new world. We have not seen mike pence on this kind of National Stage in a chris christien and Newt Gingrich because they both ran for this office. Stay with the point you made about relationships with house members. Today, there was a briefing by a congressman who was the chair of National Committee responsible for maintaining the majority in the house of representatives. He said his candidates were free to associate or not depending on the campaign. Can you see a scenario where they might send mike pence out to candidate with to campaign with house candidates because he has that relationship and represents the party unity for congressional candidates . That is a great point. A lot of congressional candidates running for the house and senate are in tough races and trying to wage their own campaign, sometimes independent of the top of the ticket. But i think a lot of candidates cycle will benefit or ca benefit from having mike pence coming to campaign for them. Mike pence serve as conference chair in a leadership position and thats how he develops those relationships. We could see a scenario in which that helps. Of trumpsupporters really shoring up support for the candidate. While Trump Campaigns in pennsylvania or ohio, they might annd pence to more republic strongholds, like North Carolina or indiana, which republicans lost in 2008. I can see him going to more safer districts for republicans and trying to mobilize that base of the party and unite them around the ticket. , andnal question for you that is about polls. Real clear politics is known for aggregation. Homepage for the aggregation of polls. Right now going into this convention, clinton is seen as 7 ,ng a league by 4 to depending it is national or a contested state. How much do polls count at this point in the process . They provide us with a snapshot of the month, but it will be important watch the polls after the conventions. Parties are both highlighted what they are about, what they are going to campaign on, and we will see the takeaway absorbed to the public in polls taken during and after the conventions. I am wondering if we will see a tightening after the convention or if we see a wider margin that will also be telling. After the convention, really off,the campaigns start the general election is starting off in earnest, and people are starting to pay attention. I would note the conventions are earlier than they had been in past years, so this will be a much longer campaign, and i expect to see shifts depending on movements of the campaign, but also national and global events that we have seen starting to affect this campaign so far. Our guest for the first half of the day one Republican National convention, thank you very much for your time. Thank you. Lets return to the floor, a little more than 30 minutes out. Thee are joined by ben of hill. We have been checking in with him. Walk us through what we can expect when the gavel comes down in 30 minutes. This is the busy work the convention that does not get noticed in other years, but this is not every year. That aretiate rules agreed upon, and now they need to vote on the entire role package, they sure that they are ok with that. Same with the platform. Trumphese never antagonists have their last breath . Gum uphey could do is the process by asking for a rollcall vote, but that is about what we are going to expect from rules and platforms. After that, it is time to nominate the republican money, donald trump. Arent any surprises, he will be the nominee. The platform had been handed out to the delegates, so these have been distracted to all the delegates and alternates who are here. If there was something out of the ordinary, what should our audience look for . Really how to get a can make this for everyone. Anythingart seeing that looks like there could be a sizable portion nearing a majority of the delegates, that would start to knock over the rules of the platform, that would be incredible news. Tot would be convention finding. Everything we are seeing does not suggest that. You might see a couple dozen delegates, but what you need to change,ver 1200 and that is not going to happen. We covered the roles rules Committee Last week. You have a different fashion of the rules committee. One fashion was with the truck group. Rnc they wanted this to go as smoothly as possible. There was a Different Group of people who were never trump. Doingy they thought about it was on bind the delegates, unbind the delegates. We areiled outright, and not expecting to see that in great lakes on the floor today. Yet affection was a faction ing,l to the ted cruz wait and they wanted to decentralize the power from the rnc. That would give the power to more ted cruz type, more conservative lawmakers and win in 2020 and beyond. Now we have a package that looks similar to what we started with without too much concern on the floor now for the trump people. They cannot do anything until the rules have been approved . Delegatese are enough that can do something, that makes things longer, the longer they wait, the longer until trump becomes the official nominee. We will be following it on cspan. Thank you for that insight. Of course. Thank you. Tonight in addition to a theme of National Security, people in this hall and around the nation a trump give one of her major speeches. Our next guest is joining us from washington, and she has a book available called first women. This is an unconventional melania wouldmel be an unconventional first lady. She is more traditional than and out of people think. She would take us back to a mainly eisenhower. Mainly eisenhower said i have one job and all of that was taking care of her husband. You hear it being sent from ania trump, being there for her son, and you hear something what Michelle Obama has done. She would be the first supermodel first lady we have ever had. Even though pat nixon and betty ford did modeling, it was a trump like what melani has done. She is traditional but nontraditional in many ways, too. We will see how she defines this role for herself. We wanted to talk about more specific appearances with first ladies in our time with you. But a broader question, about this campaign presenting itself to people who may not have made up their minds. In a bit ofned break with tradition that donald trump himself will be introducing his wife. What does that say to you . It has helped him have his family at the forefront. And his sonsivanka play a role. Daughter the first since julie nixon, an example of a president ial daughter that has role in auntypical campaigning. It humanizes him. That is something that i think melania has a challenge about because he has to be relatable, and the fact that she was a supermodel, the fact that she is not a nativeborn english speaker these are things that are going to be different and it will be interesting to see how she preaches that. She makes comments that seem like it is not in touch with average americans. I think we have seen with Michelle Obama where her j crew , that is a carpal message and something that they have to rework and find a way that make melania that women voters in particular could kind of relate to. They want to feel like they could have a couple of coffee with you, and that will be a challenge for her, i think. This year has turned a lot of stereotypes on its head, and it seems that people who are supporting donald trump, many of those disaffected by the u. S. Are just fine with the fact that he is a flies on anaire and private jet. Is relate ability as important for trump as it may have been for the obamas or bushes or past president s . As you said, it has turned logic on its head. Any people would not have been able to predict this coming a year or two ago. Ways there is an aspirational quality to melanias marriage with donald trump. She is a stunningly beautiful woman. People who are trump voters look at him and her as this power couple. Will i will win voters on board, it might be trickery or. Needs to get a warmer personality. She is not all that comfortable in front of the camera. It can be an awkward conversation for her. She can get called out as being hypocritical. That is a tough thing for her to do. Whatll see, but logic we know has been turned on its head, but i think there is an element of relate ability that people want to see in a president ial spouse. When you were talking about the significant role that ivanka trump has played, it is important to point out chelsea clinton. It is interesting that the two of them are friend. See howteresting to this has evolved and this campaign has had an impact on this friendship. It will be fascinating to learn about. Vanka lsea and i she is always careful not to weigh in on the very controversial topics. Is straight to the point, and because she is so smart she can do it at in an intelligent way where it does not seem on were seem awkward. Sincea has also done that her parents were in the white house. ,t is something that people they want to see a reflection of themselves in the first family. And working on stories on first ladies, there are things they can take on that in the white house has changed. It will be interesting if melania is first lady, it will be interesting to see what topic she takes up. When laura bush was first lady, it completely changed her platform. She was interested in afghan women rights. We will be interested in seeing if melania has an interest. Right now we know nothing she wants to do. She has talked about childrens charities, and if she is first lady, it is a complete mystery of how she will handle the job. Kate,will be back with who is an expert on first ladies. Right now back to steve. We love to talk to delegates, and this is will carter from shorter, 18 years old. He just graduated from high school. You started out as a ted cruz supporter, but now you are with donald trump. That is correct. After the indiana primary, i moved to donald trump. We can go as far as on seaarten, the g8 was island, georgia, so i had a birthday at the time. Republican politics, it is the ideas that i support. After 18 i became a part of the local county party and moved up the ladder. I was my First Convention nominated from the floor and i became a delegates. Cameras. E when you walked in, what were thinking . I was flabbergasted, awestruck. It was so amazing to be at the center of the political world and see all the moving pieces come together to nominate the future president of the united states, donald trump. Who have you seen who is a wow moment so far . A few party chairman. Not at the here arena, but at the hotel, i met Chris Wallace from fox news. That was pretty cool. Meet a lot of the Party Leaders are. I hope they would be willing to do so. Will we see you at a future convention . Absolutely. I plan on being president of the united states, so i am starting now. Years old,ter, 18 youngest delegate. Thanks, and you met him here first, future president of the united states. Is 12 40 four. The convention is expected to gavel in in 60 minutes. Kate, i want to spend time with specific biographical points. So we learn more about Melania Trump. Old. S 46 years where does that put her in koch asked in contrast with first ladies . She is not the youngest. 30s. Kennedy was in her this is not something that stands out for her. There are a lot of things that would seem exceptional, but her age is not. She will not be the youngest first lady. She will be the first first lady u. S. Except for wife. Uincy adams to me, she has talked about being life Jackie Kennedy or betty ford, and i see parallels with Jackie Kennedy where jackie always felt like she was a liability to her husband. Too rich, too beautiful, and that changed when she was the white house. And she was able to open the white house up to the public, bring television c cameras. There are opportunities for melania ahead. Jackie kennedy also spoke french. Are there other first ladies who spoke another language . Not that i know of. Melania with speaking to nonnative speakers, learning a language, being part of the american culture. That is something that could help her as she carves out this potential role for herself. Immigration, area, that she has a life story to tell there, her husband has been vocal on immigration policy and critical of open borders. How does Melania Trump position herself and her husband says . It is tricky. She talks about how she is a legal immigrant and how important it is for people to when it isegally, all about getting rid of the Illegal Immigrants in the country and changing the policy there. She is in a defensive crouch. That topic is difficult for her. As she talks about the process of coming to this country and the steps that she took to come toe, it could be a way bridge this hypocrisy that people chart her and her husband would be hypocritical. That is an obvious point that she will have to help define and look for a way to address it in a way that works for them. Also on a policy front, Ronald Reagan was our only other divorced president. Andad one marriage prior, donald trump, this is his third marriage. How does the couple portrayed this to the public . It is an interested because, if they talk about their blended family, that is a positive for them. The divorce rate is high. There are a lot of families where it is changing social logical things in this country, and that is something they can play up and they can work that. In the cnn townhall, they were singing the praises of their father, and if they could talk about the relationship and how malani out with her relationship ivanka, that i would be a smart thing for them to emphasize. As we close with you, would you sum this up and talk about this National Debut for Melania Trump and what the stakes are for her and get it. I think the stakes are incredibly high. We have not heard much from her at all of this campaign trail. She has been very private. She has to put herself out there. I think it would be wise for her to be warm, humorous, selfdeprecating. Nt, especially selfdeprecating, because she lives a literature his life now. It is important for people to relate to her and feel like she is a human being. Theyres pivotal, important tonight to show her as a mother, a wife, and intelligent speaker, so i cannot week to see what she has to say. Political spouses, whether or not they are actively involved in politicking, r and afford part of any campaign and have an influence on how the public perceives the kind that. Wer who to thank kate bro has helped us understand the challenges for the Trump Campaign as they introduced their family to the campaign and talk about the history of americas first ladies. Or being with us. Now we will let you see some of the sights and sounds from the floor of the quicken loans arena as delegates take their places and get ready for the first gavel coming down on the 20 16th 2016lican Convention Republican convention. Thanks for being with us. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2016] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] delegates and alternates, ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. Alternates, ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. Please give a warm welcome of to the chairman of the Republican National committee. [applause] this convention will come to order. Alternates, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2016 Republican National convention. Before we begin the official business of this convention, i