US Republican Party in disarray ahead of 'big battle'

(Baonghean) - Instead of being a place to plan policy views and leadership directions, and unify internally to help America overcome current challenges, the Republican National Convention has become a battlefield for members to oppose their party's only candidate, billionaire Donald Trump.

Tangled with hundreds of problems

At exactly 1:00 p.m. local time on July 18, Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus officially opened the party's National Convention at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, with the participation of about 5,000 delegates.

The highlight of the 41st Republican National Convention will be the final working day (July 21) with the announcement of the decision to choose the presidential and vice presidential candidates representing the “Elephants” in this year's election.

“Billionaire Donald Trump’s foul mouth” caused chaos at the Republican National Convention. Photo: Cleveland.

But the highlight of the opening day was the chaotic confrontation between the two sides supporting and opposing Donald Trump. The Quicken Loans Arena was filled with boos. Voters who opposed Mr. Trump were upset that they did not have a chance to express their voices.

These are people who are angry that their party will choose a Muslim "ban" supporter and has made offensive statements towards Mexicans for the White House. A series of party members such as Senator John McCain, Ohio Governor John Kasich, former 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney and members of the Bush family have announced that they will not attend the convention to protest Mr. Donald Trump.

The Republican Rules Committee had been struggling for weeks ahead of the convention to retain a rule that required delegates to respect the results of the primary election. But on the first day of the convention, many delegates called for a vote to repeal the rule. Republicans were even more frustrated when a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed Donald Trump trailing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by 5 percentage points.

The “attraction” of extremism

The Republican Party is mired in internal conflict. Trump’s extreme, brash, and even crude statements and policies have made this year’s Republican primary campaign different. They make Trump unlike any other presidential candidate in American history.

Statistics show that the number of voters participating in the primary elections in Republican states is often twice the number of voters present at the polls of the Democratic Party. All thanks to the attraction of the scandal-ridden billionaire.

Protest against Mr. Trump outside the convention venue. Photo: Time

However, the Republican Party itself did not expect Donald Trump to emerge like a “tsunami”, winning on a large scale. And with Mr. Trump winning state after state in the run-up to the National Convention, the Republican Party had to choose a candidate they could not control.

The irony is that Donald Trump has claimed to be a “uniter” but in reality, he is a divisive figure within his own party.

"Limp" election coalition

Just before the convention, billionaire Trump decided to run with Indiana Governor Mike Pence for the White House. This decision also received many mixed opinions. While some people thought that Mr. Pence would be a bridge for Trump to the Republican Party, others affirmed that this was a "big mistake".

Before becoming Governor of Indiana, Mr. Pence spent 12 years as a member of Congress. Mr. Pence's experience and position as governor are expected to compensate and create advantages for Mr. Trump in the upcoming presidential election, especially in regaining the sympathy of Republican Party members. Some comments say that if Trump stands alone, it will be difficult to get votes from party members. But if he stands with Mr. Pence, it will be different, they will vote for Mr. Pence.

Republican Senator Mike Lee (center) and the Utah delegation expressed their opposition on the first day of the Convention. Photo: BBC.

However, some argue that this ticket is a bad idea. Mr Pence has previously supported free trade, called the idea of ​​banning Muslims from entering the US “offensive and unconstitutional” and voted in favour of the use of force in Iraq.

All of that goes against the views of the “loose-mouthed billionaire”. So how will Mr. Pence speak to voters when he becomes Mr. Trump’s “deputy”? Politico also said that they do not understand why two people with different views, who have criticized each other, can be on the same side.

Phan Tung