The Republicans Promised Uplift and Then Tried to Rewrite History – The New York Times

They have done the math and they cannot win unless the base turns out in full force, said Carlos Curbelo, a former Republican congressman from Florida who clashed at times with Mr. Trump and did not support him in 2016. His path to victory is similar to his path to victory last time, which is to consolidate his base and demonize the opposition.

Some additions to the Republican lineup on Monday, which included several Black supporters, did appear geared toward projecting more inclusion, not only (or even primarily) to court Black voters but also to combat perceptions often damaging among white voters that Mr. Trump and his party have given safe harbor to racist views.

Mr. Scott who publicly condemned Mr. Trumps remarks after the 2017 neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Va., but has generally been a reliable ally was among the most notable speakers. President Trump built the most inclusive economy ever, he said, hailing the nations financial position before the virus hit and criticizing Mr. Bidens record for Black Americans.

There was also Vernon Jones, a Georgia state legislator and a rare Democratic endorser of the president, one week after a Democratic convention that often showcased Republican backers of Mr. Biden.

With Mr. Trump in charge, of course, political discipline can always be fleeting.

In recent days, the president and his team had predicted that he would be presiding over a four-day testament to optimism and national sunniness.

Very uplifting and positive, he said of his desired convention tenor over the weekend.

We definitely want to improve on the dour and sour mood of the D.N.C., Kellyanne Conway, the presidents counselor, told reporters.

By Monday afternoon, appearing in Charlotte at the roll call vote for his nomination, Mr. Trump was lashing out at the editorial decisions of cable television networks and urging delegates to chant 12 more years instead of four to really drive them crazy on the other side.

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The Republicans Promised Uplift and Then Tried to Rewrite History - The New York Times