Donald Trump recently complained that the 2012 Republican convention was “the most boring convention I’ve ever seen” and he has hinted ever since that his convention would feature celebrities and sports stars and offer a bit of “show business.”
But the Republican National Convention lineup for July 18-21 announced this morning falls far short of that goal.
Instead of high-profile athletes and coaches, Trump’s confab in Cleveland will feature Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White, pro golfer Natalie Gulbis and former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow
Rather than A-list celebrities, the podium at the Quicken Loans Arena will be occupied by the likes of people such as Antonio Sabàto, Jr., a former underwear model for Calvin Klein who previously appeared on the soap opera General Hospital.
According to the Associated Press, others slated to speak include Trump’s wife and four children, a Las Vegas casino mogul, the manager of Trump’s vineyard, and several preachers, including Jerry Falwell, Jr.
While Trump trumpets that the convention lineup is “totally overbooked,” the cloud hanging over Cleveland will be those key Republicans who are boycotting the event, including former Presidents Bush 41 and 43, high-ranking members of Congress and prominent governors, and former presidential nominees Mitt Romney and John McCain.
At the same time, the promises of a convention unlike any other, with outsider appeal, will not materialize. In fact, Trump is relying, to a surprising degree, on the party establishment to fill the many speaking slots.
Those who will take the stage beginning on Monday include six current and former governors, six members of Congress, plus six senators.
The Trump camp has also taken the unusual step of inviting to speak two lawmakers who have not endorsed him, former rival Sen. Ted Cruz and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The r-day event will be chaired by House Speaker Paul Ryan, who has endorsed Trump while also criticizing him.
Perhaps concerned that the lineup would appear too establishmentarian for the pro-Trump crowd watching at home, the candidate is taking a bit of a risk by showcasing two controversial figures who have harshly criticized the Black Lives Matter movement – former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and Wisconsin Sheriff David Clarke.
In the arena, this will certainly not be a diverse crowd designed to showcase a “big tent” GOP. One Republican strategist who is no fan of Trump, Rick Wilson, told The Washington Post, in particularly inflammatory language, that he contrasts the coming convention with a longtime comic book theme:
On “Earth 2,” you’d be showing the Republican Party isn’t this stupid white boys’ club. But Donald Trump has rejected everybody who’s not in the stupid white boys’ club. At this point, we might as well have a giant cross burning out front.
Photo: Fox News