HOW DO YOU WIN AN ELECTION?

American elections are traditionally One Man, One Vote.  However this election ran on a different theme.  By the time both the Republican and Democratic conventions were over, no one  was certain whether we were witnessing an American election, or a dog and pony show from some third world country.

The Republican Convention was held in July 18-21, 2016.  Remember, there were, at one time 11 candidates vying for the voter's attention.

Although the speeches given at the convention mattered, the debates that the candidates took part in mattered more.  All of the twelve debates were dominated by Donald Trump, except for one, in which he did not attend.

Mr. Trump bullied and insulted his way through the candidates calling Marco Rubio"Little Marco" and referring to Jeb Bush as "spiritless".
The worst of his insults he saved for Ted Cruz's wife and father. Trump criticised Heidi Cruz's looks and claimed that Cruz's father had a hand in the assassination of JFK.

His rallies were a mishmash of prejudicial rhetoric and sky high promises.  He blamed Muslims for terrorism, accused Mexucans if being rapists, and alienated both nationalities against him.  The rallies we're known for violence, usually focused on someone who demonstrated against Trumps blatant rasicm.

Mr. Trumps Carnival Side Show

By the time the nomination came around, Trump had managed to bully or subvert every other one of that wide field of candidates into suspending their campaign.  The last to leave was Ted Cruz.  He hung on out of shear disgust for Trump and staunchly denied that he would endorse Trump as the nominee.

The other candidates did, especially Chris Christie (R) NJ who hung behind Donald Trump like a strong arm boy waiting for a hit assignment.  Clearly his wish was VP, a fact he would boo-hoo over in an interview with Channel 12, a New Jersey news station.

At the nomination ceremony, Melania Trump, Mr. Trumps wife, read a speech taken almost word for word from the playbook  of Michelle Obama.

At Trump's keynote address, after his daughter introduced him, the curtain opened to strobe lights and fog and The Donald appeared as if dropped from an alien vehicle.   His speech was heavily scripted and the best one he'd given in the campaign.

This was nothing more than a showcase for Trump.  But, the Democratic Cinvention would take the proverbial cake.

Next Week:
SO, YOU WANT A CONVENTION?