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Iowa Republicans Frustrated That Headliner Joni Ernst's Big Speech Was Pushed Back

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Aaron Bernstein / Reuters

CLEVELAND — Some prominent Iowa Republicans said they were disappointed and frustrated after a headliner speech from Sen. Joni Ernst, a rising star in the party, was pushed back out of prime time on Monday night, leaving her speaking to a half empty convention arena.

Ernst's speech was meant to be a big breakout moment for the freshman senator, but instead it attracted far less notice than her supporters hoped for, taking place late in the night after both Melania Trump and retired Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn. The incident is yet another fault line in a convention that has been marked by division among Republicans.

"I don't get angry very often but I was disappointed," Gov. Terry Branstad told reporters at a luncheon for the Iowa delegation on Tuesday.

Branstad — like other Iowa Republicans on Tuesday — was unhappy particularly with Flynn, who gave a rambling speech before Ernst that went on too long, cutting into Ernst's time. "I thought the person who spoke before her went on too long, was too repetitive, and that was too bad," Branstad said.

"I think everybody could see the governor’s frustration and I have a similar frustration because I'm a great big Joni Ernst fan, and it was an opportunity for the nation to see her and get to know her in a way they haven’t had a chance before, so that was a significant disappointment," Rep. Steve King told reporters.

"I don’t know what went on with Gen. Flynn, what he was thinking," King said. "I can’t imagine that was all off the teleprompter, because it was going to be choreographed more tightly than that. I think he might have gotten wrapped up in the moment and the crowd reaction to his speech, he just had more to say and he kept going."

"Of course I'm disappointed, but there’s nothing you can do about it," Sen. Chuck Grassley told BuzzFeed News. "That’s like crying over spilled milk. It wasn’t her fault and nobody planned it that way — she was supposed to be up at 10:36 and somebody else spoke too long."

Asked if she was disappointed at her speech getting pushed back, Ernst said, "I was not disappointed in the fact that the Iowa delegation stayed with me through the entire evening, they stood during the entire speech and I was proud to have them with me."

"So we’ll continue to see parts of that speech pushed out through the media over the next week or so, and again I'm just glad that Iowa hung in there with me," Ernst told reporters. "I had a number of messages this morning from family and friends that had watched it on CNN and others, so I'm glad that my message was heard."

Flynn spoke after Melania Trump on Monday night, giving a repetitive speech that went overtime as Flynn repeatedly tried to start "USA!" chants and attendees began to stream out of the arena. By the time Ernst took the stage, the arena was noticeably empty.


Mike Pence Denounced NAFTA Conspiracy Theorists In The ‘90s

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Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

In a 1995 interview, Mike Pence echoed then President Bill Clinton’s call in denouncing the “promoters of paranoia" on the radio and singled out one radio host for promoting "one world government" conspiracies about the North America Free Trade Agreement.

Pence made the comments in an issue of the Howley Political Report uncovered by BuzzFeed News. He was responding to Clinton’s remarks in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing.

“I think President Clinton is right in that vein. We have rights in America. In tandem with those rights we have responsibility,” Pence said. “Whatever type of journalist we are, whether it be in the entertainment business, or as professional journalists, we always have the consequences of the way we present fact and information.

Pence, who is now Donald Trump's running mate, blasted one host by name, Stan Solomon, who he said promoted conspiracy theories about free trade.

“Stan Solomon is a talk radio host who trades in conspiracy theories, who trades in the idea that the North American Free Trade Agreement, or the general agreement on tariffs, are both part of a one world government conspiracy. While I don’t believe that is true, we just don’t want to fuel paranoid delusions.”

Pence often described himself as kinder radio host than the typical right-wing talk radio personality.

“I would certainly never call myself a local Rush Limbaugh,” Pence told The Daily Journal in 1993. “My radio show is not shock jock radio.”

Speaking with the Indianapolis Star for a 1995 profile, Pence criticized Limbaugh again for personally attacking Bill Clinton.

“Conservative media, including Rush, have a tremendous blindspot when it comes to making a distinction between differences in public policy and personal differences. People like Rush and Stan fail to see the difference between saying, ‘Bill Clinton is wrong on affirmative action’ and saying ‘Bill Clinton is a liar, a profligate, and an evil person.’ Why do they do do it? People respond to low blows. But I will not do it because I remember the time I was pushing all the the teeth back into my gums after the 1990 campaign.”

“I’m not interested in exploring the narrow, paranoid little tributaries like some hosts,” he added.


Ben Carson: Obama Administration Offered Me Surgeon General Job But I Didn't Take It

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Kirk Irwin / Getty Images

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In a radio interview about whether he might serve in Donald Trump's administration, Ben Carson said he was offered the post of surgeon general by President Obama's administration.

"I will certainly continue to talk to [Trump] and advise him, but I do not want a government position," Carson said on the Alan Colmes Show on Monday.

"Surgeon General Carson?" asked Colmes.

"You know George W. Bush offered me that position. The Obama administration, before they found out who I really was, offered me that position. No, I'm not interested."

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman: Trump Should Stop His "Rampage" Against John Kasich

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Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

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Ohio Sen. Rob Portman says it's time for Donald Trump to stop his "rampage" against Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

"Well, I don't think he should keep up any kind of rampage," Portman told WAKR radio in northeast Ohio on Tuesday. "I think, the fact is, John's an elected official in Ohio. The most popular statewide elected official. He's been a great governor and we need to pull together."

Portman said the Republican Party needed to come together to win the election and unite the country. Asked if Trump and Kasich would be "making peace," Portman said, "I don't know, but I suspect you'll see that."

Portman added that the choice between Clinton and Trump was "stark" and noted Kasich isn't supporting Clinton.

Kasich is not speaking in Ohio despite the convention being in his state. Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort called his absence "embarrassing" this week.

On Monday evening, Trump blasted Kasich further for losing to him in the primary.

"He lost very very badly and maybe if I were in his position, I wouldn't show up either," Trump said on Fox News.

A Republican Quoted "My Little Pony" To Defend Melania Trump

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We’re through the looking glass here, people.

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Republican National Committee spokesman Sean Spicer on Tuesday quoted My Little Pony in a bid to prove Melania Trump's convention speech did not plagiarize first lady Michelle Obama.

Donald Trump's wife has been widely mocked for her Monday night speech, which featured an extensive section lifted from one Obama delivered at the Democratic National Convention in 2008.

Speaking on CNN to Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday, Spicer accused the Hillary Clinton campaign of pushing the plagiarism allegations for political gain. (The similarities in the speeches were first highlighted on Twitter by Jarrett Hill, an independent journalist not affiliated with the Clinton campaign.)

Spicer said he had googled the phrase "You work hard for what you get in life" from Melania Trump's speech and found similar things uttered by singers John Legend and Kid Rock.

"Melania Trump said, 'The strength of your dreams and willingness to work for them," he continued. "Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony said, 'This is your dream. Anything you can do in your dream you can do now.'"

The quote comes from the 2015 My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic episode "Do Princesses Dream Of Magic Sheep?".

"I mean, if we want to take a bunch of phrases and run them through a Google and say, 'Who else has said them?' I could come up with a list in five minutes. That's what this is," Spicer said.

"I just quoted Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony. She said something similar too, so did Mrs. Obama plagiarize her? I would never say something like that, but these are common phrases that were used over and over again."

Here's Melania Trump's line compared to Twilight Sparkle's.

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The speech was phenomenal. Her presence, her delivery was first rate, and I think a lot of people who've never probably heard Melania Trump last night were unbelievably blown away and impressed.

When it comes to the speech, let's actially put this in perspective and Sam [Clovis] did a really good job of laying the table. We had a 2,000 word statement. We're talking about 70 words, three passahges. And this idea of plagiarism, if we want to talk about it, let's talk about it.

Melania Trump said, 'You work hard for what you get in life.' John Legend said, 'Work hard to be anything you want in life.' Kid Rock said, 'Work hard to be anything you want in life.'

Melania Trump said, 'The strength of your dreams and willingness to work for them.' Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony said, 'This is your dream. Anything you can do in your dreams you can do now.'

I mean, if we want to take a bunch of phrases and run them through a Google and say, 'Who else has said them?' I could come up with a list in five minutes. That's what this is.

It's sad that we've taken this moment with the world introduction of Melania Trump and allowed the Clinton campaign to say, 'Hey, we googled a bunch of phrases and we matched it up three things that Mrs. Obama said.

...I just quoted Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony. She said something similar too, so did Mrs. Obama plagiarize her? I would never say something like that, but these are common phrases that were used over and over again."


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Republicans In Cleveland Give A Collective Yawn To Melania Plagiarism Story

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Melania Trump's speech copying Michelle Obama was the biggest story out of day one of the Republican National Convention, but people on the street could hardly care less.

Aaron Josefczyk / Reuters

A couple delegates winced and described the story as "unfortunate," but for the most part Republicans in Cleveland have written the story off as media fluff.

“It’s a great distraction. I think some of the more liberal media outlets, they want to take attention away from what's going on at the Republican convention," said Nick Cocca of Ohio.

Overwhelmingly, people walking around the streets of Cleveland shrugged off the supposed controversy. They largely praised Melania Trump as beautiful and eloquent, and noted she's not the nominee.

“I think it’s just a diversion to try to take the focus off of the real issues of Hillary and what she’s done," said Ruth, a Cleveland native.

Her friend Barb from Virginia echoed the same sentiment: “I’m more concerned about Hillary and the stuff she’s getting away with.”

Several people rejected the idea that the speech was plagiarized. But even those that did concede there were striking similarities were quick to point out that a speechwriter would be responsible.

Mark Kauzlarich / Reuters

“When you are the spouse of a candidate the message is always the same: He loves America, he’s hard working. You can only say that in so many words," said one woman who didn't want to give her name.

“If you think that she wrote that speech, you’re delusional."

The controversy dominated the media cycle Tuesday. But Edwin Taylor, a delegate from South Carolina said he hadn't even heard anyone talking about it.

Mary O'Donnell of Ohio described herself as a political junkie and said the number of similarities in the speech did bother her. But she laughed off the idea that the speech might change anyone's vote.

“There’s a lot of similarities. But she did a great job up there and she’s not the candidate," she said.

"Is that going to change anything? No."

GOP Senate Candidate Joe Heck: Trump Hasn't Earned My Wife's Vote Yet

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Nevada Rep. Joe Heck, who is running for U.S. Senate in the state, said during a meet-and-greet at a pizza place that he sharply disagrees with Donald Trump, adding that his party's presumptive nominee has not earned his wife's vote.

The full video of the Saturday event was posted yesterday on YouTube by Let's Talk Nevada.

"Well I look at who the alternative is," said Heck when asked if he supports Trump. "It’s somebody who lied to the families of four heroes who died in Benghazi, it’s somebody who was under criminal investigation for mishandling classified information. Set up a private email server for her convenience, put classified information at risk, who is seen by the vast majority of America as being untrustworthy. So I will support our nominee."

"That doesn’t answer the question," a questioner said, pushing Heck. Heck responded he didn't agree with Trump's comments on women and minorities.

"Well I don’t think that all because you don’t agree with somebody 80% of the time or 20% of the time, doesn’t mean that they don’t have a position that you can work with," he said. "Look, I don’t agree with how he talks about women, how he talks about minorities—look, my wife is here, if he wants to earn my wife’s vote, he needs to figure out how to talk."

"Well that is kind of a good thing for a president to be able to talk," the questioner again asked. "Well Clinton is no good, but how can you support that guy?"

"Well, because I can’t support Hillary Clinton," Heck responded. "That’s it!"

Watch the full thing below:

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"We Have Your Backs," President Obama Wrote In An Open Letter To Police

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Obama at Ground Zero in 2011.

Mario Tama / Getty Images

Amid criticism from some conservatives that he hasn't done enough to repair relations between the black community and police, President Barack Obama on Tuesday shared an open letter he penned to the nation's law enforcement.

"Every day, you confront danger so it does not find our families, carry burdens so they do not fall to us, and courageously meet test after test to keep us safe," the president wrote.

"I want you to know that the American people see it, too. We recognize it, we respect it, we appreciate it, and we depend on you."

Obama wrote the letter after five officers were shot dead in Dallas and three more were killed in Baton Rouge by two black men who authorities said were motivated by a hatred for police.

The president travelled to Dallas last week for a memorial service for the city's five slain officers, telling those gathered “the deepest fault lines of our democracy have suddenly been exposed, perhaps even widened” by the recent conflict.

Unlike his Dallas speech, which was directed to the black community, the police, and the country at large, his letter on Tuesday was aimed squarely at law enforcement.

The president has been slammed by some on the right for a perceived failure to condemn what they say is violent, anti-police rhetoric from activists with Black Lives Matter and other groups.

But his letter on Tuesday was met warmly by at least one police group.

"The reason this letter has value is that we want and deserve to change the national dialogue," the National Fraternal Order of Police wrote on Facebook of the letter.

"Now it's time for politicians and government to assist us in working in the communities we have always worked in to make life better for all Americans."

Obama speaking at the Dallas memorial service.

Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty Images

Here's the president's full letter:

To the brave members of our Nation’s law enforcement community:

Every day, you confront danger so it does not find our families, carry burdens so they do not fall to us, and courageously meet test after test to keep us safe. Like Dallas officer Lorne Ahrens, who bought dinner for a homeless man the night before he died, you perform good deeds beyond the call of duty and out of the spotlight. Time and again, you make the split-second decisions that could mean life or death for you and many others in harm’s way. You endure the tense minutes and long hours over lifetimes of service.

Every day, you accept this responsibility and you see your colleagues do their difficult, dangerous jobs with equal valor. I want you to know that the American people see it, too. We recognize it, we respect it, we appreciate it, and we depend on you. And just as your tight-knit law enforcement family feels the recent losses to your core, our Nation grieves alongside you. Any attack on police is an unjustified attack on all of us.

I’ve spent a lot of time with law enforcement over the past couple of weeks. I know that you take each of these tragedies personally, and that each is as devastating as a loss in the family. Sunday’s shooting in Baton Rouge was no different. Together, we mourn Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald, and Brad Garafola. Each was a husband. Each was a father. Each was a proud member of his community. And each fallen officer is one too many. Last week, I met with the families of the Dallas officers who were killed, and I called the families of those who were killed in the line of duty yesterday in Baton Rouge. I let them know how deeply we ache for the loss of their loved ones.

Some are trying to use this moment to divide police and the communities you serve. I reject those efforts, for they do not reflect the reality of our Nation. Officer Jackson knew this too, when just days ago he asked us to keep hatred from our hearts. Instead, he offered—to protestors and fellow police officers alike—a hug to anyone who saw him on the street. He offered himself as a fellow worshipper to anyone who sought to pray. Today, we offer our comfort and our prayers to his family, to the Geralds and the Garafolas, and to the tight-knit Baton Rouge law enforcement community.

As you continue to serve us in this tumultuous hour, we again recognize that we can no longer ask you to solve issues we refuse to address as a society. We should give you the resources you need to do your job, including our full-throated support. We must give you the tools you need to build and strengthen the bonds of trust with those you serve, and our best efforts to address the underlying challenges that contribute to crime and unrest.

As you continue to defend us with quiet dignity, we proclaim loudly our appreciation for the acts of service you perform as part of your daily routine. When you see civilians at risk, you don’t see them as strangers. You see them as your own family, and you lay your life on the line for them. You put others’ safety before your own, and you remind us that loving our country means loving one another. Even when some protest you, you protect them. What is more professional than that? What is more patriotic? What is a prouder example of our most basic freedoms—to speech, to assembly, to life, and to liberty? And at the end of the day, you have a right to go home to your family, just like anybody else.

Robert Kennedy, once our Nation’s highest-ranking law enforcement official, lamented in the wake of unjust violence a country in which we look at our neighbors as people “with whom we share a city, but not a community.” This is a time for us to reaffirm that what makes us special is that we are not only a country, but also a community. That is true whether you are black or white, whether you are rich or poor, whether you are a police officer or someone they protect and serve.

With that understanding—an understanding of the goodness and decency I have seen of our Nation not only in the past few weeks, but throughout my life—we will get through this difficult time together.

We will do it with the love and empathy of public servants like those we have lost in recent days. We will do it with the resilience of cities like Dallas that quickly came together to restore order and deepen unity and understanding. We will do it with the grace of loved ones who even in their grief have spoken out against vengeance toward police. We will do it with the good will of activists like those I have sat with in recent days, who have pledged to work together to reduce violence even as they voice their disappointments and fears.

As we bind up our wounds, we must come together to ensure that those who try to divide us do not succeed. We are at our best when we recognize our common humanity, set an example for our children of trust and responsibility, and honor the sacrifices of our bravest by coming together to be better.

Thank you for your courageous service. We have your backs.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama


Admiral Reportedly Being Vetted For Clinton VP Is "Leaning Toward" Voting For Her

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Kacper Pempel / Reuters

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Admiral James Stavridis, who is reportedly being vetted among other candidates to be Hillary Clinton's vice president, said on Tuesday that he isn't sure if he's voting for Clinton, but he's definitely leaning that way.

"I am a registered independent which is something I encourage all military folks to do," the former admiral said on Kilmeade and Friends on Tuesday. "Over the years, I have voted both Republican and Democrat. I try to judge each election on the candidates in front of me and make an informed decision as a citizen and that’s what I would expect everyone to do."

Asked if Donald Trump or Clinton more represented his views, he dodged.

"What I would say to anybody trying to decide about the candidates this year is to think about their experience, where they served, what they bring to the table and the background of their lives," he said. "Secondly, what’s their temperament of the individual. I think we want a president who is balanced and calm in his or her deliberations and approach. And number three I would say, who is the team? Who is the VP pick? Who is touted about as people who come onto the administration? Beyond that, I would say people should form their own judgments and take a hard look at candidates and that's the thing we call democracy."

"At this point, I would say that I am leaning toward Secretary Clinton from everything I have seen so far," he added when asked if had made a decision on who to vote for.

But, he said, "I am very comfortable with making that decision in the privacy of my own home."

The Battle For The Future Of The Republican Party

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No One Knows Anything, BuzzFeed’s politics podcast, is in Cleveland this week.

CLEVELAND — The Republican National Convention underway here is, first and foremost, the Donald Trump show. But it's also center stage for the ongoing internal fight inside the GOP over just what it means to be a Republican exactly these days.

We spoke to Republicans about the future of their party for the latest episode of No One Knows Anything, BuzzFeed's politics podcast.

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

Who Said It: Melania Trump Or Twilight Sparkle From "My Little Pony"?

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“It’s amazing what’s going on, and we’re having fun!”

In case you're new to the internet today, Melania Trump is facing a bunch of criticism for apparently plagiarizing a section of her Republican National Convention speech from one Michelle Obama gave in 2008.

In case you're new to the internet today, Melania Trump is facing a bunch of criticism for apparently plagiarizing a section of her Republican National Convention speech from one Michelle Obama gave in 2008.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

On Tuesday, one Republican spokesman defended Trump by noting one of her speech's lines was similar to a quote from My Little Pony character Twilight Sparkle. (Yes, this really happened).

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Which brings us to this important test: Can you tell the difference between a Melania Trump quote and one from Twilight Sparkle?

Which brings us to this important test: Can you tell the difference between a Melania Trump quote and one from Twilight Sparkle?

Discovery Family/Alex Wong / Getty Images


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There Are Some Pretty Sweet Dance Moves Happening On The RNC Floor

Here Are Some Mesmerizingly Weird Photos Of Tuesday's RNC Mic-Check

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The RNC did a mic-check on Tuesday for some its biggest speakers, like Sen. Ron Johnson.

The RNC did a mic-check on Tuesday for some its biggest speakers, like Sen. Ron Johnson.

turning and turning in the widening gyre

Alex Wong / Getty Images

It was lots of fun.

It was lots of fun.

the falcon cannot hear the falconer

Jim Watson / AFP / Getty Images

So much fun.

So much fun.

things fall apart; the center cannot hold;

Alex Wong / Getty Images

Fun fun fun

Fun fun fun

mere anarchy is loosed upon the world

Alex Wong / Getty Images

It was fun over here.

It was fun over here.

the blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

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It was fun over there.

It was fun over there.

the ceremony of innocence is drowned

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bang bang

bang bang

the best lack all conviction, while the worst

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It was really fun!

It was really fun!

are full of passionate intensity

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Mike Pence Isn't Helping Trump On Spanish-Language Television

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Univision video

CLEVELAND — The way Spanish-language networks have covered Donald Trump's controversial campaign has remained a critical, often under-discussed aspect to 2016.

From his announcement when he trashed Mexicans and immigrants, to his high-profile skirmishes with Univision and Telemundo reporters, the way the campaign's message is shared to Spanish-speaking voters and how the networks cover him will significantly inform how viewers regard Trump.

MRC Latino, a conservative watchdog that monitors Spanish-language news, analyzed the tenor of the two top networks' coverage in recent days of Trump's biggest campaign decision yet — his vice presidential pick of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence — for BuzzFeed News. MRC found that Pence was largely described as anti-immigrant and ultra-conservative.

Jorge Bonilla said that the Telemundo message on Thursday was that "Trump found someone that was equally against the undocumented" community. The coverage focused on Pence's his congressional record, saying he was for a wall along the border and supported reporting undocumented immigrants who receive care at hospitals. On air, Al Cardenas, a Republican ally of Jeb Bush who has come around to the idea of supporting Trump, said it was still obvious that the campaign was not placing a high priority on engaging the Hispanic community.

In a report that aired during Noticiero Telemundo on Friday, the network's reporter told an activist that Pence wants to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. The activist said Pence is against immigration reform and the Republican platform unveiled in recent days is anti-immigrant.

Meanwhile, Univision spotlighted that Pence was critical of Trump's comments about Gonzalo Curiel, a federal judge overseeing the fraud case against Trump University. Trump has contended that Curiel is biased because of his Mexican-American heritage.

Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Republican, told the network that it's helpful to have someone in Pence with experience and a record — but "the nominee is the nominee." In the segment, Pence was later described as someone who defends family values and is against abortion and same-sex marriage. A Republican strategist, Luis Alvarado, called the Pence pick, the best thing Trump has done.

On Friday, Univision led with reports of intrigue that Trump regretted picking Pence. They reported that immigration groups say he’s against Obama's immigration executive actions and against birthright citizenship for those born to undocumented immigrants in the country. On air, GOP strategist Adolfo Franco said that Pence will help with Supreme Court justices and as someone who is pro-life.

Bonilla, of MRC, said both networks were tough on Pence and that by the weekend most of the coverage had turned to the convention.

"It was about what I expected," Bonilla said. "Trump's vice president was going to be cast as anti-immigrant no matter what, like Diaz-Balart said, 'the nominee is the nominee.'"

Jose Parra, a Democratic strategist and longtime aide to Harry Reid, said the Pence news wasn't a big deal on Spanish-language TV.

"They covered it because you need to cover it but it wasn’t 'oh wow Trump picked Pence.' It wasn’t a breaking story."

Trump also has little recourse: He has no validators in the Hispanic community — experienced Spanish-speaking surrogates who can make the argument for his candidacy to Latinos and defend him against attacks that he is racist because of his rhetoric and policies.

Of late, Helen Aguirre, the RNC's Hispanic media director, has been a regular on Spanish-language shows like Univision's Al Punto with Jorge Ramos making the case for Trump and against Hillary Clinton. But she's been repeatedly challenged for comments she made during the primary against Trump.

Now, Bonilla said, Pence is part of the complex Trump equation, too.

"For better or worse, Pence put on that Trump cape," he said. "Now he needs to wear it."

The Quiet, Uneventful, Somewhat Tearful Nomination Of Donald Trump

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Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images

CLEVELAND — The final — no, really — floor challenge to Donald Trump's nomination went down with barely a whimper on Tuesday night.

But this was not a happy arena nominating a consensus choice. The divisions tearing the party apart were obvious even as Trump's nomination vote proceeded, and some anti-Trump delegates worked up until the last minute to at least throw a wrench into a process that the RNC wanted to go according to plan. Delegates from Washington, DC, and Alaska made an effort to make their votes for candidates other than Trump count, but failed in the process.

There were boos and even some crying from the floor. "We may be small in number but our votes matter," said Kristie Babcock, a Trump delegate from Alaska who wanted votes for other candidates to also count.

"Every vote has to count," she insisted with tears in her eyes.

Rumors also swirled ahead of the vote that Ted Cruz allies were preparing to enter Cruz's name into nomination. The Virginia delegation left the convention floor minutes before the roll call vote for a meeting, but their meeting did not result in a decision to rebel on the convention floor.

Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a top Cruz ally who had led an effort to change the party's rules to benefit grassroots conservatives like Cruz in the future, was noticeably absent as the roll call began despite being the chairman of his delegation. Virginia state party chair John Whitbeck took his place. Whitbeck said there had been no talk of rebellion in the delegation's meeting. But Beau Correll, a Virginia delegate who successfully sued to get rid of his state's delegate binding law and who has been a leading voice in the Free the Delegates movement, claimed that he had asked for a poll of the delegation to measure its Trump vs. non-Trump votes, for the purpose of forcing an accurate count on the floor, but had been rebuffed by Whitbeck.

Morton Blackwell, another Cruz supporter from Virginia, rejected the idea that the Texas senator's allies had made any effort to enter his name into nomination, saying he was "90% sure it's a calumny against Ted Cruz." Cruz's team was against the proposed move. And in the end, only Trump's name was entered into nomination.

Although delegations didn't end up walking out during the roll call vote on Tuesday evening, as some had predicted could happen, Kendal Unruh, a Colorado delegate who has been leading the Free the Delegates movement, said she's heard some states discussing doing that on Thursday, when Trump is expected to address the convention.

As the voting continued state by state, Utah senator Mike Lee — the most prominent of the Never Trump delegates — watched the proceedings with his delegation, which voted for Cruz. Asked if it was over, he nodded.

Lee, who emerged in recent days as one of the most diehard supporters of unbinding delegates and who has not endorsed Trump, cracked jokes with reporters and talked about how much he dislikes Pokémon Go ("I can't for the life of me figure out what is fun about Pokémon Go").

Elsewhere, amid the thrilled New York delegation, Dan Senor, a former Paul Ryan adviser and state delegate, stood apart, shaking his head as votes were cast for Trump.

Senor said he had come to the convention floor just so he could walk out after the vote.

McKay Coppins contributed reporting.


Paul Ryan Delivers Earnest Unity Sermon To Fractured Convention

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John Moore / Getty Images

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Addressing a fractured Republican Party Tuesday night, Speaker Paul Ryan brought the convention floor to its feet with an anxious call for party unity.

“Next time there’s a State of the Union address, I don’t know where Joe Biden and Barack Obama will be," Ryan said. "But you’ll find me right there on the rostrum with Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump.”

Ryan used broad strokes to describe the GOP's agenda, taking care not to highlight the wide array of policy disagreements between him and the Republican nominee. He spoke of "building a 21st-century military," reforming the health care system so that it "operates by free choice and not by force," and of finding "a better way of dealing with persistent poverty."

At its core, Ryan's argument to Republicans wary of Trump was was a classically partisan one: the only way to advance conservative goals was to first defeat the Democrats.

“We offer a better way for America, with ideas that actually work…. And you know what? None of this will happen under Hillary Clinton. Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way," Ryan said.

"We can do this, we can earn that mandate, if we don’t hold anything back, if we never lose sight of the stakes," he said at the end of his speech, drawing loud applause. "Our candidates will be giving their all, their utmost, and every one of us has got to do the same. So what do you say we unite this party, at this crucial moment when unity is everything?"

But Ryan's calls to unify haven't been universally well-received. Making the rounds speaking to various Republican crowds, Ryan has seemed at times like a beleaguered dad pleading with his kids to stop fighting.

During a breakfast for Texas delegates Tuesday morning, Ryan tried out a college football metaphor in his efforts to convert the state's Ted Cruz backers into enthusiastic supporters of the GOP ticket.

Pointing to the in-state rivalries between teams like the Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M Aggies, and TCU Horned Frogs, Ryan said, "You guys are at each other's throats ... [But] when one team advances to a big bowl game or a national championship, don't you root for the Aggies? ... Don't you root for the Longhorns?"

The ballroom full of Texans erupted in laughter, boos, and shouts of, "No!"

Ryan chuckled, taken aback, and said, "Start thinking that way, OK?"

And then, "Holy moly, this explains everything right now."

A few hours before Ryan delivered his speech, he presided over the official vote to nominate Trump as the Republican nominee. On the convention floor, Dan Senor — a veteran Republican strategist and former top aide to Ryan — hovered at the edge of where the New York delegation. As one of the party's most adamant anti-Trump voices, Senor said he had only come to the floor so he could walk out once Trump was nominated.

"It's surreal," Senor said. "The GOP is about to nominate someone with the wrong temperament, the wrong character, and the wrong worldview to be president. It's pathetic to watch so many leaders of the Republican Party pretend to be excited about it."

Including Ryan?

"No comment," Senor said.

Donald Trump Jr. Didn't Plagiarize His Speech, Writer Says

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Writer F.H. Buckley told BuzzFeed News a passage in Trump’s speech bore a resemblance to his previous writing because he wrote it.

The speech came after Melania Trump on Monday copied portions of a speech by Michelle Obama.


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Here's What You Need To Know On Day 3 Of The Republican Convention

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Reporting from Cleveland: Bim Adewunmi, Rosie Gray, Tarini Parti, Evan McMorris-Santoro, Darren Sands, Adrian Carrasquillo, McKay Coppins, Matt Stopera, Paul McLeod, Jim Dalrymple, John Stanton, and Mike Hayes.

The Quiet, Uneventful, Somewhat Tearful Nomination Of Donald Trump

The Quiet, Uneventful, Somewhat Tearful Nomination Of Donald Trump

Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images


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Mike Pence Defended His "Smoking Doesn't Kill" Op-Ed In A 2000 Congressional Debate

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Brendan McDermid / Reuters

During a 2000 congressional race debate, Mike Pence defended an op-ed he wrote arguing that "smoking doesn't kill." Pence said there was no direct "scientific causal link medically identifying" a connection between smoking and lung cancer, according to a local newspaper report uncovered by BuzzFeed News.

Pence, then a local radio and television in Indiana, was running for Congress against opponent Bob Rock, who quizzed Pence over his op-ed according to a local news write up of the debate.

"In his turn, Rock quizzed Pence about an article Pence wrote saying there is no proof cigarettes cause cancer," Franklin, Indiana's Daily Journal wrote. "Pence said the article was taken out of context and that while there is no direct 'scientific causal link medically identifying' a link between smoking and lung cancer that was not the point of writing it."

"The trust of that article, Bob, was that we do not need a government large enough in Washington D.C. that can protect me from myself," Pence said at the debate.

Another local paper, The Republic, noted at the time Pence was asked in the debate about the op-ed but did not cover his response. The website Think Progress on Friday also found coverage of the debate in the Indianapolis Star which also stated Pence argued there was no link between smoking and cancer.

In a 2000 article, "The Great American Smoke out" uncovered by BuzzFeed News Pence wrote "time for a quick reality check. Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesn’t kill.”

On Monday, BuzzFeed News reported Pence wrote an op-ed in 1997 equating the health risks associated with cigarettes with those associated with candy. Pence was defending the tobacco industry, which had been successfully sued by some states to recoup medical expenses related to tobacco.

Here's a look at the tidbit:

Here's a look at the tidbit:

The Daily Journal





Lewandowski Has Been Pitching Donors On His Own Pro-Trump Super PAC

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Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images

CLEVELAND — Donald Trump's former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski has been pitching his own super PAC to donors after trashing other groups working on behalf of the GOP presidential nominee, six sources with knowledge of those conversations told BuzzFeed News.

Here for the Republican National Convention as a New Hampshire delegate and CNN commentator, Lewandowski has criticized the groups trying to boost Trump, especially one called Rebuilding America Now, which is run by the allies of Trump's now campaign manager Paul Manafort. Among the donors he has pitched are operatives close to casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and coal billionaire Joe Craft and his wife Kelly Craft, former backers of Sen. Marco Rubio who are now supporting Trump.

Asked for comment, Lewandowski said in an email to BuzzFeed News, "I have nothing to do with any Superpacs." He also denied talking to donors about a potential group.

Donors have so far been mostly skeptical of his pitch, the sources said, especially since he suggested on CNN that Manafort should resign following Melania Trump's plagiarized convention speech. There are also concerns about what his contract with CNN would allow him to do — issues those involved with competing super PACs are stressing as they respond to donors who have been approached.

"He was pitching donors in the suites the last two nights," said a GOP fundraiser who deals with major donors. "I don't know how it's going, but he's basically attacking the other two super pacs and saying that they don't know what they're doing. It's a pretty aggressive pitch."

Lewandowski, who was fired from the campaign last month, also has a 120-day "cooling off" period before he can legally become fully part of an outside group supporting a campaign he was once running. However, because of the murkiness of coordination laws governing super PACs, he can fundraise, hire staff, build up operations, among other activities if he were to start his own.

But he can't be directly involved with ads that specifically tell viewers to vote for Trump.

"I just don't readily see how he can be effective starting his own new group... The market is shifting more to doing stuff than talking about doing stuff," said an operative involved in the Trump super PAC world.

There are already several groups competing for money to help elect Trump. The two main groups — Rebuilding America Now and Great America PAC — got off to a slow start, especially compared to the pro-Hillary Clinton group, Priorities USA Action, which has already raised more than $75 million this election cycle.

"He's pitching the same people we are," said another operative involved with Trump super PACs. "I just can't imagine anyone bringing that guy on. He's a walking drama waiting to happen. I guess it's all about money at this point for him."

But those groups have been hosting fundraisers and courting donors this week on the sidelines of the convention.

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