Paypal founder Peter Thiel, after comments about how much of the country isn't doing well, said the following:
I am proud to be gay.He noted there were aspects of the platform with which he does not agree, but shrugged it off. After which he urged Americans to vote for Donald Trump, and received a standing ovation. Seeing a standing O for a gay at a Republican convention is an indication of how much attitudes toward the LGBT community have improved.
I am proud to be a Republican.
But most of all I am proud to be an American.
Ivanka Trump had been tasked with two things: to assure women that her dad is a supporter of women's rights and equal pay, and to introduce him. She did both well.
The nominee took his time going through his scripted speech, and deviated occasionally from that script. He did a good job and emphasized his desire to give voice to the voiceless, to speak for the unrepresented, and to fight for the marginalized.
Trump understood he had to reach beyond the Republican faithful, and did so. What's unclear is how many of the marginalized were watching.
What unifies the GOP most is a near-universal detestation of Hillary Clinton. Presumably many independents share that revulsion to a greater or lesser degree.
As the candidate of continuity, Clinton will appeal to those who are satisfied with the status quo, who will be happy with four more years of Obama lite. Teachers and civil servants will figure prominently in her support groups. Likely law enforcement and military will not.
Interestingly, Clinton is being supported by neocons, who have returned to their Democrat roots. What nobody has a handle on is whether minorities will turn out for her as they did Obama, one guesses not.
