According to a new story in Politico, 90% of Republican “insiders” believe that the party is headed towards an open convention in July. In other words, neither Donald Trump nor Ted Cruz will have the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the nomination on the first ballot. And once that first ballot is done, many delegates will be free to vote for anyone they want – perhaps including individuals not currently running for president.
But indeed, that’s only half of it. The other half, as noted by Reagan historian Craig Shirley, will be the scene unfolding outside the arena. “You can expect a lot of protesters, a la Chicago,” Shirley said in an interview with Breitbart. “A lot of left wing protesters – Black Lives Matter, left wing college professors.”
Trump (or, more accurately, Trump as he is portrayed by the media) has run a controversial campaign that has inspired the worst in liberal activism. Spurred on by a media that acts as though Trump being a racist goes without saying, these activists – including Hispanic groups who oppose any effort to control immigration – have interrupted rallies, engaged in despicable chants and gestures, and have even instigated violence. And despite all that, they are treated like patriots in the press.
So if Trump is still in contention for the nomination – and there’s little reason to believe that he won’t be – you can expect a sizable demonstration in Cleveland. It may even go beyond Chicago. The media has whipped these people into such a frenzy, you can hardly underestimate the potential for chaos.
According to Shirley, tensions could rise inside the arena as well. “Conventions have descended into fist fights before,” he said. “I’m not saying that this will, but they need to make sure the air conditioning is working in whatever arena they’re meeting there in Cleveland.”
Well yeah, you know that dastardly Trump condones violence. He and Corey Lewandowski will be busting heads all over Cleveland. Watch out establishment! Trump’s small fingers make a mighty fist.
While it would be historically unforgettable to watch the Republican Convention devolve into a battle royale, the drama inside is likely to be confined to conversation. Even so, it could become one of the most heated conversations we’ve ever seen play out on national television. There are so many factors at play. The men who want to be president. The people who voted for them. The party leaders who want things their way. The question of who can beat Hillary Clinton, and under what circumstances. Friendships. Rivalries. Stretch it out for a couple of months, play with the editing, and you could have the biggest reality show of all time.
Which, when you think about it, makes a lot of sense.
