Daily Digest: First night in the books
Good morning, and welcome to Tuesday. The Republican National Convention still leads the political news. Let's take a look at what happened on the first day as we go to the Digest.
1. Most of the speakers on the convention's first night painted a bleak picture of America, beset by law-breaking immigrants, police-hating urban outlaws and a government willfully ignoring threats from terrorists and other enemies abroad. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were targeted as elites, out of touch with the concerns of real Americans, and leaders who hastened the decline of the country. Donald Trump himself showed up to introduce his wife, Melania, who tried to present a positive message about Trump. Even so, some of the divisions among the party were on display earlier in the day. (New York Times)
2. About that speech by Mrs. Trump. Some careful listeners noticed more than a passing similarity to a speech Michelle Obama gave on behalf of her husband eight years ago. One paragraph in particular seemed like a direct lift. (Washington Post)
3. Party leaders urged Minnesota's 38 delegates to unite behind Trump. As we mentioned yesterday, only eight of the delegates from the state are pledged to vote for Trump on the first ballot tonight. Among those urging unity was Congressman Tom Emmer. (MPR News)
4. Not every Minnesotan in Cleveland Monday was there to support the Republican Party. A busload of 50 people came from the Twin Cities to protest against Trump, and in particular his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border and deport as many as 12 million people who are in this country illegally. (MPR News)
5. As Republicans met in Cleveland, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was in Minneapolis talking to teachers.
Clinton highlighted her priorities for public education during the national convention of the American Federation of Teachers. She supports universal preschool, community schools that offer social services to needy students, more computer science instruction and greater broadband access. Clinton said she wants to "elevate" the teaching profession with more resources and higher pay. She also met a brief protest. (MPR News)
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