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Republican convention first session sees near revolt of delegates

July 18, 2016
A man dances while a band plays music during an intermission at the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
A man dances while a band plays music during an intermission at the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

After his gavel smack opened the Republican National Convention, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus gave way to the opening slate of speakers and an ending to the afternoon session that saw a near revolt of delegates.

The rules committee which can bind and unbind delegates presented a package that bound delegates to vote for those they were elected to vote for. However the Never Trump movement was paying for delegates to be unbound in hopes to unseat Trump from the nominee position.

Nine states, according to chair of the rules vote, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, had captured enough signatures to create a roll call vote of the delegates. A roll call vote of the delegates was the goal for the Never Trump movement of delegates in recent days in hopes delegates would "vote their conscience" when called upon to vote.

Three states however, went back on their signatures effectively quashing the Never Trump movement. A majority of the delegates from seven states would have been enough to force a roll call vote.

The convention floor erupted from there in cheers and boos when the package was presented for adoption. Womack had declared the vote in favor of the yes votes starting off a loud round of boos. A delegate from Utah asked for a roll call vote which led to Womack's recognition of the nine states and ultimate decision that the signature threshold had not been met.

The cheering and booing continued from there and some delegates began to leave the floor. Audible cheers of "We want Trump" and "Free the vote" reign down on the convention floor.

Earlier in the day a slate of speakers touched on a variety of topics imploring the nation watching to vote Republican and to come together behind the GOP.

The opening ceremonies included the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem and invocation from Rabbi Art Wolf. In a convention heavy on wanting to return to the White House, even the Rabbi’s prayer trailed into political undertones. Wolf mentioned is his prayer that family values and even America’s democracy were under attack.

The opening speakers however hailed from the surrounding area and implored the delegates and the nation to follow in the footsteps of Cleveland. Citing the Cleveland Cavaliers' NBA title, the first five speakers said Cleveland was in a rebirth.

Rep. Steve King of Iowa was the first to take the podium and spoke about the economic hardships placed on the American people a result he says of Pres. Obama’s policies. But he pointed to the Midwest and cities like Cleveland who are on the forefront of leading the economy.

King even included Detroit among the speakers calling it a city "that never gave up."Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson asked delegates to experience the full force of Cleveland and be inspired by its diversity and growth. RNC CEO Jeff Larson claimed too that since the Cavs won this year, so shall the Republican nominee capture the White House.

As the speakers chugged along the rhetoric shifted towards the political landscape, as many painted a picture of a failing America under Democrat rule that was in need of revamping.

“We need you help to take our country back,” U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts said to the nation as he supported Trump’s positions. He also said Trump would be the candidate capable of bringing America back.

Others, including Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee Greg Walden, attacked the Obama Administration for America's failure.

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“Pushes extreme partisan policies," Walden said of Obama.

He later added it was, "time to move our country in a new direction."

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