Cleveland, OH – By now you’ve heard plenty about the speech Melania Trump delivered at the opening night of the 2016 Republican National Convention. The buzz all over television networks and social media is how similar Mrs. Trump’s speech was to the one given by Michelle Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Many people are accusing Mrs. Trump of plagiarism.

Perhaps your reaction to all this was similar to mine. When I heard about it my reaction was “What!! Michelle Obama gave a speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention? How did that work out?”

The Trump Campaign has declared Monday night’s speech “a success.” But who was it a success for? For all the media critics who think this over-analysis of verbiage is proof there’s a bias towards the Democratic Party? The Democrats who believe Bill Clinton would make a better First Lady? We may not know until November and by then we may not care.

“Every four years, a First Lady or potential First Lady stands onstage at their convention and talks about the same subjects—upbringing, values and family,” stated Lindsey Bruce in the DC Gazette. “In fact, 90 percent of what we hear this week will probably be rehashed and resaid at the Democratic National Convention.”

On opening night of the GOP Convention it shouldn’t be forgotten that another woman delivered a speech and her words will be remembered and we will hear the soundbite many times over the next four months. Pat Smith, whose son was a U.S. State Department information technology specialist who died in Benghazi, used her own words. “I blame Hilary Clinton personally for the death of my son. Personally. She lied to me then called me a liar.”

The candidates of both parties have paper trails. There are people who swear by them and people who swear at them. The task for the voters will be to decide which of those factions have the character and credibility.

Locally
The Baltimore Sun reports that two Maryland convention delegates signed a letter opposing the convention rules that will be considered on the floor Tuesday. That opposition faction is seeking an opportunity to give more authority to grassroots activists. 

Nicolee Ambrose, a GOP committeewoman and Jim Crawford, a Charles County resident—are two delegates from Maryland who served on the convention rules committee. Ambrose and Crawford had supported rules changes that would have given more power to convention delegates. Ambrose and Crawford are the Maryland representatives on the 112-member rules committee that is made up of delegates from each state.

Speakers at the Tuesday, July 19 session include New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Dr. Ben Carson.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com