Displaying items by tag: RNC2016

The Cleveland Police Department has released an official "Thank You" video following the Republican National Convention last week: 

Buildings razed to the ground by angry mobs... 

                                  Cars engulfed in flames lining the city streets... 

                                                                      Trump effigies dangling from city bridges...  

These are some images some people had in their heads, whether self-manifested or otherwise placed there, heading in to the Republican National Convention in Downtown Cleveland; mostly because of the fiery opinions on either side of the political aisle. Alas, and likely to the disappointment of some national media, there was none of that. In fact, I saw more hi-fives, hugs, and dancing in the street from people with ear-to-ear grins adorned on their faces than any hatred, vitriol, or violence. Even when protests got heated, and some of them did, things calmed down quickly.

The main reason things didn't get out of hand was due to the incomparable effort and flawless execution by law enforcement. They've already been exhalted by local leaders, visitors bureaus, RNC planners, and more; but I'm going to offer them a little bit more praise from my end. Having grown up just south of Cleveland and having spent most of my adult life in and around the city, I can honestly say that I've never felt safer in my city. In addition, I've never felt more of a personal connection with members of law enforcement in my life. I personally witnessed officers, both local and not, talking with, laughing with, dancing with, and having fun with all of the RNC revelers, visiting delegates, protesters, and casual observers, all week. In a time in this country that has been defined by tension between citizens and the men and women who take an oath to protect them, to say that faith in humanity was restored would be an understatement. 

For me, RNC week kicked off with a peaceful march and moment of silence for the Circle the City with Love event. I joined a couple of thousand locals in the trek across the Hope Memorial Bridge (quite fittingly, so), alongside a police escort. After about 30 minutes of silence, and hand-holding, one of the group's organizers hit the airhorn signaling the end of the peaceful demonstration; but that's when the real demonstration began. In near 90-degree heat, attendees began lining up again, this time to shake the hands of, hug, and offer well wishes to the group of about 30 officers who provided supervision and guaranteed safety for the event. One-by-one, demonstrators young and old went down the line of officers. It was truly one of the greatest moments of my radio news career and I feel honored to have been a part of it. 

Throughout the week I had the chance to speak with a number of the men and woman of law enforcement and EMS (cannot forget these folks who also added tremendously to the safety factor), both local and from out of town. The local folks I spoke with were grateful to the crowds, both visitors and Cleveland-area residents, for being so cordial and respectful, as were the out-of-town law enforcement. The difference from the out-of-town angle is that every single one of them that I asked said they would be coming back to Northeast Ohio to visit... Which, from what I gather, was the entire goal of those who planned on bringing this convention here in the first place. 

So thank you to all of the law enforcement officials who worked grueling shifts in the heat, and mostly on their feet, all while being cordial and respectful of everyone and thier views. You guys and gals were the true winners of this convention..., and if I could, I'd vote for each and every one of YOU for president! 

If you'd like to see more photos from my perspective of the 2016 Republican National Convention, click here to link to my Facebook gallery. 

The security arrangements leading into the 2016 Republican National Convention were just plans before this week, but WAKR's security consultant Tim Dimoff of SACS Security Consulting and Investigations says the Cleveland model may be the plan setting the standard for future conventions.

Dimoff has been on scene throughout the RNC, and tells WAKR's Jasen Sokol the advance planning paid off with only 27 arrests by his count as of lunchtime on Day 4 of the Convention. The worst day came yesterday, when 17 people were arrested following a flag-burning protest outside the north security gate entrance to the secure zone around Quicken Loans Arena.

Dimoff credited law enforcement as well as protesters for the much-calmer activities in Cleveland during the RNC to date; he says the decision to blanket the area with police on foot, bicycles and horses proved valuable and a decision to spotlight those groups of opposing viewpoints to keep them away from each other, while allowing for their First Amendment rights, was a big success.

The "Media Row" section of the RNC has been busy -- even more so with advocates who are competing with Republicans and the Trump message. Today was Gary Johnson's turn; he's the Libertarian Party candidate for President. Johnson is the former Governor of New Mexico; his running mate is former Massachussets Governor Bill Weld. They need to reach nearly 15% in the polls to secure a spot in the Presidential Debates.

It was a quick "media scrum" directly in front of 1590 WAKR's position in the CBS area of Media Row, in the Quicken Loans Arena East Garage. Johnson said he didn't buy the "Make America Great Again" slogan because he thinks America is already great, and the Libertarian Party has a more positive viewpoint to express to voters. Johnson said if he had to choose a word to describe Democrat Hillary Clinton it would be "beholden"; for Republican Donald Trump, he was more diplomatic and noted he was at the Republican National Convention and would just offer congratulations to Trump on securing the nomination.

U.S. Senator Rob Portman fielded questions from Ohio-only reporters and advised them to watch what Governor John Kasich would do in this convention; it's the most talked-about item among the delegation as Kasich stands as the 600-pound favorite son.

So far, Kasich has been a frequent attendee of the web of social events that mark such national conventions, including speaking with committees and delegations from other states including national groups. But he hasn't made it to Quicken Loans Arena yet, and says he won't citing the differences between him and Donald Trump.

U.S. Senator Rob Portman believes there's already more talking than yelling at each other developing in this campaign, even among the delegation from Ohio which is overwhelmingly pro-Kasich but also has a keen eye targeting Hillary Clinton as a candidate to beat in November.

Portman says he believes the Party will have to come together, much as the nation needs to come together and stop being so divisive.

Portman is enjoying the time in Cleveland, spending a period yesterday on the floor. He's organized a volunteer group to help Habitat for Humanity in Cleveland, will be enjoying the waterways as part of a kayak expedition but most importantly: tonight he and wife Jane will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary in a local restaurant that has been a center of helping former inmates rejoin society.

What happens inside of Tower City in Cleveland when the Republican National Convention comes into town? 

WAKR wanted to see if the pedestrian traffic increased/decreased inside of the building that neighbors Public Square in downtown Cleveland. Here's a pair of timelapse videos over a 10 minute period on the same day (around the same time) -- before and during the RNC: 

It was a busy day on The Jasen Sokol Show on Day 1 of The Republican National Convention. Here's the rundown of everyone who stopped by Media Row today:

Rep. Jim Renacci on whether Ohio Republicans are coalescing around Donald Trump

Tim Dimoff of SACS Consulting, Security, and Investigations on security measures around Cleveland

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan on the RNC's impact on Akron

Analysis from Tom Sutton of Baldwin Wallace University

Analysis from David Cohen of the Bliss Institute for Applied Politics at The University of Akron

Mark "Oz" Geist shares his stories of fighting in Benghazi

Former Akron City Council candidate Cynthia Blake on why she's a Republican

The Circle The City With Love rally and march to the Hope Memorial Bridge that heads into downtown Cleveland was a success, according to revelers and organizers alike. Roughly 3,000 attendees showed up to spread the message of love and peace during a time of well-documented tension across the nation. 

The large group organized near the corner of W. 30th St. and Lorain Rd. and began their trek up and over the Hope Memorial Bridge around 2:30 Sunday afternoon. Once on the bridge, two single-file lines were formed on either side of the bridge as the marchers held hands and took part in a 30-minute-long moment of silence; a moment to represent the peace all Northeast Ohio residents and visitors to the area would like to see maintained throughout the 4 days of the Republican National Convention. 

After the silence, the group cheered and clapped, celebrating a successful event. It was then that the most powerful moment of the event occurred. The people who showed up for the peaceful march lined up once again, this time to shake the hands of, thank, and even hug all of the bicycle police officers who came to the event to help maintain a safe environment. See the video below: 

Just two days out from the start of the Republican National Convention in Downtown Cleveland, the Committee on Arrangements has revelaed the official delegate seating chart. Below is the press release issued Saturday morning: 

Cleveland, OH – In the final 48 hours before the gavel falls to signify the start of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, the Committee on Arrangements has announced the locations of each delegation on the Convention floor.
 
All 56 delegations, representing every state and territory, will convene Monday on the floor of the transformed Quicken Loans Arena. For the next four days they will be tasked with completing a wide array of party business like adopting rules and a platform, as well as listening to speeches from prominent Republicans on the values of the party. Finally, the delegates will cast their vote to nominate Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence as the Republican candidates for President and Vice President.

"Conventions are a time that bring our party together in one space to reaffirm what we believe in and look to what the future will bring,” said Convention CEO Jeff Larson. “Regardless of our home state and background, we come together as one body to select our nominee for President of the United States.”
 
Please click here for a map of each delegation’s seating arrangement. If you would like to know more about the speakers for this year’s Convention, please visit conventionmedia.gop.

Gov. Kasich won't be speaking at the Republican National Convention itself, but we now know where he'll be on one day next week in Cleveland.

The Ohio RNC committee will hold a reception Tuesday afternoon for Kasich at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Gov. Kasich is not on the official speakers list for the convention itself, but had already said he'll be in Cleveland next week.

Before going to Cleveland, the governor will speak at the NAACP National Convention on Sunday night in Cincinnati.

The namesake of the University of Akron's Bliss Institute and past Republican National Conventions are getting some attention inside a new exhibit on display in downtown Akron.

Victor Fleischer, associate professor and head of the University of Akron Archival Services, said the exhibit will give visitors, (especially those here for the upcoming RNC), a look at the political legacy of University of Akron alumnus Ray C. Bliss.

"He was really known for reviving the Republican party after the failed Barry Goldwater campaign, helping (Richard) Nixon to be elected president in 1968 and helping to preserve the two-party system which is very important in American politics."

The exhibit will include historic photographs, documents, artifacts from UA's archival services, and period clothing from the Summit County Historical Society. It will also showcase memorabilia from past Republican National Conventions.

(Ray C. Bliss, photo courtesy of the University of Akron Archival Services)

The free exhibit titled "Mr. Chairman: Ray C. Bliss and the RNC" is currently on display inside the Ohio Building at 175 S. Main Street (King James Way). The exhibit will remain open through November 8th. It's located on the fourth floor of the Ohio Building during normal business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The list of speakers for next week's Republican Convention is out -- who's who in the Trump camp, but not exactly a full who's who of national Republicans. No Romney, no Bush brothers or father, no Governor Kasich from the host state but primary opponents Cruz, Christie, Walker, Carson and Huckabee are on the list.

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The list:

(RNC) Jeff Larson, CEO of the 2016 Republican National Convention, today released a partial list of the speakers who will participate in the week-long, all-star event starting July 18th. The convention's theme, "Make America Great Again," will focus on the core themes of Republican Presidential Nominee Donald J. Trump's campaign: national security, immigration, trade and jobs. A final list of speakers and information on convention themes will follow.

Pastor Mark Burns
Phil Ruffin
Congressman Ryan Zinke
Pat Smith
Mark Geist
John Tiegen
Congressman Michael McCaul
Sheriff David Clarke
Congressman Sean Duffy
Darryl Glenn
Senator Tom Cotton
Karen Vaughn
Governor Mike Huckabee
Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Melania Trump
Senator Joni Ernst
Kathryn Gates-Skipper
Marcus Luttrell
Dana White
Governor Asa Hutchinson
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge
Michael Mukasey
Andy Wist
Senator Jeff Sessions
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn
Alex Smith
Speaker Paul Ryan
Congressman Kevin McCarthy
Kerry Woolard .
Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Dr. Ben Carson
Co-Chair Sharon Day
Natalie Gulbis
Kimberlin Brown
Antonio Sabato, Jr.
Peter Thiel
Eileen Collins
Senator Ted Cruz
Newt Gingrich
Michelle Van Etten
Lynne Patton
Eric Trump
Harold Hamm
Congressman Chris Collins
Brock Mealer
Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn
Governor Mary Fallin
Darrell Scott
Lisa Shin
Governor Rick Scott
Chairman Reince Priebus
Tom Barrack
Ivanka Trump
Attorney General Pam Bondi
Jerry Falwell Jr.
Rabbi Haskel Lookstein
Chris Cox
Senator Mitch McConnell
Tiffany Trump
Governor Chris Christie
Donald J. Trump Jr.
Governor Scott Walker