This week, Republicans (who were unable to think of a good excuse not to attend) gathered in Cleveland to nominate Donald Trump as their new "Duce."
It was both a celebration of (lack of) diversity, and a family affair.
Although each night of the convention (ostensibly) had its own theme, they all shared a common message—lock her (Hillary) up!
Among the headline speakers were four of Trump's children, his third wife (h/t Michelle Obama), Ben Carson (with special guest Lucifer), a Nazi impersonator, and a veritable who's who of washed-up TV stars, avocado farmers and multi-level marketers.
Of course, the real star (sheriff's badge?) of the show was Donald Trump himself, who spoke at great length, and in very dark tones, on the convention's final night.
When all was said and done, and the TV ratings were tabulated, Trump's speech had been seen by 8.6 million fewer people than John McCain's acceptance speech in 2008.
Sad!
Morning lineup:
Meet the Press: Sen. Bernie Sanders; Raging Narcissist Donald Trump (R); Roundtable: Rachel Maddow (MSNBC), Chris Matthews (MSNBC), Andrea Mitchell (NBC News) & Former RNNC Chair Michael Steele.
Face The Nation: President Barack Obama (D); Roundtable: Ron Brownstein (National Journal), Ramesh Ponnuru (National Review), Jamelle Bouie (Slate) & Nancy Cordes (CBS News).
This Week: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT); Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook; Trump Campaign Chair Paul Manafort; Roundtable: Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile, "Independent" Strategist Matthew Dowd, Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) & Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN).
Fox News Sunday: Clinton Chief Campaign Strategist Joel Benenson; Trump Campaign Chair Paul Manafort; Roundtable: Brit Hume (Fox News), Anne Gearan (Washington Post), George Will (Washington Post) & Amy Walter (Cook Political Report).
State of the Union: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT); Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook; Trump Campaign Chair Paul Manafort; Roundtable: Neera Tanden (Center for American Progress), Progressive Activist Van Jones, Former South Carolina State Sen. Andre Bauer (R) & Republican Pollster Kellyanne Conway.
Evening lineup:
60 Minutes will feature: a joint interview with presumptive Democratic nominees Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine (no preview available); a report on some of the people behind the Make-A-Wish Foundation (preview); and, a report on bonobos (preview).
Late night shows:
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Monday: Actress Allison Janney; Former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY); Singer-Songwriter Ryan Adams.
Tuesday: Actor Jeff Daniels; "Egyptian Jon Stewart Bassem Youssef; Musical Group Aurora.
Wednesday: TV Host John Oliver; Actor Jai Courtney; Radio Personality Charlamagne Tha God.
Thursday: Comedians Abbi Jacobson & Ilana Glazer; Presidential Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin; Comedian Eric Andre.
Friday: Guests TBD.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Monday: Election Special Tuesday-Friday: DNC Coverage.
The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore
Monday: Pre-empted.
Tuesday: Rapper Wyclef Jean.
Wednesday: Conservative Writer Eliana Johnson.
Thursday: Legal Scholar Cass Sunstein.
Friday: Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson.
Elsewhere...
Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort conducted a little female outreach.
"Many women feel they can't afford their lives, their husbands can't afford to be paying for the family bills," Manafort said. "Hillary Clinton is guilty of being part of the establishment that created that problem. They will hear the message. As they hear the message, that's how we will appeal to them."
Matthews, who became renowned during the 2008 campaign for his own sexist commentary on Clinton, seemed appalled. "Is that 21st century talking? Wives are concerned about how their husbands are doing at work?"
"Because they can't afford their lives anymore. That's the point. For some people, it's about jobs," Manafort said. He also noted that he could "speak personally" to the issue of wives being upset at their husbands' income.
Meanwhile...
Trump surrogate Scottie Nell Hughes did some Latino outreach.
Donald Trump supporter Scottie Nell Hughes criticized Tim Kaine for speaking Spanish at his joint rally with Hillary Clinton today.
Kaine is fluent in Spanish, and Hughes said that while she appreciates the multiculturalism there, "What Mr. Trump did, he spoke in a language that all Americans can understand. That is English."
"I didn't have to get a translator for anything that was going on at the RNC this week. And I'm hoping I'm not gonna have to kinda start brushing up on my Dora the Explorer to understand some of the speeches given [at the DNC]."
Basta!
- Trix