If Donald Trump had stopped talking 25 minutes into his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night, we would be talking today about how he had seized the frontrunner mantle in the presidential race and demonstrated that he was willing and able to make the adjustments necessary to win the White House.
But he went on for another 67(!) minutes. And therein lies the problem.
The first half hour of Trump’s speech was, for him, a major change in tone — and very good. He recounted his near-assassination just days ago in Pennsylvania in vivid detail. He talked about how the incident confirmed for him the need to come together as a nation. He was serious, somber and — dare I say it — presidential.
And then the real Trump emerged. For the next hour-plus, Trump delivered the same basic speech that he gives at every rally he holds around the country. Rambling. Grievance filled. Lie upon lie.
The simple fact that the speech affirmed for me is this: Not even an attempt on his life will change who Donald Trump is. There is no Trump 2.0. No new leaf. No pivot.
He might be able to play at such a move, rhetorically, for a (very) little while but the inner Trump always wins out. And THAT Trump is a deeply flawed candidate who (still) can be beaten in November.
The question now is who Democrats will nominate — and when that decision gets made.
All that and more in today’s edition of The Morning. This is always a free post. But I would love if you would become an investor in what I am building here. Become a paid subscriber today! It’s $6 a month or $60 for the year!
The Morning: Good Trump and very bad Trump