Trump Officially Becomes Republican Presidential Nominee

Thursday, 21 July 2016, 00:17 IST
33
cmt right
36
Comment Right
61
cmt right
11
cmt right
Printer Print Email Email

CLEVELAND: Donald Trump today clinched the Republican party's nomination to run for the next US president against Hillary Clinton, capping a stunning rise to power after months of controversial campaigning that galvanised voters and highlighted differences within his party. 

70-year-old Trump, who joined politics only a year ago and stormed the Republican party by defeating as many as 17 primary opponents, including experienced, well-funded candidates such as John Kasich and Jeb Bush, earned the 1,237 bound delegates necessary to secure the party's nomination during the second day of the Republican National Convention.

"Donald Trump having received the majority of the votes cast has been selected as the Republican Party nominee of the president of the United States," announced Paul Ryan, House of Representatives Speaker and also chair of the Republican National Convention. 

Trump welcomed Republican nomination as "great honour" and vowed to work hard. 

"Such a great honour to be the Republican Nominee for President of the United States. I will work hard and never let you down! AMERICA FIRST!" Trump tweeted. 

Exuding confidence to win the presidency, Trump said he would also win the key State of Ohio, which is hosting the four-day convention. 

"We are going to win the presidency and bring real change and leadership back to Washington," Trump said. 

"This is going to be a leadership that puts the American people first. We are going to bring back our jobs. We are going to rebuild our depleted military and take care of our great veterans. We are going to have strong borders," the real estate tycoon from New York said. 

Trump would face Clinton of the Democratic Party in the November 8 presidential elections. If elected, he would be the first successful businessman without any political experience to become the president of the US. 

Trump, whose election theme is "Make America Great Again" was declared the party's nominee after his son Donald J Trump Junior cast the vote of elected delegates from his home state of New York, that gave him the requisite 1,237 votes required to cross the half way mark. 

"Congratulations Dad. We love you," screamed the Junior Trump as the giant screen inside the Quicken Loan Arena showed that the billionaire is on top of the delegates. 

With three of the candidate's other children at his side, the younger Trump said, "It is my honour to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count." 

Senator Jeff Sessions from Alabama, who heads the national security and foreign policy team of Trump, nominated the real estate tycoon as the Republican presidential nominee.
"Mr Speaker, it's my distinct honour and great pleasure 

to nominate Donald J Trump for the office of president of the United States of America," Sessions said. 

Trump's nomination was seconded by Congressman Chris Collins from New York and South Carolina Lt Gov Henry Dargan McMaster. Indiana Governor Mike Pence was nominated as the vice presidential running mate of Trump. 

"It is an honour to run on a ticket with Governor Mike Pence, who is an incredible man, and who will make a great vice president," Trump said. 

Despite having won the primary outright, many of the Republican party's leasders have refused to support Trump. 

Trump yesterday survived a last-minute attempt by some Republican party delegates to block his presidential nomination by trying to force a roll call vote to change the party's rule. 

Trump's unorthodox approach to politics and divisive rhetoric have hit headlines during his campaign. Since launching his campaign last June, Trump has proposed to build a wall between the US and Mexico, called for a blanket ban on Muslims entering the US and advocated for the use of torture. 

With the nomination in hand, Trump now faces the daunting task of competing against Clinton's well-organised and well-funded campaign, which intends to make Trump's character and his business record key issues in the campaign. 

Trump will deliver his acceptance speech tomorrow.

Read Also:
Republican Convention Starts In Cleveland Under Tight Security
Clinton Maintains Advantage Over Trump, Show Polls


Source: PTI