Melania Trump describes husband’s softer side

By Megan Messerly

Published Monday, July 18, 2016 | 7 a.m.

Updated Monday, July 18, 2016 | 7:57 p.m.

Melania Trump previewed what a softer side of a Donald Trump presidency might look like and what kind of first lady she would be during her headlining speech at the Republican National Convention on Monday night.

She spent much of her speech, which drew comparisons to now-first lady Michelle Obama's address nearly eight years ago, extolling her husband’s virtues and talking about his softer side. She framed him as an amazing leader who has been concerned about the state of the country for as long as she has known him.

“This kindness is not always noted, but it is there for all to see,” she said. “That is one reason I fell in love with him to begin with."

She talked about the love in the Trump family, calling it “our bond that is our strength.”

She also talked about on growing up in then-communist Slovenia, her “elegant and hard-working mother,” who introduced her to fashion and beauty, and her father, who taught her about business and travel.

“I am fortunate for my heritage but also for where it has brought me today,” Melania Trump said.

She talked about becoming a citizen and the what it means to be an American, like honoring the sacrifices of veterans.

As first lady, Melania Trump said, she would focus on helping women and children.

“You judge society by how it treats its citizens,” she said.

Now that the “toughness” of the primary season is over, she asked people to come together behind a campaign “like no other.”

“It is kindness, love, and compassion for each other that will bring us together and keep us together,” she said.

1:55 p.m.

The convention wrapped up its official business this afternoon, adopting rules the anti-Trump crowd had opposed and a platform that includes building Trump’s wall.

During a vote on the rules, the Stop Trump group made a last-ditch attempt to unbind the convention delegates, which would have allowed them to vote for anyone.

During the vote, the anti-Trump group loudly shouted down the rules, while the rest of the floor shouted its approval. The rules were affirmed twice on voice votes.

Some of the Stop Trump folks broke into protest during the proceedings, shouting for a roll call vote. The convention chair said there weren’t enough states in favor of a roll call vote.

The Nevada delegation erupted in applause when the rules passed.

Nevada delegate Juanita Cox said the adoption of the rules was one of the things that had her the most worried about the convention.

“There are people in this room that have been conspiring against the Trump people, and that bothers me,” Cox said.

The convention is now in recess until 7:50 p.m. EST.

11:15 a.m.

The convention has officially kicked off, and the members of the Nevada delegation have one of the better seats in the house to view the action.

Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald attributed the delegation’s good position in the arena to the state party improving its role within the national party and working with its chairman, Reince Preibus.

At the 2012 convention, the Nevada delegation went rogue and voted for Ron Paul instead of Mitt Romney as required under the rules of the caucus. The caucus that year was also widely considered a fiasco, marred by low turnout and chaos in reporting the caucus’s outcome.

McDonald, however, said he wasn’t worried about Nevada’s early state status, adding that he thought the 2016 caucus had shown the RNC what the state was capable of.

Deliberations at the rules committee last week appeared to bode well for Nevada, with the committee keeping the early states intact for now.

“It’s not a matter of a done deal,” McDonald said. “But I’m comfortable with some of the feedback I’ve had.”

8 a.m.

Good morning from Cleveland!

After a thunderstorm Sunday night, the clouds are parting, the streets are drying and the convention is preparing to kick off in just a couple of hours.

Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Iowa and other states attended delegation breakfasts this morning where they heard from a bevy of politicians, while Nevada was on its own, with no official breakfast planned this morning.

Convention business will kick off at 1 p.m. today, and speakers later today will include Duck Dynasty star Willie Roberston, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump’s wife, Melania Trump.

Two speakers from Nevada, UFC President Dana White and Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin, will speak on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

The theme of today’s speeches is “Make America Safe Again,” expected to be particularly apt after the Baton Rouge shooting Sunday in which a Missouri man ambushed and killed three police officers.

Outside the convention center, the city is gearing up for the four-day convention.

Connecticut resident Steve Scanlon, 52, set up shop downtown with a menagerie of Trump-related merchandise on his cart. He said he’s attended 57 Trump rallies across the country selling his merchandise.

“You don’t see him lying,” Scanlon said of Trump. “He’ll tell you exactly how it is and how he’s going to do it. He’s not sugarcoating anything.”

As a motorcade rumbled down the street, a local couple, Bob and Alice Little of Pepper Pike, speculated if Trump was inside one of the vehicles.

They came out this morning to see what all the hubbub was about and to look at all the changes the city has undergone in preparation for the convention. But they’re torn about who to vote for. They don’t like Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton.

“We’re going to hold our nose and vote,” Bob Little said.