Tea Party in Cleveland

Amidst an Infomercial for Anger and Resentment, the speech by Melania Trump.     It is a test for Hillary Clinton.

The Melania Trump speech stood out in Cleveland.   After the speech it became obvious that much of it had been lifted from Michelle Obama's speech 8 years ago.   If Hillary handles this correctly, it will be a nice boost.   If she handles it poorly, it will be another disastrous self-inflicted wound for Hillary.

But first, the context of Melania's speech.   Political Conventions are an Infomercial.  Amid a little bit of uncertain live action in which votes are counted--or not--and delegates are seated--or not--the presumed candidate and party put on a show, with a list of speakers who present a message.

The presentations are not a projection of policy, but of mood.   America is a disaster.  Our economy has gotten worse in the past 7 years.  America is weak and disrespected.  We are led by a Muslim traitor who hates America, and who only pretends to be an American and a Christian.  Hillary is even worse.


Typical of what we heard was Scott Baio, an actor, who recently said  on Fox Business that Obama is a Muslim and traitor.  He was given a speaking spot at the Convention where he said "nothing seems right" in America and we should elect Donald Trump because of his conspicuous selflessness.  Donald Trump is a man "doing this from the goodness of his heart and genuinely wants to help."   We need, he said, to make America America again."



The most emotional part of the evening was the talk by Pat Smith, mother of one of the people killed in Benghazi, who said Hillary should be imprisoned.  

She blamed Hillary Clinton for her son's death:  "Hillary Clinton personally."

She went on, 'Donald Trump is everything Hillary Clinton is not.   Donald Trump is blunt, direct, and strong.He speaks his mind and his heart.  And when it comes to the threat of radical Islamic terrorism he will not hesitate to kill the terrorists who threaten American lives.

That's right.   Hillary for prison."

Click here to view her tearful speech

Amidst this, came the Melania Trump speech.  The aftermath of it gives a major test for Hillary.   

The Melania Trump's speech was a very different speech, with a much happier mood.  Melania is model attractive, her dress distinctive, her accent charming.  She projected hope and optimism, not anger.  The speech seemed out of place, but I suspect welcome for any undecided voter watching the Convention.

Open minded viewers who saw the speech itself might find the prospect of her as First Lady pleasant.  Who can object to a beautiful woman?  But Melania was betrayed by the Trump campaign, it having put in front of her language directly echoing the speech by Michelle Obama 8 years ago.   Melania is utterly implausible as a policy partner for Trump.  She presents as a beautiful woman, a naif, an innocent, a trophy and proof of testosterone along with Trump's large hands.   She is a victim here. 

Melania may well, in private, be a deep and thoughtful woman, with strong informed opinions.    

It is entirely possible. But the public presentation of her is one dimensional: a beautiful, adoring wife, and a decorative acquisition for a rich and powerful man who enjoys the company of very sexually attractive women.    Melania is a show-wife, a trophy, not a peer-partner.

Poodle with show cut

Trump is unapologetic.   He shows off Melania.  He contrasts her with Heidi Cruz.   Trump's wives are hot.  He is a ladies man, like other alpha males.

The Hillary Clinton campaign will miscalculate badly if they use the plagiarism to attack Melania, charging that this is a reflection of her character.   She would instantly become an object of sympathy, rather in the way that Monica Lewinsky transformed from ambitious star struck predator into victim when Hillary slut-shamed her 18 years ago.

The Democratic response of condemnation needs to be against Donald Trump.  Look what he did to his wife!   Look at the humiliating position he put her in, something akin to having her appear naked in ads.  The lout!  He put this sweet innocent totally-over-her-head wife onto center stage and had her read a plagiarized speech.   He made her look like a thief and liar when she gushed she wrote this herself.

If Hillary handles this correctly, it will be confirmation of Trump's careless disregard for the dignity of women.   If Hillary handles this poorly, it will be confirmation that Hillary is a scolding bitch who puts down younger women and is willing to be the humiliator if it serves her purposes.