Good afternoon from the quicken loans arena in cleveland, ohio, site of the 2016 republican convention. At 1 p. M. Comes down eastern time and cspan, as we 1984, willoing since bring you every minute of the convention. For the next hour or so, we will be here to set the stage for the session, both the afternoon and the evening, the politics and policy of what is going on in cleveland. Theou are following convention on our networks, i want to tell you what we will be doing on our website you can watch streamed coverage on your laptop and on mobile and we have a page where everyone of the speeches will be available on demand. You can share it with other friends who are interested in politics. We are going to be talking to a number of people who will help us understand what is going on. There are two sessions today. 1 00 eastern time and it will be focused on some of the business of the Republican National committee, reports that the committee must met last week. The rules committee which sets the stage for what happens here from a procedural standpoint as the Platform Committee. Whoill talk with a reporter has been following all of this and what it might mean for the delegate who are unhappy with their selection of the candidate. In the first prime session begins at 8 00 eastern time. The theme is make america safe again. They have a number of guests lined up to speak including senator tom cotton of arkansas, senator Jeff Sessions of alabama and rudy giuliani, former mayor of new york. Will be speaking as is the tradition of potential first ladys and then we have attorney general michael flint, joni ernst of iowa and representative ryan c key of montana, a member of the House Armed Services committee. Lets go down to the floor and introduce you to caitlin who is covering the convention for real clear politics. Lets start with the 1 00 p. M. Session where the rules committee will be reporting to the full convention. We know there are still some delegates who are wishing for an avenue to present another option to the convention. Do they have any means of doing that . Good to be with you. This is the last, last ditch effort for those opposed to the truck nomination to have their last stand. Do today tove to approve the rules determined by the rules Committee Last week and have majority support for those rules. There could be some ruckus on the Convention Floor by some of those delegates who want to vote their conscience, so to speak, which has been a term used to describe this whole effort and some are expected to protest this vote. Be a majority to opposition to those rules will to those rules. Its unlikely to deter trump from getting the nomination. There are all sorts of things going on by groups involved in that effort but it is a last that attempt to stop trump we dont really see coming to fruition. Thehat is happening with protesters outside the convention . We have read that at noon today, the protesters are really expected to gear up. Are the protests going on outside . Of cleveland has been preparing for this kind of thing. As you have seen, being here at the quicken loans arena and at the Convention Center across town where most of the media is here isthe security extremely tight. There are barricades all around the perimeter. There are police everywhere and they really seem to have this under control at this point. I was here yesterday and it was quiet and people are getting into town and checking in their hotels. They are expecting protests throughout the weekend may have been preparing for that sort of thing. Theinside here and at Convention Center, the mood among delegates, there is a sense of and dizzy as him, people getting into town and getting excited for a lot of these delegates. This is a big moment for them. They come across the country from all over, there delegations have breakfast meetings during the day, and have guest speakers. Some of them are working behind the scenes to prevent this nomination but that number is pretty small at this point. To the politics of the nomination, theres the National Situation that is providing a storyline going into this. The campaign has picked up on tonight, their theme make america safe again. Can he talk about the events in baton rouge and the events in the acts in nice that look like terrorism. And for the campaign, as it makes its pitch to the public, how does that play into what we are going to see . Those events are certainly going to shape the course of this convention and the course of a president ial campaign. You have had both candidates weighing in on certain events. National security is always a highlight of programming in some ways. You will have several speakers, tom cotton, as you mentioned, has been a very hawkish member of the senate from arkansas, you have Jeff Sessions, and others who are highly involved in these kinds of issues in congress. Wants to campaign present a contrast to how the Current Administration is handling things. You are going to hear from former veterans and it is shaping what is going to go on in this campaign. The Trump Campaign has been talking about National Security in a way thats talking about more robust National Security. Trump has been in his language and rhetoric very fierce when it comes to talking about this rhetoric while democrats and the Clinton Campaign have been talking about a steady hand and leadership. I think you will see a lot of speakers draw contrast with the anocrats, given that this is event for republicans. That is what im looking at night. Milani a trump will be speaking tonight and thats a big speaker because shes not the traditional spouse of a candidate. We have not seen her out on the trail that much. Debuts is in many ways a for her as a potential first lady, so a lot of eyes will be watching her. What is interesting is that the Trump Campaign is saying the candidates will be appearing over the course of several nights. They have the big speech on thursday night and trump is expected to introduce his wife and the two of them are expected to leave afterwards and return later in the week. Lots more there to pick up. We will be back, but lets go to my colleague down on the floor of the convention. We want to show you the and theamera position teleprompter. You can see the network positions and we are joined by a writer with cleveland. Com from northeastern ohio. His family is from akron and the youngstown. Lets talk about this then you and this city. This is the home of the lake erie monsters. How did this city and this venue transform itself . I go to a lot of cavaliers games and its been amazing to see how quickly they have turned things around. I was here a few weeks ago and it was nowhere near this place. The fact that they made an extended run meant that they have to have a compressed timeline. We were talking about the security around the quicken loans arena. What can delegates expect . This area has been transformed zone withhly secured a lot of officials protecting the venue. Media center and the Convention Center across town. They had a dedicated shuttle for the media and i went in quickly, so speaking as a reporter, its pretty easy to get in but i hear there is a line forming outside the arena right now. Have not only this that get you on the floor of the convention but a new fast that has not been used by the secret service, allowing you to come in why that added level of security . There are things going on in the world and i think the secret service felt they needed to make it more secure. I cant speak to why that is exactly but they are very conscious about the security environment here. You have been writing about the Economic Impact of this convention. What is it . There is money that will be spent here. Thing people are excited about is the attention everyone is going to get. Positivea lot of feedback to did not know anything about cleveland and they were impressed with the food scene and the urban amenities we have to offer for a small city. Think its pretty good. The last time cleveland hosted a convention was 1936. What will you be following this week and what will you be writing for your website . Im interested to see how the event goes off and if cleveland is logistically handling things and how it looks to the people who are here. I will be doing some spot coverage here and there, but im concerned that this is impactful for the people who live downtown and they are concerned about whether their workers can get in. We are interested to see whether it pays off in the proposition is positive coverage will be a city. Hing for the if things go right, it will be great, if things go wrong, it will be the opposite of great. Thank you very much for being with us. Ofsteve scully on the floor the convention. As we proceed, we are going to return to caitlin with real clear politics. You are spotting what is going on behind you. Its about 45 minutes until the first gavel comes down. The delegates are starting to come in and this is the kickoff to the convention. It will officially gavel in at 1 00. Getting to the floor and checking out their seating arrangement. All of the programming is controlled by the rnc and the campaign. Lot of reporters are going to the floor and we will be heading soon to talk to delegates ahead check out theg to color of the scene, but it seems like a very energetic atmosphere and people just getting excited for this weeks events. One of the other things that is happening is the report of the Platform Committee. Whats the role of a Party Platform as far as the campaign . ShapedParty Platform is by the base of the Republican Party were democratic party. That talksocument about the principles of the party and talks about various issues from National Security to social issues like gay marriage and several other items. This is a chance for Republican Leaders in Party Activists as we talk about the rnc to shape the principles Going Forward and a way to present to the American People that this is what the party stands for and what we want to campaign on this year. A lot of times, the parties that conservative on the republican side or more progressive on the democratic side than the actual ticket, especially in a general election when candidates are reaching toward independent voters and activating their respective bases. The Trump Campaign has not had much of a hand in terms of some of these issues. There has not been as much drama tensionsed given the between this candidate and the party we have seen over the course of the primary, but this is a document shaped by the party base. Explore that concept of party unity starting with a press conference by the Trump Campaign lead asking questions about party unity, specifically citing the fact that passed republican nominees and president s are not attending this convention. It is highly unusual. Unified party. What can you say about the state of the party at this point . I think thats the biggest narrative coming into this convention. This is an Unconventional Campaign with trump and his party with lots of official member still reluctant to come on board. He has received endorsements from Top Party Leaders and the rnc has tried to form a the trumpip with campaign but there are high tensions running here. What was interesting today, talking about some of those who were not here, one of the people not speaking is the sitting governor of ohio, john kasich is a former president ial candidate and was one of trumps last remaining rivals. He has not endorsed trump, but it comesey player when to republican politics in ohio. Republicans historically cannot win the white house without ohio. You have seen some particular attention when it comes to leaders of the ohio Republican Party and donald trump. So it will be interesting to see how that plays out. Paul ryan is here, house speaker. A is going to be having speech at the convention and has talked a lot about the need for party unity. From the going to hear Vice President ial nominee, mike pence will stop when he was announced as a running mate, i talked to a lot of conservative activists who were reluctant to support trump who thought tense was a solid pick. Lots of activists i talked to gave him a strong rating and said he could help get some of those more reluctant members on board the campaign. So he is being brought on to help the party as well. We will talk more about this election of governor mike pence in just a minute. Lets show you one of the major arena. Ints in the q the printer has been moved farther out and extra layers of security have been added. Lots of people checking credentials as you go through each section of the security perimeter and you can see the scene on the sunny and warm day. N cleveland, ohio temperatures a little high but hopefully the mood of the people coming into the Convention Center are a happy one. Steve scully is on the Convention Floor talking to one of those delegates. We have two delegates here. Your third convention. Your first was in Atlantic City for the democrats. My father and money father and mother were act those in democratic party, but that has changed. The first order is approving the platform and the rules will stop do you expect any issues coming forth in the next couple of hours . I do not. Mr. Trump is going to be the nominee, 100 sure. Does the stop Trump Movement were you in any way . It never did. Because of the mandate will stop the millions of people who voted for him, the odds of that being overturned seems to be about zero. You were the mayor of hamilton, new jersey. The state . Ere in right in the middle, the ninth largest in new jersey. This is my First Convention in the first time i was active in national politics. You cannot sit home during this election. Heres too much at stake the nation is at a critical point. Be at get involved would dereliction of the right to vote and your duty to vote. You have some great real estate, front and center. A lot of attention on your governor, chris christie. Are you disappointed he was not selected as the running mate . I think pence was an outstanding choice. I think some of the accomplishments and his state no disrespect to chris christie, i think what he has brought to the table as far as personality adds toces and it just the conversation republicans are having that we can have different viewpoints and come to the table and provide great leadership. I believe Chris Christies strength not only as governor but as a Law Enforcement officer was a different asset he can bring to the republican organization, probably in a cabinet position, but both being from the east coast, i think that would have been hard for the entire rnc party to look at that. One from new york, one from new jersey, i think that would have then a tough sell for the entire party. Looking at the poll numbers come in ashley, donald trump is down four or five percentage point in some of the battleground states. Think hes going to win and i think you may take 40 states. I think he has just begun to campaign and will come out of this convention with a good. He may be tied were way ahead but i think hes going to continue to discuss the issues and people will hear him now that he is the nominee and they will have to make a choice. Insidering what is going on the world and whats going on in the country, people will think about and choose donald trump. Delegates here from the new jersey delegation, thank you for being with us. Usthank you for being with in the cspan skybox at the quicken loans arena. 12 20 two eastern time as the first session of the convention will be gaveling in at approximately 1 00 eastern time. This afternoon session is all about the Party Business will stop the rules and Platform Committee will be making its report and the optimistic delegates about this being business as usual on this first day. Caitlin will be with us for eight more minutes, covering the convention or real clear politics. Ofant to return to the theme party unity. Mike pence and donald trump giving their first joint interview last night to 60 minutes to cope 60 minutes. He said one of the reasons he chose mike pence was for party unity. How does mike pence help to unify this party for donald trump . Party unity is the goal of this convention. Mike pence is an unconventional pick because donald trump is an unconventional candidate but hes a traditional Vice President ial pick if you think about how Vice President ial nominees can help the top of the ticket, mike pence has many deep relationships in congress, having served several terms in the house before leaving to run for governor of indiana. So he has executive experience as governor. Donald trump talk a lot about the need for someone who has political experience will stop donald trump as an outsider candidate and a businessman who has never been involved in politics officially as a candidate, so mike pence can help those gaps. He received a lot of applause from people like paul ryan and other Party Leaders and conservative activists who seek mike pence as a strong conservative. He has demonstrated his appeal in that way in congress and in indiana. He has also received criticism from conservative activists for his handling of a religious freedom law that he signed in his state. It was a very controversial law seen as