As we look back on the first day of the Republican National Convention, there is no shortage of thoughts to process. Many of the major newspapers and TV news anchors are noting the dark vision painted in many of the speeches. That is true. Then there is the fact checking burden, which is significant - embodied by the complete work of fiction about the coronavirus and the president's response. Tim Scott and Nikki Haley are getting some strong reviews for the relative effectiveness of their speeches. Although if you dig deep into the text of both there are some rather disingenuous statements, and both ultimately are making the case for a president who has proven to be dangerously divisive, authoritarian in his tendencies, and ineffective in tackling the biggest challenges of our time. But compared to the oddly strident rants of Donald Trump, Jr. and his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle, Scott and Haley at least had the tone one usually finds at a convention. If you watched the convention with the sound off you might think the party of Donald Trump is diverse and welcoming. The record of course proves otherwise. But one of the objectives last night was to present a case that the president is not a racist and has something to offer those of any color who wish to join him. Reality makes that a hard argument, but even a little uptick in support among voters of color, or more importantly a feeling from white voters who are worried about the president's racist rhetoric that it's okay to vote for him, could make the difference in a close election. But more than all of the above, coursing through last night and I suspect the rest of the convention and the campaign is a very different argument around race. It is a tactic that has been employed since the founding of the republic and has led to many successful campaigns. Be afraid, white America. To dive into the racism, violence, and systemic injustices behind this line of attack is to tell much of American history. But there is a reason why the Republicans are talking about "riots" and "defund the police" and "chaos coming to the suburbs," and why the RNC featured a gun-wielding white couple who pointed loaded weapons at peaceful protesters (and, ironically, were subsequently arrested by the police). Donald Trump, the producer of this convention and the man with an entire party in tow, is doing this because it has worked. Now I don't know if it will work in 2020. There are many reasons to think that it won't, because the white suburban voters are different from the 1960s, or 1980s, or even the early 2000s. Many new people have moved to the suburbs and others have changed their minds. Also, the country is far more diverse than it was in the past. And it is more open to recognizing its own injustices around race. And make no mistake, this is an approach based on weakness from a president who has mismanaged a pandemic that has produced a death count, in the words of a guest on CNN last night, equivalent to 1,000 737s going down. Take that in for a moment. Furthermore, the economy is in tatters. The vast majority of protests have been peaceful. The cities are not really descending into chaos. All of this is true. The stoking of this fear is unfair. It is unjust. But it also cannot be ignored. I suspect the Biden-Harris campaign knows this well. They can see themselves in a strong position in the polls. But they know that Donald Trump is looking for his Willie Horton. The Democrats might think that this move could backfire, that the hatred bellowed from a bullhorn and not a dog whistle will turn off more voters than it attracts. But they also know that Donald Trump is tapping into a deep and tragic well of American society. It is ugly. It is racist. But again, it has worked. And like the sparks of a brushfire, it will likely have to be doused before it can grow. I want to believe that in the multi-ethnic, multicultural America of today, that this blatant appeal to hatred, fear, and division will not work. Perhaps this is the moment when we as a nation reject this political approach with a resounding vote in the opposite direction. That may happens. But until it happens, it is not a given. And defeating what has been an element of American life since the beginning will take a concerted and energetic effort. This is an election not only about the future of America, but also about a reckoning with its past. What lessons will we be able to draw in November? We shall see. But the answer is not to be passive. Racism and fear has only been, and can only be, defeated with action.

WASHINGTON — A group of former U.S. officials, advisers and conservatives organized by people who worked in the current administration has formed against President Donald Trump. Miles Taylor, a former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security in the Trump administration, on Monday night confirmed the creation of the group to NBC News, which is called the Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform, or REPAIR.

Trump's campaign paid $2.3 million in donor money to his private business, filings show. Trump's campaign has paid $2.3 million in donor funds to his private businesses so far, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Forbes, which first reported on the filings, noted that in one instance, one of Trump's companies received nearly $38,000 in campaign funds for rent. In another, the campaign shelled out $8,000 to the Trump corporation last month for "legal & IT consulting," according to the filings. This isn't the first time the president's campaign has become entangled with his personal finances. In July, The Washington Post's David Fahrenthold reported that Trump's campaign sent nearly $400,000 to the Trump Organization in just two days. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

America is not a racist country Right?. Is that why Nimrata changed her name to "Nikki"?

I still can’t get over the fact that Steven Mnuchin funneled $500B in PPP loan covid relief to entities of his choice including himself, Devin Nunes, Jared Kushner, Kanye West, Moscow Mitch’s wife Elaine Chao, but $600 for struggling Americans is too much. Evil is as evil does.

Does anyone even want to mention that Kimberly Gargoyle is the girlfriend of Don Jr who left his wife who he has 5 kids with during this batshit presidency? And these are the 2 pillars of morality on night 1 for the RNC? Totally on brand trump republicans. I have NEVER seen so many members of one party (former officials, pundits, etc.) endorse the other's nominee. There is a reason for this. If the President of the United States can casually say China Virus and Kung Flu without any consequences, then America is a racist country.

"My brown son is more likely to commit a violent offense over my white sons." That's an actual quote from a speaker at the Republican National Convention. I'm not surprised that they allowed this racist woman to deliver a speech.

M.Obama said, when they go low,we go high. Jr did the same. He got high. Why you guys are making fun of him. Stop it. Some malayalees also had the same thing.

We’re losing, dude, and we’re going to get really hurt’: Trump Jr believes father will be defeated by Biden