CLEVELAND — Donald Trump’s campaign chairman Paul Manafort hopes to give American voters an intimate introduction to the man he says will be their next president.
Speaking to reporters on the first day of the Republican National Convention, Manafort said the campaign’s “goal all week is to present a picture of Donald Trump that is broader than just the image that people have developed in the primary.
“It’s the opportunity to introduce the candidate to a broader spectrum of America that will be paying attention during this convention,” he said, adding that he intends to “present Trump not just as the political candidate running for office but as the father, businessman and compassionate individual he is when the spotlights aren’t turned on.
“[Trump’s] foundation of support came from the people of the states, not from Washington,” Manafort said. “That will be evident in presentations of the various speeches.”
To accomplish their goal, the Trump campaign and Republican National Committee devised a convention schedule that features leading conservative policymakers as well as a handful of the billionaire’s family members.
Trump’s wife, Melania, has been noticeably absent from the campaign trail since her husband clinched the nomination in early May. The potential first lady will deliver a major speech Monday evening after being introduced by her husband.
On the final night of the convention, when Trump takes the stage as the party’s official standard-bearer, he will be introduced by his daughter, Ivanka.
“We have three different groups [of speakers]: those close to Trump, people who have been affected by world events … and political figures talking from a policy standpoint,” Manafort said.
