I watched the first night of the Republican National Convention — now with even more Melania Trump! — and took some notes on who did well and, well, who didn’t.
My best and worst of night one is below.
WINNERS
Melania Trump: The bar was not terribly high for Trump’s wife given how reluctant she has been throughout the campaign to speak publicly. And, yes, she was staring down the teleprompters for her whole speech. But, I found her to be warm, likable and genuine. She offered a nice grace note by singling out Bob Dole for praise from the crowd. She even showed off a bit of humor.
Watching Melania Trump speak, it was hard for me to imagine that anyone would leave her address feeling anything but more favorably inclined toward her husband. That’s a big win for Team Trump.
Rudy Giuliani: Sure, the former New York City mayor shouted most of his speech. But I found him to be a very effective advocate for Trump; he talked about Trump’s anonymous charitable giving, he talked about Trump as a father and a friend. Giuliani’s broadside against the threat posed by terrorism and the need for Trump’s strength had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. In what was a generally sleepy night, Giuliani brought it.
Donald Trump’s entrance: I have always wished that politics was more like pro wrestling. Increasingly I am getting my wish. Trump’s entrance into the Republican convention — he offered a brief introduction for his wife, Melania — was epic. Backlit. Fog/smoke machine. “We are the Champions” blaring through the speakers. It had everything.
Marcus Luttrell: The former Navy SEAL — and subject of the book and film “Lone Survivor” — delivered an impassioned and raw appeal to patriotism during the first hour of the nighttime program. It’s hard to command a room at that hour – people are shuffling around and just getting settled in for the night – but Luttrell did it.
Scott Baio: Name the last time before Monday night that you thought — at all — about Baio. (Don’t tell me you saw “Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2.”) Yeah, me neither. But, on Monday, Baio was, well, popular. On the Internet, that is.
LOSERS
Michael Flynn: It really wasn’t entirely the retired lieutenant general’s fault that his speech fell so flat. He followed Melania Trump in the final moments of night one — a weird scheduling choice given that her speech was clearly going to be the emotional fulcrum of the night. But, he just went on and on and on. And on. He may still be speaking.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump introduces his wife Melania on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Alex Wong, Getty Images
Delegates pose for an official convention photograph on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicks off on July 18.
Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
Kansas delegate Beverly Gossage cheers as Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., speaks during first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016.
Paul Sancya, The Associated Press
Former Republican presidential candidate Sen. Bob Dole and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich chat before the evening session on the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016.
Win McNamee, Getty Images
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump introduces his wife Melania on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicks off on July 18.
Matt Rourke, Associated Press
Jeff Barke from Orange County, Calif., walks around the convention floor during first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016.
Alex Wong, Getty Images
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Darryl Glenn delivers a speech on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke salutes the crowd prior to delivering a speech on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicks off on July 18.
Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images
Florida delegate Dana Dougherty holds a Donald Trump doll on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The Republican Party opened its national convention Monday, kicking off a four-day political jamboree that will anoint billionaire Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee.
John Moore, Getty Images
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry delivers a speech on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicks off on July 18.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Andrew Christie, right, takes a photo of a delegate and his father, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie while attending the first day of the Republican National Convention along with his son Andrew Christie, right, on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicks off on July 18.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
Donald Trump supporters attend a rally in downtown Cleveland in the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) on July 18, 2016, in Cleveland. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in downtown Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The convention runs through July 21.
Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images
Journalists talk with a man openly carrying a gun in downtown on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.
J. Scott Applewhite, The Associated Press
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani speaks during the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
CODEPINK founder Medea Benjamin along with members of the activist group Code Pink demonstrate near the site of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Protestors are staging demonstrations outside of the Republican National Convention which starts on Monday, July 18 and runs through July 21.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
A delegate becomes emotional while listening to the speech of Pat Smith, mother of Sean Smith, one of the four Americans killed in the Sept. 11, 2012 terror attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Protesters march during a "Dump Trump" demonstration near the site of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016, in Cleveland. Protestors are staging demonstrations outside of the Republican National Convention which starts on Monday July 18 and runs through July 21.
J. Scott Applewhite, The Associated Press
Actor Scott Baio gives two thumbs up after addressing the delegates during the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016.
Jim Watson, AFP/Getty Images
Anti-Donald Trump protesters climb over a barricade as they march through closed streets in Cleveland, near the Quicken Loans Arena site of the Republican National Convention July 18, 2016.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
Police stand around a group of conservative protesters on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016, in Cleveland. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in downtown Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The convention runs through July 21.
Dominick Reuter, AFP/Getty Images
A Code Pink protester is surrounded by media, security and a Bikers for Trump member trying to block her view during the evening session of the Republican National Convention at the Quicken Loans arena in Cleveland on July 18, 2016.
The Republican Party opened its national convention Monday, kicking off a four-day political jamboree that will anoint billionaire Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee.
John Moore, Getty Images
Vice presidential running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence claps while listening to a speech on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
John Minchillo, Associated Press
Members of the group Bikers for Trump watch during a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at Settlers Landing Park on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland. The Republican National Convention that starts on Monday.
John Locher, Associated Press
People cheer as delegates gather on the floor during first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016.
Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Reince Priebus, Chair of the Republican National Committee, speaks at the podium on opening day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016.
John Locher, Associated Press
Workers prepare the stage before the opening session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016.
Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
Sharon Day, co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, speaks during first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016.
John Moore, Getty Images
Tom Pauken, Republican Delegate of Texas, takes off his hat before the start of the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFP/Getty Images
A woman gives a high-five to a police officer outside the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.
Matt Rourke, Associated Press
West Virginia State Trooper Sgt. Dave Williams guards outside Quicken Loans Arena during first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
Karen Vaughn, whose son Aaron Vaughn, a Navy SEAL, was killed in a Chinook helicopter crash in Afghanistan, delivers a speech on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images
Marlana VanHoose performs the Star-Spangled Banner before the eveneing session of the opening day of the Republican National Convention at the Quicken Loans arena in Cleveland, Ohio on July 18, 2016.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Television personality and CEO of Duck Commander, Willie Robertson speaks on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images
Protesters gather during demonstration near the site of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.
Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images
Protesters gather during demonstration near the site of the Republican National Convention (RNC) on July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
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Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump introduces his wife Melania on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Jeff Sessions: Watching the Alabama senator speak, you can see why Trump was smart not to pick him as VP. His speech was flat and senatorial (and I don’t mean that as a compliment). I could have done with Sessions and Luttrell swapping speaking times. I don’t think I’m the only one.
Darryl Glenn: A series of hackneyed one-liners (Hillary in an orange jumpsuit, etc.) and blatant appeals for applause (stand up and cheer for blue lives) were bad enough. But this Glenn line put me over the edge: “Someone with a nice tan needs to say this. All lives matter.” Oomph.
Antonio Sabato Jr.: Look, I am all in favor of non-traditional convention speakers. But, the underwear model and soap star made zero sense as a convention speaker. He had no special connection to Trump and nothing to say other than Hillary Clinton was bad and Trump was good. I could have lived without it.
Joni Ernst: The Iowa senator is one of the rising stars in the national GOP and could run for president or wind up on the national ticket in 2020 or 2024. Unfortunately for her, she didn’t even start speaking until well after 11 p.m. Eastern, meaning that the number of eyeballs on her were way less than she and her allies would have liked. Blame it on Michael Flynn.
Chris Cillizza writes “The Fix,” a politics blog for the Washington Post. He also covers the White House.
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