The Hill’s 12:30 Report

by Cate Martel - 07/22/16 12:34 PM ET

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Happy Friday! Thousands of delegates, politicians, activists and media are clearing out of Cleveland –– and the airport has been total chaos. Everyone collectively looks sleep-deprived, a bit delirious and pretty hungover. On to Philadelphia! The 12:30 Report will be live from the Democratic convention next week, so get excited for week two of the madness. Filing from the airport gate – seriously eyeing Chick-fil-A across the terminal – I’m Cate Martel with a behind-the-scenes wrap-up of the convention in Cleveland and a preview of next week. Send any comments, story ideas and upcoming events to cmartel@digital-stage.thehill.com, @CateMartel and on Facebook.

I’M GLAD WE CAN ALL HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR ABOUT THE AIRPORT CHAOS: While a flight was boarding in Cleveland, the announcer told travelers over the intercom: “Remember, no pushing or shoving. We do that on Saturdays in here in Cleveland.”

Tweet from Matt Mackowiak: Probably 400 people in line at CLE Southwest Air to rebook due to 1,150 canceled flights in last 24 hours. Unbelievable disaster. http://bit.ly/2a0zyzu Photo: http://bit.ly/2agZUTy

NEWS TO WATCH TODAY — CLINTON VP CHATTER: Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and her tight inner circle have made a decision about who her running mate will be, and the campaign is expected to make that announcement Friday, sources say. When: Possibly before her event in Tampa, Fla., this afternoon! http://bit.ly/2afhRAn

JUST ANNOUNCED – FORMER KKK LEADER RUNNING FOR SENATE: …yes, you read that right. Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke is launching a run for a U.S. Senate seat in Louisiana. “I believe in equal rights for all and respect for all Americans. However, what makes me different is I also demand respect for the rights and the heritage of European Americans,” he added. I’m going back to bed… http://bit.ly/2a5G2S7

Reaction from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC): “[David Duke] will not have support of the NRSC under any circumstance.” http://bit.ly/2a5KjVp

EHHH, I’M NOT BUYING IT: President Obama says he didn’t watch the convention. http://bit.ly/2am6sQk But he did question some of Donald Trump‘s claims in his convention speech:

CNN’s Manu Raju: “‘This idea that America is somehow on the verge of collapse doesn’t really jibe with the experience of most people.’ — Obama on Trump” http://bit.ly/2a66kmm

Mic’s Emily Cahn:
“Obama: ‘The violent crime rate in America has been lower during my presidency than any time in the last 3 or 4 decades.'” http://bit.ly/29YSNuW

LATE THIS MORNING – TRUMP ANNIHILATES CRUZ IN HIS VICTORY LAP: Donald Trump tore info former presidential primary rival Ted Cruz on Friday morning, saying he would not accept the Texas senator’s endorsement and threatening to fund a Senate challenger against Cruz — who refused to endorse Trump at the GOP convention. He also praised the convention as being “probably one of the most peaceful, most beautiful, most love-filled conventions in the history of conventions.” http://bit.ly/2alXyCy

{mosads}PUMP THE BRAKES, DON’T JINX YOURSELF HERE: Via The Hill’s Alex Bolton, Donald Trump is already focused on picking his Cabinet. A day before accepting his the GOP presidential nomination, Trump met with his inner circle at the Cleveland Westin to discuss his possible transition. Eric Trump told The Hill what his father is looking for: http://bit.ly/2alwaVk

WORTH A READ — A VIEW FROM THE ARENA: Politico’s Julia Ioffe has a fascinating depiction of the Republican National Convention last night that makes you feel like you were there.

— “When Donald Trump finally came on stage to deliver his speech, Newt Gingrich wiped away tears. And as he bent to hear what Callista said to him, a big, clear, heavy drop fell right from his eye to the floor … The only time he really brightened and laughed was when the crowd began to chant, “Lock her up! Lock her up!” That’s when he and Callista looked at each other and smiled two naughty, knowing smiles.” http://politi.co/29YhoAp

WINNUHS AND LOSUHS: Some of the convention speakers saw their stock rise after a wild week in Cleveland, but others found themselves caught in the storm.

Winners: Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., David Clarke Jr., state and local police, Cleveland and Laura Ingraham

Mixed: Mike Pence

Losers: Ted Cruz, Paul Manafort, GOP unity 🙁 and the Never Trump movement.

Context for each from The Hill’s Cristina Marcos: http://bit.ly/2adXYZf

SIGHTS AND SCENES:

Spot the error: These signs were all around the convention hall. Maybe they should have gotten a second opinion before printing … http://bit.ly/2aAL2M0

Megyn Kelly’s security: “Biggest security phalanx I’ve encountered in arena so far: for Megyn Kelly. (Via The Atlantic’s James Fallows)” Note: this was after Roger Ailes’s resignation was announced: http://bit.ly/2a5eiNe

New Trump theme song: http://bit.ly/2aALHNm

Driver: “At the Cleveland airport, this driver is wearing a bullet proof vest.” (Via Townhall and The Hill columnist Katie Pavlich) Photo: http://bit.ly/2alFo3S

Outfit on the floor: A man in an orange jumpsuit and a Hillary Clinton mask. Photo: http://bit.ly/2aAKrK4

Journalists swarm: Here’s what the convention floor looked like as journalists swarmed before Trump’s speech: http://bit.ly/29T8CSD

Better safe than sorry: “Police at Public Square yelled at this group to drop the bag, they inspected it, and found …. bananas.” Video: http://bit.ly/2adMcOb

Trump kids: “Trump kids giving standing ovation for Peter Thiel when he proclaims he’s proud to be gay & to be an American.” (Via Politico’s Ken Vogel) Photo: http://bit.ly/2adNOaX

SPOTTED AROUND TOWN:

— Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) walking outside of the convention center, where he politely turned down a “Trump That Bitch” shirt a street vendor was selling. Lol.

— Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) roaming around convention center concourse early in the afternoon, hours before the program began.

— Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) outside of Hodge’s restaurant, The Hill’s hub in Cleveland.

— Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) walking on the convention floor mid-afternoon.

ON TAP:

4:30 p.m. EDT: Hillary Clinton campaigns at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Fla. Info: http://hrc.io/2a0uQSX

12 p.m. EDT tomorrow: Hillary Clinton holds a rally in Miami, Fla. Her VP pick is expected to be there. Info: http://hrc.io/29QZoXs

NOTABLE TWEETS:

Charles Moore
Almost literally bumped into Tim Kaine at DCA just now. Said “sorry” then “good luck!” He laughed and said thanks. http://bit.ly/2a18K5i

Michael Q. Sullivan
I’m so excited that our GOP nominee has the same trade philosophy as a self-declared socialist … http://bit.ly/2af3V9n

The Washington Post’s Philip Rucker
This is a very 2016 moment for GOP.
What Trump said: LGBTQ citizens.
What he hasn’t discussed (yet): God, faith, church, religion. http://bit.ly/2af51lF

NOW STEPPING AWAY FROM POLITICS … :

Today is National Penuche Fudge Day!

DOUBLE TAKE ON THIS HEADLINE: From The Washington Post, “Two bulls are on the loose in West Baltimore” http://wapo.st/2a5kuF0

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRINCE GEORGE: Prince George just turned 3 — and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released some really cute pictures. http://bzfd.it/29RTeX6

NOW WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY ORIGINAL DISNEY TAPES?!: Via CNN, the world’s last VCR will be manufactured this month. They still make VCRs?! Most surprising: Funai sold 750,000 units last year, but it was getting harder to find the parts to build them. http://cnnmon.ie/2aAVeUD

And to leave you on a good note, here’s the State Department spokesman stopping the briefing to call out a reporter for playing Pokémon Go. It’s hilarious: http://bit.ly/2a0jz4m

To view past editions of The Hill’s 12:30 Report, click here: http://bit.ly/1M1mIfw

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Tags Donald Trump Hillary Clinton Mike Pence Rob Bishop Ted Cruz Tim Kaine