NC victory ‘pivotal’ for Donald Trump’s campaign, senator says

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio North Carolina is among the “target states” for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, Georgia Sen. David Perdue said after urging the state’s Republican National Convention delegation to unify behind the nominee.

North Carolina’s delegates heard from two members of Congress Monday morning who urged them to unify behind presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. Both Perdue and U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa of California are surrogates for the campaign who spoke during a breakfast meeting at the delegation’s hotel in a Cleveland suburb.

“North Carolina is going to be a pivotal state,” Perdue said, comparing it to Georgia.

What’s his message to the Republicans – including some N.C. delegates – who aren’t supporting Trump?

“One, get over it,” Perdue said. “Number two, you have two choices. This is not a perfect world. If you don’t vote, that’s a vote for Hillary Clinton.”

While admitting that Trump is “a little more bombastic than I am,” Perdue said his Senate campaign was similar to Trump’s candidacy because both are businessmen who hadn’t been elected before.

“We need a president who can bring us together,” Perdue said. “I’ve never seen an opportunity bigger than this.”

Delegates don’t know much about vice presidential nominee: Issa asked the N.C. delegates “how many of you think you know Mike Pence?” About a dozen hands went up in the ballroom filled with more than 100 people – a sign that the Indiana governor’s record still isn’t well known among the GOP faithful.

On the “Make American Great Again” slogan: Issa addressed criticism of Trump’s campaign slogan, which some have suggested indicates that the billionaire doesn’t think America is currently great.

“What you’re really saying is we know we’re already the greatest country on earth – we’re going to start acting like it,” Issa asid.

Military mom energizes delegates: In a sign that this Republican convention won’t be focused on traditional politicians, the mother of a soldier who died in Afghanistan drew the biggest applause at Monday’s delegation breakfast.

Karen Vaughn’s son was killed in Afghanistan in 2011. “Over the last seven years, we have watched America be completely dismantled,” she said, referring to President Barack Obama’s administration. Vaughn also mentioned the recent shootings of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La.

“Aaron Vaughn did not give his life for the mess we’re in right now. He didn’t give his life so it could be open season on the good guys.”

This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 11:48 AM with the headline "NC victory ‘pivotal’ for Donald Trump’s campaign, senator says."