Confusion erupted at the Republican National Convention on Monday in Cleveland when critics of Donald Trump attempted to force a roll call vote by all 2,472 convention delegates on the proposed rules that were written by a committee last week.

Republican leaders blocked a recorded roll call vote on the rules.

The anti-Trump group was opposed to the rules because they required pledged delegates to vote in accordance with the results of their state's primaries and caucuses.

Delegates from nine states had signed a petition challenging a vote on the rules. The fight was over whether to allow delegates to vote their conscience and ignore the primary or caucus results in their states.

The chair, US Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas, called for a voice vote, shutting off debate. He declared the "yes" votes the winner, and moved onto the next item of business. Later, the chair returned and said three states had withdrawn their delegates' names from the petitions.

"The chair has found insufficient support for a recorded vote," Womack said. He did not identify which states withdrew.

Trump, GOP eager to reveal new brand

Seeking to recast the Donald Trump candidacy, the Republican National Convention had a series of speeches discussing how to "Make America Safe Again".

The goal was to show US voters that Trump - the presumptive Republican nominee - possesses the skills and personal characteristics to serve as leader of the country. The recent shootings of police officers in Texas and Louisiana have left Trump eager to be seen as the law-and-order candidate.

Scheduled speakers included former Texas governor Rick Perry and Mark Geist, a Marine Corps veteran who fought in Benghazi, Libya.

Trump's wife, Melania, was also scheduled to talk. Speculation arose that Trump would appear at the convention and introduce his wife.

Nancy Kong contributed to this story. Contact the writers at paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com

(China Daily USA 07/19/2016 page2)