I am sitting at the Cleveland Airport, about to go home. The ‪#‎RNCinCLE convention has been over for 90 hours. After having the privilege to participate in it, I have yet to comment much on it. I took the weekend to think about it, and decided this morning not to do my weekly column for The Edgefield Advertiser because honestly, thinking about the inter-generational baton race we are in and the history of the last 12 months, and especially the last three months has me quite a bit sad. Watching the chaos which has already taken place at the ‪#‎DemsInPhilly convention, waiting to write, might actually be a good thing.

It’s no secret that immediately following the unsuccessful 2014 US Senate Primary race to defeat Lindsey Graham in South Carolina, I was hopeful that Ted Cruz would run for President, and that If he did, I would support him. Support him, until he dropped out, I did. But it should be said, my sadness isn’t simply because he isn’t our nominee as some might think, even though I believe he has one of the greatest constitutional minds of our generation, has an amazing history of fighting for liberty, as well as a supportive family.

My sadness is the movement within the conservative movement to not unify behind the Republican nominee. The vitriol I have witnessed between “friends,” to include the closing down of relationships, in my honest opinion – is going to make our job more difficult come November 9th, regardless of who wins the general election.

Here is what I know to be true – Hillary Clinton has advisors around her, who have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood’s own memorandum tells us, they plan to undermine our own miserable house, from within. In addition to that – Hillary’s family foundation has profited by contributions from nation states, which have the same intentions as The Muslim Brotherhood. Donald Trump understands this – and will expose this in a way no other primary candidate would have, IMHO.

I love Ted Cruz, but I believe his speech on Wednesday night has the potential of pulling 10 – 15 % of the bases vote away from our nominee. I think, because Trump has a broader appeal, he may still win – which would be a good thing for our national security. But if we lose, the percentage which Cruz pulled away from our nominee will have assisted Ms. Clinton, who should be tried for treason, not become our Commander in Chief.

In addition to that, the relationships which are being strained right now will need to be repaired to work on issues at all levels of civil governance on November 9th.

Not to be humorous, but as a sponsor of National Security Action Summits in 2015, I believe national security trumps personal preferences and hurts. Mr. Trump understands these issues, and has put solid advisors around him who will undo the failed policies of Secretary of State Clinton and President Obama, and will restore respect for our republic – in nation states which currently laugh at us.

Below, I will post Mr. Trumps speech from last Thursday, and I encourage you to listen to it in its entirety, and think about our nations national security – especially if you are thinking of voting third party, or doing a write in.

I will be doing all I can to ensure Donald Trump is our next Commander in Chief, not Hillary Clinton.

Scott Cooper