Republican Convention: 'No Time for Losers' | Chris Christie's Anti-Christie | Benghazi Tears and Fury

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CLEVELAND, OH — Donald Trump's surprise, unconventional Day 1 appearance at the Republican National Convention Monday night had all the theatricality we've come to expect from Trump. With Queen's "We Are the Champions" playing, a Trump silhouette appeared.

No time for losers 'cause we are the champions .... of the world.

That's the promise of a Trump presidency as conveyed by Trump and the GOP this week: A vote for Trump is a vote for winning — a lot.

As the music revved up the crowd, Trump strode on stage to introduce his wife ... and boy, did that backfire.

Trump took the stage and very briefly spoke about his wife, Melania Trump, who became a U.S. citizen just 10 years ago. If he wins the White House, she would be only the second foreign-born first lady in American history.

Read More: Melania Trump Calls Her U.S. Citizenship 'The Greatest Privilege' and then Sort Of 'Quotes' Michelle Obama

The day began chaotically, with a thwarted attempt to change the rules of the convention, which could have sent the party down the path to possibly nominating someone else. An array of speakers focused on safety, security and strength, hewing to the theme of "Make America Safe Again."

We heard from heroes and a mournful mom. But we also heard from a sitcom actor who faded from our TV screens decades ago (who also tweeted a meme that referred to Hillary Clinton as the c-word), and we heard from a nondescript soap opera actor (who told his own story of becoming a U.S. citizen).

The day began with concerns about safety and an expectation some trouble might erupt in Cleveland among protesters and people carrying guns. The night ended with Republicans in a celebratory mood.

Until Melania Trump's speech was vetted.

Here are some of the highlights of the first day of 2016's GOP convention.

Chris Christie is Not Mad, Really

After Donald Trump passed him over for the No. 2 spot on the ticket, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he and the GOP nominee had a "freewheeling, rollicking and private" conversation. Christie, speaking on the convention center floor on Monday night while surrounded by reporters, deflected questions about his reported displeasure at not getting the nod.

"Livid," was the word, according to a Weekly Standard report.

But Christie was all mild and smiles Monday night, trying to act as if the snub didn't bother him in the slightest. Christie will take the stage Tuesday for a speech.

"I'm a kid from New Jersey who's in the front row at the Republican National Convention," he said, with a "why wouldn't I be happy?" look on his face. Then he turned attention to his post as chairman of Trump's transition team should the Republicans win the White House.

"I feel really comfortable and confident in my role."

Asked about his Tuesday speech, Christie suggested we might see the anti-Christie.

"I hope to be charming tomorrow night ... absolutely disarming, intelligent and charming."

Benghazi Tears and Fury

Pat Smith put her grief, her torment and her fury on public display at the Republican convention Monday night as the mother of a man slain in the 2012 terror attack in Benghazi. Delegates were visibly moved to tears at Smith's raw commentary, and they shouted out encouragement and barbs aimed at the person Smith blames for the death of her son, Sean Smith, a foreign service officer assigned to a Libyan diplomatic outpost.

"I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son," Smith said.

Read More: Benghazi Mom Rages at Hillary Clinton on GOP Convention's Opening Night

Scott Baio Trusts Donald Trump with the Lives of His Family

We're not living in America anymore, says Scott Baio, and "we need Donald Trump to fix this."

The actor who grew up on the comedy series "Happy Days" in the 1970s and '80s, and then went on to star in "Joanie Loves Chachi" and "Charles in Charge" before disappearing from pop culture, was personally invited to speak at the convention by Trump.

Baio, addressing the convention Monday night, said Trump is "a man I trust with the lives of my family" and someone we should trust with our country.

Because there's something very wrong with America, Baio said. "There is no stability. Nothing seems right."

Certainly, these are not happy days.

"Let's make America America again," Baio said.

Um, OK.

'Dump Trump' Effort to Change Rules Thwarted

A chaotic effort to change Republican convention rules was thwarted Monday afternoon as "Never Trump" delegates and "true conservatives" tried to push for a roll-call vote that would have set the party on a path to unbind pledged delegates, allowing them to vote for someone other than Donald Trump.

The effort, pushed by nine states, was turned back on a voice vote, with "aye" or "no" shouts from the arena.

The shouts were so loud they could be heard outside in the nearby Freedom Forum. The aye and no shouts seemed on par, decibel-wise, but the chair bulldozed through the process, awarded victory to the ayes, and gaveled the process to an end.

The "Never Trump" camp just found Trump too distasteful, while the "true conservatives" wanted the nomination process changed so independents could not participate. They found common cause but ultimately were not able to win the moment.

Ironically, throughout the primary season, Trump proclaimed loudly and often how the rules were rigged against him. Not this time.

One of the leading voices in recent months and weeks trying to turn the GOP away from nominating Trump was Colorado's Kendal Unruh. Last week, Unruh led an effort in the Rules Committee to win support for changing the rules before the convention opened today. Unruh reportedly was going to try to force the issue today and cause a ruckus.

Patch caught up with another Colorado Republican, Jacque Stafford, who's been a delegate and a rock-ribbed Republican since the 1960s.

"I was a Goldwater girl," she said.

But she's not a delegate this year. She came to Cleveland as a guest this time, telling Patch she was forced out by anti-Trumpers. Stafford said the "Never Trump" contingent in Colorado isn't reflective of the true feelings of most Colorado Republicans, in her view.

Trump's Motorcade in Accident

About an hour after the chaos subsided, the Secret Service reported to the media that Trump's motorcade had been involved in an accident in New York. No one was injured, however, and his travel to Cleveland has resumed.

Trump is making a "surprise" appearance on the first day of the convention to introduce his wife, Melania, who is the featured prime-time speaker.

Traditionally, the candidate does not appear until the fourth and final day of the convention.

Paul Ryan Says Trump 'Not My Kind' of Guy

House Speaker Paul Ryan on Monday called on his party to unite behind Donald Trump for the 2016 election, while distancing himself from the presumptive GOP presidential nominee's brand of politics — a delicate balance to strike as the Republican National Convention kicked off. "He’s not my kind of conservative," the Wisconsin Republican told a group of reporters at a Wall Street Journal lunch in Cleveland.

— Allen McDuffee

Read More: Trump 'Not My Kind of Conservative'

Cleveland Activist Arrested on Public Square

Kathy Coleman was first on the list to use the Speakers' Platform Monday morning. Police apparently recognized her name, knew there was a warrant out for her arrest, and took her into custody. A Cleveland Police spokesperson told Patch more information would be available after 7 p.m.

RNC Begins with Moment of Silence [VIDEO]

'No Real Threat' to Convention: Police Chief

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams on Monday said one arrest was made Sunday and "no real threat" has been made against the city or the GOP convention. He addressed several security and police deployment questions.

Read More: One Arrest at GOP Convention When Man Grabs Trooper's Gas Mask

American Heroes to Speak on 'Make America Safe Again' Monday

The theme for the first day of the GOP convention on Monday is "Make America Safe Again," according to a detailed program released Sunday evening. The day's speakers will include actor Scott Baio, of "Happy Days" and "Joanie Loves Chachi" fame. Baio was personally invited to speak by Trump.

Melania Trump also will give a speech Monday, and Donald Trump will be there to watch her national debut.

According to the program:

From attacks on our own soil and overseas to the tragedy in Benghazi, the policies of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have left us vulnerable. Our immigration system is broken, leaving our country open to security threats and the negative consequences of illegal immigration. A Donald Trump administration will listen to and learn from our nation’s heroes who have put themselves in harm’s way and pursue a national security strategy and foreign policy that will strengthen our military and make America safe again.

After Chachi, we'll hear from Mark Geist and John Tiegen, Marine Corps veterans who fought in Benghazi, and Marcus Luttrell, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL who fought in Afghanistan and authored the book "Lone Survivor."

"General Hospital" and "The Bold and the Beautiful" actor Antonio Sabato Jr. also will speak.

— Dennis Robaugh

Bernie Kosar Speaks to Ohio GOP

Bernie Kosar, the Cleveland Browns quarterback who led the Browns through the 1980s, spoke to the Ohio Republican delegates at their morning breakfast Monday.

Cleveland Fans Have Their Priorities

Love Donald Trump or revile him, Greater Cleveland residents believe having the national spotlight focused on their city is an overall positive. They also have their priorities, no matter what you ask them about the issues of the day, the 2016 presidential election, or the state of the Republican Party.

And they aren't afraid to share!

Yes, indeed. Go Browns!

— Dennis Robaugh

» More: Read Sunday, July 17 Coverage: 15,000 Reporters Converge on Cleveland for GOP Convention