Talking Points: The GOP Convention In Cleveland

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Monday is the start of the Republican National Convention where Donald Trump will officially be named the Republican nominee.

Many Republicans, including Minnesota's convention delegates, still have strong concerns about Trump, whose views on many issues differ strongly from those of many mainstream Republicans.

Minnesota is the only state in the primaries and caucuses that voted for Senator Marco Rubio. Donald Trump had one of his worst finishes here coming in third. The breakdown of the 38 Minnesota delegates going to Cleveland is 17 for Rubio, 13 for Senator Ted Cruz and eight for Donald Trump.

Many top Minnesota Republicans like Congressman Erik Paulsen aren't even planning to go to Cleveland, and neither are both former Presidents Bush, Mitt Romney or Senator John McCain.

Minnesota delegates, for the most part, are saying they like the Trump pick of Mike Pence for Vice President, and while Trump isn't their first or even second choice, they believe the party can unite behind him.

Ben Golnik, a long time Minnesota Republican operative and a Rubio delegate, was a guest on WCCO Sunday Morning.

"The rules committee did its work last night, where I think some in the 'Never Trump' campaign tried to block it," he said. "They didn't even muster 28 votes -- enough votes to get a minority -- so I think you will see a first ballot win for Donald Trump."

Golnik and other Minnesota delegates say they doubt there will be any type of effort to deny Trump's nomination on the first ballot, although they acknowledge that this election year nothing has been predictable.

You can watch WCCO Sunday Morning with Esme Murphy and Mike Augustyniak every Sunday at 6 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.