Spotlight: Party unity remains elusive as Republicans gather for 2016 convention

One of the themes of 2016 Republican National Convention is to "Make America One Again." Ironically, three days into the convention, even party unity still remains elusive despite Republican presidential nominee for 2016 U.S. election Donald Trump's effort to put on a unity show.

Relations between Trump and party leaders were constantly strained during the chaotic primary season where the bombastic and bellicose candidate hurled insults at party establishment and alienated a wide swath of constituencies with controversial remarks.

As the primary season came to an end, the past grudge still lingers on.

Long before the GOP convention kicked off on Monday in Cleveland, Ohio, four of the five previous GOP presidential nominees still alive, including former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, announced that they would sit out Trump's coronation party which lasts from July 18 to 21.

Meanwhile, Trump's four former rivals in the nomination race, including Ohio Governor John Kasich, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, also did not attend this year's convention.

Compared with others, Kasich's decision to dodge was even more conspicuous since the convention was being held in the very state where he was the governor.

Even among party leaders who attended the convention, their enthusiasm for Trump appeared to be lukewarm.

Despite his earlier endorsement of Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan, the highest-ranking GOP officeholder, had never concealed his discord with Trump and for once described Trump's comments on a Latino-American judge "textbook" racism.

Speaking at the convention on Wednesday night, Ryan made an impassioned plea for party unity without any praise for Trump, now the party's standard-bearer. In fact, the name of Trump just appeared two times at the beginning of his speech.

Instead Ryan dedicated most of his speech to the governing agenda he proposed in the House that covers taxes, health care, national security, etc.

"This year of surprises and dramatic turns can end in the finest possible way when America elects a conservative governing majority," said Ryan near the end of his speech.

In contrary to Ryan's cautious approach towards Trump, some of the 2,472 delegates attending the four-day event was vocal in their criticism of Trump.

"I don't think he has the temperament to be the president of the United States," said North Carolina delegate William Gillis, referring to a major talking point currently adopted by Democrats. "(if elected) I ultimately don't think he will move our county in a largely positive direction."

Trump first drew widespread criticism last June when he said in his presidential announcement speech that Mexico was sending "rapists" and drug dealers to the United States. Since that, he had repeatedly vowed, if elected president, to deport about 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country.

In another outburst of emotional remarks, Trump called for a "total and complete" ban on Muslims entering the United States in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks in November 2015.

Since then, the targets of Trump's insults expanded to include women, African-American protesters, family members of rivals, etc. Endit