THE TRUMP ACCEPTANCE SPEECH (analysis)

CLEVELAND - Donald Trump, or else.
The Republican nominee, who usually peppers speeches with improvised humor, used his nationally televised acceptance speech Thursday night to lay out a darker version of his core message. Trump described an America awash in blood and corruption that only he can prevent from sliding into the abyss.
After months of speculation that he might eventually soften his tone, broaden his message or roll out policy details, the speech made clear that Trump is going to be Trump — and unapologetically so.
There was little new material to entice groups Trump has struggled to court like women, Latinos, African Americans, and young people. Instead Trump focused on revving up his blue-collar base with his core message of strong borders, resentment towards elites and protestors, and an "America first" plan to protect manufacturing jobs from the forces of globalization. In doing so, he placed a bet that the voters who took him to this point can carry him all the way.
"These are the people who work hard, but no longer have a voice," Trump said. "I am your voice."
Related: Fact-Check: How Did Trump's Claims Hold Up?
Trump telegraphed for days that he planned to borrow heavily from Richard Nixon's 1968 nomination speech, which appealed to white Democrats rattled by rapid social change, rising crime, and riots in cities. Sure enough, Trump's speech repeatedly referenced Nixon's "law and order" slogan and described "a moment of crisis for our nation."

A big question, however, is whether Trump's throwback message, which worked so well for Nixon, can translate to success in a very different country and with a very different kind of candidate. It's not clear a majority of Americans will recognize the terrifying picture he painted.