Ralph Winnie, Jr. quoted in Xinhua News at Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio

Analysis: Trump likely to cover economy, security in nomination acceptance speech

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump gives a thumbs up during his walk through at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, U.S., July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, July 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who will take the stage Thursday night to accept his nomination, is expected to speak both about the nation's sluggish economy and international threats.

"You'll see references to foreign policy and domestic policy, focusing on cutting taxes and growing the economy. And he'll talk about the ability to invoke common sense practical solutions to problems," Ralph Winnie, an alternate delegate for the state of Hawaii, told Xinhua in a phone interview from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio..

Trump will focus on rebuilding the country after eight years of U.S. President Barack Obama, Winnie said, referring to the world's largest economy which has still not fully recovered from the downturn since 2008.

While the unemployment rate is just below 5 percent, economists note that the number does not measure the true health of the U.S. economy and the job market, as millions of Americans have simply given up looking for work out of sheer frustration.

Trump is also likely to speak about the threat of radical Islam worldwide, as the last month has seen terror attacks worldwide, perpetrated by the terror group Islamic State (IS) or those who have been influenced by the extremist group.

Indeed, while IS is on the defensive in its strongholds in the Middle East amid a U.S.-led bombardment, the Islamist radicals have taken their war outside their area of control. The group has carried out deadly terror strikes in Turkey, the United States, France and Belgium in just the last few months, in a bid to prove to the world that it is still relevant.

Critics have slammed the Obama administration for what they say is no real plan to keep the U.S. safe, especially after a recent attack on a gay night club in Orlando, Florida carried out by a gunman who swore allegiance to IS. The attack ended in the death of 49 people.

"(Trump) also believes that we are in a war with radical Islamic terrorists, and this has to be combated. So it's likely that something along those lines will be said in his acceptance speech," Winnie said.

Recent weeks have also seen attacks on police by perpetrators who ambushed officers and assassinated eight officers in the cities of Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana amid rising tensions between police and blacks.

Winnie said Trump will likely highlight support for law enforcement in light of recent events.

Much is riding on Trump's speech, which will be broadcast nationwide to an audience of millions.

Experts said the brash billionaire will need to convince viewers who are on the fence that he can act in a way fitting of a president, as critics have blasted him for what they say is being hot headed and bombastic.

Viewers will want to see a candidate they can picture in the White House - someone who is calm and cool under pressure.

Moreover, analysts say that Trump needs to unify the divided Republican Party and needs to get over 90 percent of rank-and-file Republican voters to cast their ballots for him on election day in November.

Many establishment Republicans and evangelicals are said to be on the fence over whether to vote for Trump or not, and much of their decision may ride on Trump's performance Thursday night.