AP Interview: Priebus declares rebellion against Trump dead

CLEVELAND (AP) — The GOP delegate rebellion against Donald Trump is dead, Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus declared, looking ahead to a unified national convention next week amid signs that both Trump and the broader party are moderating their message with an eye toward November.

Priebus told The Associated Press on Friday that his party was ready to welcome an openly gay speaker to the convention, and he praised Trump for backing off a divisive plan to ban Muslim immigrants.

[...] party officials already gathered this week in Cleveland have toughened language in the GOP platform on LGBT issues, refusing to back off the opposition to same-sex marriage.

Priebus denied that language inserted into a draft of the party platform encourages "conversion therapy," which religious conservatives believe can stop gay people from being gay.

GOP officials are eager to shift the focus of next week's event away from divisive social issues.

[...] issues, while popular with conservatives who wield outsize influence in Republican primary contests, are less popular among the more moderate voters and independents who typically decide general elections.

Months ago, Trump forcefully called for a temporary ban of all foreign Muslims entering the U.S. as a means to prevent terrorist attacks from radical Islamic groups.

Overall, Priebus said, Trump has taken significant steps in recent days toward the general election, including new hires to his campaign team, a more serious focus on fundraising, far less time spent attacking fellow Republicans and the selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate.