THE BURNED OVER DISTRICT

The several days and nights of the Republican convention are shaping up to be a fright fest for the delegates. Following the Brussels attack, all the delegates are now imagining themselves in the crosshairs of the thousands of DAESH goons who have driven their Toyotas across the ocean just for that purpose. Add to that a volatile stew of itching to be violent goobers waiting to defend their Trumpenfuehrer's right to the crown.

Organizers for the Republican National Convention are preparing security for the gathering in Cleveland in July amid an unusually combustible environment, in which the threat of terrorist attacks is now joined by the unpredictable behavior of foes and supporters of GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump.

In the aftermath of Tuesday’s terrorist bombings in Brussels, officials representing law enforcement, the Republican National Committee and the city of Cleveland say they will be prepared for whatever comes their way when an estimated 50,000 people converge on the Lake Erie city for the July 18-21 convention.

“Our goal is to develop and implement, with numerous participating agencies, a seamless security plan that will create a safe and secure environment for our protectees, other dignitaries, event participants and the general public,” said Kevin Dye, a spokesman for the Secret Service.

Still, some security experts say recent events suggest challenges...

“During the formation of the Secret Service’s overall plan for the RNC, each participating agency is tasked based on their jurisdiction and particular area of expertise,” Dye said. “The expertise of each participating law enforcement, public safety and military agency is critical to the success of the coordinated security plan.”

On Monday, the day before the Brussels attack, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus predicted that there will be no problems with safety in Cleveland.

“We prepare for all contingencies. We will have over $50 million in security at the convention,” Priebus said on “CBS This Morning.” “We’ll be prepared; it’ll be fine. And I guarantee you’ll have a good time and it will be a fun convention in Cleveland.”

Despite a sizable lead in delegates won in primary election contests, Trump could fall short of the majority needed to win on the first ballot, forcing a contest inside the convention. He suggested last week that there might be chaos if he doesn’t leave Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena, the site of the convention, as the Republican presidential nominee.

“There could very well be riots,” he told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.

And the latest addition to the GOP fear cocktail is the demand that gun humpers be allowed to carry in the convention hall to protect themselves from DAESH. And if the weather is hot and muggy as it usually is at that time of the year, well you can only hope you have enough popcorn.