The goal of any anti-Trump strategy is to show how his divisive campaign is outside of mainstream of American politics. Pouring into the streets, to show that masses reject Trumpism, can help with that goal, so long as the visual being created connects with the voters you are trying reach. But confrontational protesting can undercut that goal by making the protesters look outside the mainstream as well.

Furthermore, any plan to protest the Republican convention itself should recall the last time that was tried. In 2004, Republican delegates arrived in New York City only to be greeted by 500,000 anti-George W. Bush marchers. The protest was well organized and peaceful, although there was a handful of arrests. But the impressive feat made no impact on the polls: in the 2004 presidential election, the Republican won the popular vote for the first time since 1988. To tweak an old political proverb: protest signs don’t vote.

Another wise maxim is “Never interfere with an enemy while he’s in the process of destroying himself.” This year, the Republicans are on the verge of creating their own convention chaos. Trump is doing plenty of damage to his own reputation, with a RealClearPolitics average unfavorable rating of 61 percent.

So anti-Trump activists have no need to waste time on the streets of Cleveland. If there ever was a time in politics when staying home, watching TV and eating popcorn was the best thing you could do, the 2016 Republican National Convention is that time.