This Monday the Republican National Convention began, which will last for four days, until Thursday. On their first day, the delegates formally made Donald Trump and Mike Pence the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively.
Unlike the Democrats, who held a totally virtual event last week, there will be events with audiences, albeit small, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in the capital.
These are the main news this Monday, August 24:
- The first night of the Republican National Convention: 4 things to watch out for
- Is Trump's claim that he has protected people with pre-existing health conditions true?
- "The economy is on the ballot": Mike Pence speaks from Charlotte on the first day of the convention
- Trump again (without evidence) to accuse Democrats of "wanting to steal" the election in his first convention speech
- Donald Trump is formally nominated as a candidate for re-election on the first day of the Republican Convention
- More than 20 former Republican legislators announce they back Joe Biden
- What is expected of this event
- Renaming and platform
- Daily messages from Trump
- Possible presidential candidates for 2024 will be on the rostrum
- Who will not attend
- How to follow the events
The first night of the Republican National Convention: 4 things to watch out for
The Republican National Convention begins tonight and Donald Trump has been formally made official as a candidate for presidential re-election, and Mike Pence as his running mate.
These are the four things to be aware of for this first day, according to an article published by NBC News, Telemundo's sister network.
1. The vision of a Biden government
The convention is expected to begin with messages about the Republicans' vision of what the country would be like under Joe Biden. And in that message the word fear stands out.
Speaking tonight, among others, Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the couple who last June pointed a rifle and pistol at a group of protesters in St. Louis, Missouri, and who were later accused of illegal use of weapons.
So will Donald Trump Jr., who during his father's four-year tenure has continually attacked Democrats. "The expectation is that Don will contrast his positive political vision for the United States with Biden's far-left political vision, which he will argue is designed to crush the working class of this country," said a person familiar with his speech.
Trump himself criticized the Democratic Convention because in his opinion it had a pessimistic tone. "They held the darkest, maddest and saddest convention in American history," he said.
2. How the coronavirus will be addressed
It will be inevitable for Republicans to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, which has ended years of economic growth, although how they will do so is unclear.
Virginia Nurse Amy Johnson Ford, who was at the White House and spoke about the importance of telemedicine, and a small Montana businesswoman who has benefited from financial aid, will be in attendance tonight.
3. Conventional within the unconventional
The Republican Convention will not be entirely virtual as the Democratic Convention was a week ago. Some of the speakers will deliver their speeches live and before an audience.
Trump is expected to speak to a group of supporters gathered on the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday. Joe Biden did it alone before a group of reporters.
The fear of failure on the part of the organizers is present, especially since the team had 30 days to switch to a mostly virtual convention. "Anyone would be lying if they said that it is not a challenge to go from Charlotte to Jacksonville and then not to Jacksonville," an official said.
4. Who will convince the undecided
The Democratic Convention appealed to the Republican voter who has not decided their vote, with interventions from Republicans such as former Ohio Governor John Kasich.
The Republican Convention will try to appeal to the same undecided voter, although it has no Democratic figure to convince them. There will be no Republican former presidents or vice presidents.
Those who will be at the convention are two former Democrats, who now support Trump: New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who left the Democratic Party during the president's impeachment, and Georgia Rep. Vernon Jones.
The rest of the best-known speakers are members of the Trump family and members of his administration, such as his adviser Kellyanne Conway and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Is Trump's claim that he has protected people with pre-existing health conditions true?
By Sahil Kapur - NBC News
On the first day of the Republican National Convention, President Trump incorrectly told a crowd in Charlotte, North Carolina, that he had "strongly protected (people with) pre-existing conditions" during his four years in office.
“We strongly protect your pre-existing conditions. We got rid of that horrible mandate, ”he said Monday at noon, referring to his 2017 tax law that reduced the fine for not having insurance to zero. "Every Republican is committed to protecting their pre-existing conditions."
These claims are false. In fact, Trump has become embroiled in laws, litigation and executive actions that would weaken the protections for people with pre-existing conditions, which were established with the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), popularly known as Obamacare.
Trump's request to eliminate Obamacare puts 20 million people at risk of being without health coverage
June 27, 202000: 27The president defended efforts in 2017 to dismantle Obamacare and allow states to get waivers to rules that prohibit insurers from charging more to people with a prior illness. (The effort passed the House of Representatives, but stalled in the Senate.)
The Trump Administration is currently backing a lawsuit led by Republican attorneys general that would eliminate Obamacare, including its protections for pre-existing conditions. The president has not offered an alternative plan to restore benefits. Trump has expanded the use of short-term health plans that are cheaper, and not required to cover pre-existing health conditions.
"The economy is on the ballot": Mike Pence speaks from Charlotte on the first day of the Republican Convention
Vice President Mike Pence during the Republican National Convention. AP
Vice President Mike Pence, who was formally nominated for re-election this morning during the start of the Republican National Convention, landed in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he delivered a short speech shortly before President Trump took the microphone.
"I heard the other day that democracy is on the ballot," he said, referring to the interventions of Democratic leaders during his convention. "The economy is what is on the ballot, law and order," he said from the Charlotte Convention Center, the venue for the event.
"I want to thank you for honoring this day," he added just before Trump surpassed the 1,276-delegate threshold needed to win the presidential nomination.
There was no shortage of attacks on the opposite side: "Joe Biden and the Democratic Party have been overwhelmed by the radical left. Their agenda is higher taxes, socialized medicine, open borders, abortion on demand and cuts in funding for the men and women who they serve to enforce the law. "
[Kamala Harris vs. Mike Pence: What are the US Vice Presidential Candidates Proposing?]
Pence pointed out that during this week the Republicans will present their program during the convention, which includes less taxes, free markets, secure borders and "the right to life," among others.
"That is the reason why I want to be here today and you may see a friend of mine today at the Republican convention (referring to Trump)," he advanced, "because we want to thank for all the work they have done and that they go to do".
Trump returns (without evidence) to accuse the Democrats of “wanting to steal” the election in his first speech at the Republican Convention
In a not completely unexpected appearance in Charlotte on the first day of the Republican Convention, President Trump delivered his first speech at the event, again accusing Democrats of “wanting to steal” the election by vote-by-mail. .
"This is the largest fraud in the history of politics," said the president, who has spent weeks launching similar accusations, showing no evidence, and maintaining his position of not granting additional funds to the Postal Service to guarantee the success of the vote. , in the midst of the sustained health crisis caused by COVID-19 and the need to avoid crowds at physical voting places.
"Absentee voting is good," he said, referring to this form of voting by mail, which already existed, but on a smaller scale. "But all other forms of voting by mail are very, very bad."
Donald Trump will break tradition and give speech every night during the Republican National Convention
Aug. 23, 202001: 56As attendees chanted "Four more years!" Trump began with a provocation: "If you really want to drive them (Democrats) crazy, say 'Twelve more years!"
[Protests against the Republican Convention in North Carolina]
The president, who is seeking re-election amid a pandemic his administration has failed to contain, an unprecedented economic crisis and a wave of race riots, used his speech to mobilize the party by focusing on the strength of the stock market and attacking the governors who imposed restrictions during the pandemic.
He also reviewed some of the milestones of his administration, from the assassination of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the leader of the self-styled Islamic State, to the appointment of two conservative judges to the Supreme Court.
Trump offered his remarks to a crowd that frequently erupted in applause, a dramatic contrast to last week's Democratic Convention, which was held virtually out of fear that indoor gatherings could spread the coronavirus.
Donald Trump is formally nominated as a candidate for re-election on the first day of the Republican National Convention
President Donald Trump was formally nominated late Monday morning as the Republican presidential candidate who will face Joe Biden in November, seeking re-election. The nomination came after the face-to-face roll call in Charlotte, North Carolina, where 336 delegates from across the country traveled for the start of the Republican National Convention.
Vice President Mike Pence was formally reappointed earlier in the morning.
The 336 delegates are six from each state and territory. As a measure against the spread of COVID-19, they were asked to wear face masks while inside the Charlotte Convention Center. All attendees were asked to get tested for the coronavirus before traveling to the city. Each person had to undergo another test upon arrival.
The president, Donald Trump. AP
North Carolina officials gave Republicans an exception to the 10-person limit on indoor activities. Only a few reporters were invited to the activity venue, in an effort to promote social distancing.
Unlike this indoor Republican event with several hundred party representatives, the Democrats held their convention last week entirely virtually. Only presidential candidate Joe Biden (with his wife Jill) and vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris (with her husband Douglas Emhoff) attended Wilmington, Delaware, in person.
"We are obviously disappointed that we were not able to run this event in the same way that we had originally planned," said Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, while speaking at the convention.
McDaniel hinted that "special guests" might stop by the Charlotte Convention Center later this Monday. Both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are scheduled to make official trips to North Carolina today, but a site visit is not scheduled for their day.
Ignoring complaints about possible ethical violations (using a government facility to campaign), Trump will deliver his acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House Thursday night.
More than 20 former Republican legislators announce they back Joe Biden
More than 20 former Republican members of Congress, including former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, announced their support for Biden on Monday as part of the launch of the 'Republicans for Biden' group, which was deliberately timed to coincide with the first day of the Republican Convention.
"In a strong rebuke to the current Administration, these former members of Congress cited Trump's corruption, destruction of democracy, blatant disregard for moral decency, and the urgent need to get the country back on track as reasons why they support Biden, "the campaign said in a statement. "These former members of Congress support Joe Biden because they know the stakes in this election and that Trump's failures as president have supplanted partisanship."
The list includes some former legislators who have already announced their support for the Democratic presidential candidate, including New Hampshire Senator Gordon Humphrey and Virginia Senator John Warner.
Former members of the House of Representatives who joined the group include Steve Bartlett from Texas, Bill Clinger from Pennsylvania, Tom Coleman from Missouri, Charlie Dent from Pennsylvania, Charles Djou from Hawaii, Mickey Edwards from Oklahoma, Wayne Gilchrest from Maryland, Jim Greenwood for Pennsylvania, Bob Inglis for South Carolina, Jim Kolbe for Arizona, Steve Kuykendall for California, Ray LaHood for Illinois, Jim Leach for Iowa, Connie Morella for Maryland, Mike Parker for Mississippi, Jack Quinn for New York, Claudine Schneider for Rhode Island, Chris Shays for Connecticut, Peter Smith for Vermont, Alan Steelman for Texas, Bill Whitehurst for Virginia, Dick Zimmer for New Jersey and Jim Walsh for New York.
Biden's campaign also announced that Flake would take the floor on Monday to communicate about the group's effort to gain more support from the Republican side.
What is expected of this event
The open-to-public portion of the convention is scheduled to kick off this Monday night at 8:30 pm ET. However, the formal nomination process for Trump as president and Mike Pence as vice president has started this morning.
Unlike the Democrats, who also celebrated this part virtually, in this case it will be done in person. But only a few delegates will come to Charlotte to express their preference, as a precaution due to the pandemic. Also, in the evening events there will be no mass audience, but only a few dozen attendees.
The decision to carry out the convention in this way was made in response to the worsening of the health crisis, after Trump initially tried to maintain its nature as a mass event, first in North Carolina and later in Jacksonville, Florida. However, he subsequently had to give up on that plan.
By renaming him as a presidential candidate, Republicans will highlight the four years of his administration, as well as the promises he kept, according to The Associated Press news agency; These include repealing trade regulations, withdrawing the country from international agreements, appointing two Supreme Court justices, and transforming the United States' immigration system.
Protests against the Republican Convention continue in North Carolina
Aug. 24, 202001: 41The convention runs through Thursday and includes a presidential address from the South Lawn of the White House and a speech by the vice president from Fort McHenry in Baltimore.
Renaming and platform
The Republican Party has planned for six delegates from each state and territory, for a total of 336, to attend proceedings in person on the first day of the convention in Charlotte.
They will hold a roll call vote to rename the president, but unlike the Democrats, it will not be a prime-time issue.
Instead, the vote will take place on Monday morning, and a summary will be shown during the evening programming. Delegates will also vote on various resolutions, including measures upholding the Columbus Day holiday in October, which honors the polarizing explorer of the 15th century, and opposing the "culture of cancellation."
Trump message
Trump is scheduled to give a formal acceptance speech Thursday night from South Lawn, but is expected to make an appearance every night at 10:00 p.m. ET. It is unclear to what extent he will comment, but Monday's topic, "Land of Promises," highlights how Trump helped renew the American dream.
Speakers are likely to renew Trump's focus from last week by contrasting with his Democratic opponent and portraying Biden as an ineffective career politician and a "puppet of the radical left," aligning him with progressives like New York Rep. Alexandria. Ocasio-Cortez.
The White House will host the Republican National Convention
Aug. 23, 202000: 25While Democrats repeatedly mentioned the impact of the virus and criticized Trump's response, Republicans are expected to defend the president on the issue, but would highlight him less prominently.
Possible candidates for 2024 will speak from the rostrum
Throughout the four-day convention, there will be room for Republicans seen as potential presidential candidates in 2024.
The Democrats tried to show a united and diverse base and had Republicans backing Biden. So far, Trump has focused more on his loyal base than on expanding his coalition. Monday's lineup remains mostly in that line.
On Monday, former UN Ambassador and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley will have their chance, followed by South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, who will deliver the prominent closing speech.
Also on opening day will be some of the president's staunch supporters, including Representatives Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz. Also speaking will be Charlie Kirk, president of the pro-Trump organization Turning Point USA, and Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, along with his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle.
The absent
The only former Republican president currently alive, President George W. Bush, is not expected to participate in the convention.
Neither did the party's 2012 candidate, Mitt Romney. Neither of them voted for Trump in 2016 or endorsed him this year.
How to follow the events
The public parts of the convention can be seen on television, on YouTube and other digital platforms, and on the social networks of the republican convention. In the latter, the daytime activities of the delegates will also be broadcast, from 9:00 am.
CNN, C-SPAN, MSNBC and PBS will broadcast the full evening programming, starting at 8:30 p.m., while ABC, CBS, Fox News Channel and NBC will broadcast the last hour, starting at 10:00 p.m., until 11 : 00 pm.
With information from AP and Washington Post