The Republican National Convention begins this Monday and until Thursday, which will make the president, Donald Trump, the official candidate for re-election today. 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:
- 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
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 the face of the deepening 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 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.
While 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.
The White House will host the Republican National Convention
Aug. 23, 202000: 25Possible 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 am.
CNN, C-SPAN, MSNBC and PBS will broadcast the full nightly programming, starting at 8.30 pm, while ABC, CBS, Fox News Channel and NBC will broadcast the last hour, starting at 10 pm, until 11 pm.
With information from AP and Washington Post