For all the usual stage art, the Republican National Convention which begins Monday, differs from Donald Trump’s previous nominations.
In 2016 And 2020Trump was the underdog heading into the fall and faced criticism from within his own party. This year, he will accept the Republican nomination with his party in lockstep behind him and Democrats in turmoil over The Viability of President Joe Biden.
During the four days, the usual convention duties will take place. The delegates, numbering nearly 2,400, must approve a platform and formally designate the presidential ticket: Trump and his yet-to-be-named running mate. They will hear from both national candidates and a host of others who support Trump and are aligning themselves with Democrats.
The GOP is expecting a triumphant moment.
“The political climate is not only great for Donald Trump, but it’s really great for Republicans running for Senate, governor, House of Representatives, and so on,” said Henry Barbour, a prominent member of the Republican National Committee who has sometimes criticized Trump in the past.
Here are some questions that can be asked before the conference.
Are there any dissidents left in the ‘Trump National Committee’?
Trump has buried his opponents and taken over the party. Voters are getting fundraising mail with “Trump National Committee” stamped above the RNC address on Capitol Hill. Trump’s closest primary rival, Nikki Haleywill not see the convention stage. Instead, delegates will hear from, among others, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who ended his presidential campaign after the Iowa caucuses and immediately supported Trump.
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“I don’t think there’s any comparison to his previous campaigns,” said former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Trump ally.
Most importantly, Trump is on the attack against Biden and is confident that his campaign promised in a convention preview that “President Donald J. Trump will usher in a new golden age for America.”
Who will be the candidate for vice president?
Trump has always been a showman and has stretched his time. choice of running mateThe most frequently mentioned possibilities are North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio. Trump has mused that he would like to delay his choice until the convention begins, but he admits the idea frustrates advisers who want to watch the rollout. All three men, along with other candidates Trump has considered, are expected to address the delegates at some point.
Will Trump choose the center or his base?
Conventions are mostly about galvanizing core supporters. But they draw large television and online audiences, including the broader electorate. Trump’s campaign has outlined daily messages aimed at both audiences, with themes that riff on Trump’s red hat motto: “Make America great again.”
Monday’s theme is economics: “Make America rich again.” Trump has outlined an agenda of deep tariffs and ramped up oil and gas production, even though it has already reached record levels under Biden. He claims his plans to deport millions of immigrants in the U.S. illegally will reduce inflation, which has fallen from levels earlier in Biden’s presidency.
Tuesday is immigration and crime: “Make America safe again.” Trump and Republicans believe the border debate is one of their strongest issues. They have organized speeches to families of murdered people criminalizing immigrants in the U.S. illegally, as part of Trump’s broader efforts to blame crime on border policies.
Wednesday is National Security Day: “Make America Strong Once Again.” Representatives and the public can expect to hear arguments that Biden is a “weak” and “failed” commander in chief and head of state. This is the day that vice presidential nominees typically address Congress.
Thursday will culminate with Trump himself: “Make America Great Once Again.”
Will Trump Focus on Biden and the Future or on Election Lies?
The takeaway message for most observers, despite all the careful planning and choreography, will be what Trump himself says in his acceptance speech. In Cleveland in 2016, Trump delivered a dark indictment of American life, insisting, “I alone can fix it.” The populist, nationalist tone delighted his base but did little to broaden his appeal.
Republicans across the party want Trump to take advantage of Biden’s problems by explaining his positions. ideas for a second presidencyThat means he is his most inflammatory, racist rhetoric. And yes, that would mean it isn’t. repeat his lies that the 2020 election was fraudulent or that he spent time complaining about the criminal charges against him.
“He must avoid the politics of division,” Barbour said.
Of course, that would also mean that Trump would choose an approach that is absolutely not Trump-like.
Will the party agree to Trump’s wishes on abortion?
If there is a notable disagreement on the floor, it may concern the provision on the platform that states that abortion policy should be left to state governments. That’s what Trump wants, two years after the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court he helped cement overturned the precedent that established a federal right to abortion services.
Anti-abortion activists — and Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence — want Republicans to call for federal restrictions on abortion. There’s no question that Trump controls the votes to ratify the proposed platform. A public fight would play into Democrats’ claim that the GOP wants to effectively ban abortion access nationwide — part of their broader argument that a second Trump administration extreme in many policy areas.
What role do Melania Trump and other family members play?
Trump family members are expected to speak at some point. Donald Trump Jr. has been a top surrogate and forceful advocate for his father in recent months. But daughter Ivanka Trump has been much quieter since stepping down from her role as White House adviser during Trump’s term. Former first lady Melania Trump is expected to be in Milwaukee but it was not clear Friday morning whether she would speak. She has been noticeably absent from the 2024 campaign, a stark contrast to first lady Jill Biden’s role for her husband.
Are the protesters outside important?
Protest groups will not be allowed into the security zone the Secret Service has set up around the convention arena. But they will get as close as they can and at least attract some media attention.
Principles First, which describes itself as a nationwide grassroots movement of pro-Democratic, anti-Trump conservatives, is holding a rally Wednesday. Speakers include former Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele.
The Democratic National Committee is also holding events in Milwaukee, promising daily press conferences, counterprogramming and voter engagement in the Democratic-dominated city. Democrats plan to highlight Biden’s economic achievements and the president’s advocacy for democracy and international alliances alongside Trump’s criticism of NATO, praise for authoritarian leaders and jokes about the fact that he is a dictator on “day one.”
Groups aligned with the Democratic Party, including United We Dream Action, the Service Employees International Union and America’s Voice, are taking things a step further, placing bilingual mobile billboards on the RNC grounds urging voters to reject “Trump’s fascist agenda.”