 "Republican Convention in Milwaukee: What happens at these events? What can we expect?")
The Republican National Convention is set to begin in Wisconsin’s Milwaukee today.
The high-profile four-day event comes just days after former president Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally on the weekend.
The event is set to see addresses from several high-profile politicians and personalities including ex-governor Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
But all eyes will be on Trump – set to address the crowd on Thursday after the dramatic scenes that unfolded over the weekend – and who he will choose as his vice-president.
Trump on social media said he had thought about delaying his trip by two days, “but have just decided that I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else.”
The Democrats are set to hold their political convention in Chicago next month.
But what do we know about political conventions? What happens at these events? And what can we expect at this one?
What do we know about political conventions?
First, let’s take a look at political conventions.
As per Britannica, a political conventions are simply meetings of the party’s representatives or delegates.
They are usually held at the local, state, provincial or national level.
It is here that the party’s candidates are finalised and public policy is unveiled.
In America, the Democrats and Republicans usually hold their conventions every four years.
Impact Shorts
View AllThe convention comes at the end of a long primary season – and months ahead of the presidential election.
At the convention, both parties officially select their nominees for president.
The Democrat and Republican nominees for president each have to reach a “magic number” of delegates – aka party representatives – to get their party’s nomination.
These delegates are up for grabs during the primary with every state being assigned a certain number of delegates.
For the Democrats, that ‘magic number’ is 1,968 delegates.
For the Republicans, that ‘magic number’ is 1,215 delegates.
In recent decades, this has been nothing more than a formality because the delegates are duty-bound to choose the candidate that won their state primary or caucus.
However, this hasn’t always been the case.
Brokered conventions
Prior to 1972, political parties would often see what is known as ‘brokered conventions.’
Here, the party elders and ‘power brokers’ – hence the name – would select their party’s nominee instead of letting their party base have its say.
At such conventions, it would take multiple rounds of ballots to select the nominee.
As per Pew Research, 18 out of 60 of the national conventions between 1868 and 1984 were ‘brokered conventions.’
“Brokered conventions used to happen a lot,” Andrew Rudalevige, a professor of government at Bowdoin College told History.com. “In the pre-primary era, delegates weren’t pledged to a candidate going into the convention. You’d have the first ballot where everybody voted for their favourite candidate and then you’d really get down to business. It was pretty common for there to be a lot of horse trading on the convention floor.”
Not exactly the most Democratic way of choosing a candidate.
“You have factions within the parties,” added Rudalevige. “They were trading delegates for political favours and trying to build coalitions. It was not uncommon for voting to go into multiple ballots.”
But why did things change in 1972?
Because four years earlier, in 1968, the Democrats at a ‘brokered convention’ – in the aftermath of incumbent Lyndon Baines Johnson choosing not to run for office again – in Chicago chose Herbert Humphries as their presidential candidate over Eugene McCarthy.
This despite McCarthy being the overwhelming pick of the Democratic voters – and a favourite of the anti-war voices – and Humphries not participating in a single primary.
Humphries would go on to lose the 1968 election to Richard M Nixon.
The chastened Democrats then changed their party rules and the Republicans quickly followed.
VP picks, party platform
Political conventions also see parties unveil their vice-presidential picks to great fanfare and cheering from the faithful – like Sarah Palin in 2008.
They are serve as a stage for up and coming stars – like a young Barack Obama in 2004 – to make speeches and introduce themselves to the wider political audience.
Party elders like Bill Clinton and George W Bush also usually address the crowd – and are given their flowers for their many years of service to party and country.
The political parties also publish their party platform – the laundry list of things they want to achieve while in power.
As per BBC, the RNC’s 2024 platform is a 16-page document.
The party is also unofficially pushing Project 2025 – which Trump has distanced himself from – which among other things looks to expand the powers of the presidency and abolish the Department of Education.
Famed for their pomp and pageantry, they are usually aired on prime time in America and receive millions of viewers and breathless coverage from the media.
However, critics of political conventions say their favour style over substance and spectacle over policy.
What can we expect at this convention?
The Republican convention is expected to serve much red meat to the party base.
Here’s a look at some upcoming highlights from the four-day convention.
1. Trump’s speech
Will we see a kinder and gentler version of Trump?
Trump is likely to address the crowd on Thursday – the final day of the convention.
The former president has said he has rewritten his speech in the aftermath of the attempt on his life to focus on ‘unity’ rather than his rival in November.
Republicans will be hoping that Trump focuses on his vision for a second term rather than rehashing the controversies of the 2020 election or his many legal battles.
But can Trump resist the fire and brimstone he so channelled in his ‘American Carnage’ address while taking office in January 2017?
2. The VP pick
For two decades, Trump was a TV personality.
Few people in American life understand television and its enduring power to influence the public better.
And what better political drama could there be than keeping the crowd waiting for his vice-presidential pick?
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and Ohio Senator JD Vance are all likely being considered by Trump.
According to Al Jazeera, a vice-presidential candidate is often selected for their perceived ability to “balance” a ticket.
That is to say that they may often have qualities the presidential nominee may lack, or they could hail from a state where the nominee might have limited influence, or appeal to a demographic that the presidential candidate does not seem palatable to.
But when it comes to choosing someone to work for him, be it a vice-presidential pick or a CIA director, Trump often goes with his instincts – that is choosing someone who looks the part.
3. Speeches from politicians and celebrities
According to BBC, former governor Nikki Haley is set to address the crowd.
Haley, who was the last woman standing against Trump in the primary, was not originally scheduled to speak during the convention.
However, things seem to have changed since the attempted assassination.
Other speakers include controversial Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, Arizona’s Kari Lake, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, UFC chief Dana White, and ex-Fox News personality Tucker Carlson.
Kanye West’s former girlfriend, Amber Rose, is also set to make a speech.
Interestingly, George W Bush, Mitt Romney and Mike Pence are set to give the event a miss, as per BBC.
4. Speeches from the Trump family
The Trump family will play a prominent role throughout the convention. Donald Trump Jr is expected to be a vocal advocate for his father, while Ivanka Trump’s participation remains uncertain.
Former First Lady Melania Trump is anticipated to attend, although her speaking role has not been confirmed.
These appearances will be significant in mobilising Trump’s core supporters and projecting a united front.
5. The party platform
The party platform outlines the GOP’s official stance on various issues. It will be ratified during the convention.
The platform, like a manifesto, is as a blueprint for the party’s policies and priorities over the next four years. It will be closely examined by political analysts and commentators for any shifts in stance or new proposals.
This year’s platform, adopted on July 8, largely reflects Trump’s priorities.
It has emphasised energy dominance, military modernisation, and stringent immigration policies.
Notably, it includes a contentious provision that leaves abortion policy to state governments. This is a stance that could cause some debate among delegates. The platform’s approval process will provide insights into the internal dynamics of the party and the influence of different factions.
6. Focus on four core themes
Each day of the convention will focus on a specific theme, encapsulating key aspects of Trump’s agenda:
- Monday: Make America Wealthy Once Again - This day will highlight Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs and increased oil and gas production, as well as his plans to reduce inflation through immigration control. Speakers will emphasise the importance of economic growth, job creation, and fiscal responsibility.
- Tuesday: Make America Safe Once Again - Speeches will emphasise the GOP’s hardline stance on border security and law enforcement, featuring stories from families affected by crimes committed by immigrants who are in the US illegally. The focus will be on portraying Trump as the candidate who can restore law and order.
- Wednesday: Make America Strong Once Again - The focus will shift to national defence, critiquing Biden’s foreign policy and military leadership. This day is also expected to feature the vice-presidential nominee’s address. Key topics will include military funding, counterterrorism efforts, and relations with key allies.
- Thursday: Make America Great Once Again - The convention will culminate with Trump’s acceptance speech, where he will articulate his vision for the future and rally support for his campaign. This speech will be a critical moment, setting the tone for the final months of the campaign.
7. Protests and counterprogramming
While protest groups will not be allowed inside the convention’s security perimeter, they are expected to make their presence felt outside. The group Principles First, composed of anti-Trump conservatives, will hold a rally featuring former Republican Party chairman Michael Steele.
Concurrently, the Democratic National Committee will host events in Milwaukee, aiming to counter the RNC’s narrative.
Democrats will highlight President Biden’s achievements, contrasting his advocacy for democracy and international alliances with Trump’s controversial positions on NATO and authoritarian leaders.
8. Massive turnout and attendance
Milwaukee is gearing up to host approximately 50,000 attendees, including delegates, politicians, media, law enforcement, and staff. The convention will see the participation of 2,429 delegates representing various states and territories.
These delegates will cast their votes to officially nominate the party’s candidate for president.
The convention, while closed to the general public, promises to be a grand spectacle with significant media coverage, capturing the attention of millions of viewers nationwide.
9. The convention is to be held amid tight security.
Milwaukee’s mayor said he knows Americans will have questions about security at the Republican National Convention after Saturday’s assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump, but the event has the highest security level possible “so I feel pretty confident.”
“The folks on the ground here have confidence in the work that they’ve put in over the last 18 months,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said at a Monday morning briefing. “And I have faith and confidence as well in the Secret Service and the police and fire departments and other agencies providing security today.”
Meanwhile, the director of the US Secret Service said she is confident in the plan to secure the Republican National Convention.
In a statement, Kim Cheatle said Monday the security plans for the event are “designed to be flexible.”
“The Secret Service will continuously adapt our operations as necessary to ensure the highest level of safety,” she added.
Cheatle says the plan will change as necessary to ensure the continued safety of attendees at the Milwaukee event.
With inputs from agencies
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