Five Takeaways from the Republican National Convention
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Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Republican Party was forced to broadcast from studios across the country for its four-day Republican National Convention (RNC). President Trump finalized the RNC with his acceptance speech to 1,500 maskless people on the South Lawn of the White House. Here are five takeaways from the RNC.
Republicans warned of a Biden presidency turning America into a dystopia
During the first day’s events, several Republicans claimed that the Democratic party would harm American citizens. Many Republicans used their platform at the RNC to spread debunked information and fear of apocalypse under a Biden presidency. Florida congressman Matt Gaetz said he believes Democrats would “disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home and invite MS-13 to live next door.”
The convention sought to perpetuate racial fears. Mark and Patricia McCloskey, a St. Louis couple who were charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon after they pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters, appeared at the convention. The couple pushed the claim that Democrats would “abolish the suburbs.” They also tried to scare convention viewers and said, “your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats’ America.”
The Trump administration claimed it had “successfully” fought the spread of COVID-19
In the United States, the novel coronavirus pandemic has stifled the economy and taken the lives of more than 180,000 people. These negative impacts of the pandemic were not a primary focus during the RNC’s four nights of speeches. On the second day of the RNC, President Trump’s chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow claimed the coronavirus had been defeated.
“It was awful,” Kudlow said. “Health and economic impacts were tragic. Hardship and heartbreak were everywhere. But presidential leadership came swiftly and effectively with an extraordinary rescue for health and safety to successfully fight the COVID virus.”
Additionally, President Trump bolstered his administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, calling it the “largest national mobilization since World War II.”
The Republicans tried to focus on conservative women’s issues
On the second night of the RNC, Republicans focused on appealing to conservative women. Polls have shown that many conservative women had stopped supporting Trump, and this drop in support could affect his reelection chances.
Cissie Graham Lynch, the granddaughter of the late evangelical Billy Graham, denounced bathroom bills for transgender students. Lynch said that Democrats had “pressured schools” to allow transgender girls to compete in girls’ sports and use girls’ locker rooms.
First Lady Melania Trump made a general statement to women. Mrs. Trump said she believes mothers are currently struggling with talking to their children about their world. She declared, “To mothers and parents everywhere, you are warriors. In my husband, you have a president who will not stop fighting for you and your families.”
A brief mention of Hurricane Laura
White House officials say President Trump is monitoring Hurricane Laura, but the storm was at most a minor conversation topic during the third day of affairs. After more than 90 minutes, Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump said, “May God bless the Gulf states in the path of the hurricane.”
Vice President Pence also assured those affected by the storm that the Trump administration will be with them “every step of the way to support, rescue, response, and recovery in the days and weeks ahead.”
Anti-protests sentiments and references to Kenosha, Wisconsin
On the last night of the convention, some Republicans spoke out against protesting. There was a hasty mention of Kenosha, Wisconsin, which has experienced nightly protests after the shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, by police.
“Before I begin, I’d like to say that our hearts go out to the Blake family and the other families, who’ve been impacted by the tragic events in Kenosha,” President Trump said during Wednesday night’s events.
Although the shooting occurred during President Trump’s time in office, Trump and Pence cited Kenosha as an example of the dangers of the Biden presidency. They declared that looting, arson, and violence would be rampant if Biden is elected. Pence also said four more years of Trump’s presidency would bring “law and order on the streets of America for every American.”