5 takeaways from the first day of the Republican National Convention

The first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) saw the party enthusiastically participate in its traditional nomination meeting, even under the shadow of the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally just 48 hours earlier.

Delegates formally nominated Trump as the party’s nominee, and the former president finally revealed Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate, to much fanfare among attendees. Speakers throughout the day acknowledged the assassination attempt, but mainly sought to present an uplifting message calling on conservatives to unite to win back the White House.

Here are five takeaways from the first day of the RNC:

The shooting did not disrupt the festivities

Just a day before the former president touched down in Milwaukee, he nearly lost his life when a gunman fired at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing Trump’s ear with a bullet and killing one attendee.

Despite the shocking events, Trump moved forward with his plans to attend the convention, although many observers expected the shooting to cast a dark shadow over the Republican Party gathering.

Instead, the convention crowd was as boisterous as ever as they celebrated Trump’s ascension to the party’s official nomination.

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Whatley opened the convention with a moment of silence for the deceased as well as two injured people.

But delegates were quickly absorbed into the convention, cheering “fight” and “USA” on several occasions.

Other speakers acknowledged the grim development in the context of the 2024 campaign, but the first day of the convention largely focused on nomination votes, Trump’s vice presidential unveiling and the first series of speeches.

Whether the incident may receive more attention as the week progresses — with Vance and Trump scheduled to speak later — remains to be seen, but the dramatic assassination attempt clearly did not detract from the start of the convention.

Republicans are feeling good about November

Nominating conventions are generally exuberant affairs, with the most die-hard supporters in attendance expressing high hopes for what might happen to the party in November. But this particular convention was energized by the Republican Party’s optimism about November.

The event comes not only days after the assassination attempt — which Republicans believe will increase enthusiasm — but also amid growing uncertainty for President Biden, who faces calls to resign after a dismal debate performance and low poll numbers. .

Meanwhile, Republicans have made it clear that they are uniting behind Trump and that recent events put them in a privileged position to have a winning election.

The most prominent example occurred during states’ roll call vote to cast votes for Trump to be their nominee, when delegates from New York and New Jersey, two solidly Democratic states, said they believe Trump will have a chance to beat them in November. .

Trump has talked about expanding the map for Republicans beyond the states in which they normally compete, and although states like New York remain unlikely, the Republican Party is putting on a show of optimism.

“We believe President Donald J. Trump will be the first Republican in a generation to win the state of New York,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.) in announcing the state’s delegates that would go to Trump.

“The state of New Jersey, the state where President Donald J. Trump has invested heavily, and we think and know he can win New Jersey this year,” said New Jersey State Senator Michael Testa (R).

Even if Trump fails to take these states, these statements symbolize the offensive that Republicans have been carrying out recently, looking at states like Virginia and Minnesota and with Trump visiting traditionally liberal areas.

“Is there any doubt about who will be the next president of the United States?” country singer Lee Greenwood asked the crowd on stage at night, to which attendees responded with applause and waving “Trump” signs.

Vance received a warm welcome

Trump ended months of “veepstakes” suspense when he announced Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate, elevating his former critic to his right-hand man.

Vance was warmly received by the convention audience and received support from other prominent Republicans.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio — who were also seen as likely picks for Trump’s ticket — congratulated Vance on social media.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich hailed Vance as a “spectacular vice president” for Trump.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune said Vance’s addition to Trump’s presidential ticket will get the U.S. “back on track.”

Other Republicans in Congress praised the author of “Elegia caipira”, considering the measure as the consolidation of the “MAGA” ticket for 2024.

Democrats, on the other hand, were quick to criticize the newly named running mate. Biden took down Vance X minutes after the announcement, and his campaign argued that Vance would empower the former president.

Still, the positive reception from GOP attendees is welcome news for the Trump campaign after months of talk about who will take over the role once held by former Vice President Mike Pence, who ran against Trump this cycle. and said he will not support his former boss.

Republicans emphasized unity over attacks

In the wake of the assassination attempt on Trump, Republicans worked Monday to emphasize unity rather than divisive attacks.

Vivek Ramaswamy, who ran against Trump in the GOP primary this cycle, said during an appearance on Politico-CNN Grill that Trump must “fight fire with water” and urged both parties to “stop blaming the other side.”

Other prominent Republicans used their speeches to declare that now is the time for the party to unite behind Trump, including Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Florida), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R), and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R). R-Ga.).

“Donald Trump believes that every parent deserves a choice and that every child deserves an opportunity,” Donalds said. “In November, when Donald Trump is elected our country’s 47th president, we will ensure that every child in America has this opportunity.”

One exception was Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who in a speech referred to the Democrats’ agenda as a “clear and present danger.” But he later told PBS News that the teleprompter had carried an earlier version of his remarks, and that a revised edition had focused more on unity.

The former president himself appealed to Americans to “remain united” after the incident,

At the same time, some on both sides are skeptical that calls for unity will hold up, given the polarized country and the competitive presidential race.

Trump made his first public appearance since the shooting

Trump made his first public appearance since the Butler shooting when he entered the RNC convention hall to loud applause later in the evening.

The former president wore a bandage on his right ear, which he said on Truth Social was hit by a bullet at the rally.

Trump immediately sought to project strength moments after the shooting, raising his fist at the crowd at his rally. He appeared to repeat this gesture when he entered the audience on Monday night.

He took his place alongside Vance, his newly named running mate — and was seen in his box alongside former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Florida) and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The crowd was excited to see him, bursting into applause the moment he appeared on screen. At the end of the night, when Whatley said the party is grateful to have him as its candidate, attendees chanted “We want Trump.”