Republican National Convention Concludes with JD Vance as VP Nominee

Republicans held their national convention earlier this month in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Following the attempted assassination of Trump, the convention featured more subdued rhetoric, aiming to demonstrate unity in preparation for the general campaign.

In a break with recent tradition, Trump announced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate while the convention was underway, rather than in the days leading up to it. Vance, a 39-year-old political newcomer and author of the bestselling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," has completed a transformation from staunch Trump critic (once referring to Trump as “reprehensible” and “cultural heroin” to a trusted ally who can carry on Trump’s vision after a possible second term.

Trump’s announcement, made via Truth Social just as the convention was kicking off, praised Vance as "the person best suited" to be his potential vice president. The former president highlighted Vance’s Marine Corps service and his memoir, positioning him as a champion for hardworking Americans, particularly in key swing states. 

Other notable speakers included UN Ambassador and presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who formally endorsed Trump following their heated primary rivalry; and Peter Navarro, a former Trump trade adviser. Navarro delivered his remarks just hours after being released from federal prison, where he was held following his contempt of Congress conviction.

The convention concluded with Trump formally accepting the GOP nomination, delivering an emotional recount of the assassination attempt and calling for unity, while also touching upon familiar talking points often heard in his campaign rallies. Trump’s 93-minute speech set the record for the longest acceptance speech by a presidential nominee.

 

Democratic, Republican National Conventions Conclude

Convention season is over as the Republicans wrapped up theirs last Thursday, culminating with a vivid firework show that lighted up the nation’s capital. Theatrics and pageantry aside, they provided the last opportunity for both parties to make their case before the debates.

The Democratic convention was a mix of live and pre-recorded speeches and video productions, and none of the speeches were done in front of a large audience. All speeches given, including the acceptance speeches by presidential nominee Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris were relatively short given that they were not broken up by applause lines and other pauses used when delivering in front of an audience.

The Democrats focused on highlighting Joe Biden’s as someone of good moral character and empathy, contrasting that with their views on incumbent Donald Trump, who they argue shows little empathy and has been a failure in moral leadership as well as policy, especially in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, they focused relatively little on policy specifics, offering broad support for progressive ideas on gun control, the environment, racial justice, and economic reforms.

The Republicans followed the broad outline of the Democratic convention, though nearly all speeches were delivered live in one location in Washington, DC. In addition, Trump and Mike Pence gave their acceptance speeches in front of audiences at the White House and at Fort McHenry in Baltimore respectively. The Republican Convention offered more specific policy proposals throughout their speeches, though media factcheckers criticized some of the claims made by speakers, including Trump, on the administration’s record.