The Republican National Convention concluded Thursday evening after four days of conflicting messages on economics, foreign policy, and what it means to be a conservative.
In the weeks before the convention began, an internal fight grew over the platform moderating on social matters such as abortion, failing to address critical problems such as unsustainable entitlement programs, and being unnecessarily vague. Pro-lifers, in particular, had been planning to bring the challenge to the convention floor but only decided against this after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
The shooting Saturday evening at a Pennsylvania rally defined the convention, as there was a stronger emphasis on unity than divisiveness. This did not prevent the RNC from getting off to a rocky start on Monday evening, though. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien gave a speech about “big banks,” “corporatists,” and “big business” that sounded like it came straight from a Bernie Sanders rally. Additionally, tech investor David Sacks ridiculously asserted that President Joe Biden “provoked, yes, provoked, the Russians to invade Ukraine.”
However, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings were fairly traditional in both speakers and messaging, with only a few notable exceptions, such as heterodox economist Peter Navarro and disgraced Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). These nights emphasized nonpolitical speakers, such as the families of those killed in the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, people affected by the fentanyl crisis, and relatives of victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
Former presidential candidates Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), Perry Johnson, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) all spoke throughout the week, preaching messages of unity and providing endorsements of Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH). Haley’s endorsement was particularly notable, as she had previously stayed relatively quiet on the matter. She spoke specifically to “Americans who don’t agree with Donald Trump 100% of the time” and argued Trump is a much better choice than Biden.
Vance’s speech Wednesday served as his introduction to most of the country, and it hit the right emotional cues. He spoke of his mother’s struggle with addiction, his ascension from Appalachia to Washington, D.C., and his family. However, his policy discussion was less exciting, as he outlined an economic vision of protectionism and progressivism. Vance is trying to change the Republican Party, as was apparent by his entrance song: “America First,” by Merle Haggard, which was originally written to protest former President George W. Bush.
While Thursday evening concluded with speakers including Tucker Carlson, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and wrestler Hulk Hogan, the focus was on Trump’s acceptance speech. He began quite strongly, with an emotional discussion of being shot and honoring the life of Corey Compertore, who was killed by Trump’s would-be assassin. Afterward, the former president shifted into a typical rally-style speech that will neither hurt nor help his chances in November.
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While the GOP has fully accepted a new range of personalities, it remains to be seen whether it will fully accept the fundamental redefining of conservative policies that figures such as Vance are pushing. The RNC did not answer that question, as it did a fair job of balancing representation from the old guard and the new guard of the party.
The Republican Party is undeniably changing, but this convention focused more on when conservatives agree than when they disagree.
