Former President Trump’s rivals for the 2024 presidential election were reinstated in the ranks on Tuesday, with former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis taking the stage. amid a broader push for unity during the GOP convention.
At the same time, the message of unity was often undermined by attacks from speakers such as Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who sharply attacked Democrats.
Nevertheless, the event went largely smoothly, as Trump’s Republican Party wants to send a more positive message to the country after the near assassination.
Here are five takeaways from the second day of the congress:
Republicans want to settle differences
Although Trump easily won the presidential nomination, the Republican Party was divided for much of this year’s primaries, with some voters casting ballots against the former president in protest.
But those conflicts were put aside – at least for now – after the shooting that nearly cost Trump his life. Speakers repeatedly emphasized the message of unity, both for the party and for the country, and the second day of the convention particularly focused on two of Trump’s biggest rivals, Haley and DeSantis.
Haley’s appearance in particular represented a remarkable turn of events, as the former South Carolina governor had originally said she had not been invited to the convention. But that apparently changed after the assassination attempt, and Haley used her speech to express her full support for the former president for the first time since she withdrew her own candidacy for the White House.
“First, I want to make one thing very clear,” Haley began. “Donald Trump has my full support.”
DeSantis, another rival in the primary, had been quicker to throw his weight behind Trump after dropping out of the race. But if there were any doubts, Tuesday night’s vote underscored that the Florida governor — who is considered a potential 2028 presidential candidate — is fully behind Trump.
Their appearances, along with the announcement of Trump delegates from Kentucky by Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday, further illustrate how Republicans are trying to woo their candidate while President Biden grapples with turmoil within his own party.
“We’re not all going to agree on everything, and that’s OK,” said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), a more moderate Republican in a battleground district. “You have to allow for strong debate and discussion. And ultimately, you have to find compromise and find common ground and forge a path forward, and I think that’s what [Haley] who I spoke to.”
Still, there were signs of underlying tensions. In one of the most memorable moments of the second day, Republican Representative Matt Gaetz (Florida) taunted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (California) on the floor of Congress, underscoring the hostility that exists among Republicans even as they ostentatiously brandish their weapons.
The message of unity was often undermined by attacks
Although some of the evening’s key speakers called for uniting the country across party lines after the shooting, Republicans used their speeches to launch heated attacks on Democrats.
“The problems we face are enormous. They are caused by the Democratic Party,” said Lake, who is running against Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego for the Grand Canyon State Senate seat. She also railed against “the fake news” that she said obscures “disastrous Democratic policies.”
Cruz reiterated her allegations about Democrats’ actions at the border, arguing, (*5*) earning boos from the crowd.
“Today, your family is less safe because of Joe Biden’s presidency,” Cruz said.
Another target was the media. Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson accused the free press of “abuse.”[ing] public trust,” which drew further boos.
“They are dividing us,” Carson said. “Our government has been no better.”
Such comments would not be surprising at a normal party convention, but the remarks were notable given that the overarching theme of the week was uniting Americans after the violent attack at the Pennsylvania rally – and that they also come at a time when Republicans and Democrats alike have called for a calming of the political mood.
Kamala Harris was called frequently
Vice President Kamala Harris was mentioned more than once on the RNC stage, and that name-dropping came amid speculation about a possible successor to Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket.
Haley sharply criticized Harris for the situation at the border, alluding to the possibility that the vice president could succeed her boss.
“Let me remind you: Kamala had one job. One job. And that was to fix the border. Now imagine if she was in charge of the whole country,” Haley said, drawing boos from the crowd.
This phrasing reflects the increasing attacks that Trump’s allies are directing against the vice president, both in delicate of a possible vote swap – which Biden has rejected – and to bolster the argument that she has a better handle on the Oval Office than Biden, who has been attacked for his suitability for the office.
“Who is ready to send Joe Biden into retirement and send border czar Kamala Harris back to California?” began Dave McCormick, Republican Senate candidate from Pennsylvania. Harris has rejected the nickname “border zar” used by the Republicans.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird also criticized Harris on the police issue and attacked her calls for reforms.
“They treat police officers like criminals and criminals like victims,” she said, referring to Biden and Harris.
There were habitual comments throughout the day that both Biden and Harris should be held accountable for the country’s problems, and this will likely remain present in Republican messaging well into November.
“They’re worried that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are hurting our country, because they are,” said Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) to independent and potentially dissatisfied Democrats; Van Drew himself is a former Democrat.
Candidates for the contested Senate have made their speeches to the grassroots
Senate candidates from key swing states spoke at the convention, outshining their rivals across the aisle and sending their message to the base of Republicans seeking to capture the Senate in November.
Lake shouted “Build the wall,” blamed the Biden administration for the problems at the border, and railed against “the Biden invasion.”
West Virginia Republican Governor Jim Justice brought his bulldog “Babydog” onto the stage to cheers and shouts of the popular pet’s name and then said his dog could predict the political future.
“Babydog says we’re going to keep the House of Representatives, the majority in the House of Representatives. We’re going to flip the United States Senate. And we’re going to overwhelmingly elect Donald Trump and JD Vance in November,” Justice said.
Ohio Senate candidate Bernie Moreno (R) accused his rival, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown (D), of[s] He said he wanted to have a “very close relationship” with Biden and said it was time for both Democrats to “go home.” The remark comes amid talks among Democrats about replacing Biden on the party ticket.
Wisconsin Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde reflected the Republicans’ at times divided message and the need to unite the country, but also blamed others for the division in the United States.
“Instead of just putting on the blue jersey or the red jersey, we need to put on the red, white and blue jersey and come together as Americans,” Hovde said, adding that Republicans would heal the country from the divisions created by the media and the “left.”
The Senate candidates’ speeches were like heated fodder for their voting base, heating up the crowds as they head toward contested elections this fall.
Event went smoothly
The Republican National Convention is halfway over, and despite the pressure that typically comes with nominating conventions, voting for the RNC has so far gone largely smoothly.
For the most part, speakers stuck to their message, clearly praising Trump, calling his presidency a success to which the country can return, and denouncing the Biden administration as the cause of many of the problems facing the country.
Some may have strayed from the message of unity and instead attacked Democrats, but all have returned to the central theme of why viewers must vote for Trump. Some previous conventions have strayed from that, including the 2016 RNC, when Cruz famously told delegates to “vote their conscience” instead of voting for Trump.
This time, Cruz began his remarks with “thanks to Almighty God” that Trump, like many others, had survived the assassination attempt.
The crowd seemed undeterred by Saturday’s shooting and was immediately enthusiastic and excited at each of Trump’s appearances. There are still two days to go, but Republicans seem mostly satisfied with how things have gone so far.
Al Weaver contributed to this.
