2020 Republican National Convention: News and Notes from Day One in Charlotte

Trump
Photo credit Jessica Koscielniak - Pool/Getty Images

With a majority of the events scheduled for the 2020 Republican National Convention off-the-books in Charlotte, what counted as a procedural vote was the only event taking place in the Queen City on Monday. 

The 350 delegates taking part in the roll call started the day off a bit late, but the order of business picked up rather quickly. Many in the group wore red to show unity with the party. Alaska delegate Peter Greenberg led off with the pledge of allegiance to open the floor. He first chided Democrats for removing the phrase “one nation under God” when they did the pledge at their convention last week.   

"We know too, in a previous democrat convention, the word God, almost totally removed from their platform," Greenberg said. "That could not, would not ever happen here.” The words earned a roar from the crowd. 

Mary Millben sang the national anthem wearing a stunning red dress and Vermont's Jay Shepard offered up an invocation asking to end the evil of abortion. 

RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel called the convention to order at around 9:40 am ET, about forty minutes after the scheduled start time. A short 45 minutes later, McDaniel officially renominated Vice President Mike Pence. Asking all those in favor to say "aye" and nobody opposed.     

She kicked off the morning thanking Vi Lyles, Charlotte’s democratic mayor —who of course, wasn't in attendance. There was plenty of bashing of Democrats beside the minor scrape of Lyles. McDaniel called the Democrats plan for governing a masterpiece of deception. She said “Taxpayer funded health care for those who come here illegally and defunding police are now mainstream.”

Louisiana’s delegate who made the nomination, said his state is a pro-life state —where Joe Biden is lurking in the dark to take the lives of unborn babies.

President Trump tweeted prior to his arrival in Charlotte, saying it was ridiculous that CNN and MSNBC (he called it MSDNC) would not carry the Roll Call of States. Trump also criticized FOX for not covering the remarks of delegates from his party.

Michael Whatley Chair of N.C. Republican Party formally nominated Trump with the crowd chanting “four more years.” Whatley ran down a list of “promises made, promises kept” from building the wall to appointing conservative judges.

Mike Lindell (the My Pillow Guy) got involved as well. The made for TV spokesman and creator of his iconic sleep brand gave the official nomination for Minnesota’s delegation. He said traditional Democrats in his state are flipping in favor of the president and called Trump the “Greatest president ever.”

Most of the other delegates kept the banter simple. The Iowa delegate nominating the president said “You’re re-hired.”

McDaniel then adjourned the convention prior to a state-by-state roll call at 11:45 a.m. ET. The official count was put on hold for Vice President Pence's arrival at Noon. V-POTUS was introduced by former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker with overwhelming support from the friendly crowd. 

Pence addressed the room saying this election is about taking the case to the American people. He indicated Republicans are pro-life and pro-police, while the Democrats are not. And as for coronavirus, it will "be put in the past" with four more years of more jobs and conservative judges under Trump. Pence urged it’ll take four more years to drain the swamp, saying “It’s on” for November.

The looming issue is the economy, which the V-POTUS say is on the ballot, along with law and order. He ended his remarks by saying “friend of his” would be here soon. Of course he was talking about President Trump, who landed at Charlotte-Douglas Airport at 11:46 a.m. local time before surprising delegates. 

Trump stepped on stage in Charlotte at 12:22 p.m. ET, after his new home state of Florida put him over the top with more than enough votes for the official nomination.

Many of the 350 delegates left their seats and clustered around the podium to hear the president speak for nearly an hour.  

The President indicated he came to North Carolina as an "in-your-face" to democratic governor Roy Cooper, who would not allow a full convention because of  the pandemic. He spent much of his speech warning that democrats are trying to steal the election with mail-in voting, calling it the greatest scam in the history of politics.

Trump said categorically, “we’re gonna win this election” unless it’s rigged. He also said that you’ll soon see Covid-19 vaccines pouring out soon.

A burning topic for both parties is the nominations of Supreme Court justices. Trump counted five new seats being filled during the next term. And then he listed off achievements —as well as his usual comments about "fake news" media.

As quick as the event came to Charlotte, it was over in a flash. The President made his way out of the convention and off to an appearance in Mills River N.C. with daughter Ivanka Trump.  

Many of the delegates made their way out of the Queen City shortly before 6 p.m. ET., marking the end of official business for the 2020 Republican National Convention.