Although countless Americans have already voted for their Republican presidential nominee, the nominee is not chosen until the Republican delegates vote during the Republican National Convention (RNC). The RNC is a four day convention filled with speeches, delegates voting, and celebration.
This year was the 41st year of the RNC and it took place from July 18 to July 21. In those four days, about 50,000 people gathered in a Quicken Loans Arena, located in Cleveland, Ohio. The convention started with speakers talking about Donald Trump and how he would benefit America. Melania Trump was the featured speaker of the night.
Mrs. Trump’s speech consisted of praise for her husband, emphasizing that she would help those who most need it, focus on women and children, and make sure that children have their education. She talked about how “kindness, love, and compassion” is what brings and keeps people together.
“Later, it was discovered that parts of Mrs. Trump’s speech had strikingly similarities to one given by Michelle Obama in 2008 to Democrats,” wrote Michael Shear in a New York Times article.
Other speakers lay blame for the state of the country on President Obama or Hillary Clinton, stating that Clinton would be the next Obama— something that isn’t seen as positive.
On the second day of the convention, Trump was announced to be the official Republican presidential nominee and he spoke to the audience, using the catch-phrase “make America work again.” Governor Chris Christie gave a speech as the featured speaker, mainly speaking about Clinton’s shortcomings.
During the night, a few other notable speakers were on the stage: Ben Carson, Paul Ryan, and Trump’s children. Both Tiffany Trump and Donald Trump Jr. spoke on a personal and political level about their father’s greatness and qualifications for being president.
The following day, focusing on the catch-phrase “make America first again,” vice-president nominee Governor Mike Pence gave a straight-forward speech, avoiding speaking poorly about others. On the same day, Ted Cruz refused to endorse Trump as president, refraining to simply offering congratulations.
On the fourth and final day of the convention, Trump spoke again and left Cleveland, Ohio as the Republican presidential nominee. The RNC was filled with life and celebration for their chosen nominee.
“The RNC isn’t just a vote — it’s a big party. About 50,000 people, including 15,000 members of the media, are traveling to the city to take in the festivities,” wrote Mary Kilpatrick, a political writer, for Cleveland.com, a news website.
With Trump as a Republican presidential nominee, many are anxious to see what is in store for America in the future. He is closer now than ever to becoming the next president.
