Staff Reports
The GOP convention in Milwaukee just got a boost, thanks to an event that, while tragic, might actually unite the Republican Party like never before. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump, which left the former president with a mere bullet graze, has morphed from a near-catastrophe into a rallying cry for Republicans who were previously divided over the party’s platform.
In Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump had just pronounced his nomination as a symbol of unity when the near-miss occurred. He envisioned a Republican Party that’s bigger, stronger, and more united, and now that vision is gaining traction in unexpected ways. The convention, once a playground for internal squabbles over party direction, might now see a surprising level of unity, thanks to this high-profile event.
New from Milwaukee w/ @cami_mondeaux: Republicans’ convention divisions fade in wake of Trump rally shooting https://t.co/9qIWyTGmU1
— David Sivak (@DISivak) July 15, 2024
Before the shocking incident, Republicans were drifting into the convention with unresolved debates over their platform and lingering bitterness from a brutal primary. Trump’s controversial stance on leaving abortion decisions to individual states had ruffled the feathers of social conservatives. The drafting committee received numerous disapproving letters, and even Mike Pence, Trump’s former vice president, expressed profound disappointment. But with the spotlight on Trump’s near-martyrdom, those gripes are fading into the background.
The assassination attempt has injected a burst of energy into Trump’s already fervent base. Republicans are eager to use the incident to shift attention away from Biden’s mounting woes. The president’s recent debate debacle and the internal Democratic strife it sparked have conveniently given the GOP a respite from media scrutiny. Trump’s former adversaries, like Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, are now singing a unified chorus, prioritizing party allegiance over past disagreements. Haley has urged her nearly 100 bound delegates to support Trump, and both she and DeSantis have secured speaking slots at the convention.
Trump’s legal troubles were supposed to be the main event, with his hush money trial tantalizingly close to the convention kickoff. Yet, a Supreme Court ruling and a bit of legal finagling have delayed sentencing, ensuring Trump will be the star attraction rather than a courtroom drama. The Democratic Party’s infighting adds to the contrast: as Biden’s ship leaks, the GOP sails smoothly with a unified front.
Republicans attending the convention seem almost giddy at the Democrats’ plight. The unity showcased by the GOP amid the opposition’s chaos presents a stark contrast. Michigan state lawmaker Bill Schuette and Pennsylvania delegate Mike McMullen have aptly mocked the Democrats’ internal circus while displaying an unmistakable enthusiasm for the party’s future under Trump.
In short, while the attempted shooting of Trump adds a somber undertone to the convention, it’s also sharpened the focus on unity and momentum within the GOP. As the party coalesces around Trump and moves forward, it’s clearer than ever that the Republican ship is on course, while Democrats scramble to fix their fractured vessel.
