MILWAUKEE — The Republican National Convention saw several emotional moments highlighting war heroes, sober mothers, and, in one case, a rambunctious “mamaw” who wasn’t afraid to use explicit language.
Sen. J.D. Vance‘s (R-OH) touching stories about the women in his family who helped raise him gave some levity to his first speech after joining former President Donald Trump‘s presidential ticket.
Here are some sights and tidbits from the second day of the convention in Milwaukee as spotted by the Washington Examiner staff.
Biden counterprogramming underscores campaign uncertainty
The Biden campaign scheduled a press conference in Milwaukee, during which it planned to launch political attacks as the Republican National Convention unfolded down the street.
But before Biden deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks, Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) walked out to face reporter questions, news broke that Walz, as co-chair of the Democratic National Committee’s rules panel, had signed a letter announcing a virtual roll call to nominate President Joe Biden as the party’s standard-bearer would happen next month, not this Friday, the earliest the process could take place after his group meets.
In response to a query from the Washington Examiner about the letter, Walz downplayed speculation about the virtual roll call as a “parlor game,” which could be used to avoid an open Democratic National Convention next month amid concerns about Biden’s age and mental acuity. However, he also misstated the dates in his own letter.
“This meeting was scheduled for many months, the one on Friday, and it was never meant to be the virtual roll call,” he added. “That virtual vote won’t happen before the first of August.”
Walz’s answer created more confusion regarding the status of Biden’s future on the same day the president tested positive for COVID-19.
Republicans hang around Fiserv Forum
Hours before Vance was set to speak to the convention, several well-known Republicans were hanging around the Fiserv Forum. Kari Lake, the GOP Arizona Senate nominee, was seen being driven in a golf cart outside of the convention center. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) was spotted hanging out inside with allies, and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) spoke with the Washington Examiner as he headed to the Capital Grille.
Donalds said the GOP will rally around Vance as Trump’s running mate in an interview. “We’re locked in, and I think, you know, everybody who was on the short list or whatever, our focus is winning,” said Donalds, who was on Trump’s list of vice presidential options. “That’s the focus. It’s been the focus from day one. That hasn’t changed.”
RNC speaker Madeline Brame calls out CNN after interview on son’s death
Madeline Brame was billed as the most powerful and emotional speech during the second night of the Republican National Convention. Brame is now calling out left-wing media for only giving her the time of day to tell her story since she spoke at the RNC.
“That’s my first time on CNN,” Brame said. “I’m grateful. I appreciate it. However, CNN has known about the story for six years, and it shows some insincerity and some mischievousness.”
Brame also is hitting back at CNN for trying to spin her son’s death and those who were convicted of his murder.
“You know, please don’t take my story and try to spin it some type of way,” Brame said. “To make it seem like my son was somehow deserving to be murdered. Or that I shouldn’t be sitting here accepting two people instead of four people being charged with murder.”
The mother, from New York, spoke at the convention as an “everyday American” about her how son was murdered and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg tried to get the four men charged with his death reduced sentences and a massive plea deal.
Vance’s late grandmother celebrated by rowdy RNC crowd
As Vance took the stage to accept the vice presidential nomination, the Ohio senator paid tribute to his late grandmother, whom he refers to as Mamaw, for raising him as a child.
Vance shared a number of stories while growing up, such as Mamaw’s tendency to “say the ‘F-word’” and when she once threatened Vance as a boy not to hang out with a boy known for dealing drugs — telling him if he did it again, she would “run him over with her car.”
Vance’s stories were met with laughs and cheers from the crowd, and they began to chant “Mamaw! Mamaw! Mamaw!”
War hero, 98, captures hearts in RNC crowd
One of the most well-received guests of the night was World War II veteran Sgt. William Pekrul.
Pekrul shared his experience storming Normandy Beach and other stories from the war. In the most heartwarming moment of the speech, the 98-year-old veteran said he would “reenlist” if Trump is president.
He received a standing ovation and chants of “USA! USA!” as he concluded his speech, which Pekrul basked in before exiting.
Who was in Trump’s box section?
The guests sitting in the “Make America Great Once Again” section with Trump Wednesday evening were a who’s who of the GOP.
Two popular governors in the party joined Trump including Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) and Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA). Both men spoke at the convention this week.
Other Republicans seated with Trump included Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX). Trump family members were also spotted in Trump’s section, including son Eric and his wife, Lara Trump, who is also co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, along with Donald Trump Jr.’s fiance, Kimberly Guilfoyle.
Vance’s mother, Beverly Aikins, was also in the section and received applause when her son championed her 10-year sobriety.
