The Republicans are scrambling to put together a virtual convention after President Trump suddenly canceled plans for the party to meet in Jacksonville to celebrate his renomination due to the coronavirus spike in Florida.
Party officials said Friday that the Republican National Committee did not have a plan at the ready to coronate Trump properly in a largely digital setting. They said it could take time to develop a blueprint for convention activities that elevate the president and allow GOP delegates and conservative activists to participate from afar. It was the second time in two months that Trump has forced the RNC to alter arrangements for its quadrennial presidential nominating convention.
An RNC spokesman declined to elaborate on the party’s next steps, instead pointing to tweets posted by GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. In those missives, McDaniel reiterated Trump’s priority was the health and safety of Jacksonville residents and convention attendees after he announced Thursday he was scrapping Florida events hastily organized for this cycle’s confab, acknowledging that the coronavirus presented unacceptable risks.
“We look forward to @realDonaldTrump accepting the nomination and addressing the American people on his vision for the next four years!” McDaniel wrote.
We support this difficult decision and thank Governor DeSantis, Mayor Curry, and the people of Jacksonville for their hospitality.
We look forward to @realDonaldTrump accepting the nomination and addressing the American people on his vision for the next four years!
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) July 23, 2020
The Trump campaign had not responded to a request for comment at press time, although it was possible that his new campaign manager Bill Stepien would address the matter during a Friday afternoon conference call with reporters.
In June, the president pressured the RNC to abandon Charlotte because North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, refused to greenlight a traditional, arena-style convention, citing concerns that a mass gathering might pose health risks during the pandemic. At the time, Trump was focused on promoting the reopening of the economy after a monthslong lockdown to stem the tide of the outbreak.
On Thursday, Trump shifted gears again, this time saying it was too risky to hold a convention with thousands of people from all over the United States while the rate of COVID-19 infections was on the rise. Republican delegates are still scheduled to meet in Charlotte in late August to conduct the formal business of renominating Trump.
When the RNC picked Jacksonville for the president’s renomination celebration, Florida’s coronavirus case count was low. Since then, the state has become one of the country’s biggest hot spots. Recently, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, a former RNC member, implemented regulations mandating the wearing of masks in his city.
Meanwhile, McDaniel responded to the change in conditions by laying out plans for a scaled-back convention, including slashing attendance and relying on a mix of indoor and outdoor venues. But in the end, it wasn’t enough. Duval County Sheriff Mike Williams admitted this week he didn’t even have the money or manpower to provide the necessary security with so little time to prepare.
Trump’s decision to nix the Jacksonville portion of the convention was mostly welcomed by the party faithful. Yet, many expressed their disappointment to the Washington Examiner.
“I remember attending the last convention in Cleveland. And I guess it’s a sign of the times, but it’s very disappointing for those of us who want to be there and be part of the process,” Texas Republican Rep. Mike McCaul said. “His strength is going out, talking to the people. I know, personally, that it’s frustrating to him that he can’t go out and do this, and that’s how he won.”
Trump told reporters Thursday he would still deliver a speech to the party ahead of the fall fight against presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Delegates will precede with their meetings in Charlotte that Monday, with “telerallies” and other online activities added to the agenda, according to Trump.
“I looked at my team, and I said, ‘The timing for this event is not right. It’s just not right with what’s happened recently — the flare-up in Florida — to have a big convention. It’s not the right time,’” he said.
Democrats will be doing something similar the week before for Biden in Wisconsin after delaying their version by a month due to the virus. Democratic National Convention delegates and members of Congress, however, have been discouraged from traveling to Milwaukee, their host city. Their iteration will be heavily virtual, including voting, with nightly programming of content “anchored” from the Midwest, as well as satellite broadcasts.
