If you attend enough political speeches, you can sense their tempo, and guess when they are moving towards their conclusion. And if you cover enough conventions and political rallies, you develop tactics for getting in and out of the arena or your row.

In Milwaukee last month, former President Donald Trump told the story of getting shot by a would-be assassin. Then he issued a call for optimism and unity, thanked his family, and praised his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH). Next he spoke briefly on the central themes of the convention — make America wealthy again, make America safe again, and make America strong again.