'I’m excited to be here': Delegates arrive in Milwaukee for RNC 1 day after Trump assassination attempt
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- People from across the country are flying to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to make their way to the Republican National Convention (RNC) this week.
As delegates like Paul Kanitra of New Jersey arrived in Wisconsin on Sunday, he helped set the tone for the week ahead.
“I think we need a party to rally around the president,” Kanitra said. “I’m excited to be here for this historic event.”
Kanitra said he was looking forward to the party unifying together after the former president was nearly killed in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. Kanitra said he was not worried about security near Fiserv Forum and Deer District where many events will take place.
“I have to imagine this is going to be the safest place on earth for the next week,” Kanitra said.
Kanitra was one of many delegates who arrived in Milwaukee on a flight from the New York City area. American Airlines added a nonstop round-trip from New York-Laguardia and other airlines have upgraded aircraft sizes to and from Milwaukee.
The other delegates who arrived on the same flight as Kanitra echoed his statements, hoping the coming days are a time for the key figures in the party to come together and celebrate a vice-presidential pick.
Many of the delegates who landed Sunday said they were also not worried about security at the week’s events.
“I know that this week is going to be fantastic, so I’m not scared, I’m excited,” said Phyllis Carbo, a Republican delegate from New York City.
As these important political figures walked through the airport concourse, Paul Silbergleit played his jazz guitar in a trio in the airport. He performed with other musicians, as organized by the Milwaukee Jazz Institute.
He says their music aimed to help start the week off on a high note.
“It certainly has crossed our minds that some people are hearing our music and that’s their welcome to Milwaukee,” Silbergleit said. “I think it’s setting a good vibe for the day.”
The RNC is expected to bring thousands of travelers from across the country for the lead-up to the major presidential election.