RNC: Key differences that make 2024 convention stand out from years past
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Every political convention is different, but some Republicans say the 2024 convention in Milwaukee feels a little unconventional.
Every four years, Republicans and Democrats get together to formally nominate their candidate and adopt a platform to set the tone of the upcoming presidential election.
And this year, the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee started out with a bang. A stark contrast to others.
On Monday, former President Donald Trump made his first public appearance at Fiserv Forum since the attempted assassination at a campaign rally Saturday. He then appeared alongside his newly announced running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
It was a rare appearance Republican strategist Brandon Scholz said he can't recall witnessing this early at any convention before.
"It's not necessarily unprecedented, but boy, it's not something convention goers are used to," Scholz said. "Trump also announces on day one his vice presidential candidate. Again, nothing wrong with it, but convention goers, in years past, haven't seen the vice presidential nominee rolled out until maybe Tuesday."
Typically, the presidential nominee doesn’t show up until closer to Thursday when they formally accept their party’s blessing.
Scholz, who's attended seven GOP national conventions, also said there's a notable absence in the speaker line up. Former First Lady Melania Trump was supposed to speak Tuesday evening, but that never came to fruition, according to sources close to the RNC.
It's been a longstanding tradition to have the nominee's spouse address delegates during primetime.
Republicans also have daily themes through the convention which is a new strategy to highlight key aspects of the Trump campaign. Monday kicked off Make America Wealthy Again, followed by Make America Safe Again on Tuesday.
"All of these things have added all sorts of elements to the convention that's not really seen before in years past," said Scholz.
The most significant difference is how the convention kicked off less than 48 hours after a gunman fired multiple shots at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, with a bullet grazing Trump’s ear.
Despite some unconventional moments, Wisconsin delegate and former chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin Brad Courney said after attending 10 conventions, he's still enjoying every aspect of it.
"They are doing things a little differently, but every convention is a little different," Courtney said. "The candidate, the nominee will put their fingerprints on what they want to do. It’s exciting, as a delegate, to see."
Some things that are sticking with tradition - the keynote address by the nominees. Wednesday evening JD Vance will deliver remarks, and then Trump will deliver his speech Thursday.