RNC Milwaukee: What goes on at a national convention?

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Next week, former president Donald Trump will be formally nominated at the Republican National Convention -- but that's not all that occurs during the four-day event that kicks off July 15.

The main event will be in Fiserv Forum, where party delegates from all 50 states and six U.S. territories will gather each day to vote on procedural rules and adopt the party platform.

It’s a way for the party to broadcast their message to the country. Many themes that will be discussed are outlined in a 16-page GOP platform that includes policies on border security, crime, election integrity, abortion and more.

"I think there's a benefit, not just because it's tradition, but because it lets each party talk to the American voters directly - no filters," said Mordecai Lee, professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

During the morning, delegates typically meet at their hotel for breakfast and hear from prominent speakers.

In the evening, other party business will occur at Fiserv ahead of speeches from special guests.

“Obviously this will have a number of very high-profile speakers that will be here, and I think that we will see a number of people who have been close to the president for a long time,” Michael Whaley, chairman of the Republican National Committee, told reporters earlier this week.

On Wednesday and Thursday, acceptance speeches from the vice president and president will occur in front of large crowds.

It's been a tradition since 1831, where every four years Republican and Democrats get together to give their respective candidates an official blessing.