THE 1960 GOP CONVENTION PHOTO LA TIMES/DAILY MIRROR
April 1. Will the Democratic and Republican national conventions go ahead as planned this summer? President Donald Trump says there’s “no way I’m going to cancel the convention” that Republicans plan to hold in Charlotte Aug. 24-27.
What to do or not do about nominating conventions is a very difficult question for both parties—and for the Trump and Biden campaigns.
For Republicans it’s full steam ahead. Likely nominee Joe Biden has already expressed doubts about his party’s quadrennial confab.
The made-for-TV showcases provide a unique opportunity for each party and each nominee to command the nation’s attention and set the course and direction for the fall campaign.
The GOP convention is also worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Charlotte economy, hospitality in particular.
The RNC, which will be held at Spectrum Center, will bring nearly 50,000 visitors to Charlotte, including delegates, alternate delegates, members of the media and other guests.
Both conventions will happen, but it’s an open question as to whether you will have the traditional four day showcase with all its’ pomp and circumstance, a scaled-down “live” convention, or a virtual convention that is online and TV-only, a GOP political consultant who has worked on past conventions said.
What actually happens on the ground at each convention is critical as well for structural reasons related to ballot access and reconstituting each party, he said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “The Democrats are in a much tougher spot here with their convention occurring more than a month before the RNC,” he said.
The 2020 Republican National Convention will host a “tele-town hall” April 15t in place of the on-site Spring Media Walkthrough.
he tele-town hall will allow for media to still receive the information necessary for planning coverage of the 2020 Republican National Convention while following recommendations of local, state and federal officials.
Thousands of members of the media are expected to come to Charlotte as well as delegates.
PHOTO LA TIMES/DAILY MIRROR
