I really don't like the fact Charlie Kirk and Madison Cawthorn are speaking.... as a New Jerseyan kinda disappointed Chris Christie won't speak, but he has really burned out all of his popularity. Other than that it is a pretty good lineup.

The GOP has decided they will not have a platform at all but will support Trump's agenda. Does that mean they are just admitting the Party is now just a personality cult? https://prod-cdn-static.gop.com/media/documents/RESOLUTION_REGARDING_THE_REPUBLICAN_PARTY_PLATFORM.pdf?_ga=2.109560193.504857691.1598219603-2087748323.1598219603

https://twitter.com/cspanJeremy/status/1297919158680772608

Wow - this is the first time since 1988 that all Republican delegates voted for the nominee (without abstentions). The next time going back in time was 1956 and then 1904 and 1900. The only times prior to McKinley were Grant's nominations in 1868 and 1872.

Great night!

My own assessment, a good kick-off and a preview of the Republican strategy to win. They need to reverse the trend of suburbs going to Democrats and increase their share of the African American vote. They made a pitch to do both tonight. Arguable a scare the voter approach on the former. Clearly the theme is run the convention they wanted before Covid hit, like Reagan's 84 campaign. Also take great credit for the stuff that went right in organizing Covid, and blame Democrats for the bad stuff. We saw the "lighter side of Trump" tonight along with speakers that appealed to the base. Objectively there were high points and low points. Good speakers and bad speakers. For me the good: Charlie Kirk and Kimberly Guilfoyle. I think the ahieved their objectives with superior presentation and oration.. The bad: Donald Trump Jr., distracted by and questioning what was going on with the tears. Steve Scalise, had to follow Kimberly Guilfoyle. Republicans should get a boost from this convention. But not sure if it will last. As a Republican it was great to see some post-Trump talent in the works including Tim Scott. As a political scientist, objectively I think the Republicans have a lot of ground to make up in an electorate that is very decided and will start voting soon.

Republicans should get a boost from this convention. But not sure if it will last. Conventions have had decreasing effect on polling for a while, and between the virtual setting, lower viewership (at least for the Democrats), and an electorate which is pretty hardened in what they think about Trump I doubt there will be much impact at all.

I agree with the fact that a post convention bump may be a thing of the past, but a lot of moments made me proud to be an american/republican. I think that this whole conventions target seems to be republicans uncomfortable with Trump such as myself.

Conventions have had decreasing effect on polling for a while, and between the virtual setting, lower viewership (at least for the Democrats), and an electorate which is pretty hardened in what they think about Trump I doubt there will be much impact at all. I would even say that this election year has fewer undecided voters. So I think that is why Biden didn't get any real jump. Where I think Trump might get a little boost is that he has been effective of selling his version of the truth. And this whole convention is about him writing his version of history. It will get some people second guessing their support for Biden.

I actually agree. I think Trump could get a small bump out of his convention. A lot of people hate Trump, and Biden was already capturing all of them. Now, I don't think Trump is going to get any of those, but there are a few undecideds still out there. The DNC did do something I'm pretty happy with. A lot of polls also had Biden's favorability as a net negative. Not as negative as Trump's, but close. The convention raised them to be around a net positive, especially among the more leftist wing of the party. That helps prevent the election becoming one about two very disliked candidates like in 2016, and helps insulate against non-voting and 3rd party poaching.

https://twitter.com/ChrChristensen/status/1297311653063790592

The first night of the Republican National Convention averaged 15.9 million viewers on Monday, a sharp drop of 28% from 2016. The audience figure from Nielsen was also below the opening night of last week's Democratic National Convention which averaged 18.7 million viewers over the three major English language broadcast networks and three leading cable news channels. The audience for the Democrats on the first night of their convention was also down about 28% from 2016. https://news.yahoo.com/republican-convention-draws-15-8-180856124.html It looks like each party is just playing to their respective bases.

Don't all conventions do that?

Wow, I thought the RNC was going to make up the difference in viewership from their deficit among the broadcasters released earlier when the cable numbers came in, but apparently not. Trump must be furious about getting lower ratings.