This two-day convention has been dreamed up by President Donald Trump to rally his supporters for this year’s midterm elections.
Trump has said he wanted to channel the kind of political extravaganza that each party holds every four years to formally nominate a presidential candidate and showcase their vision for the country. There’s even going to be a huge balloon drop at the end.
Republicans have never held a midterm convention before, although Democrats did in the 1970s and 1980s. Trump had long floated the idea of holding such an event, and Republicans worked to make his wish a reality.
Midterms are often difficult for the party in power in Washington, and Trump believes the event can energise the party and boost turnout among his voters.
“Pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot,” Trump said recently in South Carolina. “Just come and vote.”
Republicans hope the gathering will help catapult their candidates into November and also showcase the first two years of Trump’s term. Although his poll numbers are sagging, Trump insists that running on his record will give Republicans their best shot at winning.
AP