Black Shooting and Hurricane Overshadow US Republican Convention... 'Finale' Also Under Red Light (Summary)

Trump Presidential Candidate Acceptance Speech, Possible Impact from Hurricane
Wisconsin Protests and Sports Game Suspensions Divert Public Attention from Hurricane Lorado
Third Day of Convention... No Major Figures Besides Vice President Pence
Fierce Competition Among Next Republican Presidential 'Jambyong' Candidates

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Reporter Na Ju-seok] The third day of the U.S. Republican National Convention is fading from the attention of Americans due to the police shooting of Black man Joseph Blake in Wisconsin and the massive Hurricane Laura. There are even speculations that the presidential candidate acceptance speech, which is supposed to conclude the convention, may not proceed as planned.

On the 26th (local time), Vice President Mike Pence's acceptance speech as the vice-presidential candidate was scheduled, but aside from this, there were no heavyweight speakers, leading to decreased attention.

This assessment is linked to the protests that erupted after the Wisconsin shooting incident and the news of the arrest of a 17-year-old white teenager who shot at protesters, killing two, which became major news in the U.S. that day.

The New York Times (NYT) evaluated that murder, protests, boycotts, and the hurricane are deflating the bubble of the Republican National Convention.

It added that this is especially damaging to President Trump's image of emphasizing law and order. The NYT pointed out, "The Republican National Convention portrayed President Trump as a protector responding to chaos and unrest, but on the third day of the convention, it cast a shadow."

However, President Trump appears to be using this as an opportunity to rally his supporters. He announced via Twitter that he would send the National Guard to Kenosha, where the protests occurred, using the phrase "law and order."

That day, the local professional basketball team, the Milwaukee Bucks, decided to suspend their playoffs, and Hurricane Laura, a Category 4 hurricane heading toward Louisiana from the Gulf of Mexico, diverted attention away from the Republican National Convention. There are also concerns that President Trump's acceptance speech itself might be disrupted.

The Washington Post (WP), citing multiple government officials, reported that President Trump would decide whether to give the speech after assessing the damage in Texas and Louisiana where the hurricane made landfall. Originally, President Trump planned to deliver the acceptance speech on the White House lawn on the night of the 27th. There are concerns that holding the acceptance speech amid severe damage from Laura's landfall could alienate public sentiment.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The acceptance speech of President Trump, which has undergone several changes due to COVID-19 and other factors, is once again at risk.

Initially, the Republican Party planned to hold the convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. However, when the state government prohibited large indoor events due to the COVID-19 situation, the convention venue was moved to Jacksonville, Florida. But as COVID-19 rapidly spread in Florida, the Florida convention plan was abruptly canceled. Subsequently, the Republican Party decided to hold the convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, and President Trump would deliver the acceptance speech at the White House. President Trump planned to gather 1,000 audience members for the acceptance speech to differentiate himself from Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, who gave his acceptance speech in an empty gymnasium.

On the day before President Trump's acceptance speech, Vice President Pence will deliver his vice-presidential acceptance speech at Fort McHenry in Baltimore. This site is a historic landmark where the British naval fleet was repelled during the War of 1812, becoming a turning point for American independence.

This Republican National Convention is also considered significant because it featured appearances by potential future Republican presidential candidates such as former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Vice President Pence.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Former Ambassador Nikki Haley is a case of rapidly rising prominence through her endorsement speech. Haley attacked Democratic candidate Joe Biden with eloquent rhetoric and defended President Trump. She received praise for systematically rebutting the Republican Party's weakness on racial discrimination by citing her own Indian heritage.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) evaluated that Haley solidified her position as a rising contender through this speech. Major foreign media noted that Haley's speech sparked rampant speculation about her potential candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's endorsement speech is also analyzed as being closely related to his political ambitions, even at the risk of political missteps. Pompeo, who served as CIA Director, is regarded as a leading figure aiming for the post-Trump era within the administration. Although there was speculation about his possible Senate run in Kentucky last year, the prevailing view is that his goal is higher.

The WSJ stated, "The Republican National Convention is providing 'rising stars' aiming for the 2024 presidential nomination the biggest opportunity to showcase themselves to President Trump and leave an impression on the American public."

Besides these, the convention featured female "bodyguards" such as White House advisor Kellyanne Conway, White House spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany, and President Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who appealed for support for President Trump and attacked candidate Biden. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who invited President Trump to the Independence Day fireworks at Mount Rushmore's presidential faces, also appeared. Chinese dissident lawyer Chen Guangcheng criticized China and expressed support for President Trump.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.