By Carl Mischka | NC GOP Hall of Fame
MILWAUKEE – Wow, as a first time delegate attendee at the Republican National Convention, I am pleased to report that it is all I expected and hoped for — an experience I can now cross off my “bucket list.” Eastern North Carolina is very well represented with Delegates from Washington, Chowan, Dare, Craven, Carteret and Pamlico Counties, plus Alternates and guests making our North Carolina delegation almost 300 strong.
While writing this on Wednesday morning, July 17, I realize that most of our readers have been following, and experiencing, the Convention at home via Fox, CNN or other preferred media. However, as great as the coverage may be, it can’t extol the excitement and joy that permeates the FiServ Forum and the energy within each delegate.
The NC delegation is housed within the first of two security perimeters and within walking distance to the FiServ Forum. The majority of the delegates, from all 50 states plus Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and District of Columbia. Lt. Governor Mark Robinson served as our spokesman.
The RNC Chairman, Michael Wheatley who previously served as NCGOP Chairman, opened the Convention on Monday presenting a line-up of speakers and activities, which captivated us until 10 PM with a short recess. All sessions, as you have seen, open with an Invocation, Pledge and close with a Benediction. America is God’s Country, as witnessed by the sparing of President Trump’s life in Butler, PA Saturday evening. The list of speakers is lengthy, and I hope most of you were able to see and hear them in real time or evening news summaries.
After an outstanding Summerfest welcoming party Sunday evening, the business of Convention Officers, Adoption of Rules, Credentials, Order of Business, Platform, various Resolutions, and the Nomination of Donald J. Trump as President on Monday was pretty straightforward, the high spot being the Ohio speaker leaking the selection of J.D. Vance as President Trunp’s running mate. Both nominees joined us Monday night, electrifying the crowd.
Each morning of the Convention begins with breakfast session for our NC Delegation, which includes meaningful speakers including, thus far, Vivek Ramaswamy, Susie Wiles (Sr. Campaign Manager) who provided us with some details on the Butler near tragedy, housekeeping details and comments from Chairman Jason Simmons and a visit from Michael Whattley.
North Carolina is strong in Milwaukee…I am proud and pleased to be a District 3 Delegate and will now run off to our breakfast where it is rumored we will be joined by an iconic rapper who just pledged his support to Trump, joining the list of luminaries and former political foes who did so last evening. I look forward to providing a “wrap up” in next week’s County Compass
