MILWAUKEE – David Bossie, Maryland’s Republican National Committeeman and a delegate to the Republican National Convention, announced the state’s vote during Monday’s roll call of the states nominating former President Donald Trump for his old job.
Bossie had a long windup: “Maryland, the Old Line State, the seventh state to enter the Union, known for the amazing Chesapeake Bay and blue crab, and the United States Naval Academy, the home of Fort McHenry, the historic site that inspired ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ and home of the next United States senator from Maryland, Larry Hogan, Maryland proudly casts our 37 votes for my friend, the 45th and 47th president of the United States, Donald John Trump.”
Bossie was deputy campaign manager for the Trump campaign in 2016 and was a senior adviser to Trump’s 2020 campaign.
X X X
The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump over the weekend has not deterred the U.S. Concealed Carry Association from sponsoring a gun “giveaway” at the Republican National Convention.
The gun is a Daniel Defense AR-15.
You read that right: it’s the same type of gun law enforcement authorities say was used in the assassination attempt on Trump that also killed a rally spectator and left two others injured.
All conventioneers have to do to qualify for the giveaway is to scan a QR code.
X X X
It’s a long tradition before political conventions for the host city to throw a welcome party for the delegates, alternates, guests and media in town.
The MKE 2024 Host Committee threw a “Red, White & Brew” party Sunday – but no reporters were allowed.
That kind of ran counter to the committee’s boast on its website: “With tens of thousands of delegates, guests and members of the press traveling from around the country – and millions more tuning in from home – the MKE 2024 Host Committee’s goal is to fully showcase the vibrant, energetic, world-class city that is Milwaukee, Wisconsin.”
The committee says on its website that it is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.
While the group’s chief executive officer is Milwaukee businessman Ted Kellner, the chairman is Reince Priebus, who was chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2011 to 2017 and served as Trump’s White House chief of staff during the first six months of his presidency.
X X X
Milwaukee area drivers probably are used to the billboards, given that Wisconsin is a critical swing state in the upcoming presidential election.
On the highways into the city hosting the GOP convention are signs decrying the “MAGA extremists” for the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the right to abortion in Roe v. Wade, other signs sponsored by anti-abortion organizations, basic “Trump 2024” messages and on and on.
We haven’t spotted a Biden-Harris billboard, but we haven’t been on every highway. Yet.
X X X
Yes, security around the convention venue is tight.
And a wee bit arbitrary.
Capital News Service reporters going through security Monday morning were relieved of metal water bottles and one umbrella by U.S. Secret Service agents.
The items are not on a Secret Service list of prohibited items.
And…reporters who used a different security checkpoint were allowed to keep their metal water bottles.
X X X
Hungry and thirsty delegates and media at the convention have numerous options inside the security zone, especially along a row of vendors near the Baird Center, where the press is based.
We gotta give the love to the Wisconsin beef sticks, local beers, cheese curds and, of course, frozen custard – all proud products of The Badger State.
CNS Washington Bureau Chief James R. Carroll contributed to this report.
You must be logged in to post a comment.