US Republican Primary Overshadowed by Black Shooting and Hurricane

No Major Figures Including Vice President Pence at Jeon-Dae for Third Day
Wisconsin Protests and Sports Game Suspensions Emerge as Major US Social Issues
Hurricane Lorado Shifts Public Attention
Fierce Competition Among Next Republican Presidential 'Jamryong' Candidates

Vice President Mike Pence's wife, Karen, is giving a speech at the Republican National Convention.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The third day of the U.S. Republican National Convention is fading from the American public's attention due to the police shooting of Black man Joseph Blake in Wisconsin and the super typhoon Laura.

On this day, Vice President Mike Pence was scheduled to deliver his vice-presidential acceptance speech, but aside from that, there were no heavyweight speakers, which is interpreted as contributing to the lack of attention.

This assessment is linked to the protests that erupted following the Wisconsin shooting of a Black man 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. on that day.

The New York Times (NYT) on the 26th (local time) evaluated that murder, protests, boycotts, and the hurricane are deflating the bubble of the Republican National Convention.

It added that this is also damaging President Trump's image, which emphasizes law and order. The NYT pointed out, "The Republican National Convention portrayed President Trump as a protector responding to chaos and anxiety, 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. Through Twitter, he announced sending the National Guard to Kenosha, where the protests occurred, using the phrase "law and order."

On this day, the decision by the local professional basketball team, the Milwaukee Bucks, to suspend their playoff games and the arrival of Category 4 Hurricane Laura heading toward Louisiana from the Gulf of Mexico diverted attention away from the Republican National Convention.

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

This Republican National Convention is also considered significant because Republican potential presidential candidates such as former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Vice President Pence appeared daily, changing the meaning of the convention.

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 as an example.

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

There is analysis that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's endorsement speech, despite political risks, is not unrelated to his political ambitions. Pompeo, who served as CIA Director, is considered a leading figure aiming for the post-Trump era within the administration. Although there was speculation about his possible run for the Senate in Kentucky last year, the prevailing view is that his goal is higher.

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

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