Upcoming at the Democratic convention: Orators representing the Republican party
Some significant Republican adversaries of Donald Trump have chosen to stay out of the limelight, but others will be showcasing their views at the United Center during the week. These individuals will argue why they're there and why they believe other conservatives should vote for Kamala Harris.
Two notable speakers hail from crucial electoral states: John Giles, the mayor of Mesa, Arizona, and Geoff Duncan, the former lieutenant governor of Georgia. Both have publicly endorsed Harris and will be joined by Olivia Troye, a former White House national security adviser under Donald Trump, who teamed up with Harris for an event in Michigan shortly before Joe Biden dropped out of the race. As per reports from CNN, Adam Kinzinger, a former Illinois representative who's now a CNN contributor, will address the audience on Thursday evening prior to Harris's speech. (It's worth mentioning that Duncan and Kinzinger are both contributors to CNN.)
Giles, a lifelong Republican, voiced his concerns about the Republican Party's escalating extremism since Trump refused to acknowledge the results of the 2020 election.
Unlike in the 2020 Democratic convention, former Ohio Governor John Kasich will not be making an appearance at this year's event.
Liz Cheney, the former third-ranking House Republican who severed ties with Trump following the January 6 events and considers his return to power a threat to the Constitution, is unlikely to address the crowd. Cheney shared photos on social media of her attending a Taylor Swift concert in the UK with her daughter over the weekend, and her spokesperson did not respond to enquiries about her participation plans. Cheney's father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, has expressly stated that "there has never been a greater danger to our republic than Donald Trump", but has yet to comment on this year's elections.
George W. Bush, the only surviving Republican president, has privately criticized Trump but has chosen to remain silent about his voting intentions.
The Harris campaign is aiming to keep the focus on more traditional Republicans who have been alienated by Trump. The convention will also feature a video from former MAGA activist Rich Logis and comments from Kyle Sweetser, a Republican from Alabama.
“We aim to place patriotic Republicans in the spotlight during our convention programming to explain, in their own words, why they are prioritizing the country over personal interests and backing Vice President Harris,” said Austin Weatherford, the campaign's national engagement director for Republicans for Harris.
Protecting democracy was a crucial element of Biden's strategy before he withdrew from the race. Although it may not be as prominently displayed, Harris shares a similar approach – there are enough anti-Trump Republicans in each battleground state to sway the outcome of tight races.
“Our coalition welcomes voters who reject Trump’s extremism and strive to safeguard our democracy,” a spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign stated.
In the midst of these political discussions, Mayor John Giles from Mesa, Arizona, a lifelong Republican, has voiced his concerns about the Republican Party's escalating extremism since Donald Trump refused to acknowledge the results of the 2020 election. Despite his criticisms, former Ohio Governor John Kasich will not be making an appearance at this year's event, choosing to stay away from the political limelight.
