Media lockout at Republican convention spurs concern among GOP faithful

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Republicans are warning GOP convention officials not to limit press access in Charlotte, North Carolina, as they work to salvage President Trump’s renominating gathering.

The Republican National Convention Committee is departing from precedent and barring the media from party business meetings naming Trump its 2020 standard-bearer, as well as other activities set to take place in Charlotte from Aug. 21-24.

The development over the weekend coincides with general confusion regarding the confab, slated for later this month, particularly when and how Trump will deliver his acceptance address.

This weekend’s move startled many, including Republican strategist and 2008 GOP national convention program director Ed Goeas. Parties traditionally beg news outlets to cover as much of the quadrennial events as possible, Goeas reminded the Washington Examiner. He gently advised the RNC against blocking reporters and TV crews from what remained of its in-person schedule.

“I find it surprising. It’s the opposite of what you’ve had before,” he said.

More than a decade ago, when Goeas managed the convention’s content in St. Paul, Minnesota, one day of the format was nixed due to Hurricane Gustav.

“Quite frankly, they’re scrambling,” he said. “When I had to change the program in 2008, we had the whole program mapped out, speeches written a good month before the convention. I don’t know that they’re in that position.”

For Goeas, conventions usually inject nominees with “a big boost,” citing John McCain, his year’s Republican presidential pick. The only time McCain was in front of former President Barack Obama in polling during their race was for the week or so after his crowning moment in Minnesota.

“I hope we’re not giving up that opportunity to the point that, where the numbers are right now, Biden solidifies,” he said.

North Carolina GOP strategist Paul Shumaker defended the panel’s decision, arguing it was simply following Democratic leader-set public health guidelines.

“My understanding is that is a reality of restrictions the governor has put on the RNC and anyone else,” he said of the Republican National Committee. “You should ask the governor if he is willing to ease those restrictions.”

North Carolina GOP activist and Hornets Nest Republican Men President Dan Barry believed the crowd limitations put the hosts “in a jam.”

“The first people who are cut are going to be nonessential to the party to get its business done, which would be the press,” the North Carolina presidential elector said. “In a normal year, is the press really covering committee reports and committee work, the granular part of party operations? No. They’re waiting for the big splash, the main platform, all that kind of stuff.”

But Goeas disagreed, saying that excuse was “somewhat debatable or questionable.”

The pollster explained that waning interest in conventions meant organizers needed to make a more concerted effort to reinforce their messages. Democrats, for instance, have been preparing for a digital iteration for much of the summer, when 300 people are expected to converge on Milwaukee from Aug.17-20.

“I’m seeing signs from the Biden campaign that they’re going to prop up their media coverage with a lot of social media,” he said.

Another GOP strategist suggested the Republican National Convention Committee closed the meetings to reporters because it didn’t “want any more negative publicity on it.”

“The sausage being made, they don’t want to show that,” they said.

Yet Mac McCorkle, a former Democratic strategist and director of Duke University’s Polis Center, countered that media relations thinking.

“It’s certainly never a good story to say you’re closing something to the press. That’s a hard one,” he said.

The 2020 Republican National Convention has run into several roadblocks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump led a protracted, public fight with Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper over the GOP’s original plan to host a 50,000-plus gathering. After Cooper refused to offer the party a guarantee it could throw a large, arena-style event, Republicans canned most of their Charlotte programming, save for what was required to satisfy their contracts with the city.

Instead, Republicans announced in June the party would hold a multiday festival to celebrate Trump’s coronation in Jacksonville, Florida. But that itinerary was scrapped as well as coronavirus cases in Florida reached dangerously high levels. Now what remains is a skeleton business agenda for 336 delegates at the Westin Charlotte, as opposed to 2,550 at the Spectrum Center. And it’s missing a platform debate, too, after the RNC opted not to adopt a new mission statement this cycle.

One GOP strategist told the Washington Examiner problems were being exacerbated because the convention committee hadn’t extensively solicited help from previous organizers who understood the benefits of a well-run confab.

“Given the health restrictions and limitations in place within the state of North Carolina, we are planning for the Charlotte activities to be closed press Friday, August 21 – Monday, August 24,” a convention spokeswoman told the Arkansas DemocratGazette over the weekend. “We are happy to let you know if this changes, but we are working within the parameters set before us by state and local guidelines regarding the number of people who can attend events.”

RNC spokesman Michael Ahrens told the Washington Examiner “no final decision” had been reached, with an array of logistical options still being considered.

The other unknown is Trump’s acceptance speech.

Vice President Mike Pence told reporters last week his boss would address party faithful in Charlotte on Aug. 24. But many North Carolina Republicans predicted an online edition.

“There was a rumor that the president would be here. I don’t think that happens. I think he does his acceptance in some kind of virtual environment, and that’s how we move forward,” Barry said.

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