RNC Buzz: ‘Mamaw’ and WWII veteran capture the convention crowd

MILWAUKEE — The Republican National Convention saw several emotional moments highlighting war heroes, sober mothers, and in one case a rambunctious “mamaw” who wasn’t afraid to use explicit language.

Sen. J.D. Vance‘s (R-OH) touching stories giving due to the women in his family who helped raised gave some levity to this first speech after joining former President Donald Trump‘s presidential ticket.

Here are some sights and tidbits from the second day of the convention in Milwaukee as spotted by the Washington Examiner staff.

Biden counterprogramming underscores campaign uncertainty

The Biden campaign scheduled a press conference in Milwaukee from which it planned to launch political attacks at the Republican National Convention unfolding down the street.

But before Biden deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks, Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) walked out to face reporter questions, news broke that Walz, as co-chair of the Democratic National Committee’s rules panel, had signed a letter announcing a virtual roll call to nominate President Joe Biden as the party’s standard-bearer would happen next month, not this Friday, the earliest the process could take place after his group meets.

In response to a query from the Washington Examiner about the letter, Walz downplayed speculation about the virtual roll call as a “parlor game,” which could be used to avoid an open Democratic National Convention next month amid concerns about Biden’s age and mental acuity, but also misstated the dates in his own letter.

“This meeting was scheduled for many months, the one on Friday, and it was never meant to be the virtual roll call,” he added. “That virtual vote won’t happen before the first of August.”

Walz’s answer created more confusion regarding the status of Biden’s future on the same day he tested positive for COVID-19.

Conservatives hang around the Fiserv Forum

Hours before Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) was set to speak to the convention, several well-known Republicans were seen hanging around the Fiserv Forum. Kari Lake, the GOP Arizona Senate nominee, was seen being driven in a golf cart outside of the convention center. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) was spotted hanging out inside with allies and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) spoke with the Washington Examiner as he headed to The Capital Grille. 

Donalds said the GOP will rally around Vance as Trump’s running mate in an interview. “We’re locked in and I think you know, everybody who was on the shortlist, or whatever, our focus is winning,” said Donalds, who was on Trump’s potential list of vice presidential candidates. “That’s the focus. It’s been the focus from day one. That hasn’t changed.” 

RNC speaker Madeline Brame calls out CNN after interview on son’s death

Madeline Brame was billed as the most powerful and emotional speech during the second night of the Republican National Convention. Madeline Brame is now calling out left wing media for only giving her the time of day to tell her story since she spoke at the RNC. 

“That’s my first time on CNN,” Brame said. “I’m grateful. I appreciate it. However, CNN has known about the story for six years and it shows some insincerity and some mischievousness.”

Brame also is hitting back at CNN for trying to spin her son’s death and those who were convicted of his murder.

“You know, please don’t take my story and try to spin it some type of way,” Brame said. “To to make it seem like my son was somehow deserving to be murdered. Or that I shouldn’t be sitting here accepting two people instead of four people being charged with murder.”

The mother, from New York, spoke at the RNC as an “everyday American” about her how son was murdered and Alvin Bragg tried to get the four men charged with his death reduced sentences and a massive plea deal.

J.D. Vance’s late grandmother celebrated by rowdy RNC crowd

As Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) took the stage to accept the vice presidential nomination, the Ohio senator paid tribute to his late grandmother, who he refers to as Mamaw, for raising him as a child. 

Vance shared a number of stories while growing up, such as Mamaw’s tendency to “say the ‘F-word’” and when she once threatened Vance as a boy not to hang out with a boy know for dealing drugs — telling him if he did it again, she would “run him over with her car.” 

Vance’s stories were met with laughs and cheers from the crowd, as they began to chant “Mamaw”! Mamaw! Mamaw!”

War hero, 98, captures hearts of the RNC crowd

One of the most well-received guests of the night was World War II veteran Sgt. William Pekrul. 

Pekrul shared his experience of storming the Normandy Beach and other stories from the war. In the most heart-warming moment of the speech, the 98-year-old veteran said he would “reenlist” if Trump were president.

He received a standing ovation and chants of “USA! USA!” as he concluded his speech, which Pekrul basked in before exiting. 

Who was in Trump’s box section?

The guests sitting in the “Make America Great Once Again” section with Trump Wednesday evening, were a who’s who of the GOP.

Two popular governors in the party joined Trump including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA). Both men spoke at the convention this week.

Other Republicans seated with Trump included Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX). Trump family members were also spotted in Trump’s section including son Eric and Lara Trump, who is also co-chair of the RNC, along with Donald Trump Jr.’s fiance Kimberley Guilfoyle.

Vance’s mom, Beverly Aikins, was also in the section and received applause when her son championed her 10-year sobriety.