Currents News Staff
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan kicked off the Republican National Convention in primetime with a prayer.
“Pray we must that all lives may be protected and respected in our troubled cities and the police who guard them,” he prayed, “intense swirled situations, where our men and women in uniform keep the peace for the innocent life of the baby in the womb.”
The subject of religion was something the speakers at the GOP convention didn’t shy away from.
“People of faith are under attack. You’re not allowed to go to church, but mass chaos in the streets gets a pass,” said Donald J. Trump. “It’s almost like this election is shaping up to be church, work and school versus rioting, looting and vandalism.”
The Republicans went on the attack, beginning their rebuttal to the Democrats’ convention last week. Senator Tim Scott spoke about former Vice President Joe Biden.
“Look at what he already did, and what he didn’t do while he’s been in Washington for 47 years,” he said.
With President Donald Trump facing sharp criticism for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic the convention’s first night put front-line workers in the spotlight.
“Our hearts overflow with appreciation for the incredible front-line workers,” he said.
Trump also sought to counter the Democrats’ charge that he lacks empathy.
“I got to see who President Trump really is,” said Andrew Pollack, whose daughter died in the Parkland school shooting. “He’s a good man and a great listener.”
Others drew contrasts of their own between the two candidates, like former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, on foreign policy.
“This president has a record of strength and success, “she said. “The former vice president has a record of weakness and failure.”
Preparations are being made at the White House, including the newly-renovated Rose Garden, where First Lady Melania Trump will speak Tuesday night. President Trump will give his acceptance speech from the South Lawn August 27.
“I think you’ll see a very hopeful vision for America that he’s going to be unleashing,” said Jared Kushner. “You’re going to see a real diversity of the Republican party he’s built.”