Local Republicans pleased with RNC

The Republican National Convention wrapped up Thursday night with President Donald J. Trump’s official nominee acceptance speech.

Area republicans thought the convention went well overall.

Rep. Hardy Billington said he’s looking forward to “even greater accomplishments” over the course of the next four years.

“President Trump’s campaign slogan in 2016 was ‘Make America Great Again,’” he said. “I believe he has accomplished this goal and fulfilled the promises he made.”

Billington served as a delegate at the last three conventions, starting in 2008, but was not one this year.

He said watching the national convention reminded him of that honor. He said the 2016 convention was “more dramatic” than his first two, and “you didn’t know what each moment would bring.”

He served on the platform committee that year and said he’s happy that the same platform was elected this year. The coronavirus kept most delegates from attending the convention in person this year.

“Despite differences in the atmosphere, the convention has fulfilled its most important role, that of clarifying the party’s vision for the next four years,” he said.

“Watching at home, I am encouraged by what I hear, as noted by the daily themes: land of heroes, promise, opportunities, greatness, because I think these are ideas that instill pride and inspiration in all Americans,” he said.

Joe Leahy with the Butler County Republican Central Committee said he hasn’t been able to watch the convention every night like he would have liked, but thought it was overall very motivating for the Republican party and people who are trying to decide who to vote for.

“President Trump is going to work diligently to keep our economy improving (and) to bounce back from this coronavirus blip that we’ve had,” Leahy said. “He definitely wants to make the United States the premier country in the world. It’s very exciting that he’s telling people his ideas for the country.”

In his acceptance speech Thursday night, given on the South Lawn of the White House, Trump discussed continuing to build the economy, reaching for new heights and developing a spirit of unity.

He said there will be a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year.

Additionally, he discussed the construction of the border wall near the Mexico border, two new Supreme Court justices, withdrawing from the Iran Nuclear Deal and a Middle East deal.

“When I’m re-elected, the best is yet to come,” he said.

Leahy said the convention felt very positive and thought it appealed to the younger generation in the country.

“I see a very positive trend where we’re seeing younger members of our community and our nation seeing conservative values are so strong and can do wonders for themselves and the country,” he said.