Here's how the prominent Republicans skipping the RNC spent their Monday night


With Donald Trump the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, several notable members of the GOP chose not to attend the Republican National Convention.
Reuters asked several leading Republicans who decided to skip Cleveland what they're up to this week, and their answers involved everything from eating ice cream to writing a book about democracy. Mitt Romney, the 2012 nominee, is spending time with 36 members of his family at an annual summer gathering in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, his spokesperson said. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the 2008 nominee, is working on a reelection bid, and spent the night in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife, attending an ice cream party with volunteers. Although he's staying away from the convention, McCain has endorsed Trump, and said he isn't there so he can focus on his own campaign.
Trump rival and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told Reuters he's "working out of my office in Miami this week" (his father, former President George Bush, and brother, former President George W. Bush, were also no-shows), and eye doctor and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is providing free eye care in Paducah, Kentucky. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) remains in his home state, discussing how to stop toxic algae from overtaking waterways (a taped message from Rubio will be played at the convention Wednesday).
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Meanwhile, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who reportedly was approached to be Trump's running mate, is at her home in Palo Alto, California, and her chief of staff said she is working on a book about democracy. Former Vice President Dick Cheney is also out west in Wyoming, helping his daughter, Liz Cheney, with her congressional campaign.
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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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