Tuesday's Republican convention was supposed to be about jobs. Guess what was barely mentioned?


The theme of Tuesday night's Republican National Convention was "Make America Work Again," but it might have more accurately been dubbed "Work to Make America Hate Hillary Clinton." According to a tally from FiveThirtyEight, speakers on Tuesday said "Hillary" 87 times, "Clinton" 70 times, and "jobs" just 24 times. "Donald" was said 59 times, as was "Trump" — and two of Trump's children were among the featured speakers. "Work" fared better than jobs, with 37 mentions, and "business" tied with "government" at 25 nods.
Donald Trump's son Don Jr. and daughter Tiffany probably account for the bulk of the business talk. Most of the night felt like a criminal trial for Clinton — in fact, Chris Christie literally laid out his case to the Republican delegate jury. Ben Carson went Biblical on Clinton, and House Speaker Paul Ryan dedicated much more of his speech to attacking Clinton that he did supporting Trump. Now, Trump leads a divided party, so it makes sense that the Republicans would unite around a common foe if they can't all rally around their nominee. It will be interesting to see how the Democrats handle Trump next week.
But it is also true that in a night billed as focused on the "need to get America's economy up and running ... and get Americans working again," Republicans had basically four policy prescriptions to make that happen: Repeal ObamaCare, dig more coal, rip up government regulations, and elect Donald Trump. Or, as Hillary Clinton put it:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
For what it's worth, Wednesday's theme is scheduled to be "Make America First Again."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 27, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - setting fires, flying south, and more
By The Week US
-
5 classified cartoons about Pete Hegseth's precarious position
Cartoons Artists take on confidential texts, centerfold candidates, and more
By The Week US
-
The thermal springs and ancient tombs of Bulgaria
The Week Recommends A gorgeous Rose Valley, hilltop tomb and relaxing spa all in a town untainted by tourist crowds
By The Week UK
-
Judge blocks key part of Trump's elections overhaul
Speed Read Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's decision temporarily bars federal officials from requiring Americans to prove they are citizens to register to vote
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Hegseth's chief of staff joins Pentagon exodus
Speed Read Joe Kasper has stepped down, leaving the Defense Secretary 'increasingly isolated'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
A dozen states sue Trump to halt tariffs
Speed Read The states sued in the US Court of International Trade, seeking to stop tariffs they say will damage their economies
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump blames Zelenskyy for peace deal setbacks
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the US proposal, which includes Russia's takeover of Crimea
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Musk vows DOGE pullback as Tesla profits plunge
Speed Read The Tesla SEO says he will soon step back from government matters to devote more time to the company
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
IMF sees slump from tariffs, Trump tries to calm markets
Speed Read The International Monetary Fund predicts the U.S. and global economies will slow significantly due to the president's trade war
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump stands by Hegseth amid ouster reports
Speed Read The president dismissed reports that he was on the verge of firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a second national security breach
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US