Analysts praise Nikki Haley, Tim Scott for delivering RNC speeches with broadest appeal

(Image credit: OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

published 25 August 2020

The opening night of the Republican National Convention was seen by analysts as an appeal to President Trump's base rather than an effort to reel in undecided votes. Two speakers, though, were widely considered exceptions to the rule: former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), both of whom may be eyeing a 2024 presidential run.

The South Carolinians drew praise for their "measured" deliveries that observers expect will have a broader reach than some of the more dramatic speeches that took place throughout Monday evening.

Another common theme among reactions to the speeches, especially Scott's, was the relative lack of reference to Trump. Indeed, it was suggested their remarks felt almost like they were from a different era. Tim O'Donnell

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Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.