FOX News Channel’s Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier Preview an Unconventional Convention Season

FOX News Channel

The political parties’ parties haven’t gone as planned.

The Democratic and Republican National Conventions were supposed to take place with all the pomp, circumstance and spectacle for which these massive events are famous. But this is 2020, and COVID-19 has rudely tossed “supposed to” out the door.

“COVID-19 will have a vote and will likely dictate what each convention looks like,” says FOX News election co-anchor Bret Baier. “I think both conventions will look a lot different, but traditionally they are the time that launches both campaigns. They are covered on TV and give each candidate a lot of eyeballs to start the race. We will have a smaller footprint, but we will be there and so will the big issues facing our country.”

The scaled-back DNC will now take place Aug. 17-20 in Milwaukee and include virtual events and smaller gatherings in different cities. Delegates won’t make the trip and will instead remotely cast their votes. Joe Biden is still expected to accept the nomination in Milwaukee, but it will look and feel far different from anything in the past.

“Like so much of life these days, it will be mostly a Zoom show,” says  Martha MacCallum, Baier’s co-anchor on the FOX News election desk. “Trying to generate that same punch online and with social distancing among those who are there will likely deflate some of the air from the balloons that are always the big finish.”

ALSO SEE: 5 Questions With FOX News Channel’s Martha MacCallum

“A more digital presentation may be filled with more well-produced videos and more people weighing in from around the country via video,” Baier says. “Expect things to look a lot different, and the challenge will be for the organizers to still create excitement in the presentation.”

The RNC will conduct its official business Aug. 24 in Charlotte, N.C., but plans for holding the traditional rallies and celebrations in Jacksonville, Fla., have been canceled. Details on Donald Trump’s speech accepting his party’s nomination for reelection had not been officially announced.

Covering these conventions poses new challenges for CNN, FOX News Channel and MSNBC. The Wall Street Journal reported that the major news networks were in discussions to share resources and reduce the overall number of journalists, staff and crew attending the events in person.

The success or failure of the 2020 conventions could also force the parties to reevaluate how much money and resources to put toward future gatherings. “For years the discussion has been that conventions merely ratify a foregone conclusion and are perhaps not necessary,” MacCallum says. “This summer we will find out.”

“Expect things to look a lot different and the challenge will be for the organizers to still create excitement in the presentation,” Baier says. “There are big issues that we’re facing as a country. Those issues will be front and center at both conventions — no matter what they look like.”

4 Comments

  1. For heavens sake shut up. Is the Republican Convention on tonight.???? You sure can’t tell it. For pete’s sake, stop talking and let us hear the speeches. We listen to you every day and there is plenty of time to talk about the convention when it’s not on. Isn’t the idea of the convention to sway the American people. How can you do that when we can’t even listen to the speeches. ENOUGH. Let us hear them You can talk later!!!! I’ve had it with you people. You like the sound of your own voices too much.

  2. Tell me ONE THING, ONE STATEMENT, ONE PROPOSED POLICY MEASURE that has been truthful or makes good common sense and will improve our country that anyone has stated in the (taped) Democratic Primary thus far. They are truly a bunch of crazy, crooked, hypocritical, wacked out idiots.

  3. Please guys, your coverage of Jill’s (taped) speech was a joke! How is her husband going to bring back “the laughter” is school rooms when they are the ones In favor of closing them down. How hypocritical and you two just sucked up to her. How ridiculous. I will not be watching you any further. Fox News is selling out. You are no longer “Fair and Balanced”. You should be ashamec!

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About Ryan Berenz 2166 Articles
Member of the Television Critics Association. Charter member of the Ancient and Mystic Society of No Homers. Squire of the Ancient & Benevolent Order of the Lynx, Lodge 49, Long Beach, Calif. Costco Wholesale Gold Star Member since 2011.