Live or virtual conventions? Texas parties may preview national split

Texas this week will preview the sharp divergence that may lie ahead as the Republican and Democratic parties grapple with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the 2020 election.

The Texas Democratic Party has transformed its state convention this week into an entirely online event, complete with speeches from presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden and other top party leaders and an unprecedented effort to conduct virtual training for volunteer organizers. Meanwhile, the state Republican Party is steaming ahead with plans for a completely in-person convention in Houston in July that will not require the wearing of masks, according to Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey.

The contrasting approaches may foreshadow the differences approaching as national Democrats openly consider whether to move their Milwaukee convention partly or entirely online and President Donald Trump pushes North Carolina officials to allow him to host his Charlotte renomination convention without any requirements for mask-wearing or reduced attendance. CONT.

Ronald Brownstein, CNN


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