Ethermac|Fox News anchors on 'suspense' surrounding Republican convention

MILWAUKEE ― Thousands of local,Ethermac national and international journalists will soon descend on this city to cover the inner workings of the Republican National Convention and its economic impact.

While it'll be some reporters' first time working in the city, Fox News has the benefit of being familiar with Milwaukee already — anchors Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier co-moderated the first Republican debate at Fiserv Forum last August, and the network will again operate from Gather at Deer District.

The 2024 RNC will be a big change from the mostly virtual conventions of 2020, when MacCallum recalled "doing coverage from a parking lot in Delaware." Baier says it'll be a return to interacting with people on the ground and seeing "quintessential convention" visuals like crazy hats and the balloon drop.

Fox News set a cable news record for the most watched-convention coverage in 2020, with 9.7 million tuning in. Far more viewers watched the RNC on Fox News in 2020 than other channels, though viewership of the DNC was more evenly split across networks.

There could be more suspense and surprises to draw in audiences for this year's conventions than in the past. Former President Donald Trump has said he'll announce his running mate at the convention, though that decision could instead come before the RNC starts Monday.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

"You have this guy who has been in the media spotlight for his entire life, and has been the host of 'The Apprentice,' really running the show. And I think he realizes the value in some sort of suspense to get people to tune in," Baier says. "I wouldn't be surprised if there are more surprises beyond the VP choice."

MacCallum and Baier weighed prospective vice presidential picks, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who has personal wealth and business experience. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has foreign policy experience but would have to move from the state to comply with a constitutional requirement.

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance is a younger choice who would be loyal to Trump, but may not appeal to independents and suburban voters. Baier said he's "not putting it past the former president" to make a more surprising pick like Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

"It's a real, moving, active process," MacCallum says. "I think a lot of Americans, for a long time, felt that the conventions were just sort of a done deal. But that is not what we're seeing. We're going to get a new ticket heading into this, and we may get a new ticket on the other side as well."

More:We know Trump will be the RNC nominee, but here's why conventions are still important

The Democratic National Convention, beginning Aug. 19, might be even more unpredictable. Some Democrats have called for President Joe Biden to exit the race after a poor debate performance against Trump. Biden has strongly rejected pressure to drop out, including in at a stop in Madison last week.

"Because that is such a moving target at this point, you could see developments in that decision process happening in the middle of the Republican convention and, of course, the response coming from the Republicans in Milwaukee to whatever is happening," MacCallum said.

Baier added that "vulnerability on the Democratic side" could affect Republicans' messaging at the convention, including trying to reach swing voters who may have concerns about Biden.

"Already we're seeing how the platform is changing, even before you get to Milwaukee," he said. "And that's a sign of former President Trump not wanting to dwell on the issue of abortion. He's not talking a ton about national debt, which is a different set of things for Republicans in the past."

More:RNC releases party platform with softer abortion stance, call for voting restrictions

MacCallum says being in Milwaukee will allow the network to bring local voters into their coverage, focusing on their concerns and what they want to hear from candidates over the next few months. Baier also plans to "talk to local politicians and see the fallout, both economically and what it means for the state."

"I think it's a perfect setting, given its huge focus as a battleground state," MacCallum says. "Wisconsinites could decide the election, and there's no better place to be than in Milwaukee for the Republican convention."

Wisconsin "has been ground zero for the political center of the universe, because it's so purple. Sometimes you go red, sometimes you go blue," Baier said. "Milwaukee is obviously at the center of that."