Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision to hold a rally in Milwaukee during the middle of her convention may appear on the surface like it could split her supporters’ attentions.
However, in the recent history of nominating conventions, this is not an uncommon occurrence. It is worth noting that under former President Donald Trump, it became more customary for a nominee to attend each night of their party’s gathering.
For instance, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held a rally on the first night of her convention in 2016, speaking to supporters in Charlotte, North Carolina, while the convention was commencing in Philadelphia.
Similarly, when former President Barack Obama was seeking reelection in 2012, he traveled to Norfolk, Virginia, for a rally on the first night of the Democratic Convention, only returning to the convention’s host city of Charlotte the day before his acceptance speech.
In 2008, during Obama's first presidential campaign, he was campaigning in Kansas City while former first lady Michelle Obama delivered her speech on the convention’s opening night. Obama watched the speech from a supporter’s home and appeared via screen afterward with his family.
Even former Sen. John McCain was not present at the Republican convention in 2008 on its first night, as he was assisting disaster relief volunteers in Ohio packing supplies for hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast.
Former President George W. Bush also had a busy schedule during the 2004 Republican convention in New York, making stops in New Hampshire, Tennessee, Iowa, and Ohio.
Moreover, former Secretary of State John Kerry was seen in Norfolk and Philadelphia before making his way to the convention in Boston.
