(CNN)Contributors weigh in with their tweets on the first night of the Republican National Convention.
Look, this RNC night 1 was apocalyptic, nihilistic and at many times dishonest. It was also well-produced and highly effective. If its only job was to fire up the existing base, and not win new voters, it seems like it was mission accomplished.
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) August 25, 2020
First night of RNC convention makes clear that Trump's strategy is to boost base turnout because they've given up on attracting swing voters. Along with massive voter suppression, it just might work.
— Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) August 25, 2020
President Trump ought to be really happy with tonight. For the most part, all speakers made a compelling, optimistic case for the party & his reelection. Off to a good start re-framing the convo around a choice, which he needs to win. Good start for the @GOP #GOPConvention2020
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) August 25, 2020
The RNC production has been smooth, clean, efficient. But the DNC's production was much more original, dazzling, moving
— Frida Ghitis (@FridaGhitis) August 25, 2020
The Dem convention featured much discussion of what a great dad @JoeBiden is; riding Amtrak four hours a day to put his boys to bed and make them breakfast each morning after tragedy. Even Trump's son doesn't try to make the case that he's loving and caring. #GOPConvention2020
— Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) August 25, 2020
Tim Scott's speech is by far the best of the night. Compelling personal story & really sold his Opportunity Zones very hard. #RepublicanConvention
— Charlie Dent (@RepCharlieDent) August 25, 2020
Tim Scott attacks Biden on race issues but doesn't challenge Donald Trump, who lied about President Obama's birth certificate, who led a lynch mob against the exonerated Central Park Five, and who just a few weeks ago tweeted a post of a supporter chanting "white power." #RNC2020
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) August 25, 2020
Looks like Senator Tim Scott is the only one not to get the make everything about @realDonaldTrump memo. He's actually telling his story.
— Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) August 25, 2020
I suspect the themes in @DonaldJTrumpJr remarks will find alot of nodding heads in middle America #GOPConvention2020
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) August 25, 2020
He's not obligated, but it's striking that Trump Junior didn't say a single positive, personal thing about his father
— Elliot Williams (@elliotcwilliams) August 25, 2020
Nikki Haley is talented, made compelling arguments and should have a future in GOP politics. But saying things like Donald Trump "has a record of strength and success" in foreign policy dings her credibility. #RNCConvention
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) August 25, 2020
Nikki Halley is, by far, the most effective speaker of the night for the GOP - both in her words and her tone. No anger or yelling. Optimistic.
— Doug Heye (@DougHeye) August 25, 2020
I'm not one for conventional wisdom but we know that if one party is pretending to hold the other party's values that means they're losing right?
— jess mcintosh (@jess_mc) August 25, 2020
Asked by a Democrat who lived through 2004.
Haley with a terrific point about Biden's boss -- last time, Obama. This time - far more liberal, extreme people. Really good contrasting speech. #RNC2020
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) August 25, 2020
Nikki Haley was better when she told the truth about Donald Trump in 2016.pic.twitter.com/Z7UmHYqtf7
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) August 25, 2020
Maximo Alvarez, the businessman from Florida, is extremely compelling
— Elliot Williams (@elliotcwilliams) August 25, 2020
This is a much more emotional convention than the Dems put on. The key here is having ordinary Americans who were in some way "victims" tell their story.
— Matt Lewis (@mattklewis) August 25, 2020
I know combat vet @SeanParnellUSA. He and I don't agree on everything, as anyone who's watched him on my show can attest. I like to push him. But that was an effective speech, and I always like to take an opportunity to thank him for his service. 🇺🇸#RNCConvention
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) August 25, 2020
No surprise thus far. In contrast to the big tent Democrats displayed last week, Trump's GOP is speaking (or yelling) to its base only. Not looking to expand it. Basically the dark, dystopian & extremely negative tone we're now used to given the last 3+ years. #RNCConvention2020
— Mitch Landrieu (@MitchLandrieu) August 25, 2020
Guilfoyle was angry, loud & over the top. #RepublicanConvention
— Charlie Dent (@RepCharlieDent) August 25, 2020
There will be movies made attempting to recreate the level of mania during the Trump era and no actress will ever, ever be able to capture the level of sheer frenzy we just witnessed by Kimberly Guilfoyle.
— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) August 25, 2020
Screaming like a banshee in an empty room is extreme,y weird.
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) August 25, 2020
Reminder (applies to both parties): Even messaging that superficially seems like it's targeting another group—on criminal justice reform, for example—is often aimed at suburban white women ...
— Sarah Isgur (@whignewtons) August 25, 2020
Like the DNC, so far the RNC shows how much conventions have become made-for-television events since 1968. Though the delegates are not there, much of what we see follows the basic format that has developed over the past few decades.
— Julian Zelizer (@julianzelizer) August 25, 2020
A show of support for preachers, teachers, law enforcement & our military is a pretty good start to the #GOPConvention
— Alice Stewart (@alicetweet) August 25, 2020
In case you're already confused from watching tonight's convention, it bears mentioning: neither faith in Jesus nor patriotism are partisan values.
— Elliot Williams (@elliotcwilliams) August 25, 2020
The clips of Gov. Cuomo praising Trump are amazing.
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) August 25, 2020
Jon Voight kicks off the RNC with, among other tall tales:
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) August 25, 2020
"We chose a man who cares, a man who loves America, a man who loves all Americans."
This would be a very good message if it weren't so easily refutable. #RNCConvention2020
Not bad for a Hollywood fantasy.
— Aaron David Miller (@aarondmiller2) August 25, 2020
"Dignity and respect for all." The Republican Convention opening narration describes American creed, the opposite of what Americans have seen in Trump.
— Frida Ghitis (@FridaGhitis) August 25, 2020
With @NikkiHaley and @DonaldJTrumpJr speaking on the same platform tonight, you could be watching a partial preview of the '24 @GOP primary,
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) August 25, 2020
There are only two real storylines at this convention -- the kids fighting for a bigger piece of the inheritance and Republicans jockeying for position to run in 2024.
— Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) August 25, 2020
Wondering what's in store for #RNC2020? President Trump has only a few paths to holding on to his power-- suppressing votes, appealing to our worst instincts, and attempting to smear Vice President Biden's character. My expectation is that we will see all three.
— Mitch Landrieu (@MitchLandrieu) August 24, 2020
