The Republican National Convention is set to kick off in Milwaukee today, just two days after an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The shocking incident has left the nation horrified and intensified political divisions, but Trump and his team remain resilient as they move forward with the event, showcasing the former president and his platform.

The atmosphere of the four-day convention is expected to be different this year, with a heightened focus on security and a somber acknowledgment of how close Trump came to losing his life. While Republican officials are determined to stick to their plans and schedule, the attack has sparked bipartisan condemnation and calls for unity.

Some Republicans have placed blame on President Joe Biden, citing his remarks that portrayed Trump as a threat to democracy. There are those who demand the dismissal of the criminal cases Trump is facing, including one in which he has already been convicted. However, as the event unfolds, the question remains whether speeches will become even more fiery or if calls for calm will prevail.

The Republican Party, known for its recent history of dissent, aims to display unity at this convention. Despite facing legal challenges and a controversial presidency that culminated in the January 6th Capitol insurrection, Trump's political standing seems to have been galvanized by his supporters. As a result, the show of unity is expected to be even more pronounced.

While Trump has yet to name a running mate for his potential 2024 White House campaign, an announcement may be made as early as today. The top contenders for the position, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, are scheduled to address Republican delegates throughout the week. Traditionally, the vice-presidential running mate is expected to give an address on Wednesday night.

Trump has drawn comparisons between his search for a running mate and his former reality TV show, "The Apprentice," leading to speculation that he may reveal his selection onstage at the convention. Alternatively, he could make the announcement through social media, as he did in 2016 when he chose Mike Pence.

Prior to the assassination attempt, the 2024 race was mired in Democratic upheaval after Biden's lackluster debate performance prompted calls for him to step down as the party's nominee. This raised the possibility that Trump may face a different opponent in the next election. Republicans have long criticized Biden's competency, but now they also focus on Vice President Kamala Harris, referring to "the Biden-Harris administration."

The theme for the first day of the convention is "Make America Wealthy Once Again," with a focus on economics, a key issue for swing voters. Trump's proposals, such as imposing higher tariffs on foreign-made goods and extending the expiring tax cuts from 2017, are expected to take center stage. In contrast, Biden aims to extend middle-class tax cuts while raising taxes on profitable companies and the wealthiest Americans.

Republicans are likely to emphasize inflation, despite a recent report from the Labor Department indicating that the worst price spike in four decades is gradually fading. Biden warns that Trump's tariffs would only exacerbate the problem.

As Trump endeavors to win over undecided and moderate voters, the question arises as to what extent he will feature far-right figures from his circle, perpetuate his baseless claims of election fraud, call for retribution against his opponents, and embrace those who participated in the Capitol riot. These messages may prove divisive rather than persuasive to the voters he seeks to sway.

While Trump takes the spotlight at the Republican National Convention, Biden is scheduled for a prime-time interview with Lester Holt on NBC. Despite canceling his planned trip to Texas and temporarily suspending his reelection campaign's television ads in the aftermath of the shooting, Biden will be flying to Nevada later today to address the NAACP convention in Las Vegas and interview with the BET network.

The Biden campaign is determined to highlight the contrasts between the president and Trump, portraying the former president as a threat to democracy and the nation's founding values. Despite the need to soften this message immediately after the shooting, Biden remains committed to keeping the campaign's momentum on track.

As the Republican National Convention commences, the nation watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful and unifying event amidst the challenging circumstances.