One of the functions of a convention is to help the faithful identify the next leaders of the party. The list of speakers for this year’s extravaganza, however, is very heavily weighted towards Trump family members and loyalists, and low on potential candidates for 2020. Pence is on the list, of course, but that could hardly be avoided. Tom Cotton and Nikki Haley are also on the list. Rubio and Cruz are not included; nor are any members of the Bush family. Josh Hawley is also excluded.
What does this mean? There will be no distance between the party and pure Trumpism in the eyes of the voters in 2020. There will be no meaningful policy debates, and no logical successor will emerge. Everything will be put on hold until after the election. If Trump loses, all hell will break loose.