Hemmer knows a historical event when he sees one. The man who covered 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and the Iraq War predicts this month’s Republican National Convention “will be the greatest show on earth.” The 51-year-old, who mans Fox News’ “Bill Board” during the network’s election coverage, returns to Quicken Loans Arena, where he hosted the party’s first undercard debate in August. “I think Cleveland is getting the most important story in America and possibly the most interesting story of the year,” says the Cincinnati native.
On Trump’s confidence: I remember all the candidates coming into the arena for a sound check last August. Sixteen of the 17 did a walk-through, and one did not. That was Trump. From the moment he stepped inside that night, he owned the place. He’s been on a roll I’ve never seen before, and I think it’s telling us something.
On why Trump decided to run: This is something he thought about for a long time. I think his conclusion, as he sat in his tower on Fifth Avenue, was that 51 percent of America was not happy.
On the Bill Board: This will be my third presidential election with the board. I think it’s one of the more coveted slots, because I’m seeing the information before anyone else. I like numbers, geography and politics, so it all seems to work together for me.
On the excitement of covering elections: This, in my view, is as close as you can come to covering sports. Game plans and strategies play out from year to year, day to day and hour to hour.
On why this election is different: There’s a lot of novelty in this election, and it’s very difficult to predict what twists and turns it will take. But something is moving in America that needs to be understood. It’s safe to say that a couple million Americans will get serious by the third week in October, and it will be a very close election come November.
On potential protests during the
convention: There will be drama. I do remember Philadelphia in 2000 when they were trying to clear protestors off the exit ramps on the highways. I think Cleveland is going to have some of that. This will not be a standard convention.