GOP clings to convention message amid uproar over Blake shooting

Republicans are sticking to their message during the third night of the GOP National Convention, even amid a national uproar over the Jacob Blake police shooting in Wisconsin.

Back-to-back speakers clung to well-known talking points, tipped their hand to ‘cancel culture’, warned of ‘violent mobs’ and beat Democrats over abortion at a time when the country is being shaken by another police shooting party of a Black American, the Gulf Coast is facing a catastrophic hurricane, cases of coronavirus continue to climb and California is fighting wildfires.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi NoemKristi Lynn Noem Pence condemns Kenosha violence, supports police in convention speech GOP women offer personal testimony about Trump GOP sticks to convention message amid uproar over Blake shooting MORE (R) helped set the tone for Wednesday’s theme, warning in the first speech of the night that “our basic principles are being attacked.”

“From Seattle and Portland to Washington and New York, democratic cities across this country are being invaded by violent mobs. The violence is rampant. There is looting, chaos, destruction and murder,” she added.

Comments from Rep. Dan CrenshawDaniel CrenshawGOP clings to convention message amid uproar over Blake shooting The Hill’s Convention Report: Mike and Karen Pence set off on the third night of convention William Shatner rails against Space Force officers in MORE (R), delivered from his home state of Texas, focused on the country’s ‘heroes’, while Michael McHale, the president of the National Association of Police Organizations, warned of ‘chaos’ over American cities.

“The violence and bloodshed we see in these and other cities does not happen by accident; it is the direct result of refusing law enforcement to protect our communities. Joe BidenJoe Biden The memo: Trump uses convention to target key states Pence condemns Kenosha violence, supports police in convention speech Biden praises Milwaukee Bucks response to Jacob Blake shoots MORE has transferred his candidacy to the far-left, anti-law enforcement radicals, ‘he said.

And Sen. Marsha BlackburnMarsha Blackburn Pence condemns Kenosha violence, supports police in convention speech GOP women offer personal testimony about Trump GOP sticks to convention message amid uproar over Blake shooting MORE (R-Tenn.), Who has been a vocal defender of the president, warned that Democrats are trying to “cancel our heroes.”

“I’m talking about the heroes of our law enforcement and armed services. Leftists are trying to turn them into villains. They want to ‘cancel’ them. But I’m here to tell you that these heroes can not be canceled,” she said.

Blackburn claimed that Biden, his running mate, Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala HarrisGOP clings to convention message amid uproar over Blake police squad calls Biden-Harris’ most radical anti-police ticket in history ‘Latino Victory to encourage Alex Padilla to fill Harris’ potential Senate seat MORE (D-Calif.), And “their radical allies are trying to destroy these heroes, because if there are no heroes to inspire us, the government can control us.”

The talk of ‘mobs’, in an apparent reference to rolling protests in recent months around the country, and support for law enforcement comes as the country wrestles with the latest police-involved shooting of a Black American.

Kenosha, Wis., Is shocked by days of protests that have at times become violent following the shooting of Blake police, who was shot several times at close range Sunday in an incident recorded on video. Blake underwent surgery Tuesday, and a lawyer representing his family said Blake is now paralyzed from the waist down. Blake’s family said they were launching a civil lawsuit against the Kenosha Police Department.

The shooting resounded outside of Wisconsin. NBA playoff games scheduled for Wednesday were postponed after the Milwaukee Bucks announced they would boycott their playoff game against the Orlando Magic that day to protest the shooting of Blake.

The shooting comes after a summer of protests, and occasional riots, after several police shootings, including of George Floyd in Minnesota and of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, who re-ignited a national debate on ending racial injustice and police violence.

The first two nights of the GOP convention included a number of black voices indicating Trump, including Sen. Tim ScottTimothy (Tim) Eugene Scott GOP holds on to convention message amid uproar over Blake firing Trump, GOP runs tight in the backseat of minority voters Marshall Kosloff over Tim Scott’s call for a cultural revolution MORE (RS.C.) and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

But the sentiment-good tone has been at odds with another key theme – police under attack, Democratic cities on fire and suburbs for an existential threat – that was a major focus on Wednesday night. Tonight’s rhetoric, aimed at dismissing Trump’s base, comes as polls show Biden has a significant lead over Black voters.

Several speakers also referred to Trump as anti-abortion, another major issue for the GOP base.

“President TrumpDonald John The Memo: Trump Uses Convention to Focus on Major States Conway Hots Trump as ‘Women’s Champion’ Former ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ Star Trace Adkins Sings at GOP Congress MORE will rise up against Biden-Harris, who is the most anti-life presidential candidate ever, even supporting the horrors of abortion and child murder of late, “Sister DeDe Byrne, a surgeon and member of the Little Workers of the Holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary religious order.