Democrats in Wisconsin are worried that the violence in Kenosha President Trump could help woo suburban voters with the message of inevitable destruction under liberal leadership.
“There’s no doubt it’s playing into Trump’s hands,” said Paul Soglin, who has served more than 20 years as mayor of Madison, Wis., On and off, telling Politico about the recent unrest. “There are a significant number of undecided voters who are not ideological, and they can very easily go from Republican to the Democratic column and back again.
“They are actually the people who decide elections. And they are very confused about both the horrific massacre that is being perpetrated by police officers in the murder of African-Americans, and … for the safety of their communities,” he continued.
Kenosha, a small town with a population of about 100,000 people, has been overrun by riots, looting, arson and several fatal shootings since Sunday, when Jacob Blake, the father of six from Wisconsin, was shot seven times by a police officer. .
Blake, 29, approached his car with his back to police as they tried to stop him when he was shot seven times. Three of his young sons were in the back seat of the car at the time of the shooting.
The officers were in the area responding to a fight.
“The opportunism of [Trump] in this swing state – he’s already hooked on it. He has already set his large stream of petrol on fire here, ‘Kirk Ingram, a Democrat who owns a business in Kenosha, told the outlet.
President Trump has vowed to crack down on the protests, tweeting Wednesday that the National Guard and federal agents would be deployed to quell the unrest after Gov. Tony Evers agreed to accept the deployment.
“We will NOT stand for looting, arson, violence, and lawlessness on American streets. My team just got off the phone with Governor Evers who agreed to accept federal aid (Portland should do the same!),” He wrote. the Commander-in-Chief, “TODAY I will send federal law enforcement and the National Guard to Kenosha., WI to restore LAW and ORDER!”
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden meanwhile released a statement Monday pointing out Blake’s shooting, but condemned the looting only until Wednesday in person.
“As I said after the murder of George Floyd, protesting against brutality is a right and absolutely necessary. But burning communities is not a protest, it is unnecessary violence – violence that endangers lives, violence that attracts businesses and attracts businesses that serve the community. That is wrong, ”the former vice president said in a video uploaded to his social media.
Vice President Mike Pence condemned Biden and the Democratic Party for failing to respond to the violence earlier, while accepting the Vice Presidential nomination on Wednesday night.
“Last week, Joe Biden did not say a word about the violence and chaos that is overcoming cities in this country. Let me be clear: the violence must stop, whether in Minneapolis, Portland or Kenosha.
“Too many heroes have died defending our freedoms to see Americans beat each other. We will have law and order on our streets, ‘he told the audience.
Meanwhile in the small Wisconsin town, residents smoked to Politico about the looting.
“The National Guard must now be on the corner. Look at this. It looks like I’m in the slums of LA, ‘said Kenosha resident Ron Dooley as he pointed to blocks of destruction.
Dooley told the outlet he was on his way to check to see if his favorite dinner had burned down.
Billy Stevens, who is black, also said the violence was helpful to the commander-in-chief in his reorganization effort.
“[Trump] trying to paint a picture of Democratic leaders who are weak. Personally, I think it is divisive at times like this, ‘said Stevens, adding that he nevertheless believed that the city needed order at the moment.
“Now we are immediately sending in more troops for a big show of strength. I think it’s necessary right now. ”
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