Republican Convention Day 4: Trump: No one will be safe in Joe Biden’s America
US President Donald Trump has warned the coming election will be a stark choice between two visions of America.
- ‘No one safe in Biden’s America’
- Trump lashes ‘authoritarian’ Dems
- Ivanka: I’ve seen Dad’s pain
- ‘Dems will take away your burgers’
- Biden’s lead less than Hillary’s
- Trump attacks ‘extreme’ Biden
Welcome to The Australian’s rolling coverage of the Republican National Convention. The fourth and final day has concluded, capped with Donald Trump’s address in which he lashed Joe Biden and the Democrats.
Donald Trump has warned the coming election will be a stark choice between two visions of America, one that cherishes freedom, safety and enterprise and another that seeks to tear down its heritage and way of life.
In a blockbuster speech at the White House to accept his Republican nomination, Mr Trump cast himself as an outsider president who had kept his promises against the odds. He said the nation was now at a crossroads as it chose between himself and the “radical left agenda” of his Democrat opponent Joe Biden.
“At no time before have voters faced a clearer choice between two parties, two visions, two philosophies, or two agendas,” Mr Trump said on the final day of the Republican National Convention.
“At the Democrat National Convention, Joe Biden and his party repeatedly assailed America as a land of racial, economic and social injustice. So tonight, I ask you a simple question: How can the Democrat Party ask to lead our country when it spends so much time tearing down our country?” Mr Trump said.
“In the left’s backward view, they do not see America as the most free, just and exceptional nation on Earth. Instead, they see a wicked nation that must be punished for its sins.”
Speaking in a spectacular setting on the South Lawn of the White House in front of more than 1000 people, Mr Trump pledged to rebuild the country’s economy, restore law and order to cities and defend ‘the American way of life.’
His 70 minute speech veered from patriotic optimism about America’s future to dark warnings about what might happen if the former vice president was elected in November.
“Everything we have achieved is now in danger, this is the most important election in the history of our country,” Mr Trump said.
“Joe Biden is not a saviour of America’s soul, he is a destroyer of American jobs and given the chance he will be the destroyer of American greatness,’ he said.
The president launched a blistering attack on Mr Biden’s policies on law and order, immigration, trade and foreign policy, portraying his 77-year-old opponent as a “Trojan horse for the left.”
“Make no mistake, if you give power to Joe Biden, the radical left will defund police departments all across America,” Mr Trump said. “They will make every city look like Democrat-run Portland, Oregon. No one will be safe in Biden’s America.
“If the Democrat party wants to stand with anarchists, agitators, looters and flag-burners, that is up to them, but I, as your president, will not be part of it.
“In the strongest possible terms, the Republican Party condemns the rioting, looting, arson and violence we have seen in Democrat-run cities all, like Kenosha, Minneapolis, Portland, Chicago, and New York, and many others Democrat-run.”
Mr Trump walked to the podium with First lady Melanie Trump and gave his speech amid a backdrop of American flags and an illuminated White House with his children and cabinet members watching on.
He said he accepted his party’s nomination for president “with a heart full of gratitude and boundless optimism” and pledged “a new spirit of unity that can only be realised through love of our great country.”
“America is not a land cloaked in darkness,” he said, referring to Mr Biden’s description of the US as living through ‘a season of darkness.’ “America is the torch that enlightens the entire world.
“We have spent the last four years reversing the damage Joe Biden inflicted over the last 47 years. At the Democrat convention, you barely heard a word about their agenda. But that’s not because they don’t have one. It’s because their agenda is the most extreme set of proposals ever put forward by a major party nominee.”
On China, Mr Trump claimed to have taken ‘the toughest, strongest, boldest action against China in American history by far.
In contrast he said Mr Biden “cheered the rise of China as a positive development for America and the world. China would own our country if Joe Biden gets elected,” he said.
“Joe Biden’s agenda is ‘Made in China,’ my agenda is ‘Made in the USA.’’
Mr Trump said it was the Republicans, not the Democrats, who were the defenders of freedoms and the American way of life.
“Our country wasn’t built on cancel-culture, speech codes and crushing conformity,’ he said, referring to the Democrats.
“The Republican Party goes forward united, determined and ready to welcome millions of Democrats, independents and anyone who believes in the greatness of America and the righteous heart of the American people.”
Mr Trump’s daughter Ivanka, who introduced his speech, described her father as the “people’s president” and a “warrior.”
“Dad, people attack you for being unconventional but I love you for being real and I respect you for being effective. Washington has not changed Donald Trump, Donald Trump has changed Washington,”she said.
“My father has strong convictions. He knows what he believes, and says what he thinks. Whether you agree with him or not, you always know where he stands. I recognise that my dad’s communication style is not to everyone’s taste. And I understand his tweets can feel a bit unfiltered. But the results – the results speak for themselves,” she said.
Other speakers during the televised two and a half hour final day program included former New York mayor and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani spoke of how New York and other cities around the country had seen murders and violence spike under Democrat mayors.
“All five of the top cities for homicides, like the cities with the worst rioting and looting, are governed by “Progressive’ Democrats,’ he said.
“It is clear that a vote for Biden and the Democrats creates the risk that you will bring this lawlessness to your city, town or suburb.’
Republican Senator Tom Cotton criticised Mr Biden’s foreign policy history, saying he was weak on terrorism and on China.
“Joe Biden aided and abetted China’s rise for 50 years with terrible trade deals,’ Senator Cotton said. “China is rooting for Joe Biden. We need a president who stands up for America, not one who takes a knee.’
Housing Secretary and former presidential aspirant Ben Carson, an African America, refuted allegations that Mr Trump was a racist and urged protesters on the streets of Kenosha in Wisconsin to come together peacefully to affect change.
“History reminds us that necessary change comes through hope and love, not senseless and destructive violence,” he said.
(Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia)
-
How Day Four of the RNC unfolded
Staff writers 1.30pm: ‘Under Biden, no one will be safe’
Donald Trump has concluded his acceptance speech, telling supporters: "No one will be safe in Biden’s America.”
Standing in front of 1,500 mostly maskless people Mr. Trump vowed to rebuild the economy and restore law and order in a second term and asked the nation to look beyond the challenging times brought by the pandemic and protests against police violence.
He asked voters to send Democrats a “very thundering message they will never forget” and called for the country to “reclaim our independence from the left’s repressive mandates.”
Mr. Trump framed the final weeks of the presidential race as a choice between the extreme policies offered by Mr Biden and the “righteous heart of the American people.”
“On November 3, we will make America safer, we will make America stronger, we will make America prouder, and we will make America greater than ever before.”
Rebecca Ballhaus 1.20pm: ‘Biden a Trojan horse for socialism’
In a crowded field of contenders for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, Joe Biden was among the most moderate candidates. You wouldn’t know it from this week’s Republican convention, where speakers have tried to cast Mr. Biden as a radical.
“At the Democrat convention, you barely heard a word about their agenda. But that’s not because they don’t have one,” Mr Trump said. “It’s because their agenda is the most extreme set of proposals ever put forward by a major party nominee. Joe Biden may claim he is an ‘ally of the Light,’ but when it comes to his agenda, Biden wants to keep you completely in the dark.”
Mr Trump and his allies have repeatedly tried to tie Mr Biden to the more progressive elements of his party. Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday accused Mr Biden of supporting the push among some Democrats and liberal groups to defund the police in response to cases of police brutality and racial inequity. Mr. Biden’s campaign has said he opposes those efforts but would seek to overhaul the criminal justice system.
Mr Trump also attacked a joint policy wish-list authored by Mr Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, his former rival for the presidential nomination, which the president referred to as the “Biden-Bernie Manifesto.” He criticized the former vice president’s policy proposals on immigration, energy, taxes, education and abortion. He accused him of wanting to “demolish the suburbs.”
The president’s speech, and the rest of the speeches this week, offer a clear preview of their primary line of attack in the remaining two months before the election.
“Biden is a Trojan horse for socialism,” Mr. Trump said. “If Joe Biden doesn’t have the strength to stand up to wild-eyed Marxists like Bernie Sanders and his fellow radicals, then how is he ever going to stand up for you?”
The Wall St Journal
Anne Barrowclough 1.05pm: ‘Vaccine before end of year or sooner’
Turning to the coronavirus, Donald Trump compared the pandemic - which ahs killed mover than 175,000 Americans to the challenge faced by Franklin D. Roosevelt after Pearl Harbor, when 2,403 were killed.
President Trump honors nurses and first responders who are on the front lines against Covid-19: "As one nation we mourn, we grieve and we hold in our hearts forever the memories of all of those lives that have been so tragically taken" https://t.co/YZyC57p70m pic.twitter.com/5uiA0RlXCj
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 28, 2020
“In recent months, our nation and the entire planet has been struck by a new and powerful invisible enemy,” Mr Trump said. “Like those brave Americans before us, we are meeting this challenge. We are delivering life-saving therapies and will produce a vaccine before the end of the year or maybe even sooner.”
He added: “As one nation we grieve, we hold in our hearts the memories of all those who have been taken.”
Anne Barrowclough 12.40pm: Trump lashes ‘authoritarian’ Dems
Donald Trump has launched into a furious attack on the Democrats and on Joe Biden, telling supporters on the South Lawn of the White House: “How can the Democratic Party ask to lead our country when it spends so much time tearing down our country? (Democrats) see a wicked American that must be punished for our sins. Redemption can only come by giving power to them. That is the authoritarianism of every repressive government.
“Joe Biden is not the saviour of the American soul. He will be the destroyer of American greatness.”
Mr. Trump, who has struggled to win the support of Black voters, said he had done more for Black people “than any president since Abraham Lincoln” and “more in three years for the Black community than Joe Biden has done in 47 years.”
The president’s biggest laugh line so far came when he mocked Mr. Biden’s habit of invading people’s personal space. He began to say Mr. Biden “took the donation of blue collar workers and gave them hugs—and even kisses” when the crowd interrupted his speech with laughter. Mr. Biden has navigated complaints from women who say he violated their personal space.
President @realDonaldTrump: “in a new term as president, we will again build the greatest economy in history†#RNC2020https://t.co/jIW8rqNAaO pic.twitter.com/xKKfwCOvCC
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 28, 2020
Anne Barrowclough 12.30pm: Trump: ‘US is torch that enlightens world’
Donald Trump is now speaking and after offering sympathy to the communities hit by Hurricane Laura, accepted the nomination as presidential candidate for the Republicans.
Rejecting Joe Biden’s description of the last four years being a “season of darkness,” he said: “America is not a land cloaked in darkness, but the torch that enlightens the entire world.”
He said he would visit the regions hit by Laura at the weekend.
President Donald Trump officially accepts the Republican Party's renomination for President: "My fellow Americans, tonight, with a heart full of gratitude and boundless optimism, I profoundly accept this nomination for President of the United States" https://t.co/bsCu2V3yZn pic.twitter.com/Vli3OStI81
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 28, 2020
“We begin this evening, our thoughts are with the wonderful people who have just come through the wrath of hurricane Laura,” he said. “We are working closely with state and local officials in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, sparing no effort to save lives.”
Anne Barrowclough 12.10pm: Ivanka: I’ve seen Dad’s pain
Ivanka is making a very personal speech about her father as she introduces Donald Trump, telling the convention
“I know his communication style is not to eveyrone’s taste and his tweets can seem a bit unfiltered, but his results speak for themselves,” she said.
Offering her sympathy to victims of the coronavirus pandemic, she spoke of her father’s pain at the suffering of victims.
“I have been with my father and seen the pain in his eyes when he’s witness the toll,” she said. “I have watched him take the strongest economy (in decades) and close it down to save American lives.”
Ivanka Trump to the RNC: "I want to send a special message to everyone who has been affected by Hurricane Laura. Our hearts are with you. The President will continue to support you every step of the way" pic.twitter.com/pWWakXsRXu
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 28, 2020
She said: President Trump is advancing the American values of work and family… Four years ago, I told you my father would focus on making childcare affordable and accessible. As part of Republican tax cuts, in 2019 alone our child tax credit put over $2,000 dollars into the pockets of 40 million American families.
“Four years ago, I introduced you to a builder, an entrepreneur, an outsider and the people’s nominee for President of the United States. Tonight, I stand before you as the proud daughter of the People’s President.
“Where politicians choose party, our President chooses people.
“President Trump is advancing the American values of work and family…. Four years ago, I told you my father would focus on making childcare affordable and accessible. As part of Republican tax cuts, in 2019 alone our child tax credit put over $2,000 dollars into the pockets of 40 million American families.
“Since the day he took the oath of office, I’ve watched my father take on the failed policies of the past and do what no other leader has done before.”
“Dad, people attack you for being unconventional. But I love you for being real and I respect you for being effective,” she continued.
“Washington has not changed Donald Trump. Donald Trump has changed Washington.”
Anne Barrowclough 12.00pm: Giuliani: Vote for Dems is vote for lawlessness
Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani has called George Floyd’s killing “unforgivable” but blamed what he called a rise in lawlessness on “progressive Democrat mayors”.
Mr Giuliani, a prominent Trump ally told the convention: “The condemnation of the killing was universal from President Trump to Democrat leaders.”
He alleged that Democrats misused the outcry over Mr Floyd’s death as a way to bring down criticism on Mr Trump.
“It seemed for a ‘a few brief shining moments’ like Democrat and Republican leaders would come together with a unified proposal to reduce police misconduct. This possibility was very dangerous to the left,” Mr Giuliani said.
“They are making this election a choice between the Democrat policies soft on crime against the Republican program of law and order,” he said.
“It is clear that a vote for Biden and the Democrats creates the risk that you will bring this lawlessness to your city, town or suburb,” he said, referring to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
“If Biden is elected, along with the Democrats who are unwilling to speak out against this anarchy, then the crime wave will intensify and spread from cities and towns to suburbs and beyond.”
Anne Barrowclough 11.50am: Protesters aim to drown Trump out
Anti-Trump protesters are attempting to drown out the speeches at the White House and say they will ramp up the noise when Donald Trump gets up to speak.
CNN is reporting that the protests are audible from the South LAwn where Mr Trump will deliver his acceptance speech soon.
Banging, air horns, and muffled chanting, can be heard, and the city’s GoGo musicians say they are deploying their GoGo truck, which will have musicians and loudspeakers aboard, to “drown out Trump.”
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows spoke with representatives of Jacob Blake's family and says President Trump has seen the video of the shooting https://t.co/gUlrFwphsT pic.twitter.com/p1y0ncr92q
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 28, 2020
Pat Lynch, president of the Police Benevolent Association, told the convention that Mr Trump had given strong support to to law enforcement in the US.
“Unlike the Democrats, who froze in the face of rioting and looting, President Trump matches his words with his actions. He gives law enforcement the support and tools we need to go out there and put a stop to it – period, end of story,” he said.
Staff writers 11.40am: ‘We need Trump more than ever’
Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and a long-time friend of Donald Trump, defended the president’s record on the coronavirus pandemic, describing him as a man with “unstoppable energy.”
“I spoke at this convention four years ago and I’m back because I believe we need President Trump’s leadership now more than ever,” he said.
He also railed against any effort to defund police departments, saying that “is not the answer.”
“The first responders have always taken care of us, and now more than ever we need to take care of them,” he said.
Mr White praised Trump for facing Covid-19 head-on, and said he “personally observed his ability to listen and understand the issues impacting Americans of all backgrounds.”
“It was clear his highest priority was always the health and safety of everyone in our country. Not just Republicans. Not just supporters. But every single American,” he said.
Anne Barrowclough 11.30am: McConnell: Dems will take away hamburgers
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has told the convention that if the Democrats won the election they would regulate how many hamburgers Americans could eat.
“They want to tell you what kind of car you can drive. What sources of information are credible. And even how many hamburgers you can eat,” he said, listing all the freedoms he claimed would be removed. (The hamburger reference is to Democrats’ aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock.)
Anne Barrowclough 11.10am: ‘A lot of Democrats support Trump’
Jeff Van Drew, who was elected to Congress as a Democrat but defected to the Republicans last year, claims many Democrats support Donald Trump.
“There are a lot of Democrats who support our President, and are disgusted for what their old party, what my old party, has become,” Mr Van Drew said.
New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who was elected as a Democrat but switched parties last year, claims "a lot of Democrats" support President Trump https://t.co/0jZJEhI0Ur pic.twitter.com/l07da8fOXC
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 28, 2020
Mr Van Drew defected to the Republicans a day after he and one other Democrat voted against both articles of impeachment.
“When the radical Democrats went after President Trump with impeachment, they made another mistake: Democratic leaders told me that I had to vote for impeachment or my life would be made difficult, and I wouldn’t be allowed to run again,” Mr Van Drew said. He said voting against the impeachment “was an easy call.”
Anne Barrowclough 11.05am: White House crowds ignore Covid rules
The crowd of around 1500 onthe South Lawn of the White House don’t appear to be practising social distancing, and almost none are wearings masks, despite the White House directing them to do both.
Anne Barrowclough 10.45am: Ivanka spruiks father on policy, not personal
The final night of the convention has begun, with a line up of former Democrats who have defected to the Republican party. One of the few black White House staffers who invoked the names of George Floyd and other black people killed by the police to say Donald Trump would hold police departments to higher standards.
Ja'Ron Smith, deputy assistant to President Trump: "Growing up, I'd never really known a Republican. ... It took a meeting of Republicans who shared my values to show me I was wrong" pic.twitter.com/sfOTyAN2IR
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 28, 2020
Later today Ivanka Trump will introduce her father for his keynote speech with remarks focused on working families andon her father’s accomplishments over the last four years.
“President Trump is advancing the American values of work and family… Four years ago, I told you my father would focus on making childcare affordable and accessible. As part of Republican tax cuts, in 2019 alone our child tax credit put over $2,000 dollars into the pockets of 40 million American families,” Ms Trump will say.
She will add: “Four years ago, I introduced you to a builder, an entrepreneur, an outsider and the people’s nominee for President of the United States. Tonight, I stand before you as the proud daughter of the People’s President.
“Where politicians choose party, our President chooses people.”
“President Trump is advancing the American values of work and family…. Four years ago, I told you my father would focus on making childcare affordable and accessible. As part of Republican tax cuts, in 2019 alone our child tax credit put over $2,000 dollars into the pockets of 40 million American families.
“Since the day he took the oath of office, I’ve watched my father take on the failed policies of the past and do what no other leader has done before.”
Anne Barrowclough 10.00am: Up to 1500 on South Lawn for Trump address
Up to 1500 people are expected to gather on the South Lawn of the White House to listen to Donald Trump’s keynote speech today.
Guests have been asked to stay at home if they feel unwell or have recently tested positive, to practice social distancing and to wear masks.
PRE-SHOW: Republican National Convention - Night 4: Land of Greatness #RNC2020 https://t.co/n4Z8SXa9MV
— #RNC2020 GOP Convention (@GOPconvention) August 27, 2020
“Face coverings are required upon arrival and in security screening areas. Use is encouraged in high traffic areas including restrooms and hospitality spaces,” the guidance says, according to CNN.
“Practice social distancing whenever possible,” it adds.
The White House saidonly those guests in close proximity to the president would be tested at the event.
David Charter 9.50am: GOP staffers sign up to support Biden
In a blow to Republican unity, dozens of staff members from the party’s recent presidential candidates signed up to support Joe Biden, including 34 who worked for Mitt Romney, the Utah senator who ran against Barack Obama in 2012, and more than 100 former Senate and campaign staff for John McCain, who ran in 2008.
A letter signed by 21 alumni of the George W Bush presidency also declared support for Mr Biden because he “is courageous and will tell the American people what we are facing, but will also have a plan to guide us through this difficult time”. They claimed that the nation “has lost its moral compass” under Mr Trump.
The Times
David Charter 9.35am: Biden’s lead in key states less than Hillary’s
Joe Biden’s lead in key states is less than Hillary Clinton’s was four years ago, despite a commanding national margin over Donald Trump. In the RealClearPolitics average of polls, Mr Biden leads by 7.1 points - narrower than the 9.3 point lead of a month ago but still enough for Democrats to be cautiously confident. At this stage in 2016 the same average of polls gave Mrs Clinton a lead of six points.
However, in key swing states the margin is slimmer. Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan - which stunned Democrats by voting Republican for the first time since, respectively, 1988, 1984 and 1988 - are closer at this stage than in 2016.
Pennsylvania gives Mr Biden a lead of 5.8 points; on this day in 2016 it gave Mrs Clinton a 9.2 point lead. In Michigan, Mr Biden has a 7 point lead, compared with Mrs Clinton’s of 9 points. In Wisconsin Mr Biden has a 3.5 point lead; Mrs Clinton’s was 11.5 points on this day.
Only Florida, which Mr Trump claimed back for the Republicans after Barack Obama won it twice, presents a rosier picture, giving Mr Biden a lead of 3.7 points compared with Mrs Clinton’s 2.9 points.
Still, there are reasons to be cautious about this analysis. While campaigners, and pollsters, are obsessing over this quartet of states, in 2016 all of them bar Florida were generally considered impregnably Democratic and so there was far less polling of them, giving an outdated picture. Moreover, any polls were conducted just after the Democratic convention, which gave Mrs Clinton a bounce of about four points nationally. There is no evidence of a bounce for Mr Biden. That may show that his convention failed to win over new voters, or it may reflect another difference between this race and that of 2016: its stability.
All this means that Mr Biden’s ostensibly narrower leads in swing states may prove to be more durable than Mrs Clinton’s.
The Times
Cameron Stewart 8.45am: Trump to launch blistering attack on ‘extreme’ Biden
This is the final and most important day of the Republican National Convention with Donald Trump due to give his nomination acceptance speech to the nation.
The president’s much anticipated speech is expected to contain blistering criticism of his Democratic opponent Joe Biden who Mr Trump has repeatedly portrayed as a puppet of the party’s left wing.
Mr Trump is reportedly planning to accuse the former Vice President of having “the most extreme set of proposals ever put forward by a major party nominee.”
“At no time before have voters faced a clearer choice between two parties, two visions, two philosophies, or two agendas,” Mr Trump is expected to say. “We have spent the last four years reversing the damage Joe Biden inflicted over the last 47 years. At the Democrat convention, you barely heard a word about their agenda. But that’s not because they don’t have one. It’s because their agenda is the most extreme set of proposals ever put forward by a major party nominee.”
Mr Trump is also expected to portray a positive vision of the Republican Party as a defender of freedoms and the American way of life
“The Republican Party goes forward united, determined and ready to welcome millions of Democrats, independents and anyone who believes in the greatness of America and the righteous heart of the American people,” Mr Trump is expected to say. “This towering American spirit has prevailed over every challenge and lifted us to the summit of human endeavour.”
The president will be introduced by his daughter Ivanka.
Other speakers on the final day of the convention include Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy and prominent Republican Senator Tom Cotton.
Former prime ministers divided over how to retaliate against Iran
Israel has promised to retaliate for Iran’s massive missile attack last week. How it does so involves great risk, and could have major repercussions for the Middle East and the world.
Albanese likened to Latham amid split with US on Israel
John Howard has drawn parallels between Anthony Albanese and Mark Latham over Labor’s handling of national security, warning that the government ‘doesn’t really have a grasp on the nuances of foreign policy’.