Republican leaders alarmed at the tone of President Joe Biden’s Thursday night speech urged conservatives to react at the polls and not on the streets.
The speech, delivered at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall with glowing red and blue backlighting, was denounced by GOP leaders as angry and divisive. But conservatives urged Republicans not to be baited into violence and to answer Biden in the November midterm elections.
“The best way to protect the American people from this deranged ideologue is to elect a Republican majority this fall,” tweeted Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton.
In his 24-minute, primetime address, Biden, flanked by U.S. Marines, took a decidedly strident and political tone in denouncing supporters of former President Trump. He claimed his party is in a battle for “the soul of America” with Trump supporters, who numbered over 74 million in the 2020 election.
“Here, in my view, is what is true: MAGA Republicans do not respect the Constitution,” Biden said. “They do not believe in the rule of law.”
Biden warned darkly that his political opponents would resort to violence.
“MAGA Republicans have made their choice,” he said. “They embrace anger. They thrive on chaos,” “We hear — you’ve heard it — more and more talk about violence as an acceptable political tool in this country. It’s not. It can never be an acceptable tool,” and “good manners is nothing they’ve ever suffered from.”
Democrats have seized on the January 6 riot in a bid to frame Trump supporters as violent and dangerous. Cotton was not the only Republican warning against being goaded into creating more unrest.
The best way to protect the American people from this deranged ideologue is to elect a Republican majority this fall. pic.twitter.com/51za89yPmI
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) September 2, 2022
Florida Rep. Byron Donalds told conservatives that voters must answer the president’s charged rhetoric in November.
“If you live in a red area on this map, Biden automatically thinks you’re a semi-fascist. If you live in a blue area but voted Republican, don’t worry—Biden believes you’re a fascist too. @JoeBiden, I see A LOT of red. FYI we VOTE, and we won’t forget what you called us,” he tweeted.
If you live in a red area on this map, Biden automatically thinks you’re a semi-fascist. If you live in a blue area but voted Republican, don’t worry—Biden believes you’re a fascist too.@JoeBiden, I see A LOT of red.
FYI we VOTE, and we won’t forget what you called us. pic.twitter.com/aLDdlPfQkm
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) September 2, 2022
Conservative media figures also said the Biden speech will backfire as long as Republicans stay focused on the election.
“If tonight didn’t light a fire under your butt to get out and vote Republican in November, I don’t know what will. We have a country to save. This is not a fire drill,” Fox News’ Lisa Boothe exhorted.
If tonight didn’t light a fire under your butt to get out and vote Republican in November, I don’t know what will. We have a country to save. This is not a fire drill.
— Lisa Boothe 🇺🇸 (@LisaMarieBoothe) September 2, 2022
“You owe Biden nothing. Not respect. Not loyalty. Not obedience. Let his s****y supporters go fight his wars. Vote every Republican you can in the office,” commentator Kurt Schlichter urged.
You owe Biden nothing.
Not respect.
Not loyalty.
Not obedience.
Let his shitty supporters go fight his wars.
Vote every Republican you can in the office.— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) September 2, 2022
Source: Dailywire
