Chimney Sweep

RNC 2020: Mike Pence speaks; Trump seems; speeches; quotes; highlights

SALT LAKE CITY — On the third night of the four-day Republican National Convention President Donald Trump joined Vice President Mike Pence on stage to hear the national anthem, capping a night where the party stood firmly behind “the thin blue line of law enforcement.”

Trump did not speak, but threw his support behind his vice president who moments before promised the American people that he and President Donald Trump will make America great again (again). He was among several Republicans who defended law enforcement, vowing never to defund the police, and promising strength on the streets of cities where protest or violence occurs.

Pence named Kenosha, Wisconsin, specifically among those cities, site of the most recent police shooting of a black man, 29-year-old Jacob Blake, a father of three who remained in serious condition Wednesday night. That shooting has sparked protests in Kenosha. In addition to the strong law and order message, Pence expressed compassion and concern for the thousands of American families who are suffering from the novel coronavirus, and those who are in the path of Hurricane Laura.

It showed the remarkable backdrop of the convention, part of an election season playing out while the nation deals with multiple crises, including deadly fires in California.

“The violence must stop – whether in Minneapolis, Portland, or Kenosha. Too many heroes have died defending our freedoms to see Americans strike each other down. We will have law and order on the streets of America for every American for every race and creed and color,” Pence said.

He also showed compassion for those in harms way.

“Our prayers are with you tonight, and our administration is working closely with authorities in the states that will be impacted … this is a serious storm,” he said of those in the hurricane’s path.

The Republicans used the night to showcase heroes and leaders, including Sister Deirdre “Dede” Byrne, a Catholic sister and retired U.S. Army doctor, who praised Trump for caring for the rights of the unborn. She said, “I’m not just pro-life, I’m pro eternal life.”

Multiple speakers throughout the night worked to slam Biden as part of the Washington establishment and the “radical left.” But Republicans also told upbeat stories of President Trump’s care for them personally.

Pence celebrated the promise of America, shining a light on the country’s ideals and values. He championed the American flag as a beacon of hope. He said God has helped the country stay free.

“Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,” he said.

Pence wasn’t without making political points. Multiple times throughout his speech, Pence attacked Biden, saying the former vice president would lead America “on a path toward socialism.” Pence said “you won’t be safe in Joe Biden’s America.”

But the flag became the closing image of the night.

“We’re going through a time of testing,” he said. “But if you look through the fog of these challenging times, you will see our flag is still there today.”

Highlights:

  • There was a sense of optimism during the third night. Speakers touted American heroes and leaders while also lifting up the Trump-Pence ticket.
  • Multiple speakers throughout the night worked to slam Biden as part of the Washington establishment and the “radical left.”
  • Another constant theme promoted Trump as a “law and order” president. There were acknowledgements of protests, riots and chaos in the streets. Pence and others said there must be support for law enforcement and all communities — no matter race, religion or creed.
  • Speakers Wednesday spoke of President Trump’s support of women and the administration’s “America First” foreign policy, many giving personal accounts of their interactions with the president.
  • A video presentation talked about Fort McHenry, and how the events there inspired the national anthem. The fort is a reminder for the patriots who have stood strong and prevailed. The video celebrated the national anthem.
  • There were mentions of current events, including Hurricane Laura, the coronavirus pandemic, the protests over the shooting in Kenosha, Wisc., and more.

Quotes of the night:

  • “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — Vice President Mike Pence
  • “The heroes who held this fort took their stand for life, liberty, freedom, & the American flag and those ideals have defined our nation.” — Pence
  • “America is a nation of miracles.” — Pence
  • “Stay safe and know that we’ll be with you every step of the way to support, rescue, respond, and recover in the days and weeks ahead. That’s what Americans do.” — Pence
  • “I’m running for Congress because we don’t need more career politicians. We need a few more chimney sweeps.” – Utah congressional candidate Burgess Owens
  • “Every time Joe Biden offers a new idea, you should ask yourself, ‘why didn’t he try that the last 48 years?’” – Richard Grenell, former acting Director of National Intelligence
  • “President Trump rightly calls his foreign policy America First.” – Grenell
  • “Donald Trump truly cares for Black lives.” – Clarence Henderson, a participant of the 1960 Greensboro Woolworth sit-in
  • “This is an election that will decide if we keep America America, or if we head down a frightening path toward socialism.” – Lara Trump, wife of the president’s son, Eric Trump
  • “I knew my baby was a human being created by God, and that made him worthy of life. I am thankful that President Trump values the life of the unborn.” – Tera Myers, the mother of son with Down syndrome and school choice activist
  • “Unlike the doctor who told me to end Samuel’s life before it even began, President Trump did not dismiss my son,” – Myers said of meeting Trump last year
  • “I’m not just pro-life, I’m pro eternal life.” – Sister Deirdre Bryne
  • “We are a people with a common set of ideals conceived in liberty. A people that have sacrificed time and again — for our freedom, and the freedom of others.” – Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL
  • “For decades, he has elevated women to senior positions in business and in government.” – Kellyanne Conway of Trump
  • “From Seattle to Portland, to Washington and New York, Democrat-run cities across the country are being overrun by violent mobs.” – South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem

Here is a running look of the speeches as they happened throughout the night.

Utah Republican congressional candidate says we need “more chimney sweeps”

Burgess Owens, a Republican candidate running to unseat Utah’s sole Democratic Congressman Ben McAdams.

The former NFL Super Bowl winner, who played professional football for a decade, said he lost it all after his business failed, leaving his family of six in a one-bedroom apartments in New York City. To provide for the family, Burgess said he worked as a security guard and a chimney sweep.

  • “I’m running for Congress because we don’t need more career politicians. We need a few more chimney sweeps,”
  • “We need more leaders like President Trump who understand the freedoms that make up the fabric of America.”
  • “We have a Democrat candidate for president who says that I’m ‘not black’ if I don’t vote for him.”
  • The former chimney sweep, author and Fox New contributor said his great-great grandfather came to America as a slave and escaped on the Underground Road.
  • “I’m here today, a candidate for Congress, because of my great-great grandfather, Silas Burgess.”
  • “This November, we have an opportunity to reject the mob mentality and once again be the America my great-great grandfather believed in.”

Grenell says why “America First” is worth four more years

Richard Grenell, the former acting Director of National Intelligence and former Ambassador to Germany, spoke of the nation’s ”endless wars.”

The former Trump Administration official said President Trump was right to call the endless wars “a disaster.”

  • “American foreign policy was failing to make Americans safer.”
  • “I wish every American could see how President Trump negotiates on their behalf.”
  • “In four short years, Donald Trump has led even some Washington democrats to agree on the Chinese threat.”

He said that “nationalism” is a good thing, not something Democrats can attack Republicans for. Grenell then attacked Biden as an establishment candidate.

  • “Don’t be fooled, the Washington establishment is trying to sell you on their candidate.”
  • “Every time Joe Biden offers a new idea, you should ask yourself, ‘why didn’t he try that the last 48 years?’”
  • “With Donald Trump and Mike Pence in the White House, the boss is the American people.”
  • “President Trump rightly calls his foreign policy America First.”

“It has no bias of red or blue,” he added.

Look to history when making your election choice, says Clarence Henderson, Greensboro sit-in participant

Clarence Henderson — a participant in the 1960 Greensboro Woolworth sit-in — talked about the impact of peaceful protests and the need to understand history in the current political climate.

Henderson said the media is trying to make people believe in the same Democratic talking points. But America should pay attention to the past.

  • “It was the Republican Party that passed the 13th Amendment.”
  • “If you do vote for Biden, you don’t know history.”

Henderson said Trump has made America a place where people are judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin

  • “Donald Trump truly cares for Black lives.”
  • “Donald Trump is not a politician. … Politicians are a dime a dozen. A leader is few and far between.”

Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump, says Trump will keep ‘America America’

Lara Trump made the case that Trump has been a helpful president for women in the workplace, and one who will keep America as a beacon of hope.

  • “President Trump will keep America America.”

She said she wasn’t surprised when Trump nominated women to so many positions within the government. She listed off statistics about women and employment under Trump.

  • “He didn’t do these things to gain votes or check a box. He did them because it was the right thing to do.”

Lara Trump also referenced Hurricane Laura, saying “May God bless the Gulf states” who are in the path of the hurricanes.

Lara Trump also spoke about violent mobs and how the idea of defunding the police will put people at risk.

  • “We cannot dare to dream our biggest dreams for ourselves or our children” while consumed with the worries for our family.
  • “This is an election that will decide if we keep America America, or if we head down a frightening path toward socialism.”
  • “Will remain the beacon of hope for those around the world?”

Ohio mom and school-choice advocate praised Trump’s pro-life views

Tera Myers, the mother of son with Down syndrome, spoke to the benefits of school choice.

Her lobbying efforts in Ohio led to a law that provided scholarship money for special needs students to attend school that provide an “education tailored specifically to their individual needs,” according to a statement from the Trump/Pence campaign.

“One size did not fit all,” she said of the public school opportunities for her son.

Myers said she was told her son’s life “wasn’t worth living” by a doctor who suggested she terminate the pregnancy.

  • “I knew my baby was a human being created by God, and that made him worthy of life. I am thankful that President Trump values the life of the unborn.”
  • “Unlike the doctor who told me to end Samuel’s life before it even began, President Trump did not dismiss my son,” Myers said of meeting Trump last year.
  • “President Trump gave Samuel an equal seat at the table.”

Sister Deirdre Bryne spoke of Trump’s pro-life beliefs

Sister Deirdre “Dede” Byrne, a Catholic sister and retired U.S. Army doctor, said humility is the foundation of her order, but she could speak of her experience. She had spent time deployed as a surgeon with the Army and has helped refugees abroad as a nun.

  • “Those refugees all shared a common experiences…they have all been marginalized.”

Sister Byrne said the unborn are marginalized in America.

  • “As followers of Christ, we are called to stand up for life.”
  • “As a physician, I can say without hesitation, life begins at conception.”
  • “I’m not just pro-life, I’m pro eternal life.”

“Donald Trump is the most pro-life president that this nation has ever had,” she said.

Crenshaw praises American heroes

Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas, spoke Wednesday night during the Republican convention about the courage and strength of Americans who face adversity.

Crenshaw — a former Navy SEAL, whose right eye was destroyed in an IED blast in Afghanistan — said heroism is not something you only experience on battlefields.

  • “Every single day we see them, if you just know where to look. It’s the nurse who volunteers for back to back shifts caring for COVID patients because she feels that’s her duty. It’s the parent who will re-learn algebra because there’s no way they’re letting their kid fall behind while schools are closed. It’s the cop that gets spit on one day and will save a child’s life the next.”
  • “We are a people with a common set of ideals conceived in liberty. A people that have sacrificed time and again — for our freedom, and the freedom of others. That’s something no other country — ever, anywhere — can claim.”

America is a nation full of heroes.

They deserve to be celebrated.

The American story deserves to be celebrated.

America is the greatest country on earth, and our future is bright.

That’s what my speech will be about. Be sure to tune in. https://t.co/eCtoorGIjn

— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) August 26, 2020

Kellyanne Conway lauded Trump’s support of women

Kellyanne Conway, a presidential advisor, said “a woman in a leadership role can still seem novel. Not so for President Trump.”

  • “For decades, he has elevated women to senior positions in business and in government.”
  • “He confides in and respects us.”

Conway said, “President Trump helped me shatter a barrier in the world of politics by empowering me to manage his campaign to a successful conclusion.”

  • “For many of us, women’s empowerment is not a slogan…it comes from the everyday heroes who nurture us, shape us, and who believe in us.”

Conway lauded the president for taking on the drug crisis.

“He picks the toughest fights, and tackles the most complex problems. He has stood by me, and he will stand up for you,” she said.

Gov. Noem says Trump is “fighting for you,” spoke of principles

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, the state’s first female governor, spoke to America’s principles. Noem said those principles are “equality,” “freedom,” and “opportunity.”

  • “But today, our founding principles are under attack,” the governor said.
  • “We must fight to protect these foundational rights”
  • “We are not, and will not, will be the subjects of an elitist class of so called ‘experts’.”

The governor said “it took 244 years to build this great nation, flaws and all. But we stand to lose it in a tiny fraction of that time if we continue down the path taken by Democrats and their radical supporters.”

  • “From Seattle to Portland, to Washington and New York, Democrat-run cities across the country are being overrun by violent mobs.”

Noem lauded President Trump for shrinking the government, giving money back to hard working Americas, advanced religious liberty and protecting the Second Amendment.

“He’s fighting for you,” the governor said.

From Seattle and Portland to Washington and New York, Democrat-run cities across this country are being overrun by violent mobs. The violence is rampant. There’s looting, chaos, destruction, and murder. People that can afford to flee have fled. (1/2)

— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) August 25, 2020

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