Evers talks DNC security for scaled-down event
Officially endorses Biden for president
With two weeks to go to the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Gov. Tony Evers expressed confidence Monday that there would be enough security for the event as he officially endorsed Joe Biden.
Evers said Biden “will bring empathy and respect and compassion back to the White House.”
The first-term Democratic governor told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he will be “actively involved” in the convention, to be staged Aug. 17-20 at the Wisconsin Center, but was unclear whether his participation would be inperson or virtually.
Democrats are staging a scaled down event during the coronavirus pandemic, with perhaps a few hundred people in attendance.
Even though delegates have been asked to stay away, the event is anticipated to draw some protests.
At least 100 law enforcement agencies have withdrawn from security agreements with Milwaukee police to send personnel to the convention. Some of those agencies cited orders that the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission gave to Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales to change department policy to discontinue the use of tear gas and pepper spray.
About 1,000 officers from outside agencies are expected to help MPD during the convention, along with a strong federal presence led by the U.S. Secret Service.
The Wisconsin National Guard is training to help with security at the convention.
In a profile of the state Guard’s new leader, Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Journal Sentinel reporter Meg Jones wrote last week: “Around 900 troops will be used for security within the DNC bubble surrounding the Wisconsin Center, with another 900 or so on call for help with any protests.”
“Well the Guard is always in the background and available to folks. That was a given whether it’s a much smaller event or a larger event,” Evers said.
The governor said the Milwaukee Police Department “is well able to take care of it and whatever help they need will be given.”
Evers said he expected only a small number of people would be at the convention because of health and safety concerns over the novel coronavirus.
“It will be an important event,” he said. “The importance of Wisconsin in this race for president has not been diminished by the smaller number of people that may be at the convention. Wisconsin is the key to the White House and I feel Joe Biden will be the next president.”
In 2018, Biden visited Wisconsin to campaign for Evers and Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
Evers said Biden “understands the needs of our state. He has been here many times in the past. He understands how important things are like a minimum wage, making sure that we have good health care. People of Wisconsin know these things and will support him as a result.
“For example, Medicaid expansion, that’s something that is a top priority for him. Making sure that people who have pre-existing conditions are covered by their insurance. Things that are important to Wisconsin are important to the next president.”
In a statement, the Trump campaign dismissed the endorsement.
“It’s no surprise that it took this long for Tony Evers to fall in line and endorse Joe Biden,” said Trump Victory spokesperson Anna Kelly. “Evers knows that no one is excited about their underwhelming presidential candidate. Biden’s regressive policies would kill jobs, hike taxes, and abolish law and order in Wisconsin. We look forward to Biden and Evers putting their socialist policy proposals on full display in Milwaukee in a couple weeks so voters can see what they’re really about, and soundly reject it in November.”