MILWAUKEE (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Illinois delegates in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention say, if anything, the attempt on former President Trump’s life only heightens their support for him.
Demetra Demonte is a longtime supporter of Donald Trump and has been the Illinois Republican national committeewoman since 2008. She says, like everyone else in the delegation, she was shocked to see—live—former President Trump wounded.
She was impressed with the strength he showed afterwards, raising his fist.
How does she think all of this will affect the campaign?
“We know in elections, verbiage can get rather heated,” Demonte says. “We have to lower the temperature of the verbiage, but I think what happened with his reaction, I think he’s loved more than before, respected more than before. Independents will love him more than before. Even some Democrats may say, ‘This is one brave man.’”
Demonte says the way the former President survived the attempt on his life is a sign to her that he has been blessed by God.
“He’s withstood ‘Russiagate,’ she says. "He’s withstood the lawfare, and now an assassination attempt. It’s as if an angel moved his head two or three millimeters, that his how close he came from being killed last [Saturday] night."
Suburban Bartlett delegate Balwinder Chhokar Sahota says she’s excited for the start of the RNC because Trump is doing well after the shooting in Pennsylvania. Is she worried about security here? No, she says.
Robin Hans, an alternate Delegate from District 10, is still in shock about the attempted assassination.
“It’s very scary, and it’s sick,” says Hans. “I think the country and the world is so polarized, and I honestly, I just think he’s such a gifted person from God…I think Trump can turn this polarization around.”
She admits that’s a tall order because she feels there’ve been so many lies told about Donald Trump. But, she says people need to see the truth.
Monday, the Illinois Delegation Breakfast opened with a welcome from outgoing state party Chairman Don Tracy, who was quitting the post because of what he said were too many Republicans fighting Republicans instead of Democrats.
“Welcome to Milwaukee, welcome to the greatest Republican convention in the history of mankind, and welcome, more important, to the beginning of the end of the Biden presidency,” Tracy told those gathered for the breakfast.
Tracy says Republicans are united behind that. Among several other speakers was downstate Congressman Mike Bost who said Republicans throughout the state and the top of the ticket are poised to win.
“We know who our people [are],” Bost said. “We know what our mission is. We know what our issues are. They don’t have a clue. We know where they have taken us over the last four years, and we’re taking it back.”
Bost had a tough primary fight but introduced his former opponent Darren Bailey, saying they are standing shoulder to shoulder to elect Donald J. Trump.
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