Democrats worry about voter backlash in suburbs | TheHill

Democratic strategists are worried scenes of violence in Kenosha, Wis., and the “defund the police” debate could give Republicans and President TrumpDonald John TrumpThe Memo: Trump reaches for optimism as weapon against Biden Five takeaways on GOP's norm-breaking convention Trump taunts Democrats in White House speech: 'We're here and they're not' MORE a boost with suburban voters.The issue has come back to the forefront amid new incidents of violence, property destruction and protests this week after another unarmed Black man, Jacob Blake, was shot in the back by a police officer.Some Democrats worry the continuing unrest could give Trump an opening with swing voters in Wisconsin and other key states that voted for Trump in 2016.“Republicans are very wisely pouncing on this moment and using that language [of defund the police] that emphasizes everything wrong with what progressives do,” said a Senate Democratic aide, who argued that Democrats have failed to make clear that defunding the police is about getting around obstacles that unions pose to sensible reform and not shuttering police departments.“I would imagine it’s a potential problem,” the aide added. “I think Biden in general has more credibility because people know him and know he doesn’t lie constantly like Trump.”The aggressive effort by Biden underscores the worry within his party that the GOP attack lines could bear fruit, helping Trump and a Senate GOP struggling to hold its 53-47 majority.Trump has made law and order and the battle for suburban voters a prominent theme of the Republican convention and throughout the summer, spending at least $20 million on ads earlier this summer hitting Biden on defunding the police.Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the white St. Louis couple who pointed weapons at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their home and who now face weapons charges, spoke on the first night of the Republican convention.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellFive takeaways on GOP's norm-breaking convention McConnell: GOP-controlled Senate a 'firewall' against Pelosi agenda Madame Tussauds adds mask to Trump figure ahead of museum reopening MORE (R-Ky.), who is facing a competitive reelection race of his own, has run a series of ads highlighting the outbreaks of violence and looting during Black Lives Matter protests.Incumbent Sens. On The Money: Economists flabbergasted after Congress leaves with no deal | Markets rise as the economy struggles | Retail sales slow in July MORE (R-N.C.) have attacked their Democratic opponents as being weak on law and order, an issue that GOP strategists are counting on to help win back disaffected older white voters in rural areas and white women in suburban areas.Sen. Steve DainesSteven (Steve) David DainesOVERNIGHT ENERGY:Trump says he will tour damage from Hurricane Laura | Park Service under fire for role in GOP convention | US officially joins global trillion tree planting initiative Park Service under fire for role in GOP convention Supreme Court denies push to add Green Party candidates to Montana ballot MORE (R-Mont.) is running an ad against Gov. Steve BullockSteve BullockGOP campaign director: 'There's no doubt that Republicans will control the Senate' Supreme Court denies push to add Green Party candidates to Montana ballot Susan Collins challenger open to nixing Senate filibuster MORE, his Democratic challenger, that features images from Black Lives Matter protests while a county sheriff in a cowboy hat warns “these liberal attacks on law enforcement are a real threat to public safety.”The officer says Bullock has “been silent while left-wing radicals try to defund our police” because he’s “bankrolled by the liberal mob.”In Iowa, Kansas and Alabama, other battleground states, One Nation, a Republican-allied group, has run ads this summer promoting Republican candidates or hitting Democrats on anarchy in the streets and the need for law and order.Senate Democratic aides say they worry about how the issue will play with independents and swing voters.“There’s no question in my mind it’s their most potent issue.