A trio of speakers addressed the Wisconsin delegation Monday, touting the importance of down-ballot races and using the Badger state as a means of unifying the party. They also discussed a controversy stemming from a speech from Donald Trump's wife Melania Monday night.
Lieutenant Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch didn't mention presumptive nominee Donald Trump but instead focused on promoting races for state Legislature. She praised a half-dozen state lawmakers by name, including some like state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls, who are in a tough re-election fight.
"We’re going to have a strong ticket all the way up and all the way down because these people care so deeply, they pour their hearts into the service of their state," she said in her remarks. "These are the people you fought so hard to elect their first time around. While we see Democrats in eight different primaries, we’re unified across the bottom of the ticket. This week will prove to the country that we’re unified across the top too."
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke received a standing ovation after his address to the full convention Monday night. He gave an emotional speech focusing on the importance of law enforcement and their efforts to best serve the Milwaukee community.
"Are police officers perfect? Not by any stretch of the imagination," Clarke said. "But as I tell the officers I send out into the field, I don’t need perfect. I need excellence. And more times than not we get excellence. Because that’s what you deserve. This is the best we have to offer for the men and woman who wear the badge."
Clarke pulled no punches, however, in his support of Donald Trump and his critique of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
"We can have all the fights we want at the convention. But remember: one team, one goal and that is to defeat Mrs. Bill Clinton," Clarke said, referring to Hillary.
The final speaker did not hail from the Badger state but California Rep. Darrell Issa underscored the importance of the state in bringing the party together.
"Wisconsin plays a unique role in the convention," Issa said. "They are the ones who have to bring us together."
Republicans rush to defend Melania Trump against plagiarism accusations
Hours after Melania Trump's speech Monday night, reports surfaced over its similarity to an address given eight years ago by First Lady Michelle Obama.
Melania, the wife of presumptive nominee Donald Trump, was the featured speaker Monday night. Shortly after her remarks ended, reports began to surface that elements of her speech pulled from Obama's.
“From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect,” Melania said. “[W]e want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.”
The sentiment is similar to Obama's speech from the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
"Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them, and even if you don't agree with them," she said, according to a transcript. "And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children — and all children in this nation — to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."
The Trump campaign denied any plagiarism.
“There's no cribbing of Michelle Obama's speech. These are common words and values that she cares about her family, things like that,” Trump advisor Paul Manafort told "Morning Joe."
Wisconsin politicians are split on the matter. Lieutenant Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch said she sympathized with how the difficulties a non-native English speaker may have in giving an address of that magnitude. Melania is originally from Slovenia.
But Rep. Sean Duffy said the phrases used in Trump's speech were "too common."
"I mean, they have speechwriters who put it together. Blame it on a speechwriter. Apologize and move on and let’s talk about Hillary Clinton," Duffy told Politico.
