As DNC begins, Wisconsin Democrats seek to draw contrast on outlook, economy

CHICAGO, Ill. (CBS 58) -- As the Democratic National Convention opened Monday night at the United Center, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers had, literally, a front row seat.

Evers and his wife, Kathy, sat at the front of the state's delegation. As the evening program began, Evers said he believed the biggest difference between his party and a GOP led by former President Donald Trump is their outlooks.

"Certainly, there's a different view of the world," Evers said. "I mean, everything I've seen from Donald Trump has been pretty negative. We're positive."

Republicans are openly negative about the state of the economy, which Wisconsin voters have consistently said is their most important issue, according to polls taken by the Marquette University Law School throughout this election cycle.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he believed Democrats could craft a winning message about the economy this week.

"With the facts. I mean, inflation is coming down in the United States," Johnson said. "The United States is in a much better position than other communities- other countries around the world, rather, in terms of the level of inflation."

In July, the Federal Reserve's monthly report found the inflation rate had fallen to 2.9%, the lowest rate the U.S. has seen since early 2021.

While Democrats say it's a sign the policies enacted by President Joe Biden's administration have successfully cooled inflation, Republicans say the damage has already been done, pointing to the prices of goods spiking when inflation rates approached 10% in 2022.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) held a press conference centered on the economy at the Chicago Trump Hotel Monday morning. Johnson said Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, lack the understanding to oversee economic policy.

"Business is hard," Johnson said. "And to understand that and to have sympathy for it is required in governmental leadership."

Johnson said a proposal announced last week by the Harris campaign to beef up enforcement of price fixing laws amounted to socialism. Johnson likened the policy proposal to Venezuela's socialist government, which is under fire for a slow economy and the widespread belief Nicolas Maduro's government is committing election fraud to stay in power.

"Venezuelans voted themselves into poverty, and that's what this election is about," Sen. Johnson said. "Are we gonna take America off the path of destruction that Biden and Harris put us on?"

During the day Monday, DNC caucuses held various meetings at McCormick Place. One of them was on the subject of labor.

The panelists for that discussion included Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI).

During an interview afterward, Pocan dismissed Sen. Johnson's comparison between Harris' proposed regulations and what's happening in Venezuela.

"It's literally stupid. I don't know if there's a better comment," Pocan said. "I mean, for Ron Johnson to give a political science lesson is like me telling what product to use for your hair. I don't think it's especially useful."

Wisconsin Democrats will remain in the spotlight this week. Harris and Walz will hold a rally Tuesday in Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum, and they'll watch at least some of the DNC festivities with attendees.

Mayor Johnson said to "keep an eye out" Wednesday night for a speech he'll deliver to the convention in Chicago.