CNN’s Lemon warns of Democratic ‘blind spot’ on ‘riots’: ‘It shows up in the polling’

CNN’s Don Lemon said Tuesday night that Democrats “ignoring” riots in some U.S. cities represents a “blind spot” for the party, and called on Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to address the problem because it is “sticking” in polling and focus groups.

The perspective comes after deadly violence continued in Kenosha, Wis., with three shot and two dead amid rioting following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Lemon called Kenosha a “Rorschach test for the entire country” during his handoff with 9 p.m. anchor Chris Cuomo.

“It’s showing up in the polling. It’s showing up in focus groups. It is the only thing right now that is sticking,” Lemon said ahead of “CNN Tonight” on Tuesday. “The riots and the protests have become indistinguishable.”

“I think this is a blind spot for Democrats. I think Democrats are ignoring this problem or hoping that it will go away, and it’s not going to go away,” he added before arguing the violence needs to be addressed by Biden before the election.

“The problem is not going to be fixed by [Election Day],” said Lemon. “But what they can do, and I think maybe Joe Biden may be afraid to do it … he’s got to address it. He’s got to come out and talk about it.”

“And they’re rioters, not protesters. They’re criminals,” he added.

President Trump has positioned himself as a law-and-order candidate in an attempt to draw a contrast with Biden, often pointing to violent protests in Democratic-led cities such as Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, New York, Chicago.

“I STAND FOR LAW AND ORDER AND I TOOK ACTION!” Trump tweeted Thursday evening, during the Democratic National Convention, adding that “Sleepy Joe Biden and the Radical Left excuses violence and crime in their Democrat-run cities.”

I STAND FOR LAW AND ORDER AND I TOOK ACTION! Operation LeGend has led to the arrest of over 1,000 criminals, including 90 killers, all while Sleepy Joe Biden and the Radical Left excuses violence and crime in their Democrat-run cities. I want safety & security, Joe allows CRIME!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 20, 2020

Biden has come out publicly against looting and rioting. In June, following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, he delivered remarks condemning Floyd’s death and the behavior of some police while also saying, “There is no place for violence.”