The RNC’s first night seemed to come off as largely a success. Even some commentators on CNN were forced to admit it, such as Wolf Blitzer calling it a good production that played well. Of course, the media couldn’t just let the good vibes ride though. They quickly entered full spin mode, with “fact-checks” that weren’t fact-checks dropping and headlines describing the convention  as “apocalyptic” and dark, something they always do anytime a Republican utters words.

But one speaker that really set off a great triggering was Nikki Haley. She gave a good speech that was widely praised, which means the media had to really dig deep to find things to cry about. Here’s what they came up with.

Go figure –> @ABC is upset @NikkiHaley said that "America is not a racist country" #GOPConvention pic.twitter.com/l6aBZKhr0K

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) August 25, 2020

Amazing.

(This is what she deleted) https://t.co/SJQ47eH0Nu pic.twitter.com/p6XTxHxXWQ

— JERRY DUNLEAVY (@JerryDunleavy) August 25, 2020

That a political “analyst” in 2020 could still not know that Nikki Haley is Indian is pretty astonishing. But the need to quickly call someone “white” in an attempt to discredit them for making a true statement is perhaps more ridiculous than possibly just being ignorant of Haley’s background. Even if she were white, so what? The country itself is not racist, though there will always be individuals who hold prejudices. That some politicians and media figures can’t say that anymore is a sad commentary on our current political environment.

I want to also note that ABC News whines that the RNC didn’t mention Black Lives Matter and the protests in Kenosha, WI. Keep in mind, the DNC did not mention the rioting in Portland or Seattle once last week. Their party as a whole continues to avoid condemning the violence. Despite that, there wasn’t a single mainstream media outlet that called them out on the omission or asked why it wasn’t being talked about. But let the RNC not mention what’s going on in Kenosha and it’s used as proof they don’t care. See how the game works? And to be sure, ABC News didn’t just want it mentioned. They wanted it talked about in support of Black Lives Matter. The “anchor” who just couldn’t get over what Haley said makes that clear.

There is only one narrative allowed in the view of these people. It is that America is evil and that it must be continually downed as a result, at least until Democrats retake power. Then everything will be good again.

Nikki Haley says America is not racist.
Then says she and her family faced discrimination growing up. 🤔

— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) August 25, 2020

This idea that an entire country must be damned because of the actions of a few is dangerous, destructive rhetoric. It causes divisions that can’t even be reconciled. When you’ve got one side decrying the nation as irredeemable, what is the other side supposed to do with that? Yet, that warped view of the most free nation on earth has overtaken the Democratic party. That’s what Republicans are up against in 2020, and while the media may not like it, it needs to be pointed out over and over.

(Please follow me on Twitter! @bonchieredstate)