MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WHTM) - Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick spoke before the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, calling the 2024 election a "choice between America's greatness or its sad, disgraceful decline."

McCormick's five-minute speech began with the former hedge fund CEO asking the crowd in Milwaukee, "Who's ready to retire Joe Biden and Border Czar Kamala Harris and send her back to California? And who's ready to make Donald Trump our 47th President!"

The speech then took a solemn turn as McCormick recounted the events of Saturday's attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania, where McCormick had been on the rally stage prior to a gunman opening fire.

McCormick said the former President showed "remarkable strength and resolve in a terrifying, terrifying and unpredictable moment" when he stood up and pumped his fist after being shot in the ear.

"We all thank God that President Trump is ok," said McCormick.

McCormick then moved to take swipes at his opponent, Democrat U.S. Senator Bob Casey.

"My opponent's name is Bob Casey, but you probably don't know him 'cause he does nothing," claimed McCormick. "For 18 years, Bob Casey has been warming a chair and drawing a paycheck. He is a do-nothing, out-of-touch, liberal, career politician."

"Casey's been around so long that the number one song when he was first elected was The Macarena," McCormick claimed. According to the Billboard Hot 100, The Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix) was number one on the charts in 1996 when Casey was first elected Auditor General. The number one song on Election Day 2006 when Casey was elected to the Senate was "My Love" by Justin Timberlake, Featuring T.I.

Ultimately, the speech was more of a national introduction for McCormick after losing the 2022 primary to Mehmet Oz. He highlighted being a "7th generation Pennsylvanian," his West Point and military careers, a wrestling background, success as a business leader, and a father to six daughters.

On policy, McCormick highlighted crime, the border, and regulations on natural gas production in Pennsylvania.

"My friends, the choice this November is clear," said McCormick. It's a choice between strength and weakness. A choice between America's greatness or its sad, disgraceful decline. This is, my friends, the most important election of our lifetime."

Pennsylvania Democratic Party spokesperson TaNisha Cameron issued the following statement in response to McCormick’s RNC speech.

“David McCormick tried to hide behind false attacks because he knows he can’t defend his record of investing millions in Chinese military companies, supporting an abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest, and funding China’s largest fentanyl producer. This November, Pennsylvanians will re-elect Senator Casey, a leader Pennsylvanians can trust to create jobs, fight fentanyl, and deliver for working families.”

Casey has led McCormick in polling throughout the race, including a June Emerson College Polling/The Hill poll, showing Casey with a 47% to 41% lead over McCormick, with 12% undecided.

According to recent Federal Election Commission filings, both Casey and McCormick have more than $8 million cash on hand, though Casey has raised nearly twice as much as McCormick, $31.8 million to McCormick's $18 million during the campaign.

Election Day is November 5, 2024.