By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As the Donald Trump supporters waited for their candidate to arrive in Toledo on Wednesday, they gushed about the man they believe can make America safe and strong. The fact that he doesn’t speak like other politicians makes him even more appealing.
He didn’t disappoint his followers, promising to create a nation of “one people, under one God, saluting one American flag.” He repeated his plans to keep out dangerous immigrants and bring back jobs.
“I like the fact he’s not politically correct,” said Vera Wiskochil, of Toledo. “He may not speak correctly, but at least he’s not a liar.”
A Vietnam veteran, Mike Vehue, also of Toledo, agreed that Trump “tells it like it is.” And unlike Democrats who have a habit of sticking their noses into places the don’t belong all over the globe, Vehue said Trump will focus on America.
The Republican nominee has the business savvy to turn things around in America, Vehue added.
“He’s a smart business man,” he said. Sure, a lot of items touting Trump’s name are made in other nations, but that’s part of his business smarts, Vehue said. “He gets stuff where it can be made cheap.”
It’s comments like these that send a lot of eyes rolling in the pool of journalists that cover Trump’s speeches. The traits praised in Trump – honesty, business expertise and commitment to American workers – are all personal characteristics that have been refuted by those who have worked with and studied the candidate for years.
On the streets outside the rally in the Stranahan Theater Wednesday afternoon, protesters held signs that said, “Build bridges, not walls” and “End racism.”
One of the lead national news stories on Wednesday was about Trump using charitable funds to settle lawsuits against him. That type of information means little to his die-hard supporters who are counting on him to turn around America from what they see as a disastrous course.
“I think he’s the most outspoken guy and the most honest guy in a long time,” Gary Douge, of Lambertville, Michigan, said. “It’s good to see a man who’s not a politician.”
“We need a shake-up,” his wife, Diana Douge, said, adding that Hillary Clinton must not be allowed to appoint any U.S. Supreme Court justices. “It would be a disaster. We’re almost too far over now to be saved.”
These supporters are undeterred by criticism – especially if it comes from Clinton herself.
“Sure are a lot of deplorables here,” said Diana Douge, referring to Clinton’s comments about Trump supporters.
Neither are they troubled by Trump’s divisive and sometimes rude comments – in fact, many find them endearing. Troy Stevenson, of Temperance, Michigan, who brought his two 8-year-old twin sons to the rally, had no qualms about the boys hearing possibly inappropriate speech.
“We hear him every day on TV,” Stevenson said, with his boys both clad in Trump T-shirts. “He’s not owned by anyone, like Hillary. There’s no sacred cows with him. He’ll tackle anything.”
And best of all, they believe he is the man to keep America safe. Speaking before Trump, the president of the Ohio Senate Keith Faber warned that if Clinton is elected, children face a future “cloaked in fear.”
Wearing his “Hillary for Prison 2016” T-shirt, Jack Miller, of Dundee, Michigan, said Trump’s honesty stands out. “He hasn’t received money from big corporations. I’m hoping to get corruption out of politics.”
The crowd seemed to agree, chanting “Lock her up,” at times during the rally.
“Hillary for Prison” items sold outside rally
All types of Trump paraphernalia was hawked to supporters, including T-shirts saying “Trump that Bitch” that cost $10 before the speech and $5 after.
Those at the rally got a few surprises, with Trump being preceded on stage by fight promoter Don King, basketball coaching legend Bobby Knight and vice presidential candidate Mike Pence.
King came onto the stage, with his rhetoric and his clothing sparkling. “The people are angry. The people are disgusted. The people feel they have been betrayed by their public officials.”
Trump will “bring the government back in the hands of the people,” King said. “He is the spirit of America that says ‘yes, you can.’”
King stirred the crowd to chant, by asking “What time is it?” “Trump time,” they shouted.
Knight, who showed his Trump-size modesty by saying he has studied history as much as anyone, praised Trump’s business prowess. “There’s nobody that has a better background of correcting things that are going wrong,” he said. “He’s smart, tough and dedicated completely to the United States of America.”
When it was Trump’s turn at the podium, he noted the narrowing in national polls – leading to panic among Washington insiders.
“We’re taking the country back for the people, we’re taking it back,” he said. He promised a “bright and shiny future” for America if elected.
“What we have is a movement that they’ve never seen before,” he said.
Trump listed many plans for his first day in office if elected. To create jobs, he would order a review of every regulation and terminate any executive order that has killed jobs. He would repeal Obamacare. And he would immediately suspend admission of Syrian refugees into the U.S.
He vowed to end trade abuses. “Products will be made in America … the way we used to do it when we were smart,” he said.
“New factories will come rushing onto our shores,” Trump said.
He would cut business taxes. “You’re paying too much tax folks, everybody knows it.” And he would make sure child care is offered. “Ivanka Trump wants child care taken care of and we’re going to do that.”
Donald Trump signs posters after rally in Toledo.
Trump promised to take “swift, strong” action to protect America against radical Islamic terrorism. “It’s going to get worse. It’s going to get worse, if Hillary is president. Not a pretty picture,” he warned. “But if Trump is president, you watch how great it will be.”
That statement brought out another round of “Lock her up” chants.
Trump promised “extreme vetting” of immigrants. He talked about Clinton’s plan to allow Syrian refugees into the U.S. “We know nothing about these people,” he said, adding that they create security risks and cost the country by using a “lifetime of welfare.”
Only those immigrants who “support our values and love – I mean love – our people,” will be allowed in, he said. Trump spoke of extreme views held by immigrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan, many whom support honor killings. “We have no idea who we’re letting in. You see what’s happening.”
He criticized Clinton for failing to get tough on terrorists, yet calling Trump supporters “deplorable” and “irredeemable.” “She doesn’t get it,” Trump said. “She doesn’t understand how democracy works.”
Trump repeated his “America first” cry, which has garnered him much support. “I am not running to be president of the world. I am for America first. Together we will rebuild this country beyond our dreams.” He called NAFTA a failure, saying it created a “one-way road out” for factories.
“Jobs will start leaving other countries and start coming back to us,” if he is elected.
Donald Trump speaks on stage at Stranahan Theater in Toledo.
Trump vowed to focus on those now neglected. “I want to go into the neighborhoods, the forgotten schools.” Unlike Clinton, Trump said he supports school choice – public, private, parochial, magna – any type of schools.
He talked about visited flooded areas of Louisiana, and Flint, Michigan. He talked about high poverty rates among African Americans, high unemployment, and high crime rates, with more than 3,000 shootings so far this year in Chicago.
“I will fix it,” he said. Then, speaking directly to African Americans, he said, “I say honestly, what do you have to lose? Believe me, I’m going to fix it.” Under his administration, cities and schools will be “really terrific.”
Trump said Washington insiders have Clinton on speed dial, and he held her responsible for the “failed, failed, badly failed status quo.”
“Nothing will change if you vote for her,” he said. “You will be happy if you vote for Trump.”
If elected, he promised to lower taxes, eliminate energy regulations, appoint justices to uphold the Constitution, save the 2nd Amendment, put American workers first, end Common Core and rebuild infrastructure.
He asked about miners in the audience, then seemed realize Toledo was in the heart of farmland, not coal mines. “Farmers. Do we love the farmers,” he said. “The farmers have been underappreciated in this country. They are great, amazing people.”
Trump ended with his slogan, found printed on most of the shirts and hats at the rally. “We will make America great again.”
