It’s hard to say what the thinking was when word came out on March 15 that President Donald Trump had been scheduled to headline a rally two weeks later in Grand Rapids. [1,2]
Incredibly, when the appointed day and time finally came about last night, the United States chief executive had within the days prior marked two of his most significant victories in office. His first ever veto was sustained, both substantively and symbolically advancing a signature pledge behind his 2016 election: To build a physical wall along the southern border of this nation. United States Senators voted 57-0 against taking up the Green New Deal resolution. [3,4]
Most significantly, special council Robert Mueller delivered his final report to the Attorney General, bringing his investigation to a close. [5]
The number of Democrats who’ve announced intention to serve as next occupant of the Oval Office if elected currently grows “on a seemingly everyday basis.” Sixteen, as of this writing, with nearly a dozen more said to be “considering” it. Conversely, the Republican ticket seems all but a foregone conclusion now. [6,7]
Although officially billed simply as “Rally with Donald J Trump, President of the United States,” the capacity-crowd event at Van Andel Arena was palpably more. It also seemed that everyone was keenly aware that then-candidate Trump had chosen Grand Rapids for his last stop en route to The White House twenty-eight months ago. [8,9]
Michigan Talk Network conservative radio host Steve Gruber was there, notable not only for position as the top syndicated morning show in this state, but also due to strong ties with our own AM 1600 WAAM here in Washtenaw County. Saline Journal had the opportunity to spend a bit of time with him last night as part of The White House Press Pool. [10,11]
He emphatically agreed that our state is “the new Ohio” to watch in the unfolding cycle.
“I predicted in July 2016 the reasons why Donald Trump would win, carrying Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin,” he told us. “It’s about the economy, wages, and jobs. Two words describe the Donald Trump presidency: ‘Help wanted.’
The surge in activity, with rust belt states working. Heavy construction jobs today, paying thirty to forty dollars and hour. The backbone of America is ‘the hunting and fishing crowd, not the city. These people are fed up with not being heard at the ballot box.
This president is well known for his frequent and expansive use of Twitter as a means of speaking directly to the electorate, of course. He has also effectively leveraged talk radio, calling in for interviews with programs such as The Mark Levin Show heard weeknights on WJR in Detroit. What about local talk radio? [12-15
“Donald Trump called in to The Steve Gruber Show at 7:30am on election day, and he was on our program for ten minutes,” Mr Gruber reminded Saline Journal. “He won because ten thousand votes were attainable here. He surpassed that and proved it. Critical to that are stations like WAAM. They’re pivotal, a powerhouse, readily available to the urban and rural community. [16-18]
Here’s the thing: I got my opportunity on WAAM because they stand alone. They aren’t a part of the same parties and fraternities. They represent work ethic, family, individual versus state paying. They know I’m here [in Michigan] because I want to be. I have a finger on the pulse of the midwest like outsiders never will.
WAAM station owner and General Manager Theron Hughes added simply, “Mark my words, write this down: ‘Donald Trump will not only go on to win in a landslide in 2020 but will go down as one of America’s greatest presidents.'”
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the president himself gave very much this same impression and more during his almost ninety minutes on stage last night. Different from 2016, and even a few short months ago, of course, was the substance to which he can now point in his famously branding labels. Conclusion of Mr Mueller’s work means “collusion delusion.” Optics of an real wall, being constructed — “which the media won’t tell you about” — were promised.
‘I love campaigning against the Green New Deal’ Trump remarked at one point. ‘One car per family — you’re going to love that in Michigan.’ [19]
Michigan is clearly as much bellwether as substance, however. At one point in Grand Rapids, President Trump reminded the audience that he had challenged the electorate to ask themselves “What have you got to lose?” by voting for him last time. Going into 2020, he argued, especially to women, the answer is a very different economy and high quality jobs.
Sounds a lot like a man who sees Michigan as central to his bid for re-election.
References
- “Trump plans Grand Rapids campaign rally this month” Melissa Nann Burke (March 15, 2019) The Detroit News.
- “President Trump Rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan” video (March 29, 2019) C-SPAN.
- “House fails to override President Trump’s veto of his border emergency” Associated Press (March 26, 2018) Click on Detroit.
- “Senate blocks Green New Deal” Jordain Carney and Miranda Green (March 26, 2019) The Hill.
- “Mueller Delivers Report on Trump-Russia Investigation to Attorney General” Sharon LaFranier and Katie Benner (March 22, 2019) The New York Times.
- “Here are the Democrats who have said they’re running for president” Karl de Vries and Caroline Kelly (March 28, 2019) CNN.
- “Republican Bill Weld on challenging Trump: ‘It’s going to be a lot of fun’” Ed Pilkington (March 23, 2019) The Guardian.
- Van Andel Arena (home page).
- “Presidential Candidate Donald Trump Rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan” video (November 7, 2016) C-SPAN.
- Steve Gruber (home page).
- AM 1600 WAAM (home page).
- Donald J Trump (Twitter feed).
- President Trump (Twitter feed).
- The Mark Levin Show (home page).
- News Talk 760 AM: WJR (home page).
- “2016 Michigan Presidential Election Results” (December 13, 2016) Politico.
- “Final 2018 Season Washtenaw Economic Club Luncheon Sought To Explain Impact Of November 6 Mid-Term Election Results” Dell Deaton (November 9, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Washtenaw County Clerk Says There Is “Absolutely” No Reason To Worry About 2018 Election Result Integrity in Michigan” Dell Deaton (November 4, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Trump, in fiery first rally since Mueller vindication, calls on Dems to stop ‘ridiculous bullsh–‘” Gregg Re (March 29, 2019) Fox News Channel.
