Amidst a boisterous and cheering crowd of thousands in Lewis Center, Ohio, President Trump brought his A-game in support of Troy Balderson, a candidate for the state’s 12th Congressional District. The August 7th special election is being viewed by talking heads and pundits as a foretelling of what will come in November’s midterm elections.
Balderson, an experienced and well-regarded legislator, faces upstart Danny O’Connor, the current Franklin County recorder, who has declared that if elected to Congress he will not vote for Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to be Speaker of the House. Yes, he is quite cocky.
Troy Balderson and President Trump
But Trump is weighing in as polling numbers have narrowed. According to Monmouth University:
“In the special election to be held next Tuesday, Balderson the Republican has 44% support and O’Connor the Democrat has 43% support among all potential voters – that is voters who have participated in an election since 2010 or have newly registered to vote (a group that represents about 87% of all registered voters in the district).”
But who believes in polls?
The Heat is On
In a standing-room-only venue, the heat rose to sweating level but it did not deter the positive and raucous audience. After kidding with the “HVAC guys” the president went into rally mode.
Trump recognized the usual suspects in attendance but quickly praised the hard-working men and women of Ohio for his win in 2016 and for staying excited and energized moving towards midterm elections.
An impromptu pulling of Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) to the stage for a quick speech had the crowd waving MAGA signs and erupting in “Speaker of the House” cheers. Jordan’s off the cuff speech recounted an 18-month chain of successes for the Trump administration. Trump joked with Jordan about his former career as Ohio State University’s wrestling coach and admitted Jordan could probably whoop him.
Trump also introduced the man of the hour, Troy Balderson, with a quick resumé and an endorsement for his work ethic and his desire to serve the people of Ohio, saying, “He loves the people, he never stops.”
Balderson spent his few minutes at center stage hammering the need for people to go to the polls and vote in Tuesday’s special election. And reiterated a red wave would support Trump’s America First agenda.
Trump agreed, of course, following with “The greatest economy we’ve ever had. America is respected again, and America is winning again because we are finally putting America first.”
The importance of securing the Senate was pounded repeatedly by all speakers if for no other reason than to ensure Judge Brett Kavanaugh would be installed on the Supreme Court. And the president called for Ohio folks to vote for Representative Jim Renacci (R-OH) who is running for Senate against Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
All Trump
Trump did not disappoint in Ohio as he grinned through “build that wall” chants,” shook hands with his fans, returned the salutes of veterans and filled thousands of people with hope and pride in America. If this rally didn’t inspire millions to get out and vote on Tuesday for Balderson and again in November to stem the flow of blue, nothing will.
As Trump said, smiling, “Blue Wave. I don’t think so. I think it could be a red wave. But you got to get out and vote.”
And as he pounded his agenda, toyed with fake news stories, and celebrated with booming voices of “CNN sucks,” somewhere, sadly, Jim Acosta sobbed uncontrollably.
