Editorial: Supporters and skeptics should see former President Trump speak
Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to appear at a rally Friday afternoon in Chesapeake. Hampton Roads residents who support the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee — and those who do not — should attend.
This is a rare opportunity to see a presidential candidate on the campaign trail in Hampton Roads, and those looking to make an informed decision in November should take full measure of the man, by hearing from him directly, as they weigh their decision.
Virginia finds itself in the uncommon position of being a competitive state in this year’s election. Polling by Fox News earlier this month found Trump and President Joe Biden tied with 48% among commonwealth voters in a two-candidate race, and Biden up by 1 point, 42-41% with the inclusion of independent candidates.
The last time Virginia’s votes in the Electoral College were decided by fewer than 3% was in 1996, when Republican Bob Dole won the state over incumbent President Bill Clinton 47-45%. Trump lost handily here in his two previous Oval Office runs, including by 10 points to Biden four years ago.
This year, the Trump campaign believes it can win the commonwealth’s 13 electors, and this Chesapeake rally is likely the first of several visits by both candidates. Trump’s confidence in Virginia’s competitiveness was reportedly buttressed by a meeting earlier this month with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, where the two discussed strategy for winning here.
It is noteworthy that the governor is expected to appear with Trump at the Chesapeake event, their first public appearance together. Youngkin swept into office by keeping the former president at arm’s length, prompting Trump in 2022 to take a racist swipe at Youngkin on social media by claiming his name “sounds Chinese.”
Everything is smiles and sunshine now, though. Youngkin, who is limited by the Virginia Constitution to one term as governor, has become a more vocal advocate for Trump’s reelection. Expect other Republican candidates for office to appear as well, giving attendees Friday a chance to hear those who stand with Trump and seek to represent our region in Washington.
One never knows how a Trump rally will go. He is speaking in NATO’s home in North America, for instance, only months after shaking the alliance when he invited Russian aggression against NATO members that don’t increase spending on defense. Will he revisit those remarks? Wait and see.
Enthusiastic Trump supporters will need no encouragement to attend the event, but why would anyone else battle the traffic and crowds to stand in the sun at Historic Greenbrier Farms for hours to hear Trump speak?
Simply put, because it’s important to hear what Trump says he will do if he wins another four-year term in the White House. Unlike in Thursday’s debate, he won’t be constrained by moderators or time limits in Chesapeake, and voters should come away without illusions about his plans and how he will use the office.
As a civic exercise, the chance to see a candidate for the presidency, much less a former president, speak is worthwhile. But in this pivotal election, likely voters should make sure they are casting their ballots with their eyes wide open.
Both Biden and Trump have served in the nation’s highest office, and those records will play a central role in voters’ decision making. But elections are about the future — about what candidates will do if elected and, in this case, how they would use the awesome power of the presidency.
There’s no better place to hear that, from one of the candidates himself, than at a rally such as the one happening here. So go to Chesapeake, despite the traffic and the sun. Attend the event. Listen to Trump’s priorities for a second term. Listen to what he values and what he would do if elected.
Chances are, it will provide voters a clear view of what a second Trump term would encompass, without it being filtered through cable news or social media, and allow them to make a more informed choice come November.
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