North Carolina is a “red state,” but could it be turning “blue?” The reaction of North Carolinians to Donald Trump last week may be making a ‘huge’ statement, one which doesn’t bode well for the Republican standard bearer.
Speaking in Asheville Trump said: Hillary Clinton “owes the state of North Carolina a very big apology,” Donald Trump thundered, condemning the loss of manufacturing jobs due to free-trade deals supported by the Democratic presidential nominee.
There was only polite applause from those in attendance.
The early polls show Clinton leading Trump by two points. In two other ‘red states,’ Georgia and Utah, the candidates are tied in Georgia, and in Utah, Trump leads by seven; but that could change. Mormons in Utah are disenchanted with Trump. They have suffered their own religious persecution, and they encourage refugees coming into our nation. Mormon missionaries travel the world seeking converts.
“I don’t see a path without North Carolina,” said Chris Jankowski, a Republican campaign strategist based in Virginia whose work includes North Carolina candidates.
Interviews with the crowd after Trump’s speech were mixed. Many said that they support Republicans, but were doubtful that they could vote for Trump. Others expressed similar opinions of voters in 2008, when President Obama won the state; they believe that they will be better served by Democrats.
Trump is behind in all of the ‘swing’ states, and must win all traditionally ‘red states’ to have a chance of winning the White House in November.
For the present, Trump’s new Campaign Manager, Kellyanne Conway, has a tight hold on Trump’s temperament. She has forced him to use a teleprompter, and he now speaks from prepared text. But make no mistake about it; there is no new Donald Trump. The first time he is attacked by anyone, he will once again revert to the Donald we’ve learned to despise. Self-control is not a term in his vocabulary.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Follow me on Twitter: @jamesturnagenov
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