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Trump’s fair tour enthralls backers
BY Kalea Hall and Joe GORMAN
The Republican presidential nominee arrived to Ohio’s largest county fair to crowds screaming his name.
Donald Trump and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, the GOP vice presidential candidate, arrived at the Canfield Fair at 3 p.m. Labor Day under a blistering sun.
Thousands waited for hours in that heat to get a glimpse of, or maybe even a handshake from, the billionaire rogue candidate.
Some had donned Trump shirts, pins and hats while others flaunted anti-Hillary Clinton apparel or carried signs reading “Delete Hillary,” “Hillary’s Lies Matter” and “Hillary For Prison.”
Dave Kissinger of Rogers was holding a sign about Clinton’s statements after the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012, where four Americans were killed. Kissinger said he supports Trump because “Hillary is terrible.”
Kissinger said there are not just one or two things he dislikes about the Democratic nominee.
“It’s everything,” he said.
Mike Pacak of Canfield said he backs Trump because he thinks he can change the way things are done.
“I want change,” Pacak said. “The same old, same old doesn’t work anymore.”
Angela Brose and her husband, Brian, were at the fair with their two children, Luke and Hannah. Angela said she thought it was important the children were there because “they are the voters of tomorrow.”
The Broses both said they are voting for Trump because they vote for candidates they think are conservative. When asked about voting for someone who cheated on his first two wives, they said they were forgiving.
“You can pick anyone out of this crowd and get the same story,” Brian Brose said.
Melinda and Chris Rappach and their two children, Lilia and Tyler, joined the Broses. Melinda Rappach said national security is her biggest concern, and she thinks Trump is stronger in that area than Clinton.
“I think he’s the president to make our country safe,” Melinda Rappach said. “Security is important to me.”
Carol Brauer and Lynn Reeves, neighbors from Struthers, both said they came to the fair to see the GOP nominee. “I would like to shake hands with him if I can,” Brauer said,” adding, “I’m going to vote for him.”
Reeves also said she wants a change from the status quo, and she believes Trump is the only person who can deliver that change.
“He’s the only one who can make some changes, which is what we really need,” Reeves said.
Before Trump arrived at the fairgrounds, U.S. Sen. Bill Johnson of Marietta, R-6th, was there awaiting his arrival and distributing water to fair-goers.
Thougands of Mahoning Valley fairgoers were waiting to snap a picture of the candidate walking around the beloved fairgrounds during the final day of the 170th anniversary fair.
As Trump exited his vehicle with a brigade of security around him, his hand immediately went in the air to urge on the supporters screaming his name.
“Trump! Trump! Trump!,” the crowd yelled.
“Thank you,” Trump yelled back, repeatedly, to the crowd as he waved.
The candidate worked his way around the crowds near the Mahoning County Republican Party booth – a popular stop for fairgoers to see a simulated Mexican border “wall” they were encouraged to pay to build.
“Help us build the wall,” the wooden display read. “Your donation will buy a brick. Make America Great Again.”
The display was a reference to the border wall Trump has promised throughout his campaign to build on America’s border with Mexico, and to make Mexico finance.
Once inside the Republican booth, Trump shook hands with fairgoers and volunteers. He also autographed a pencil drawing of himself.
After leaving the booth, he walked and waved to the crowds of people lined behind caution tape, with the sounds of rides and smell of fair food surrounding him.
Trump and Pence got back into a Chevrolet Suburban and rode to the fair administrative office for an interview with ABC’s “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir.
After the lengthy interview, Trump exited, again to a sea of supporters cheering his name.
Trump greeted, waved and shook hands with fair-goers waiting eagerly to meet the man who came to visit the fair on its last day of animal judging, rooster-crowing and harness-racing.