Trump Scores Big in Alabama
By Robert G. Yetman, Jr. Editor At Large
GOP presidential candidate and current frontrunner Donald Trump proved to be a big hit on Friday night in a rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. Estimates put the size of the crowd at between 20,000 and 30,000 people.
Among the politicians welcoming Trump to Mobile was Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), who briefly spoke admiringly of “the Donald” and even went as far as to don one of Trump’s signature “Make America Great Again” hats. Was Session’s telegraphing a future endorsement of Trump, perhaps?
Trump’s no-nonsense demeanor and unguarded way of speaking continues to win him adherents; many at the Friday rally who were interviewed by various news outlets cited his “bull in a china shop” routine as a big part of why they find themselves so attracted to him. As a matter of fact, Trump addressed a poll that says he’s behind the field in “likability,” saying to the faithful on Friday, “This is not going to be an election based on being a nice person. It is based on being a competent person.”
Candidate Trump touched on several hot-button topics in his speech, to include free trade, the repeal of Obamacare, and the need to rebuild America’s military. However, the loudest cheers seemed to come whenever he touched on the issue that has singularly thrust him to the forefront in this race – illegal immigration; Trump again pounded the issue of building a wall on the southern border, and took exception with the “anchor baby” provision of current U.S. law.
We are still early in this chase for the White House, but, so far, the Trump Train continues to gain speed. Where will it go from here? Only time will tell, but, for now, it remains very much on track.