From ‘Saving Suburbs’ To Raising Hopes On Pandemic, Trump Makes His Closing Pitch

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President Trump arrives to speak during a rally at Prescott Regional Airport in Prescott, Ariz., Monday.

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President Trump introduces White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany at a rally on Tuesday in Prescott, Ariz.

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Elections
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Even as coronavirus cases surge, only once in his travels has Trump reflected on the pain and loss caused by the pandemic, and that was in a speech to seniors in Florida. «I’m working as hard as I can so you can kiss and hug your children and grandchildren very soon, Trump told seniors — an acknowledgement that showed he knows this key voting bloc is angry.

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Make America great again, again

Trump’s stump speech is less about his promises or vision for a second term, and more about his first three years in office. He rattles through a lengthy list of highlights, ranging from criminal justice reform, the opening of diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, establishing the Space Force, hikes in military spending, his conservative picks for the Supreme Court, trade deals, and progress on the signature issue of his first run for office — the wall on the southern U.S. border with Mexico.

Republican strategists wish Trump would spend more time talking about the economy, an area of strength for the president until the pandemic shut down businesses and schools, throwing millions out of work. Voters are split on who they think would do a better job on the economy. «We had the best employment numbers we ever had. We had 160 million people working, Trump said in Muskegon, Mich. «It’s called, Make America Great Again. Now I say, ‘Make America Great Again, Again.'

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Supporters listen to President Trump during a Make America Great Again rally in Ocala, Fla., last week.

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Media
Analysis: Questionable ‘N.Y. Post’ Scoop Driven By Ex-Hannity Producer And Giuliani

He argues that Biden is part of the establishment. «He’s a servant of the wealthy donors, globalists and special interests who got rich bleeding America dry and putting America last, Trump said in Carson City. Part of this line of attack involves lengthy diatribes against the business activities of Biden’s son Hunter. But Trump also says Biden would give control to the left wing of his party, which is hardly sympathetic with the rich.

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Seeking Suburban Votes, Trump To Repeal Rule Combating Racial Bias In Housing

Suburban women: ‘I’ve saved your way of life’

Trump is also spending a lot of time speaking directly to a group of voters who supported him last time, but have been turned off by his bombast: suburban women. He explains in his rallies that he has been in too big a hurry to be politically correct, and says his actions on issues like supporting police, curbing protests and ending a policy to fight housing segregation have «saved your way of life.

«So can I ask you to do me a favor suburban women: would you please like me? No? Hey, I saved your damn neighborhood. Okay, he said in Johnstown, Penn. Trump also brags that he thinks women voters like him more than polls show, as seen in his 2016 victory. «Last time they said the same thing. It was even worse. They said I had a problem with women, period. And then the night, that beautiful, night four years ago — was that the greatest of all time? he said in Janesville, Wis.

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President Trump dances as he leaves a rally at Tucson International Airport in Tucson, Ariz., Monday.

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President Trump dances as he leaves a rally at Tucson International Airport in Tucson, Ariz., Monday.

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