About 150 supporters greeted President Trump when Air Force One landed Monday afternoon at Griffiss Airport. But that was a fraction of the people who ended up taking part, either supporting Mr. Trump and Rep. Claudia Tenney in her reelection bid, or as part of a large protest against the candidate and/or Trump policies.
Mr. Trump had earlier in the day visited Fort Drum for a rally and to sign a $717-Billion defense spending bill. After landing in Rome, he went to a fundraising event in Utica for Tenney.
After praising Tenney and suggesting she won't have much trouble getting reelected, he spent a good portion of his remarks listing off accomplishments.
"(There have been) 4 million jobs created since the election. ... Here's one (accomplishment), more Americans employed than ever in hsitory. ... Economic growth of 4.1%, they never thought it would top 2%. 95% of manufacturers optimistic about the future."
He credited the tax cut and reducing regulations for the economic gains. Mr. Trump also criticized Governor Cuomo and the democrats, saying with income from fracking and drilling (banned by the Cuomo Administration), the state could have the lowest taxes in the country instead of the highest.
Mr. Trump's visit was meant to give the Tenney campaign a boost, both in energy and fundraising. He told the crowd if they voted for anyone other than Tenney, there would be impacts.
"You're voting for higher taxes; they want to raise your taxes. They actually want to end these massive tax cuts that everyone in this room has gotten. ... They want to open your borders ... so wide, let everybody flow in. And they think they're going to be democrats ... that's one of the reasons, I really believe."
TENNY-BRINDISI RACE A NATIONAL TARGET & EXAMPLE OF DIVIDED NATION
Tenney is running against Democrat Anthony Brindisi in what is one of the most politically divided districts in the state, if not the nation. A crowd of protestors to Trump and Tenney policies indicated the strength of that opposition; the group stretched 4-5 blocks long, along a street adjacent to the route the presidential motorcade took to the fundraising event.
Groups such as Central New York Citizens in Action and labor organizations including SEIU 1199, helped organize rallies, which included Indivisible Mohawk Valley, The Sierra Club, teachers, environmental groups, supporters of immigrant and refugee rights, and others.
Jenna Bunce was among those we talked to who were surprised at the size of the demonstration, suggesting that the opposition to the President, his supporter Tenney, and the GOP, is telling.
“Think of the last time that there were thousands of people protesting actively throughout an entire president’s term. I mean, I don’t see this going away in the next two years; I don’t plan on stopping in the next two years and that should really say something about where the country is at and about how people feel.”
Austin Davis had specific reasons to voice his opinions in opposition to Trump policies and actions.
"I came to the protest to support the people that I love, like my girlfriend who happens to volunteer for people less fortunate than us, my mother who’s a teacher, who because of his policies I feel, not only is her job in danger but maybe her life; you never know. For my father who’s a Postmaster, a government position that’s also under fire. So I’m here to support them."
Davis added, he plans to participate in more demostrations during the campaign.
The district has made national lists of the most competitive races … the energy behind the ongoing protests is testament to the challenge. Mr. Trump’s appearance is said to be the first by a president to the area in 70 years. With heat on the race only rising until November, his visit was no less than a major spark to inflame each side’s passions
