Trump stumps for Gianforte at airport
Donald Trump Jr. flew into the Flathead Friday to rally support for congressional hopeful Greg Gianforte, touching on themes familiar to his father’s presidential campaign.
He said the race between Republican Gianforte and Democrat Rob Quist is a referendum on his father’s presidency.
Trump Jr. said the administration is showing the world it means business to foreign leaders, noting what he said were the failed policies of the Obama administration.
He pointed to the recent U.S. cruise missile attack on Syria’s airport after Syrian leaders gassed civilians.
“Crayons don’t work as well as Tomahawk missiles,” he said, in a direct reference to Obama, who once said that if Syria crossed a “red line” by using chemical weapons, the U.S. would respond with military action. Syria did use chemical weapons, but Obama didn’t respond with military force.
Today, Trump Jr. said the U.S. is showing the world it means business.
“It’s time to respect America again,” he said.
Trump Jr. also railed against regulations “that kill business” and reiterated a promise made by his father to “drain the swamp” in Washington.
But he said money was pouring into opponent Quist’s campaign from New York City — a bit ironic perhaps, since the Trump family lives in New York.
No one called Quist by name, only referring to him as the “opponent.”
Gianforte, a software entrepreneur from Bozeman, linked Quist with California Democrats.
“He’s Nancy Pelosi in a cowboy hat,” he said to cheers.
Gianforte said it was time to abolish Obamacare and replace it with a system that provided lower premiums and preserved rural access.
Draining the swamp also means no career politicians, Gianforte noted.
“We need term limits,” he said.
He also advocated cutting pay if things don’t get done.
“If Congress can’t balance the budget, then they shouldn’t get paid,” he said.
Gianforte talked about guns, mentioning that he recently had a conversation with an East Coast reporter in which he noted he had a couple of dozen guns.
“But don’t put that in your report,” he told the reporter. “Because I’m still shopping.”
Gianforte and Trump Jr. were joined by Sen. Steve Daines and Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke.
“This seat’s been held by a Republican for 100 years,” Zinke said. “We need to hold it for another 100 years.”