Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump visited Albuquerque 10 days after his running mate and just nine days before the finish line, raising the energy of his campaign while also emphasizing the high stakes of this election.
Inside an aircraft hangar, Trump addressed a crowd of thousands who waited patiently for his plane to arrive.
“It is so great to be here in New Mexico,” the presidential candidate said as he took stage. “In nine days we are going to win this state, and we are going to take back the White House.”
Trump started by giving a rundown of how he is leading in battleground states like Florida and Ohio, before bringing the focus to New Mexico numbers.
“I just want to give you a little secret: We’re tied. That’s not so good, we’re tied in New Mexico,” he said, before declaring, “We’re going to win New Mexico.”
According to a Real Clear Politics analysis of polls, however, Trump is actually behind in New Mexico by an average of 8.5 percent.
During his speech, Trump rounded many bases, covering everything from jobs and health care to veterans and border control.
“At the core of my contract is the plan to bring back our jobs,” he said, “and that means great jobs for New Mexico.”
Trump called the poverty experienced by many minorities, such as Hispanics and African Americans, “unacceptable,” and said, as president, that he would go into the poorest communities and work on a “national plan for revitalization.”
“We are going to start making things in New Mexico again,” Trump said.
Trump said his plan includes lower taxes on American businesses from 35 percent to 15 percent and reduce taxes for the middle class, including a 35 percent tax cut for a middle class family with two children in New Mexico.
These efforts will make New Mexico “hot as a pistol” as far as job growth, he said.
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“We will replace decades of failure with generations of success,” he said. “We will bring prosperity to our poorest communities, safety to our most dangerous neighborhoods, and hope to those places which have not known hope in a very, very long time.”
On the subject of crime, Trump said violent crime increased 53 percent in Albuquerque last year, largely due to drugs “pouring” into the state.
Trump said, as president, he will support local and federal law enforcement officials to reduce violent crime across the state.
“Every family in New Mexico has the right to live in safety and in peace,” he said.
Part of those safety measures will include suspending the Syrian refugee program, Trump said, and keeping radical Islamic terrorists “the hell out of our country.”
As president, Trump will secure the borders of the U.S., he said, with the crowd chanting “Build a wall” in response, expressing support for what has become a major symbol for Trump’s platform.
“As I said, we will build the wall,” he said. “Mexico is making a fortune off the United States, we have tremendous trade deficits with Mexico. They’ll be very happy to pay for the wall.”
Trump also promised a “great” but “fair” relationship with Mexico, describing the current relationship as a “one lane highway.”
“They’ve got our jobs, they’ve got our factories, they’ve got our money. You know what we have?” he asked. “Drugs and unemployment.”
Trump emphasized that people need to come in legally, as illegal immigration hurts local schools, hospitals, jobs and wages. He took care to appeal to Hispanics, saying that they are the group that is hurt the most by illegal immigration.
“I will protect jobs for Hispanics,“ Trump said. “When I become president we will keep the cartels and gang members out of New Mexico, we’re sending them back.”
As far as national security, Trump emphasized a need to use the “element of surprise” to fight ISIS, something he said the current administration doesn’t do.
He reiterated that ISIS is made up of “savages” who use barbaric torture methods such as beheadings.
“We have to be tough, we have to be smart and we have to be, in some cases, pretty vicious, to be honest with you,” he said.
Referring to Clinton's views on Syria, Trump said it is likely we would end up “in World War III” if she were elected. He encouraged an amicable relationship with Russian leaders to better fight the war in Syria.
“I don’t know (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could get along?” Trump asked the crowd, adding that ISIS would like nothing more than if Clinton won the Oval Office.
On the subject of health care, Trump again kept the focus local, saying that New Mexico will be one of the states hurt worst by Obamacare and its rising premiums, with Presbyterian Hospital “pulling out” of Obamacare and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.
“It doesn’t work, it’s horrible health care,” he said, adding that the deductible is so high “you’ll never get to use it.”
“I’m asking for your vote so we can replace Obamacare and save health care for every family in New Mexico and in the United States,” Trump said.
Premiums are expected to rise for New Mexicans in the Obamacare marketplace next year. After accounting for tax credits, a 40-year-old nonsmoker making $30,000 a year will likely see an 11 percent increase in premiums, according to KFF.org.
Trump did not address the millions of New Mexicans who now receive free health care through Medicaid due to the expansion of that program under Obamacare.
Trump also touched on the topic of his opponent at various points in his speech.
He accused Clinton of bringing her legal troubles on herself in what he called the “single biggest scandal since Watergate.” Recently, FBI officials announced they were examining newly discovered emails that may or may not pertain to Clinton.
“Hillary is not the victim; you, as the American people, are the victims of this corrupt system, in every single way,” he said. “And folks, this is your last chance to save it, I really believe that.”
Most of the locals at the rally came out in in support of the polarizing candidate, brandishing signs like “Women for Trump” and “Proud to be a Trump deplorable.” Throughout Trump’s speech, the crowd found chances to decry Hillary Clinton (“Lock her up”) as well as the media (“CNN sucks”) while also voicing passion for what has come to be a defining element of Trump’s campaign (“Build the wall.”)
While most of the anti-Trump crowd was outside the venue, one group in the crowd pulled out a banner reading “No DAPL” in solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux protest in North Dakota. They were quickly escorted out by security.
U.S. Representative Steve Pearce, R-NM, welcomed Trump to the stage after his plane landed and taxied to the podium.
“Thank you all for being here, because we are literally trying to decide the future of the country,” Pearce said.
Pearce pointed out the fact that the Trump campaign has visited New Mexico — a state that President Barack Obama won in 2008 and 2012 — four times now, compared to Hillary Clinton, who has not yet visited herself this campaign. Trump also visited in May, while his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, came earlier this month.
Clinton, meanwhile, has instead dispatched surrogates to New Mexico, including Bill Clinton in May and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who held a rally at UNM a few weeks ago.
“Not that I’m keeping score but, if I were, the score would be 4-0. In the World Series that’s called a sweep,” Pearce said. “I think we’re about to sweep New Mexico for Mr. Trump and Mr. Pence.”
Ralph Abeyta, one attendee at the rally, said he is excited about the prospect of Trump as president, and particularly likes the candidate’s values.
“He is not afraid to say 'God' and he believes in America, and the flag,” he said. “I hope he gets more people inspired.”
Abeyta said all the negativity toward Trump is spread by the opposing party.
“I think what it is, is the other party doesn’t like the word ‘God’ and they don’t like the flag and they don’t love America,” he said.
Marianna Biggs, a CNM student, said she attended the rally in May and was excited to see Trump again.
“I love it,” she said. “I came the last time when I wasn’t able to get close enough to see him and had to leave with the protesters being crazy.”
Biggs said the timing of Trump’s visit was particularly interesting given that Election Day is mere days away.
“It’s surreal thinking that we’re this close and he could be the president. It’s not just a candidate anymore — it’s an actual chance,” she said, adding that what she likes most about Trump is his rhetoric.
“As much as it’s hated, by everyone, I think it’s hilarious and so entertaining. It never fails to amuse me,” Biggs said.
Aside from his rhetoric, Biggs said she is open to a Trump presidency.
“I’m on-board at this point,” she said. “Especially with Hillary as the other candidate, not really feeling like I’m ready for World War III quite yet, or another Clinton regime member.”
Biggs said Trump’s spirit of individualism — especially with so much opposition working against him, even from his own party — is what cemented her choice.
“I’m excited to have someone that the establishment hates from both sides,” she said. “Republicans hate him, Democrats hate him, which makes me think he’s doing something right.”
In a state that could see the rare case of three competitive candidates — Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson has also shown solid numbers in the state — Trump stated his belief that New Mexico could swing red for the first time since the early 2000s.
“We are just nine days away from the change you’ve all been waiting for,” he said. “You’re going to be proud of your country again and, hopefully, you’ll be proud of your president.”
Matthew Reisen is the news editor at the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @MReisen88.
