Last night, I attended the Donald Trump rally at Richmond International Raceway, and it is a night that I will likely not soon forget. To me, an event like this is like the political junkie’s equivalent of the Super Bowl. Even if your team isn’t playing, you just can’t say no to going if you have the chance.
(Full disclosure – I am assisting the Ted Cruz campaign. Ted is my top choice for a number of reasons, but just because I am a Virginia Tech Fan doesn’t mean I won’t go root for UVA against Duke… Just sayin’).
By the time I showed up, a little before 5:00 PM, the parking lot was already filling up. In the parking lot it was a carnival atmosphere. There were vendors selling political pins (one was selling Trump, Cruz, and Carson buttons at the same time), food trucks, laughs, cheers, and most importantly… petition signature forms. Much to my surprise, by the time I arrived the line was already wrapped around the side and back of the building.
I have run two pretty important races in the area (for Dave Brat and Vince Haley), put on big candidate rallies, personally door knocked thousands of doors, attended tons of conservative events, in the area. Quite frankly, I thought that because of this involvement I would know (or at least recognize) a good chunk of the crowd. However, walking past the long line of eager attendees, the first two things that struck me were the diversity of the crowd, and the fact that I knew literally nobody.
This crowd was made up of people I have never seen before, people who do not normally get involved or engaged in politics…especially not on a perfectly gorgeous Wednesday autumn evening.
Inside, there was a special energy in the air. Though not quite as chaotic and joyous as the Dave Brat Grassroots Celebration after the defeat of Eric Cantor, I would say this event was the closest I have come to experiencing that atmosphere since. The excitement was palpable, the cheers non-stop.
After a raucous introduction, with speeches by a brilliant pastor, the Henrico County GOP Chair, and a beautiful rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful,” Donald Trump’s speech was just as we expected. A stream-of-consciousness soliloquy, with equal parts conservatism, populism, and humor, and a dash of self-deprecating egotism. This speech was not your typical stump speech… especially not one of a top-tier Presidential candidate.
There were no bold pronouncements of intricate policy proposals, no consultant-written applause lines, no rehearsed hand gestures. In fact, there was nothing written down at all (except for a list of some of the great Virginian Founding Fathers). I wouldn’t say that his speech was particularly focused; it certainly was not planned with a rise, crescendo, and neat closing. There was also no readily apparent thesis (other than, “I am Donald Trump, I think I am a badass, I think like you all, and I hate the Democrats”). The language was not very elevated, and he spoke in a very colloquial manner.
But all those things (combined with his celebrity) are precisely the reason why Donald Trump is able to fill venues like RIR beyond capacity, literally to where the Fire Marshal tried to prevent any more people from entering.
Donald Trump talks about conservatism in a different way. He is not speaking to the policy wonks, nor the consultants, nor the operatives, and not even the heavily involved activists.
No, Donald Trump speaks about the issues in a way that the average Joe – who is sick of politics, the propaganda mainstream media, and politicians in general – talks to his family, friends, and coworkers. He brings the political discussion down a few notches, and while some think this a negative, I actually believe it is his greatest strength.
The people attending this event were quite literally a cross section of America. There were the young, old, and middle aged; the very well dressed and the mechanic still in his greasy overalls; the politicos and the disaffected; there were White folks, Black folks, Hispanics, Asians, and apparently even a few Democrats.
The crowd was very receptive to Trump, and there were many points in the speech where he almost lost control of the crowd – because they were shouting with such exuberance. At one point, a crowd of perhaps a dozen Bernie Sanders supporters took it upon themselves to disrupt The Donald – which Trump took in stride and to which he responded by politely reminding the crowd of their 1st Amendment Rights. Naturally, the crowd responded to that by breaking into overpowering chants of, “Donald Trump!” or, “We Want Trump!” and even a few “U-S-A!”s. (I may have started one of the USA chants, but who’s keeping track).
After probably 20 minutes of being incredibly rude though only slightly disruptive, the authorities escorted the protesters out. This was the only ‘low point’ of the night if you can call it that, but it hardly counted as a blemish on the night overall for Team Trump. The event was well organized, well attended, and went off without a hitch (other than the rude Leftists and ‘Hey Jude’ disrupting the otherwise high energy music mix).
If Donald Trump can sustain this energy and enthusiasm, he will be very hard to beat. There is no doubt that Richmond (and beyond) is buzzing about his appearance.
What remains to be seen is if he has reached his apex, if he has plateaued, or, perhaps if he is beginning to build even more momentum.
The most concerning aspect of Trump’s candidacy for the Left is the fact that the crowd was not white as Wonderbread. If Donald makes it past the primary, then they have to be quivering at the thought of a Trump candidacy that peels off 25% of the Black vote, and 40-50% of the Hispanic vote.
Remember, politics is a long ball game. There is no telling how the huge number of undecided voters will fall, nor where the supporters of the candidates who eventually drop will go. But for now, it looks like ‘the Donald’ has positioned himself quite nicely in this chaotic, wide open Republican Presidential field.
Zachary Werrell is a political consultant, commentator, and author. He is best known for managing Dave Brat’s historic upset of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. His new book, “How to Bag a RINO” is coming out on October 20th, and is available for preorder here.
20 comments
To the 10 or so college students that were to my right { and removed by police } protesting Mr. Trump’s stance on illegal immigration; if you have a 2.5 or greater you will now have to give up some of the points to others who do not have as great a GPA as you.
To Susan we will now have to charge you a boosom tax , so that ladies that are not as endowed as you may purchase larger ones.
Now that is Democrat , foolish isn’t it.
For those idiots who like to bleet about how immigration is not the only issue and who consider themselves conservative… I invite you to read this:
https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2015/10/report-limitless-immigration-creating-permanent-democrat-majority
The Bearing Drift idiot “cuckservatives” might want to take a gander at one of the highest immigration states on the list… yes Virginia it is Virginia…
So the morons think that they are going to win elections with their incessant demand for illegal immigration amnesties? Their little pea brains that are so indebted to the Chamber of Commerce funds can’t really grasp that Democrats, with whom their position on immigration is exactly the same, are in the words of this author, starting at the 50 yard line due to the incessant immigration that jokers like Bearing Drift can’t get enough of…
Trump will save these idiots from themselves, but the window is closing and quickly and it may be too late… Trump will also save the Democrats from themselves… in case no on is noticing… immigration comes from the third world and uses a load of social services that they are not going to be able to contribute to.
Bearing Drift and the Democrats… what is the difference, can kiss their little selves over how superior they are to Trump supporters and he can institute rolling back this idiotic influx of the foreign born… Maybe a country club Republican can win five years from now! And maybe there will still be Democrat social programs fifteen years from now…
Illegal Alien exploited labor at the expense of legal employers in Virginia.
http://watchdog.org/202012/subcontractors-shadow-economy-
Texas is detecting illegal aliens in thier employee misclassification { the 1099 }. No talk from Perry or Cruz , why ?
McAullife and Herring not prosecuting these violators they are detecting within Virginia’s Employee Misclassification Task Force. I guess the ” Task Force ” just a task farce.
I bet everyone of those VCU College students do not comprehend Statutes 54.1-1100 and/or the Virginia Employment Compensation Act.
Great article! I think Trump should continue to let in the detractors. It gives his supporters something to unite against, as we saw at the event. I’m a Rand fan, but am thoroughly enjoying watching Trump give the GOP establishment a well-deserved spanking and calling out the media for their despicably dishonest reporting.
Any person talking in a colloquial manner about politics while campaigning will win over the people with common sense. Because that is how real people talk.
Had forgotten about the preacher until you reminded me – set the tone, this was like a revival. And the people there were so different from the usual Republican party attendees. This was grass roots. There were also quite a few young people there. The press really exaggerated the protesters, although we did hear them.
I would never root for UVA. 🙂 When they play Duke, I root for the officials.
Excellent summation of last night’s fantastic rally! I too was amazed and pleased at the diversity of the crowd. Saw a lot of late-teenage young men there – hyped up.
Trump electrifies a broadbase of people; he speaks to and for a great many AMERICANS.
All of that is why he’ll be our next president! #Trump2016
Well worth the drive 240 mi round trip from Lynchburg .
There wre many qoutes one was; ” we are going to do things properly ” .
And once again we see another employee proud to work for Mr. Trump.
I believe some in the crowd to be concerned families , employers and business owners , a humble yet proud group. We would not expect anything less than the chants of USA at RIR ,the same American patriotism you wil see at the Sept. Cup Race .
A kindred loyality in American Pride.
American Jobs
Defending the American Dream
Trump in 2016
Thanks,
Richmond and Trump !
Great to see you Zach and some many members of the Brat Pack in attendance last night. For the record, the author was indeed there and we got a chance to say hi before the festivities. Very well written article and I agree wholeheartedly with Zach. Although I like both Cruz and Rubio, no one can unite and ignite the masses like Donald Trump can. I kept looking around last night at the diversity of the crowd in amazement thinking do all these folks realize her is running as a Republican? Donald Trump is beholden to no one and we as Americans have had enough politics as usual.
He never quoted a single word of Trump. I doubt he ever attended he event!
And yet I have a picture of myself with Donald Trump at that event. Really?!
Troll much, Susan? Oops, my bad. From your profile picture, it’s quite obvious you walk the streets.
Susan, aren’t your usual posts about how you can make thousands of dollars from home entertaining clients?
“If Donald makes it past the primary, then they have to be quivering at the thought of a Trump candidacy that peels off 25% of the Black vote, and 40-50% of the Hispanic vote.”
hahahhahahahahah
Trump calls Hispanics murders and rapists!!!!
95% of all Trump crowds are WHITE!!!
Hillary will pick one of the Texas Castro brothers as her running mate. There goes your plan of 40% to 50% of the Hispanic votes.
Name the last GOP that won 25% of the Negroes? hahahahhahahah
Bill Clinton will keep the blacks in line!
Susan, you might be a bit more credible if you were clothed.
“The excitement was palpable” GOPs do not know what this word means!
“This crowd was made up of people I have never seen before, people who do not normally get involved or engaged in politics…
You memorize millions of faces? hhahahhahahahahah You love the Donald so much, you are willing to suck him dry!
Susan, were you there? Or just trolling… You are frankly boring….. I only had to buck rush-hour traffic… Awesome event…. I’ve attended rock concerts in my day that didn’t have the passion this one did!
Who the hxxl is Susan? I did not see her there. I think I’d remember.