’Your way of life is under assault’
TRYING to prove his political clout by pushing a Republican to victory in a special election, US President Donald Trump used a North Carolina rally to paint a bleak picture of a nation he claimed would be overrun with crime, poverty and immigrants if Democrats were to seize power in Washington.
Mr Trump, appearing at his first campaign rally in nearly a month, went on the offensive in an effort to change a series of negative headlines over his slipping poll numbers, warning signs of an economic slowdown and a running battle over hurricane forecasts.
He urged the Fayetteville crowd to vote for Dan Bishop in the special election overnight, brandishing his usual incendiary rhetoric to declare from the stage that “tomorrow is a chance to send a clear message to the America-hating Left”.
With an eye to his own reelection next year, Mr Trump touted his administration’s accomplishments but also urged voters to give him more time.
“That’s why we need four more years,” Mr Trump said at the nearly 90-minute rally.
“It’s got to seed – it’s a plant. It has to grow. It has to grow those roots. That’s why 2020 is just as important.”
He repeatedly painted the Democrats as a party that has moved to the extreme left on issues like immigration, abortion and health care.
“You don’t have any choice. You have to vote for me,” Mr Trump said. “What are you going to do: Put one of these crazy people running? They are so far left. Your way of life is under assault by these people.”
Mr Trump also expressed his support for the Second Amendment against the backdrop of a recent spate of deadly mass shootings. It comes as congressional Democrats push for expanded background checks for gun purchases.