Despite cheers, Granite State not sold yet
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Loyal Trump supporters in the Granite State have consistently shattered political expectations, and they delivered once again last night.
“Am I even in New Hampshire?” a bewildered President Trump asked a crowd of New England voters who were cheering loudly despite their wellearned reputation for flinty indifference.
“You have a reputation for being very staid,” Trump continued. “You’re not acting it tonight … and that’s a good thing.”
A crowd of thousands descended on Manchester yesterday to view the 45th president, with some supporters showing up days ahead of time for a chance to listen to Trump speak about issues including guns, voting registration and his potential Democratic rivals.
New Hampshire conservatives are deeply divided about Trump, said longtime Republican strategist Tom Rath.
“Those who like Donald Trump, love Donald Trump, and those who don’t like Donald Trump, hate Donald Trump and there’s not a lot of room in the middle,” said Rath, adding that New Hampshire has historically been “a state of rather modest and understated politicians.”
But one thing is clear — those who back the president aren’t going anywhere.
“What has surprised me is the fervor with which the Trump people have embraced him and stayed with him,” said Rath.
And despite his slim loss to Hillary Clinton in 2016, Trump appears determined to win over the symbolic first-in-the-nation Granite State despite its growing Democratic slant and its small cache of four electoral votes.
“We should have won New Hampshire. New Hampshire was taken away. I’m not holding it against you,” he said.
Trump still has a chance to win here, despite the fact that he’s sparked a sharp division among locals.
“This is a state that’s typically close electorally,” said Rath. “This is a state that’s doing very well economically and there’s a high quality of life. Clearly if you’re governing in good times, it doesn’t hurt.”