Trump reminds Ohio voters of economy

LIMA, Ohio — President Donald Trump returned Wednesday to Ohio, the state that foretold his 2016 victory, with a tour of a tank plant, where he touted its revival and told cheering workers “we are rebuilding the American military, we are restoring American manufacturing and we are once again fighting for our great American workers.”

Trump's visit to Ohio marked his first trip to the state since last year's midterm election campaign, when the state was a rare bright spot for Republicans in the upper Midwest. But with Trump's path to another four years in the White House relying on a victory in the state, his nascent campaign is mindful of warning signs that Ohio can hardly be taken for granted in 2020.

Perhaps no state has better illustrated the realigning effects of Trump's candidacy and presidency than Ohio, where traditionally Democraticleaning working-class voters have swung heavily toward the GOP, and moderate Republicans in populous suburban counties have shifted away from Trump. It's for that reason, administration officials said, that Trump keeps returning to Ohio — this week's visit marks his 10th to the state since taking office.

The visit is part of a 2020 Trump strategy to appear in battleground states in his official White House capacity as much as possible this year, said a person with knowledge of the plans who was not authorized to speak publicly. Trump is expected to make similar trips throughout the year as he seeks to boost enthusiasm to counter an energized Democratic base. It's a strategy employed by previous presidents, both to leverage the prestige of office for political purposes and to offset the steep costs of presidential campaign travel with corresponding taxpayerfunded events.

Trump visited the Lima Army Tank Plant, which had been at risk for closure but is now benefiting from his administration's investments in defense spending. He'll also hold a fundraiser for his re-election campaign in Canton.

“You better love me,” he told workers. “I kept this place open.”

In this heavy manufacturing state, Trump cited efforts he's taken to negotiate new trade agreements and enact tariffs to protect steel manufacturers. He described how his administration has confronted China on its trading practices because the days of “stealing” American jobs and ideas have come to an end.