President to Ohio crowd: Better love me
Trump slams Mccain, says he kept plant open
LIMA, Ohio — President Donald Trump on Wednesday brought his re-election campaign to Ohio, touring a military tank plant and telling many of its cheering workers: “You better love me. I kept this place open.”
Trump also used the visit to criticize John Mccain, saying the late senator “didn’t get the job done for our great vets.” He complained that Mccain’s family didn’t thank him for giving the senator “the kind of funeral that he wanted.” Mccain died last year of brain cancer.
Trump’s visit to Ohio was his first since last year’s midterm election campaign. But with Trump’s path to another four years in the White House relying on a victory there, his nascent campaign is mindful of warning signs that Ohio can hardly be taken for granted in 2020.
The visit is part of a 2020 Trump strategy to appear in battleground states in his 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.
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 also attended a re-election campaign fundraiser in Canton.
In this heavy manufacturing state, Trump cited his efforts to negotiate new trade agreements and enact tariffs to protect steel manufacturers. He described how his administration has confronted China over its trading practices and the “stealing” of American jobs and ideas.
Trump visited days after he railed against the closure of a General Motors plant in Lordstown, a significant contributor to the economy in the eastern part of the state. The plant, which produced Chevy Cruze sedans, closed this month despite bipartisan pressure on the automaker.
Trump said GM should re-open the plant or sell it to somebody who wants it. “Get it open now, don’t wait,” he said Wednesday.
The president continued criticizing union leaders, saying, “They’re not honest, and they ought to lower your dues, by the way.”