By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
An estimated 90 Birmingham area Republicans gathered to support Donald J. Trump at a debate watch party at Superior Grill in Northern Shelby County. The event was sponsored by the Greater Birmingham Republican Women, the Alabama Constitutional Conservatives, the Jefferson County Republican Party, the Alabama Minority GOP.
As expected, Trump got many enthusiastic rounds of applause and cheers from the conservative groups in his debate with former Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton.
Alabama Constitutional Conservatives organizer Deanna Frankowski told The Alabama Political Reporter that the polls showing Donald Trump down seven and nine points are wrong. Deanna recently traveled with a group of Alabama Republicans to campaign door to door for Trump in Ohio. Frankowski said that there is not the same support for Hillary with Democrats that there was for Obama four years ago. Frankowski said that she believed that Republicans have more energy and enthusiasm for Trump than they did for Mitt Romney four years ago and that more minorities will support Trump than supported the ticket four years ago.
State Representative Jim Carns (R-Vestavia) and Chairman of the Trump campaign in Alabama was the special guest for the event.
Alabama Constitutional Conservative organizer Cindy Monaghan-Holcomb wrote during the debate: “Hillary keeps looking down relying on her prepared notes. Donald Trump is speaking from the heart relying on life and business experience.” “Donald Trump has offered actual solutions to the problems. Hillary Clinton’s solution to each and every problem has been “tax the wealthy.”
Both candidates appealed strongly to their bases. Trump insisted that he would appoint Pro-Life Supreme Court Justices who would repeal the controversial Roe versus Wade decision, which would send the abortion issue back to the states. Trump stressed his support for the Second Amendment and thanked the NRA for their endorsement. Trump insisted that his tax plan would cut taxes for most Americans including corporations resulting in a booming economy with five percent growth rates (we have just 1 percent growth). Trump accused Clinton of being for open borders. Clinton defended her position to allow abortions even in the ninth month of pregnancy, called for more restrictions on gun ownership, vowed to make college free for families making less than $200,000 a year and promised that all of her tax increases would be on the wealthiest Americans.
The most controversial moment in the debate was when Trump refused to commit to supporting the outcome of the election even if he lost. Trump said ominously that we will hve to wait and see on that.
The Chairman of the Alabama Minority GOP Phillip Brown expressed confidence in Trump’s performance and optimism for the final outcome.
Frankowski announced, “We are going door to door in Jefferson County.” Jefferson County is purple. We need to work hard to elect Republican candidates county wide. Trump yard signs were also distributed at the event.
Jeannie Faherty urged participants to help the Jefferson County Republican Party man phone banks to get out the vote.
The Greater Birmingham Republican Women (GBRW) are deploying to Tampa to help get Republican voters to the polls in Florida. The group said in a statement: “The Alabama Strike Force has assigned the Tampa area to Jefferson and Shelby County. Join the Trump Train as we campaign October 30 – November 5. Facebook message GBRW or email me at greaterbhamrepublicanwomen@gmail.com if you are interested! We were asked to campaign in paradise…….how lucky are we??”
The GBRW is headed by Britney Garner.
The general election will by November 8.
