First the prelims . . .
I was there to support Trump. I sat close, second row seating, slightly oblique to the lectern, it enabled me to see every intended facial or body language nuance, every gesture of those speaking. We could hear them without the distortion of amplification, if there was any, because the venue, the Adler Theater in Davenport, is acclaimed for its acoustics.
Attendance — the capacity of the Adler is 2500, and there were fire marshals aplenty, so given that all seats were taken, it is doubtful more people would have been allowed, so that is the figure for attendance. I do not know how many were turned away as it was a ticketed event, adequately advertised by local media.
Security was fairly straightforward and typical for such an enclosed venue. Permitting for organized protesting was limited to a couple blocks away. There were some disorganized malcontents closer but of no consequence.
Attendees were advised as to what was allowed and everyone was wanded. I arrived over an hour early and there was no line at all. That may be because two-thirds had already arrived and were inside! The lower level was full and the balcony was filling up. Trump later remarked that the theater venue was “bigger than New York.” It was flattery of course, perhaps directed both ways.
The venue choices – the limitations not inherent to Davenport but it is a particularly busy festive time here with lots going on, downtown, the river front parks, and elsewhere. The last time we saw Trump in person, last fall, was at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in a large agriculture exposition metal building where we estimated 3500 or so in attendance. The same in-door venue there (which is not air-conditioned) is no doubt taken up with preparations for the fair, which starts in a couple of days.
No doubt the Trump campaign wanted to be in terra Iowa given its “toss-up” status so, Davenport and not the adjacent Illinois venues was a firm decision. The media carryover to Illinois is a twofer anyway. That may have been a reason for picking Davenport in spite of venue limitations and that Trump’s next stop was Cedar Rapids, also Eastern Iowa.
Outdoor venues require more security and we guess The Donald prefers air-conditioning. On that score The Adler was magnificent, with a full house on a day in the 80’s with plenty of humidity. That there were fewer people for the nominated candidate than as he was seeking the nomination, and not knowing the turn-downs, means that aspect gets a pass.
Comparing the composition of the crowd to the fall event — it was similar to the extent of being largely white, still mostly male but with more women this time, more than third. It was comparatively older I think but that would be due to it being a week-day afternoon – the fall appearance was on a Saturday and given the location of the fall venue, parking would be anticipated as a breeze but not this summer given the current congestion in downtown Davenport.
Speakers – this time, as well as last, there did not seem to be enough to keep people “entertained” or informed. there should always be enough to fill the gaps caused by delays. Those that were there were with one exception, . . . meh. The best preliminary speaker was Senator Joni Ernst who did a friendly rah-rah of Trump but also a solid commentary on Hillary.
While Ernst did not officially endorse anyone prior to the Iowa caucuses, at the time it was said her heart was with Rubio. She endorsed Trump by May. She was also considered by him as his vice-President pick. At least it was good optics and swing state personages are sometimes mentioned no matter how seriously they are actually being considered. No matter, she was a credible pick.
Another ~~ speaker~~ was Jeff Kaufman, the Chairman of the Iowa Republican Party. Kaufman is perhaps better identified as a screamer rather than speaker. But so be it. Enthusiasm is his job and he amply amped it up for the occasion.
Governor Branstad, now the nation’s longest-serving governor, also spoke. Golden throats I guess don’t mean much in Iowa, neither he nor Chuck Grassley will make the list of grand orators. But Chuck has gotten better over the years, in message and delivery. The Senator can carry a cadence longer, well at least longer than the halting governor demonstrated. However, regardless of delivery, the message good old Terry felt compelled to make included hurrahs for ethanol and wind.
The people in the room, a subset presumably of a nation tired of cronyism and regulation and mandates, had that foisted on them again, as glowingly as the governor can get. Maybe it was his delivery, oh it certainly was in part, but I think there was a noticeable reduction in applause for the governor and his comments. Fewer stood than for the other walk-ons. It just seemed out-of-place to bring it up, not that he actually mentioned the necessity of the mandates per se.
I think a lot of people knew the implications of his wind and ethanol boasting. Even though wind and ethanol mandates are opposed by the Iowa Republican platform Branstad is cock sure that what is good for Iowa’s’ crony capitalists (his donors) is good for the nation and he is going to make sure the nation gets it long and hard. Branstad is a crony capitalist Republican at best too oblivious to realize the disconnect between his position and what is motivating Trump supporters. Many Trump supporters may not realize that Trump pledged fealty to ethanol at al, but with Branstad some are noticeably tired of the schtick.
Pat Grassley, grandson of the Senator and a State Representative, spoke briefly as well. It was not particularly memorable, but given that the Senator was busy campaigning for reelection elsewhere, and one Senator was already on the dais, it provided the message of unified support, oh, and maybe heir apparency. Interestingly, when Senator Grassley was asked about not planing to be part of the Trump campaign swing, (earlier radio interview) besides speaking of the timing conflicts, he added that he brought more to the Trump campaign than Trump did to his. Interesting.
Noticeably absent? — I did not notice a lot of party regulars. To be sure there were some but I think I would have noticed more. I could be wrong and wil stand corrected. Long-time local party regular John Ortega led the invocation, but I simply did not notice many others from my vantage point up-front. Nominated candidate events bring out the non-regulars and it was a sizable crowd. Maybe some regulars gave up their seats. Could be. But there was plenty of time to fill, and one would think there was opportunity for a few more welcoming comments from perhaps the home county Party Chair. But then, her daughter had filed a civil rights complaint against Trump with the local civil rights commission, alleging sexual harassment and unfair treatment. Perhaps that was a bridge too far to cross for either.
I noticed one of the Second District delegates to the RNC Cleveland Convention. I knew she was not originally a Trump supporter in the caucuses, not Cruz either as far as I know. She was new to Party affairs but got elected with a compelling story at the District convention. I asked her if she was feeling better about Trump. She said with a bit of a shrug, “a little.” That was after the event as people were leaving the theater. As such, Trumps message or speech, while covering some bases well, judging also by the crowds responses, didn’t help internal party dynamics, it was like he was rubbing his victory in. More on that later.
R Mall
