She admires Trump’s ‘down-to-earth’ family
Theresa Hernandez offered a novel reason to support Trump: his attractive wife and kids. George Corcodel, a military veteran and the son of European immigrants, said Trump may not deport all 11 million migrants in the country illegally, but he will get rid of the bad ones and seal the border. Both Hernandez and Corcodel are from Surprise, Ariz.
She fears Muslims
Laura Facchini of Chicago emigrated from Italy as a child, and her family had to wait a year to get into the country. So she is upset with migrants who cross the border illegally and, in her view, get “welfare and free housing.” Facchini is also concerned about who might be sneaking in as refugees.
A ‘powder keg’ waiting for a spark
Patrick Gries of Peoria, Ariz., described Trump supporters as “a powder keg” that has been waiting for a spark from someone like Trump. He feels distanced from a “political class” that only serves its own agenda.
A ‘voice for the anger’
Gregg Humphries of Gilbert, Ariz., described himself as “a voice for the anger” and feels ignored and unrepresented by what he sees as the prevailing leftward-lurching political regime. He believes Trump offers a chance to “blow the whole thing up and start again.”
He sees Trump as a winner
With his cute 8-month-old daughter in his arms, Jake Maggio of Mesa, Ariz., talked about his weariness with career politicians like past Republican presidential nominees Mitt Romney and John McCain. He sees Trump as a winner who will follow through on his promises, especially his pledge to build a border wall.
Not a fan of Obamacare
John Faulkner of Tacoma, Wash., complained about Obamacare. Because employers did not want to pay new healthcare costs, his daughter was unable to get full-time work at five different fast food outlets after she graduated from high school, he said.
Early supporter is sick of politics as usual
A Trump supporter from “day one,” Michael Breton of Fountain Hills, Ariz., said he almost lost his house in the economic downturn. He is sick of politics as usual and politicians who stay in office too long.
She sees Trump as immune to peer pressure
Donna Cotter of Fountain Hills, Ariz., sees Trump as a no-nonsense candidate who will not fold to peer pressure and will do something about people who enter the country illegally.
They see strength in Trump
Dressed in costumes that would be branded politically incorrect on many college campuses, teenagers Andy Smith and William Bourdages of Scottsdale, Ariz., attracted lots of attention from TV reporters. Smith said extreme conservatism is polarizing, but he does not see Trump as extreme.
Likes Trump’s support of police
Founder of the group Rally for L.E. (law enforcement), Nohl Rosen of Phoenix likes Trump’s support for the police. Holding a black flag with a blue stripe representing the “thin blue line,” Rosen stood watch with a 9mm pistol strapped to his leg, ready to back up the cops if protesters got out of hand.
Trump = Obama antidote
Dori Williams of Fountain Hills, Ariz., sees Trump as an antidote to what she considers President Obama’s “socialist policies.” She does wish he would tone down his provocative rhetoric, but still…