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Elise Viebeck
Business and Research Journalist focused on politics
RICHMOND, Ky. – President Trump rose on Saturday against the "Democratic politics of hatred, anger and division" at a rally celebrating his federal judicial appointments and his alliance with Kentucky Senators, including the leader of the majority in the Senate, Mitch McConnell (R).
Less than a month before the midterm elections, Trump traveled to Madison County to campaign for the re-election of Garland Representative "Andy" Barr (R-Ky.), Congressman. leading to three terms in a tough race against new Democrat Amy McGrath.
But the president devoted only a fraction of the evening to talking about Barr, focusing instead on McConnell and on the confirmation of more than 80 judges in the federal judiciary during the current Congress.
On several occasions, Trump stepped away from the topic on the agenda to praise and comment affectionately on the Republican leader and his junior colleague, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) – a contrast strong between the quarrel between Trump and Paul at the 2016 Republican presidential election.
"Everyone does not know that Mitch is a great guy," said Trump laughingly, calling the Republican leader "one of the most powerful men in the world." . . no one is more severe, no one is more intelligent.
McConnell, who generally avoids commenting on Trump's daily remarks and behavior, spoke warmly to the crowd.
"Are we not proud of President Trump?", He said to the head after being called on stage. "Let me just thank President Trump and the Republican Senate – 84 new federal judges have already attended this convention."
McConnell said he would continue to help confirm Trump's judicial appointments and predicted that the wave of new judges "will change the justice system forever".
The focus on the judges was a safe territory for Trump a few weeks before the mid-term, when Democrat enthusiasm put some Republicans elected on the defensive. The remarks came just two days after McConnell reached an agreement with Democratic senators allowing the vote of 15 other candidates for the judiciary in exchange for the Senate's authorization to end his work until after mid-term.
Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh's successful confirmation to the Supreme Court was one of the biggest applause of the evening, with supporters chanting: "Ka-va-naugh! Ka-going naugh! "
"Never has a man been so mistreated," said Trump, referring to allegations of sexual assault of several women against Kavanaugh. "We stuck with him all the way, we knew the facts."
Barr faces McGrath, a retired Navy fighter pilot, in the state's only competitive federal race in November. McGrath courted leading Democrat supporters and matched his $ 3 million in funding for the 6th congressional district race.
"It's not a hyperbole. This election is more important than politics, "former Vice President Joe Biden told his supporters at a rally on Friday night.
[‘Our values are being shredded’: Joe Biden denounces Trump at Kentucky rally]
Barr tried to tie McGrath to Democratic leaders in Washington, including Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Leader of the minority in the House of Representatives, an association she resisted. Fueled by modest donations and viral campaign announcements, the veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq launched a message of unity that corrected America's cultural divisions.
"I do not think the Democratic Party has all the answers. . . . Both parties must relearn how to work together, "said McGrath.
Trump Saturday called McGrath "extreme liberal".
"If you want to prevent Nancy Pelosi from becoming Speaker of the House … then you have to vote for Garland" Andy "Barr," he said, adding, "This could be the most important race ever."
"Democrats have become totally consumed by their thirst for power," he said.
Trump went to Kentucky on Saturday after meeting Evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson, who was released on Friday after two years in jail in Turkey.
"He is now free from prison. . . He's back with his family, his wife, and him, and he's on American soil. It's a beautiful family, "said Trump.
"We do not pay ransom. We do not pay ransom, "he added.
The rally took place in the heart of Madison County – a sought after swing county that has voted for the winner of all congressional races since 1990, with one exception.
The county voted strongly for Trump in 2016, where he nearly doubled Hillary Clinton's points overall. This resulted in a 16 percentage point victory in the district – although his presence on Saturday night provoked controversy at Eastern Kentucky University, faculty leaders writing a letter before the event saying that Trump was opposite to the academic freedom values of the institution.
A group of protesters lined up at the entrance of the rally, some chanting: "No trump! No KKK! No American fascism! Others posted placards with slogans, including "Believe Women," "Kavanaugh Impeach," and "Listen to Women," illustrating the difficult situation following Kavanaugh's confirmation after accusations of sexual misconduct. .
The protesters were greatly outnumbered by a multitude of red "Make America Great Again" caps, which stretched from the highway to the entrance of the University Coliseum, with a capacity of 6,000 people . Asset tweeted A photo of supporters gathered outside the event two hours before his arrival, writing: "The crowd is massive again."
Some arriving at 4 am, thousands of supporters did not attend the event. A live stream was projected on a big screen on the outside, which is unusual for a Trump rally.
Prior to the president's arrival, Barr proclaimed himself a strong supporter of the White House agenda. "I proudly voted for the construction of the wall," he said, deserving a standing ovation and saying to his supporters, "Under President Donald J. Trump, we still remember you!
Paul echoed Trump's attacks on the Democratic Party as an angry mob, claiming that those who protested against Kavanaugh's investiture were "vulgar" and "had no respect".
"Can you imagine people screaming and screaming when they take charge of the [Judiciary] committee? he said. "It will be madness."
From Clinton – whose name sparked slogans of "Let's lock her up!" – and her recent claim that civility might wait until after the mid-term, he said, "She's perpetually moaning, moaning, moaning!"
Viebeck reported from Washington.
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