Once in a Lifetime Presidential Visit

People started lining up on Sunday to ensure that they would be able to find a seat in the Wildwood Convention Center for President Trump’s visit to Wildwood on Tuesday, Jan. 28. A presidential visit to Cape May County is an extraordinary event, but for people to stand in line in such a cold month as  January, for as long as three days, is also extraordinary, and I had  to go talk to a number of  them to understand their reasons.
For people in the newspaper business, to hear a president speak is not extremely out of the ordinary, and we don’t have to stand in line to do it. So I asked myself, what drives people to endure that punishment. I presumed it was based upon a desire to see a president, live and in person. 
I grabbed a reporter’s notebook, drove to Wildwood and made my way up and down the long lines of people, speaking to them at random.
In my line of work, one is  not  supposed to become emotional, but several times I had to stop and wipe tears from my eyes as I listened  to people from New Jersey and  surrounding states tell me their reasons for coming.  I did learn that they did not all wait in line the whole time. Some groups of people rented hotel rooms; they would spell one another, some warming up or sleeping while others held the place in line. Others brought beach chairs and blankets and toughed it out the whole time in the cold.  
What did they say that brought my tears? What I heard from most of them was that they had come to support the president. Not one said he or she came to see a president speak. They came to back the president whom they see as being out there fighting for them and traditional American values, (a theme near and dear to my heart.) In addition to the general patriotic themes, they desired to see him re-elected. Below are some additional specific comments:
Suzanne, Clifton Springs, Pa.:  “I love him for everything he’s done for the country; he’s tough and takes no crap. He fights for us. I’m glad that he’s building the wall to put a stop to illegal immigration. Imagine what he could accomplish if he didn’t have to fight the Democrats in the House of Representatives. When I heard he was going to be here, coming was a given. It’s only three hours away.”
Joe, Atlantic City: “I’m here to support President Trump 1000%. He’s done so many things to make my life and my family’s lives better financially; but it’s more than dollars. He builds pride in our country; makes it stronger and more stable. He supports right to  life and the 2nd Amendment. He’s truly making the  country great again.“
Pastor, Rio Grande: “I support our President because he stands for Biblical values.”
Art, Tabernacle, NJ: “I’m here to support President Trump for what he’s done for the economy and my 401 (k) retirement plan. He’s kept his promises to lower unemployment, and made our military strong. We arrived here around 9 Sunday morning.”
Noreen, Flemington, NJ: “I support him because he keeps his promises to the middle class – we finally have a voice again.”
Laurie, North Jersey: “He’s got guts to do the job. He’s got pride in America. I’m an immigrant and I did it the right way, by the law. People who are already here are also important, not just illegal immigrants. People throw stones at him for being a womanizer – that was years ago, he was young; he’s changed. He said, I was that man but not anymore. Besides, there are women who throw themselves at rich and powerful men. I judge him for what he’s accomplishing now. NJ gets overlooked because we are a blue state, not a swing state.”
Leann, Glassboro: “I’ve been here since Sunday at 3 p.m. I’m here because our president needs our support. I have a small business and he has helped us grow, and got the economy growing again and people are back to work.  He’s against abortion, and that is big with me. He’s bringing us back to the things America needs to focus on. He’s not a career politician. The Left is trying to impeach him because they never got over losing in 2016. The media misrepresents who this man is. In the lane of the line I’m waiting in, there are people from N. Carolina, NY, Conn., and Vermont.
John, North Jersey: I earned my way. Nothing was given to me free; our government should not be handing out things.
Protesters: I looked for protesters to interview, and no one could help me find any. (I was later told that they appeared later in the day). 
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John Lynch, Wildwood Convention Center: People started lining up here Sunday afternoon in a tailgate atmosphere. It is a well-behaved and fun crowd. The event has been an economic boon for Wildwood and Cape May County.