WILMINGTON — Local and state leaders and citizens weren’t shy about sharing their reactions to Donald Trump’s victory in Tuesday’s presidential race.
“President-elect Trump was gracious in victory last night and called for unity,” said Clinton County GOP Chairman Tim Inwood Wednesday after the News Journal asked for his thoughts in the wake of the election. “His speech took me back to September 1st when I got to meet with him. He was considerate, kind and inquisitive. He asked a number of questions and I noted he listened carefully to my answers and asked even deeper questions based on what I said.
“He impressed me that day. There is a deeper intellect than most give him credit for having. I think those Americans who are a bit apprehensive today will be made more comfortable as this side of him emerges in office.
“Though I disapprove of how the sins of Washington, D.C., the media, the establishment politicians and the powers that work in the background were revealed by Wikileaks, the exposure did a great service by making the American people aware of how broad and deep the corruption had spread,” Inwood continued. “We have all suspected it for years, it’s even somewhat ingrained in our popular culture and media. The cynicism and contempt for those in office and the institutions of government have grown like a cancer as a result.
“Clearly the republic will not survive if people lack faith in their government and those who serve in office. It will take all of the American people, united in working towards our common purpose, the reforms that must be made to end the culture of corruption that has been exposed. Only then will our government be able to function as it should as the representatives of the people’s will.
“And let’s pray we can restore something else that has been lost to the American people, the concept of liberty and freedom trampled by government mandates, punitive regulation, heavy taxation and petty interference in our lives and in our commerce. Let us get back to those founding principles of liberty my friends before it’s too late.
“The work ahead is a tall order,” Inwood said. “Restoration of the rule of law and respect for our Constitution, reform of our government agencies, departments and institutions that have become so tainted and corrupt that they have gone astray from their original missions. Only by doing these things can we restore the faith of the American people in those institutions again. It’s a daunting task, but I think President Trump will be able to assemble a competent team who will do just that. I am truly looking forward to it and playing my role in getting America back on the right track. I hope you will join us in this cause.”
Clinton County Democratic Party Chair Ann Reno told the News Journal, “Democrats are grateful to be Americans and live in a country where we have the right to disagree with the other party. The huge drop in the stock market said a lot about Trump’s electoral vote win, and we couldn’t be prouder that Hillary won the country’s popular vote.
“Democrats are deeply disappointed that Trump won, but we will continue to fight for what is good and right in America,” added Reno.
Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman, who was re-elected to a second term Tuesday with his win over Ted Strickland, perhaps illustrates himself the variety of reactions and emotions the Trump campaign elicited.
Portman had earlier voiced support for Trump’s campaign, but in early October he reversed course after the lewd comments made by Trump several years earlier became public. Portman said then he would cast his ballot for Trump’s vice presidential candidate, Mike Pence, for president.
On Wednesday morning, Portman issued this statement: “I congratulate Donald Trump on his historic election victory last night and I look forward to working with him, Mike Pence, and the new administration on a whole range of issues. Our country faces serious challenges, from the weak recovery and the middle-class squeeze, to an epidemic of drug addiction, to our growing national security threats. To solve these problems, we need to come together and rise above the dysfunction in Washington. I’m pleased President-elect Trump has already begun that process of reaching out to all Americans with his inclusive victory speech last night. As I said in my remarks last night, I know if we work together we can deliver results and make a real difference in the lives of Ohioans and all Americans.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown issued a statement: “I congratulate Donald Trump on his victory and thank Secretary Clinton for her service. Now it’s time to bring our country together, and I am ready to get to work for all Ohioans. I have worked with many people throughout my career. That’s the job Ohioans elected me to do and I will keep working with my colleagues on both sides to find common ground and get things done for the people of our state.
“I spoke with Senator Portman last night and congratulated him on his victory — we’ve worked together on everything from trade enforcement to algal blooms in Lake Erie to the opioid crisis — and I look forward to continuing our work to get things done for Ohio.
“Both Presidential candidates proposed badly needed infrastructure investments that will support Ohio jobs, and I will push for infrastructure to be a top priority in the coming year,” stated Brown.
As one might expect, reaction to Trump’s win on the News Journal’s Facebook page was both passionate and decidedly mixed:
Tahanna Blake: “Great news! Praying for our new president and leaders.”
Kimberly Campos: “Never will support him.”
Donna Christian: “Ya all going to eat them negative words when u see when Trump makes America great again!”
