(The Center Square) On a hot Friday, during a campaign stop in Virginia, his view of the presidential debate was the same as many across the country.
“I thought the debate was pretty ridiculous, there wasn’t much to it and it wasn’t how I thought a debate should be – it seemed more like a mudslinging match between the two candidates,” said Jim, a retiree from Norfolk.
He attended former President Donald Trump’s rally in Chesapeake on Friday and gave his first street speech after Thursday night’s debate with President Joe Biden in Atlanta.
Virginia is not considered a battleground state in the 2024 election, but a well-respected Roanoke College poll conducted in May showed Biden and Trump neck and neck, with 42% of voters saying they would vote for Biden and 42% saying they would vote for Trump.
Although Jim found the debate performance unimpressive, he still expressed confidence in what the former president can do for the economy.
“I feel like we can do better when he’s president,” Jim said of Trump at Center Square.
“My personal assets have been greatly diminished over the past three and a half years and I accept that as my own. I have to live off those assets from now on and if they were to disappear I would have no means of livelihood left.”
Jim has supported Trump in the past two elections but had never attended one of his rallies until Friday.
Robin Morris, a Chesapeake resident who attended her first Trump rally, agreed the debate wasn’t his finest moment, but she thought Biden was worse — a sentiment echoed by many Americans.
“I think this is a clear signal that we don’t want Biden to be in office,” Morris told The Center Square.
“I don’t think Trump was at his best either, but I still think he won the debate.”
But like Jim, Morris believes Trump brings qualities to the presidency that will help ordinary Americans.
“I like him because I’m an accountant, but I think he has business sense and business skills, and I think we need that in the United States,” Morris said.
Thousands gathered at Chesapeake’s Historic Greenbriar Farm on Friday to hear Trump speak, boosting morale for the former president and the state of Virginia.
Trump has been vocal in his support of Republican state leadership, including governors and several House candidates whom he supports.
“He’s got common sense, he’s got great policies,” Trump said of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
“He has the policies that made America great. We’re proud of him. He’s done a great job.”
Trump spoke glowingly about Hung Kao, a former Navy captain and special operations officer who is running against former governor and longtime senator Tim Kaine.
“I’m thrilled to have so many fine Virginia patriots and great people with us today, including Virginia’s Senator-elect Hun Kao!” Trump said.
“What do you think? Do you think he’ll win? Glenn? Are you going to help him?”
He also defended Derrick Anderson, who is running against Trump whistleblower Eugene Vindman, and state Sen. John Maguire, who appears to have won a narrow victory over incumbent Bob Good with Trump’s endorsement.
The election results have not been officially finalized, and Good has called for a recount.
