NEWS AND OPINION:
Donald Trump continues to win the confidence of the nation’s law enforcement officers — of particular interest to voters in a dangerous age. So far this year, Mr. Trump has been endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police, which represents 330,000 officers; the National Border Patrol Council, representing 16,500 Border Patrol agents; and the National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council, which counts 5,000 federal immigration officers in its ranks.
And new to the list Thursday, all in Colorado: Denver Police Protective Association, Aurora Police Association and Colorado Springs Police Protective Association, which collectively represent 2,700 officers.
Mr. Trump has won their support with his vow to “make America safe again,” along with succinct proposals to enforce existing immigration laws and “move criminal aliens out day one, in joint operations with local, state, and federal law enforcement” — this according to a statement of campaign positions.
One law enforcement organization explains the candidate’s appeal.
“We need a person in the White House who doesn’t fear the media, who doesn’t embrace political correctness, who doesn’t need the money, who is familiar with success, who won’t bow to foreign dictators, who is pro-military and values law enforcement, and who is angry for America and not subservient to the interests of other nations. Donald Trump is such a man,” noted the National Border Patrol Council in its endorsement.
“Mr. Trump is as bold and outspoken as other world leaders who put their country’s interests ahead of all else. Americans deserve to benefit for once, instead of always paying and apologizing. Our current political establishment has bled this country dry, sees their power evaporating, and isn’t listening to voters who do all the heavy lifting,” the council said.
SEE ALSO: Hillary Clinton’s marijuana legalization stance alienates millennials
THE PANTSUIT FACTOR
“We’re getting closer to my favorite October holiday: Halloween. I can’t wait to see little girls all over the country in their best pantsuit dressed up as their hero, and our next president. (And not just the girls! My son, Mason, has even asked if he can be Hillary for Halloween — so I may have him try out the college Hillary look out because she was just too cool.)”
— From an emailed fundraising message for the Hillary Clinton Victory Fund from Lindsey Reynolds, chief operating officer for the Democratic National Committee.
WEEKEND CANDIDATE TRACKER
Shhh. Hillary Clinton has retired to her respective corner this weekend to contemplate the second presidential debate on Sunday night. She will be back on the campaign trail Monday at a voter event in Detroit. These surrogates, however, are campaigning for the nominee through Monday: Vice President Joseph R. Biden; running mate Sen. Tim Kaine; Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Bernard Sanders, Kirsten Gillibrand and Russ Feingold; daughter Chelsea Clinton; former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; and musician Dave Matthews.
Donald Trump is not at rest. He will campaign Saturday with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan at a fall festival in Janesville, Wisconsin. The pair will be joined by Sen. Ron Johnson, Gov. Scott Walker and a battalion of state officials. The event has already drawn derisive press coverage, but no matter. Mr. Trump emerges Monday for rallies in Wilkes-Barre and Ambridge, Pennsylvania.
SEE ALSO: Fossil fuels not raising air pollution as much as previously predicted
’BLUE COLLAR BILLIONAIRE’
“I chose to personally support Donald Trump for president early on and referred to him as America’s blue-collar billionaire at the Republican National Convention because of his love for ordinary Americans and his kindness, generosity and bold leadership qualities,” writes Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University, in an essay for ConservativeHQ.com.
“My family has grown to love all of the Trumps because they are wonderful people willing to sacrifice much for their country. The public perception of Trump that has been created by the media is simply false.” Mr. Falwell advises. “We are at a crossroads where our first priority must be saving our nation. As Winston Churchill did, Trump possesses the resolve to put his country first and to never give up in a world that is increasingly hostile to our values.”
VOTERS OBLIVIOUS TO TRUMP TAXES
The subject of Donald Trump’s tax returns is a favorite theme for his Democratic critics. Do voters care about the issue? Well, no. They don’t.
“Voters say Trump’s tax history is nothing unusual in business,” says a new Rasmussen Reports survey which found that 83 percent of them agreed with the idea.
“The leak of Trump’s 1995 income tax returns showing substantial financial losses that appear to have allowed him to avoid paying taxes for 18 years sent the media into a frenzy last week. But most voters say such behavior is par for the course in the business world and that a candidate’s policy positions are more important than how much he or she has paid in taxes,” the survey notes.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For Sale: The Oscar Meyer Mansion, built of brick and sandstone in 1901 in Evanston, Illinois, historic district for the nation’s premiere hot dog maven. Six bedrooms, five baths, 7,401 square-feet. “Lovingly restored” original woodworking, floors, marble work, stained glass and beveled glass windows; includes living, family, breakfast and game rooms; circular music and dining rooms, custom kitchen, library, office, ballroom, detached garage. Priced at $2.9 million through BairdWarner.com; enter 09206361 in search function.
POLL DU JOUR
• 61 percent of U.S. small business owners say Donald Trump has the best tax policy; 38 percent say Hillary Clinton has the best policy.
• 59 percent of business owners overall plan to vote for Mr. Trump; 76 percent of white owners, 40 percent of Asian owners, 38 percent of Hispanic owners and 19 percent of black owners agree.
• 40 percent of owners overall will vote for Mrs. Clinton; 24 percent of white owners, 60 percent of Asian owners, 62 percent of Hispanic owners and 81 percent of black owners agree.
• 58 percent overall say Mr. Trump won the first presidential debate; 41 percent said Mrs. Clinton won it.
Source: A Manta poll of 824 small business owners in the U.S. conducted Sept. 26-28 and released Wednesday.
• Murmurs and asides to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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