Donald Trump looked presidential. He sounded presidential. He stayed on script. The argument against him is that he’s incapable of doing what he just did, but he did it.
Will this speech nudge the poll numbers in the positive direction? Not if the media has anything to say about it. Start the video at about 1:26 minutes. There’s a bunch of preamble from ABC News. Best to ignore them.
Mr. Trump emphasized these principles:
Mutual goals. Both men want their countries to be safe, prosperous, and free.
NAFTA must benefit the United States. Both countries benefit from fair and reciprocal trade.
Donald made five points in his speech:
- Ending illegal immigration: Not just between our two countries but including the illegal immigration from Central and South America–to both Mexico and the United States. It must solved quickly.
- Having a secure border is a sovereign right and mutually beneficial to stop the trafficking of drugs and people.
- Dismantling drug cartels and ending the movement of illegal drugs, money and people across our border.
- Improve NAFTA. It’s a 22 year old agreement that must be updated to reflect the realties of today. Keep industry in our hemisphere. Workers in both of our countries need a pay raise desperately. It has been 18 years that incomes have been going down for workers in the United States.
- Keep manufacturing wealth in our hemisphere. When jobs go overseas, it increases poverty and pressure on social services and on our border.
Trump said, “A strong, prosperous Mexico is in the best interests of America. Both of our countries will work together for our mutual good.”
Donald Trump ended the talk with a press conference and called President Nieto “a friend.”
President Nieto said that many Mexicans had their feelings hurt by Mr. Trumps words but that they have a new understanding.
Analysis: Solid speech. Stayed on script. Looked presidential. Gotta help him.
Your thoughts?
