KANSAS CITY, Mo. — President Donald Trump made a surprise visit and speech Monday morning at the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Mike Kuckelman, chair of the Kansas Republican Party, was at the convention and cast 39 votes from Kansas for Trump. While the voting was still underway, Kuckelman said delegates noticed that the podium sign was being changed.
"We didn't know until moments before he took the stage that he was here in person to address the convention. It was really exciting," Kuckelman said.
Trump's appearance was a surprise, but what he had to say was not: his focus was the economy.
"Before the plague came into China, that is where we were going. We were going in a direction like we had never seen,” Trump said. “The most successful economy in the history of our country.”
Kuckelman agrees with the president.
"401Ks are back to pre-COVID levels, and yet a big portion of our economy is shut down. So we do have a thriving economy, and you have to wonder what would it be like if we hadn't seen COVID,” Kuckelman said.
Trump also talked about law and order, from the military to local police.
"You know he has reinvested in our military; he has equipped them. Our law enforcement,” Kuckelman said. “The Republican party does not want to defund police departments. I know there are several Democrats that are proposing that.”
The Kansas Republican Party leader said the Democratic ticket is focused on attacking Trump, while the Trump campaign is promising action.
"(Republicans are) delivering messages about positive things, about things that they are going to deliver. Things that the administration will do, actual steps they are taking, action points and not just leveling criticisms,” Kuckelman said. “That's something I think a lot of voters really want to hear.”
It’s a strategy Kuckelman believes will get Republican voters to the polls in November to give Trump another four years in office.
---
41 Action News is committed to providing comprehensive information on the 2020 primary and general elections with an emphasis on several key issues — the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic and race relations. Count on us to provide news and information to help you make an informed choice at the polls.