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Trump Goes Off Script In the Mountain State

President Donald Trump waves during a roundtable discussion on tax policy, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., with from left, Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Trump, CEO of Davis Trust Company Hugh Hitchcock, and assistant head teller at Davis Trust Company Ann Macomber. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WHEELING — West Virginia’s Republican elite turned out Thursday to thank President Donald Trump for keeping a focus on the Mountain State, and setting forth policies they see as improving the lives of West Virginians.

Tension in the 2018 race for West Virginia’s U.S. Senate Seat also became apparent as Trump addressed supporters gathered Thursday at the White Sulphur Springs Civic Center in Greenbrier County.

He knocked Democrat U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin for not supporting his policies, and two Republicans seeking to replace Manchin flanked Trump when he sat down for discussion. U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins sat to his right, and State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey was at his left.

Trump reminded those present Manchin voted against his recent tax cut plan.

“I thought he would be helpful because he talks with me and says hello, but he voted against our tax plan,” he said.

Manchin also didn’t support his plan for health care reform, according to Trump.

“And he does other things I don’t like, to be honest with you,” he said. Trump didn’t provide more specific examples.

West Virginia Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns, R-Ohio, said Trump cares deeply about West Virginia and is bringing a lot of positive publicity to the state.

“He shines a spotlight on our improvements,” Ferns said. “Our economy — for the first time — is leading the nation is some aspects of economic growth.

“He is letting the rest of the world know West Virginia is a great place to do business. He puts us on an international stage.”

Sitting with Ferns in the crowd at the event were U.S. Rep. David B. McKinley, R-W.Va., and his wife Mary of Wheeling.

“It was an honor to welcome President Trump back to West Virginia for the fourth time since his election,” Rep. McKinley said. “The president has worked diligently with us to revitalize the coal industry and undo the damaging effects of the war on coal. He has rolled back job-killing regulations and set America on the path to energy dominance on the world stage.”

Both Morrisey and Jenkins took the opportunity to praise the president for his policies.

The average West Virginia family with two children now receives an extra $1,966 a year in their paychecks “because of your tax cuts, Mr. President.” Jenkins told Trump. He added the average home mortgage is about $600 a month.

“(The tax cuts by) President Trump paid the mortgage for three months for the average West Virginian,” Jenkins said. “You talk about making a difference in a family’s life — you’ve done that.”

Morrisey said Trump Administration policies are more in line with the thoughts of average West Virginians. The attorney general said while President Barack Obama was in office, it seemed as though he had to file a lawsuit every day against the administration.

“Thank goodness we now have an administration we can work closely with who is committed to regulatory reform, tax relief and helping us out,” Morrisey said.

“They had a bull’s-eye on us until you got here, so thank you for that.”

Four other candidates also are in the GOP race for U.S. Senate — former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship; Bo Copley of Delbarton, W.Va.; Jack Newbrough of Weirton; and Tom Willis of Martinsburg.

His visit Thursday was Trump’s fourth to West Virginia since taking over the presidency 14 months ago. He said the Mountain State is special to him as he won the state by 42 percentage points in the 2016 general election — his largest victory margin across the nation.

Trump praised Gov. Jim Justice for improving West Virginia’s economy over the past year.

“Your state is doing much better since your governor turned Republican,” Trump told the crowd. Justice was elected as a Democrat in the 2016 general election, but in August 2017 he announced he would become a Republican.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Capito, R-W.Va. joined Trump for Thursday’s discussion.

“It’s no secret that West Virginia has seen some tough times,” she said in a statement following the event. “We have felt the consequences of misguided and tone-deaf policies that damaged industries and communities across our state, but in the past year, we have seen a transformation.

“We have also seen renewed optimism among workers, small business owners and folks who frankly had pretty much given up hope. That all changed with the Trump administration. We finally have an administration that believes in an all-of-the-above energy policy, pro-growth reforms, and legislation like the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that will move our state forward.”

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