Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata calls President Trump’s State of the Union address last night, his “best ever,” despite partisan dissent in the chamber. KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…
The speech was wildly applauded by Republicans. Democrats sat silent, at times grimacing.
Congresswoman Amata reflected her party’s enthusiasm as the president declared a “turnaround for the ages.”
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Amata “I think it was his best speech ever, because he made it about real people and kind of lifted them up.”
…especially pocketbook issues with mid-term elections just eight-months away…
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Amata “I think he focused on the economy quite a bit. And American Samoa is better off when the United States is doing well.”
…adding that Trump can reverse GOP fortunes reflected in lagging opinion polls…
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Amata “He can turn that around, because it’s really all about the work that you are doing. And it applies to us in American Samoa, for myself, running for reelection. It’s all about, ‘What have I brought home for the people of American Samoa?’ The other five challengers, they can only promise that they can do ‘this, that and the other thing.’”
Trump kicked off the season, baiting Democrats minus some 70 that boycotted his speech, asking if “the first duty of the government was to protect American citizens—not illegal aliens.” When they refused to stand, Trump rebuked them–
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Trump “You should be ashamed of yourself not standing up…you should be ashamed of yourself.”
Democrats shot back that Trump should be ashamed, after ICE operations claimed two lives in Minnesota.
And the nastiness went for much of the second half of his almost 2-hour speech…Democrats wearing protest buttons and one ejected for displaying a protest sign.
Congresswoman Amata was not impressed…
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Amata “When they sit there and act like children, it is just…it’s not good.”
But the president ended on a high note, recognizing or awarding medals to war heroes, survivors of violence and the gold medal winning US Olympic hockey team.
Trump noted a big turnaround in military recruitments and a religious renewal among youth. Amata said American Samoa is already there…
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Amata “Our people are strong Christians and they’re never ashamed to tell whoever wants to listen, that they love God.”
