TEXARKANA - Arkansas Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin swung through town Saturday, addressing two events, where flag waving, Make America Great Again hat-wearing crowds gathered to hear him advocate for President Donald Trump's reelection.
Grey clouds, threatening rain and temperatures in the lower 50s could not dispel the enthusiasm of the crowds. At the event on the Arkansas side, in the parking lot of Whiskey River, he stood before an estimated crowd of 500 and counted down his reasons for sticking with the president. "Promises made, promises kept," was his theme.
"The choice between President Trump and Joe Biden are night and day," said Griffin. "There are a million reasons to vote against Biden. Green New Deal, he let that one slip. He's ready to get rid of oil. That's the kind of gaffe campaign staffers dread. They might have wished for a genie at that point to wish it away. He knew he had stepped in it."
He also listed his reasons to vote for Trump.
"The president came into office with a list," he said. "Not the first time presidents have done that, of both parties over the years. Most of them are well-intentioned. But still, they didn't get it done. President Trump's list, he got it done."
"First, tax reform," he said. "Last tax reform, some of you were listening to Rick Springfield and wearing parachute pants. Not where I'm from in Arkansas, but I came here to Texarkana a few times, I saw it. But that was 1986, under President Ronald Reagan. Since then, hasn't been done now. Promise made, promise kept."
He then moved on to foreign policy, specifically, Israel.
"President after president made statements about moving the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem," he said. "Experts said, 'there will be violence in the Middle East if you do.' Now, putting aside there isn't often not violence in the Middle East, they said, 'the world will go crazy!' President Trump said, 'I got this.' He moved it. Move on. Promise made, promise kept."
He then moved to the border issue, and referred to Ross Perot, billionaire and Texarkana native son, and his quote about a "giant sucking sound."
"He (Trump) put a laser focus on the border and has ongoing efforts to deal with that situation," he said.
"Also, he got rid of NAFTA, replaced it with a new deal. Got it."
Griffin then turned his attention to the Supreme Court, which got a cheer from the audience.
He smiled and said, "I never thought SCOTUS would get a cheer. We are looking at one incredible lady in Amy Comey Barret, who made all the As, that's why I made Bs in school. And that's after Gorsuch and Kavanaugh. Promise made, promise kept."
Griffin said this is how it should be with elected officials.
"Give us a list, tell us what you want to do, this is what you can expect," he said. "Stick with it. And if you have to change, tell us why."
Both Freedom Cruises in Texarkana involved parades of vehicles decorated with American flags and Trump banners.