EVERETT — Like many Republicans in Snohomish County, Debbie Blodgett’s first choice for president was not the man sworn into office Friday.
Now she’s all in with President Donald Trump, whose inaugural address she said brought tears to her eyes and hope to her heart.
“Oh my gosh, what a morning,” said Blodgett, the leader of the Snohomish County Republican Party, moments after the speech. “Today he sounded like a statesman, he sounded like the president of the United States.”
She said his vow to put power back in the hands of the people and unemployed back to work resonated most strongly.
“I started crying while listening to him because so many people were losing trust in the government. So many felt we were losing our freedoms,” she said. “I’m feeling hopeful that we are going to be able to rebuild our military, rebuild our country and rebuild our prosperity. I’m very happy with what we’re going to see here in the future.”
State Sen. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, a Trump supporter from the outset, appreciated the talk about “the forgotten person” and a pledge to not forget the needs of those living in the inner cities.
The speech “was about everybody. It was about America and everybody in America,” he said.
Not everybody celebrated Trump’s ascension to power Friday.
At rallies across the country, including in Seattle and Olympia, speakers denounced his election and policies he’s promised to pursue in the next four years.
Blodgett thinks the inaugural speech can provide a starting point to bridge the chasm between opposing political forces.
“We need to bring the people back together,” she said. “I am praying that we can find that unity and solidarity.”
Pearson hopes everyone will “give him a chance.”
“He has an enormous task,” he said. “I know a lot of people may not like him. United we’re strong and we need to be strong together.”
In Washington, D.C., Snohomish resident Russell Johnson attended his first inauguration and applauded Trump for a short speech blending philosophical platitudes with policy objectives.
“We had really good seats and watched history being made in front of us,” said Johnson, lead pastor of Pursuit Northwest and an active Republican Party member. “I thought there was a genuine optimism that America’s great days are ahead of us, not behind us.”
Johnson said he encountered a few vitriolic protesters on his way from the ceremony to a spot along the parade route. No problem, he said, as he’s been “inoculated” by political protests in Seattle.
Students from Snohomish County schools attended the inauguration.
A group of 14 students, parents and a teacher from Lake Stevens were there, among them Elizabeth Stanton and Sophie Grieser, both 17. Stanton said it was interesting to see all of the people there, including Trump opponents such as Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. She and her friends got funny looks when they cheered for Sanders and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but Stanton never felt unwelcome.
There was more booing than Stanton and Grieser expected. It was a hectic event with a large crowd, though there were fewer people than Grieser had pictured. She clapped at some points and stayed silent through others. The girls said it was a unique, interesting experience and one they will remember.
“It was kind of sad because I didn’t support this candidate, but it was also kind of enlightening that the world will go on,” Stanton said. “Seeing President Obama there shaking hands with now President Trump, it was really enlightening to see that this really is what is going to be happening for the next four years.”
Melissa Webster, a government teacher at Cascade High School, organized a trip that brought 18 students from Everett.
Cascade sophomore Cami Kloes was the third member of her family to attend a presidential inauguration. Her older sisters, Katie and Kenna, attended President Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremonies.
“They told me it was really exciting,” Kloes said. “So that’s why I wanted to do it. I didn’t think I’d have this opportunity otherwise if I didn’t take this trip.”
Four of the students from Everett took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday.
“I think it takes a lot of courage to personally join the military, to go out there and be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of yourself for your country,” said Cascade senior Sean Johnson, who was one of the four involved. “It’s something bigger than you.”
Senior Dane Angel, a self-described Trump supporter, said this trip had far exceeded his expectations.
“It wasn’t about seeing Trump, but it was about seeing history and being witness to it,” Angel said. “I would have gone no matter who won.”
Herald writers Kari Bray and Chris Winters contributed to this report. Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com Twitter: @dospueblos
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