SCHOLL: The 'Trump' card

Despite the hyped anticipation of Donald Trump coming to Macon, there was no violence, no protesters arguing with other protesters. Coliseum Security personnel looked bored. Sheriff's deputies grouped, two or three together, chatting. Chips with cheese sauce was a popular item in the seats. An EMS official wandered the aisles spitting tobacco into an empty Dasani water bottle.

After the patriotic songs a pastor appeared inviting people of all faiths to join the campaign, but he warned he was praying a Christian prayer as he called America to come back to God. He mentioned "Christ," "blood of the cross," "saved," etc. It appeared the Trump campaign had chosen its God.

People perked up a bit when Herman Cain found the podium. After a few words he introduced the man America needed: Donald Trump and he took the stage.

Most politicians and many clergy know the same secret: It is easier to unite people "against" something, rather than "for" something. Trump immediately started his attack. He attacked Mexicans. He attacked Syrian refugees. He lumped all Muslims together. He attacked Democrats and other Republicans. He invited one man close to the stage to join the attack on Obama: "Louder," he prodded. The man repeated for all to hear, "Obama is a dumbass."

The press? Say no more; everyone knew they are the enemy. The "main line media," Trump would clarify, wanted to take him down, but he would fight back. The rafters filled with "boo's" for the press.

Next day's news reported people leaving Trump's rally early, some showed film of a serious exodus. Perhaps, Trump should be ticked. This crowd was not the type long experienced in listening to extended speeches. Besides, it was time to leave; who knew Trump was only half finished? From all I saw and heard listening in on conversations, these were Trump's people. It didn't matter when they left, they were voting Trump.

One reporter, who evidently frequently covers his campaign, earned Trump's special scorn for something she recently wrote. Trump started to give details, but the resounding boo's silenced him mid-sentence. Trump need not explain himself. If he wanted to complain about a reporter, the house would boo her.

The boo's quieted. "There she is, right back there." Trump pointed to the press box, center court in the arena, eye to eye with Trump at the podium. The boo's started again. There would be no louder "boo" the rest of the evening.

I saw only one woman with pen and pad where Trump was looking. She was sitting in the open at the front of the press box. The only other women I saw were behind various cameras. Trump didn't mention her name -- he didn't want to make her famous, he said. But 6,000 people were looking at her.

I wondered how she felt. I wondered if she was the woman of Trump's wrath, or just another reporter with pen and pad. If she was a different reporter, I wondered how they both felt having all this rather negative attention. When I left the building, I walked past hawkers of signs and T-shirts and around various groups looking over assorted wares. A man slapped a bumper-sticker in my hand. Streams of people hunted their cars. Out buildings and trees cast many shadows from street lights. I wondered how it was for the female reporters leaving the building, walking into the night of the parking lot.

I doubt if any large event, such as this rally, is without its share of the mentally disturbed. Now, fill these troubled people with politics and we have one reason the Secret Service is surrounding the candidates. There was no Secret Service protection for reporters.

Trump hits back; he says so. I wonder, but I doubt, if these reporters will be intimidated and soften their reporting on Trump. There is a shroud of cowardliness covering one who stands behind the Secret Service, while placing female reporters at risk as they make their way, at night, back to their hotel rooms. I wonder if it was a moment's thoughtlessness by Trump. I suppose we will know for sure if there is such a "Trump Card" played again.

Tom Scholl is a resident of Macon. His email address is tomscholl2@hotmail.com.

This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 5:42 PM with the headline "SCHOLL: The 'Trump' card ."