'Now is not the time to rally': Iowa newspaper told Trump to stop the rallies and focus on governing

pulse

June 22, 2017 2:51 AM

"Mr. President, the campaign is over. You won."

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The hometown newspaper from the city that hosted a presidential rally had a clear message for Donald Trump on Wednesday: Skip the rallies and focus on governing.

"Mr. President, the campaign is over. You won. Now is not the time to rally," the Cedar Rapids Gazette wrote in a front-page open letter addressed to Trump. "Now is the time to sell your policies, listen to Americans with a stake in those efforts and govern."

Trump spoke at the campaign-style rally in Cedar Rapids Wednesday night, rehashing themes from his 2016 campaign rallies while applauding Republicans who have won special elections this year.

The president last visited Iowa in January as he criss-crossed the nation giving "thank you" rallies following his election victory. He held a similar rally in Pennsylvania in April.

The events led the Gazette to suggest Trump is stuck in campaign mode.

"Iowans have questions and concerns about your plans. They can't be heard over the cheers of a rally," the editorial board wrote, before listing a host of issues relevant to Iowa, including crop markets, climate change-induced flooding, and healthcare.

The editorial urged Trump to sit down with state and local leaders "to hear their stories" and learn the "real-world implications" of some of his policies.

"We concede it’s not as much fun as hearing the cheers and chants of folks convinced you're making America great again," the editorial said. "But it's what presidents do."

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