By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — About 40 American flag-waving “Right Thinkers” staged a rally for President Trump and the Save Act Saturday outside Lincoln Park.
One of the organizers, Connie Wolfinger of the conservative Right Thinkers group, said the rally started as an effort to encourage the Senate to pass the Save Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) — a bill to document citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. It passed the House in a party-line vote earlier this year.
The rally quickly turned into a Trump rally, Wolfinger said.
Olean City Republican Chairwoman Mary Fay agreed, saying the Save Act bill would use cyber-security and AI to make sure people voting in elections were who they say they are.
A birth certificate or passport would be required to prove citizenship before registering to vote in federal elections.
“It started out as a rally for the Save Act, but it quickly turned into a Trump rally,” Fay said. “We’ve had a mostly positive reaction from people driving by and honking their horns.”
Nate Smith, a co-chairman with Wolfinger of the Right Thinkers, held one side of a large American flag at the corner of South Union and East State streets.
“We’re supporting the Save Act and supporting Trump,” Smith echoed. “We’re getting lots of positive honks. It’s kind of a spontaneous group,” he said of the nearly six-year-old Right Thinkers group.
Smith, who attended the rally with many of his family members, said it was a good way of getting the word out on the Save Act and supporting Trump. It’s also good for the group’s morale. “We’ve done it many times over the years, he said. “I’m sure we’ll do it again.”
Is Smith concerned that the president’s approval rating has dropped into the mid-30s?
“Trump is resilient and his supporters are resilient,” he replied. “All Trump has to do is be Trump. He loves America.”
Smith said gasoline and food prices will come down after the war with Iran ends and the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. “I’m optimistic prices will come down.”
Another man carrying a flag said, “I support the president. Everything I see on TV is negative. He’s gotta get the gas prices down and end that (Iran) war.”
Nearby, Mark Weitzel of Portville, carried a sign topped with four small American flags that read: “Long Live the King,” with a picture of the president wearing a crown.
“I thought I’d put a little humor in this (rally),” Weitzel said. “I support Trump very much.
Opponents to Trump’s policies have staged three nationwide “No Kings” rallies.
“The people down here love America,” said Steve Clute of Hinsdale.
What about high gas and food prices that are affecting the president’s popularity?
“They were higher under Biden,” Clute replied of gasoline and food prices.
David Freidly of Olean said he’s a veteran “and I love America.” He attended with his two granddaughters. “They wanted to come too and wave the flag.”
Helen and Harry Button of Ceres were waving an American flag and a big Trump flag. “We’re here to show support for the nation’s 250th anniversary and Donald Trump,” Helen said. They read about the rally on Facebook and decided to come.
“I’m here to support my president and my country,” said Harry, who spent eight years in the U.S. Army and was in the Gulf War. “You don’t have to like the man to like his policies. We need to get middle class jobs back here. He’s bringing back manufacturing.”
The rally was held from 3-5 p.m. The Right Thinkers meet monthly at The Hall in Allegany.
The theme at the next meeting on May 18 is “NYS — Where does the money go?” Panelists include: Republican state comptroller candidate Joe Hernandez, Cattaraugus County Legislator Don Benson of Allegany and Dr. Nicholas Waddy of Alfred State College.
