Voters in Grant County ready to move on with Trump's election

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Baptist Church pastor Dennis Fountain leaned back in his chair at the Red Door Cafe Wednesday afternoon and smiled, exchanging a card, which read “Consider Him,” for a business card.

This particular card not only contained information for his Sunday services at the church on Joann Drive, it quoted Biblical verses like Romans 3:23, which says “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

The good pastor said he takes direction from a higher calling than the Oval Office, but he’s good with the direction America is headed with the election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States. The card, of course, saying to “Consider Him” had nothing to do with the guy he voted for.

“When it comes to politics and our country, I’m really excited about Mike Pence, our vice president,” said Fountain, who started the Moses Lake Baptist Church five years ago. “I think he’s a great man with a lot of potential. I think that Donald Trump has put a lot of people around him to serve both Republicans and Democrats.”

Fountain said Trump’s election was a shock to a lot of people, but he is willing to forgive the president-elect for transgressions and statements along the campaign trail to get to this point.

“I do hope people are open to the fact we’re getting in the White House the man he was 10 years ago,” he said. “I appreciate what Hillary Clinton said this morning that we can come together for the success of our country and the office of the presidency.

“I always have a sense of hope because of my faith. I think God has the answer and if we can get back to that, that’s how our country is going to find success.”

During his campaign, Trump was particularly degrading toward women, Latinos, African Americans, Muslims and the disabled. He was a man who suggested a ban on Muslims coming into the country. Not all women are as understanding, but several women in the Columbia Basin are willing to put all that aside to move forward.

“I’m a farmer’s daughter. I have friends that are bikers. My husband was in the Marines for 10 years, so his language isn’t anything new,” said Deborah Baker, who’s an administrative assistant at Chuck Yarbro Auctioneers. “I don’t agree with some of the things he’s said or done, but everybody has, at some point in time, said something stupid that they regret.

“It’s probably too early to say if (Trump) is going to be beneficial for agriculture and farmers, but I voted for change and I think Mr. Trump is very willing to learn and to listen to people.”

Lian Ping is the owner of the Tree Cafe in downtown Moses Lake. As a business owner and an Asian woman, she is willing to see where the new president-elect will take this country even though she didn’t vote for Trump.

“I think change is good,” she said. “We will see what he does for America, but I have hope he will be good for the country.”

Debbie Jansen also works downtown. She’s a customer service representative at Sue’s Gift Boutique. She was not OK with the election trail tirades but Trump the candidate, but she said she saw a more humble candidate during his acceptance speech when he stood before the nation.

“I thought he’s been insulting and the way he treated women and minorities was all offensive to me,” she said. “But I do see hope with this presidency and that he’ll make the necessary changes for this country to move forward.”

Jan Thacker is a business owner. She just completed her second novel. She is anything but the disenchanted, working class, white vote that ushered Trump into office. But she holds fast to the idea that America needed change and this is the best avenue.

“I wasn’t surprised with his election. I think America voted change,” said Thacker, who co-owns the Red Door Cafe. “I really am pleased with the businessman in the Oval Office. I think a lot of the politicians that have been there for decades have lost touch with the common people of America.

“The stuff he was saying about women didn’t bother me because I think it was greatly exaggerated. I realize he’s a billionaire, but this is the first time in history that a man off the street, who’s never run for office, has been elected.”