TOPEKA (TNS) A chill in the air and hours of waiting didnt extinguish Suzanne Averys fire about Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
The veterinarian from Westmoreland, Kan., was one of thousands who gathered in Topeka on Saturday to hear from President Donald Trump, the man Avery calls one of the greatest presidents weve ever had.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court hours before the rally was set to start. Kavanaughs chaotic confirmation process, beset by sexual assault allegations against him, wasnt far from the minds of Trump supporters who came from across the state.
Avery said the controversy surrounding Kavanaughs confirmation had driven her enthusiasm for the midterm elections 100 percent.
Its terrible what theyve done to him, theyve crucified him for no reason, Avery said.
Trumps first public remarks on the 50-48 vote to confirm Kavanaugh were expected to come at the Saturday evening rally in Topekas Expocentre Trumps first visit to Kansas since becoming president.
That Kavanaugh would be confirmed on the day Trump was here is poetic justice for the state of Kansas, said Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life, pointing to the states contentious debate over abortion.
Shortly after the justice was confirmed, a chant of Kavanaugh! rang through the crowd. Around that same time, a small group of protestors rallied against Trump.
I just wish he would listen to people more and not be so selfish and do everything for himself, said Debbie Gray, a protestor from Topeka.
Its a terrifying situation, said Nichole Saunders, a factory worker from Topeka.
At a rally earlier in the week, Trump mocked Christine Blasey Ford, Kavanaughs first accuser, who says he sexually assaulted her when they were both in high school. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.
Kathleen Robbins, a retired school teacher from Salina, said the mainstream media hadnt covered holes in Fords memory.
Although some have criticized (Trump) for it, I think its important to note that some of the key missing factors are missing and corroboration isnt there, Robbins said.
After long-standing talk of a blue wave of Democrats winning midterm elections this fall and possibly retaking the U.S. House, the tumultuous journey of Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court has given Republicans new reason to grow passionate about getting to the polls.
The last eight years, we kept our mouth shut, said Julie Haase, a cosmetologist from North Newton, with the Obama administration on her mind. And now were going to roar.
