Media aims to kill Trump candidacy; Alaskans, don't fall for it

Did the wheels fall off the bus in the Trump campaign? Did the campaign and Donald Trump explode after the convention? Did Republicans repudiate Trump after anointing him as our nominee? Is the Republican National Committee going to stop giving Trump money?

The answer to each is no. If you thought yes, you've been manipulated by the media. Led by The New York Times and The Washington Post and aided and abetted by smaller papers like our Alaska Dispatch News and their liberal columnists, we have witnessed the repudiation of The Associated Press's Ethics and Fairness Doctrine. The media is spending an untold amount to defeat Trump, to kill his candidacy. Beware combatants posed as reporters. Fat chance they have in Alaska.

[ICYMI: Trump campaign unveils Alaska backers, including Treadwell, McGuire.]

I love campaigns. Ronald Reagan taught us we could change the world with the right campaign. He told us in 1979, how the U.S. could stop the Soviet Union from its expansionist tactics, which endangered the world. He taught us we could use our capitalist economy against the stifling economy of the Soviet machine to break them. Then he did it. We changed the world. Now we need to stop ISIS.  President Barack Obama hasn't.

This year I noted a brash candidate who understood the people's disgust with Washington, D.C. He reminded me of the 1980 Reagan against incumbent President Jimmy Carter. In 1980, Reagan was assaulted by the Washington establishment and press daily.

After the nomination, the Washington lawyers, Democratic machine and public unions were joined by the bloodthirsty, howling character assassins of the rabid national press as they brought their campaign to a crescendo. It was August, like now, just like they are doing to Trump.

August has the dog days of campaigns. The conventions are done. The final campaign doesn't start until Labor Day. It's the time for each side to raise money, stock their shelves and try out their attack strategies and put their best case forward.

You've heard from former U. S Senator Mark Begich, Shannyn Moore and Elise Patkotak as well as other spokespeople for the Obama status quo. It's embarrassing to see that level of vitriol. After all, we are Alaskans. I try to remember we will all be here after Election Day.

As a delegate to the GOP convention and a member of the platform committee, which outlines the principles and priorities of my party, I invite you to expand your election journey, armed with comparisons of the two major candidates.  Let's all empower Alaska voters with a comparison of thoughtful positions.  Alaskans are different. Here are three stark differences between Trump and Hilary Clinton vital to Alaskans: 

Gun control

Republicans and Donald Trump are outspoken advocates of the Second Amendment, the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. Democrats and Clinton state their belief the right to keep and bear arms is not an individual right, but instead a collective right given to militia and can be limited. In Alaska, we don't need a militia when facing a brown bear.

Natural resource development

Republicans and Trump are outspoken advocates of developing our energy resources including coal, natural gas and oil. Resources are the lifeblood of Alaska's economy. Democrats and Clinton have bragged about shutting down the coal industry and have moved aggressively to limit oil and gas leases on federal land. I want Trump to be the negotiator-in-chief for the Alaska gas line. He's just the man to do it. Clinton, not so much. She was secretary of state under Obama, but didn't help Alaska.

Protecting human life  

Republicans and Trump are unabashedly pro-life and pro family. Protecting innocent babies is fundamental to a just society. Democrats and Clinton oppose restrictions on abortions and advocate federal funding. This violates core values. U.S. Supreme Court appointments by Trump or Clinton will set the path for protection, or further destruction, of human life.

I enjoy campaigns and robust debates respectful of each party. Trump could very well grow into the presidential role model of Reagan, the best president in centuries. That's why I support him. All Alaska Republicans, independents and blue-dog Democrats can join our team of committed conservatives to elect Trump as president of the United States.

Americans and Alaskans thirst for a dramatic change in direction for our nation.  We can trust Trump to provide that change. He will lead our nation to prosperity for all Americans.

Jim Crawford is a lifelong resident of Alaska. He is the Alaskan chairman for Donald J. Trump for President Inc. Jim has chaired six presidential campaigns in Alaska, starting in 1980 with Reagan, continuing with President George W. Bush.

The views expressed here are the writer's and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary@alaskadispatch.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@alaskadispatch.com or click here to submit via any web browser.