A Tense El Paso Braces for Trump With a Message: We're a Diverse, Safe City and Have Been for Decades

EL PASO - President Donald Trump visits this border region tonight to once again make his case for a wall, but many El Pasoans view the trip as an opportunity to take back their narrative by demonstrating that their city is civil, tolerant, safe -- and far from being a dangerous, wild west, no-man's land. The scene is set for a simultaneous showdown between Republican leaders and some 6,000 who will rally with them, and a large number of Democrats and disgruntled El Pasoans who will rally in protest a short distance away."As presidential rhetoric goes, the setting and likely subject matter will undoubtedly reflect a sort of one-upmanship on the part of Trump," said Richard Pineda, director of the Sam Donaldson Communications Center at the University of Texas at El Paso. "Not only is the border a big part of this community, it's Beto O'Rourke's hometown. This is the rhetorical equivalent of a double dog dare for O'Rourke to make a White House run."State Republican leaders, led by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, are scheduled to attend Trump's rally.  Continue reading...