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Speech viewers stunned by on-script, less fiery Trump

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters

Who was that calm, composed man, and what has he done with Donald Trump?

That may have been the most common reaction from the viewers of the president’s address to Congress on Tuesday night.

Those looking for fireworks came away empty. What they witnessed instead was a poised and on-script president, an image some said was as stunning at this stage as any outrageous statement.

Mike Mullowney, of Boston, who did not vote for Trump, sat down with his family to watch “a complete circus” and was instead shocked to find the president acting, well, presidential.

“I am blown away,” Mullowney said.

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow

U.S. lawmakers from Michigan were not surprisingly mixed in their reaction to the president’s Tuesday night speech, issuing statements sent out via email following the address.

Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, who represents Michigan’s 1st District, said he felt Trump delivered a “unified vision.”

“Before the President spoke tonight, I was confident that he would offer a unified vision, a way forward for every American. I believe he did that,” Bergman said. “He offered a plan to educate our children, provide quality, affordable health care to every American, and make sure our veterans and service members have access to the benefits they’ve earned and deserve. He promoted a sensible national security strategy that will keep us safe and protect what we’ve earned. And he promised to invest in job growth and infrastructure development — like modernization of the Soo Locks — throughout Michigan and the United States.”

State Democratic lawmakers who serve in the Senate however emphasized action over words.

“We in Michigan believe actions speak louder than words,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow. “As Michigan’s U.S. Senator, I will continue to hold the President accountable for real efforts to bring jobs home, strengthen our healthcare system rather than repeal it, and give every person a fair shot to work hard and be successful for themselves and their family.”

Sen. Gary Peters cited a lack of concrete action by Trump.

“When President Trump took office, I expected him to follow up on his campaign promises to create jobs and boost our manufacturing sector with concrete action. Instead, his first weeks in office have been focused on divisive executive orders and statements that cause America’s allies to question our leadership and commitment to global security.

“Since taking office, President Trump has not presented any specific plans to bolster small businesses, support working families or level the playing field for workers, and his speech tonight continued to come up short on details for improving the lives of Michiganders.”

Trump’s message Tuesday was the same as ever: Loud, clear condemnation of “radical Islamic terror” and immigrant criminals. And he asserted plenty of facts his detractors could attack. But the delivery made a big difference for some.

Many viewers said “Teleprompter Trump” had come out and “Twitter Trump” was put away.

Mullowney said he found the tone reassuring, and sounding like someone he might support.

“He really sounds like he’s got a plan,” Mullowney said.

But others weren’t buying that the change would be permanent — or even last until tomorrow.

“It was designed to hit the reset button and he did a fairly good job, and he didn’t go off script too much,” said Donald Stotts, 40, of Richmond, Virginia, who owns a startup that’s trying to stem electronic waste and also did not vote for Trump. “But I know when I wake up I’m going to see the tweets and the craziness.”

Mike Maida of Fairfax, Virginia, was also staying agnostic.

“Just because it’s measured doesn’t mean that it’s any different,” he said. “Actions speak louder than words.”

Staunch Trump supporters who fought to elect the ferocious rally speaker were mostly fine with the more scripted president, too.

Kim Jurincic was among some 20 Trump supporters who watched the speech at a pizza-and-viewing party in the Detroit area.

“He was presidential tonight. He had to be,” said Jurincic, a devout supporter who added that she campaigned for Trump from her hospital bed after suffering a heart attack in August.

Cass Connolly, a 71-year-old attorney, said Trump is “getting better at” speech-making. “He’s getting more comfortable.”

His more lukewarm supporters expressed hope that the chilled-instead-of-fiery Trump might win over more of the center.

“I thought his calmer demeanor really helped to sell the message to those who are against him,” said 18-year-old Jared Stafford of Murrieta, California. “Putting on that calmer attitude brings along a sense of respect and a genuine desire to cooperate as opposed to the Trump attitude we’re used to where he’s always on the attack.”

Yet some craved the red meat that makes Trump Trump.

“During the campaign, Trump was probably intentionally bombastic,” Matt Maddock, 50, said at the Michigan party. “It’s probably good for him to appear more presidential, more statesman-like, now. But there will always be a part of him that’s bombastic, and I like that.”

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