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McDonald family featured on CNN’s ‘The Messy Truth’

WARREN — Although his interview with CNN was scheduled to be aired Tuesday evening during ”Anderson Cooper 360,” Trumbull County Republican Party Chairman Randy Law said he didn’t mind that it was preempted by President-elect Donald Trump’s live speech in North Carolina.

”He owes me one,” Law said, noting the segment he taped with CNN commentator Van Jones a few weeks back about how Trumbull County, a long time Democratic area in the state, went red in the November general election for Trump.

Law said his interview segment, which also features other Trumbull County residents interviewed by CNN, is rescheduled for 8 p.m. today.

During a one-hour CNN special ”The Messy Truth” hosted by Jones, McDonald residents Scott and Derinda Seitz were the first guests interviewed.

Jones showed a five-minute video of his interview with the Seitzs, along with their three sons, who explained that while they supported President Barack Obama twice and other Democrats, this election they could not support Hillary Clinton.

Scott Seitz said he felt Trump ”spoke for change” which was what he was voting for.

He said while he supported Democrats being put in office he felt Clinton neglected the workers of Ohio.

Scott Seitz said he doesn’t see the Valley going red permanently.

“We voted Democratic all the way down the board. When we got to president, we flipped over and voted Republican,” he said.

“She (Clinton) came through here and completely neglected us. We felt hurt, United Steel Workers, United Auto Workers. If she wanted our votes, she had to promise to provide jobs, put food on our tables.”

Scott Seitz said he shared the view of  many blue-collar workers who voted for Trump.

He said northeast Ohio has seen the loss of mills closing and believes Trump will be the one to help the economy.

Derinda Seitz said on the show she did not vote for either candidate for president, noting neither showed her they would be the one to represent the people of northeast Ohio.

Scott Seitz reached at his hotel late Tuesday after the town hall segment said he and his wife were going to rest before taping a segment of ”New Day” on CNN, which will air 7 a.m. today.

”It was an amazing show. They made us feel so welcome. We hope that what the show will do is bring awareness across America that we all need to come together,” Scott Seitz said.

He said the show allowed the public  to see what different people are feeling across the nation.

Derinda Seitz said she enjoyed the variety of comments from people from various political views at the town hall

Jones held the segment one month after the election to get people from both political parties talking with one another. He said both political parties need to respect one another and also respect Americans.

The segment featured a studio audience with guests allowed to ask questions of panelists including former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, a one-time Republican presidential hopeful;  liberal filmmaker Michael Moore, and Republican strategist and CNN contributor Ana Navarro.

Law said the Seitzs represented Trumbull County well on the show noting what they were saying was what he has heard from so many other local residents for months this year at the campaign headquarters.

”They represented this area very well and spoke what so many people have been feeling this entire campaign,” Law said.

He said he was not surprised CNN, along with film crews from other networks and stations, came to Trumbull County as Ohio is a ”swing state” and especially with this formerly solid Democratic area supporting Trump.

”The program was very interesting with people in the audience sharing how they have felt since the election,” Law said.

Law said the Seitzs’ story represented an example of how many families have been wanting a change for this area.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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