Trump tries a surprising new tack: confronting the possibility of an election loss
FLETCHER, N.C. _ Donald Trump looked out at a sea of supporters inside an airy exhibition center Friday and noted the pink "Women for Trump" signs.
He mentioned the size of the crowd, which was smaller than usual but still substantial, and accused the media of failing to tell the truth. "I think we're going to do well with women for Trump."
It was a boast. Yet the usual bravado was tinged with bewilderment. Trump cited three polls that showed him leading the race _ mentioning none of the many that show him behind _ bucking himself up as much as speaking to the audience.
If Trump often sounds like a guy on a barstool when he gives a speech, he may be entering the phase when the euphoria of four beers gives way to wistful tales over a fifth.
The fiery rants about taking the country back and building a wall remain. He riffs about "crooked Hillary" and WikiLeaks.
But there's a new element in the mix, tentative talk about confronting the possibility of a loss.
_ Tribune Washington Bureau
