WASHINGTON - When Ms Kerry French, a Republican delegate from the state of Washington, explained Donald Trump's America First policies to me, I could not resist a smile.
"You know when you're on a plane and the masks come down?" she began when I told her that her party's policies were seen as isolationist in Asia.
"You've got to put your mask on yourself first, and then you can help other people," she said.
"We'll help ourselves first, and then we help the world."
Ms French's light-and-slick explanation floated like a gas-filled balloon over Milwaukee in July 2024, where the Republican Party held its nominating contest.
A month later, in the Democratic bastion of Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris' party had converged to officially approve her as its candidate to succeed President Joe Biden, I met Mr Wes Snarp.
He was standing a few meters from a long line of people lined up for security checks to enter the arena where Ms Harris was due to make an eagerly awaited appearance.
As our eyes met, he flashed a smile and gave me a double thumbs up. "Standing on all 10 toes for Donald Trump," he said, by way of introduction.
"I'm telling you, Trump is going to win this election," he said, even before I popped a question.
"If he doesn't, they cheated for the second time in history. But there's no way they get away with that. If Trump does not win, our country's over. So I'm here to hopefully change some people's opinions."
"When you say you want to change minds, what's your argument?" I asked, expecting to hear a version I had encountered often: that Trump's 2020 election loss was a result of election fraud, and that he is a sharp businessman who will know how to tame the beast of inflation.
But Mr Snarp did not feel the need.
"I'm not here to argue. I'm just here to convince... not even convince... If you're a good person, you will listen to everyone's perspective," he said.
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British novelist David Lodge was twice shortlisted for Booker Prize
British novelist David Lodge, who was shortlisted for the Booker Prize twice, has died at the age of 89, his publisher said on Jan 3.
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After a successful experiment, The City of Babies Lab has opened a new permanent space dedicated to children aged from birth to 23 months.
Scientist Names 16 New Spider Species After Jay Chou's Songs
A Chinese scientist has named 16 new spider species after songs by popular Mandopop musician Jay Chou.
Actress JJ Jia Xiaochen upset with hubby for not remembering wedding anniversary
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Actress Chen Liping leaves Mediacorp after 40 years
Actress Chen Liping, a household name in the local entertainment industry, has left broadcaster Mediacorp after 40 years.
Raising four cats costly, but gives Rui En four times the joy
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Pet ownership is on the rise in Singapore, with many families treating their furry companions as one of their own.
Learning to embrace change positively
On the last evening of our recent family holiday, my three children were having a boisterous conversation in the bedroom of the apartment we were staying in.
STRONGER, TOGETHER
Good parent-teacher relationships can boost a child's confidence and holistic development
Roaring Off To A-League Adventure
Tan makes Brisbane debut as sub in loss to Canberra on her return from knee surgery
