The juxtaposition was hard to overlook.

While President Donald Trump was getting the red-carpet treatment Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Vice President Mike Pence was giving — and getting — an earful of inspired democratic wisdom on our own doorstoop as Grove City College’s commencement speaker.

In both locations, the pomp and ceremony were what you would expect.

In Riyadh, Trump was conducting his first foreign visit as chief of state. The Saudi royal family was going all-out to show their gratitude at being chosen for the singular honor — although it might be observed the honor was less about praising Saudi than it was slapping its regional rival, Iran.

Meanwhile in Grove City, the vice president spoke about the virtues of courage and persistence — standard fare for any graduating college class, but especially poignant advice from a White House that finds itself under sharp attack amid widespread media leaks and calls for independent investigations of alleged impropriety.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence,” Pence told the class of 2017, quoting Calvin Cooledge. “Talent will not. Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not. When the world is full of educated derelicts. ... Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent, and so persistence, men and women. Hold on to your dreams and drive forward.”

Pence also quoted the biblical Prophet Jeremiah, making a point about destiny: “He knows the plans He has for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”

These are compelling words for the region of Western Pennsylvania, epicenter of the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom. Two years ago, Saudi Arabia anticipated strong competition from this new energy source and began glutting the market with its chief and only export, crude oil, hoping to suppress prices below a threshold of profitability for the Marcellus market. That strategy backfired for Saudi Arabia and other members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Consequently, the Kingdom of Saud was in dire need of the $110 billion trade package it signed with Trump on Saturday.

OPEC’s defeat was testimony to the persistence of the Marcellus Shale industry in particular, and to Americans and Western Pennsylvanians in general — the same people who elected Trump to the presidency.

Many of us are now second-guessing that vote, wondering where the allegations of political collusion and congressional investigation might lead.

Was the vice president speaking to us as well as to the graduates?

Well, we are a stoic bunch out here west of the Allegheny. We’ve persevered through many trials. What’s one more?

But our patience isn’t boundless, Mr. Vice President. We are honored by your visit and grateful for your words of advice and encouragement.

But more than that, we sure would like to see some clear and competent leadership in Washington. Let’s see if the ceremonies in Grove City and Riyadh don’t get the ball rolling.