County residents speak out about State of the Union
Following Tuesday night's State of the Union address, residents across Butler County reacted to President Donald Trump highlighting economic gains as well as his own case for reelection.
John Keck, 68, of Penn Township and William Rieger, 79, of Butler Township shared their thoughts on the president's speech over lunch Wednesday at Mac's Cafe on Route 8.
“I thought it was good,” Keck said. “He has kept his promises on what he said he would do in the campaign.”
High on Keck's list, he said Trump kept his campaign promise on national security issues related to building a wall on the border with Mexico, “promoting legal immigration,” and his pro-Second Amendment and anti-abortion stances. He also said he believed Trump's policy promoted economic stimulation by removing obstacles that businesses face.
“I was touched by him awarding Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” Keck said, adding that he admires the conservative radio talk show host for “pointing out what the government does wrong.”
Keck also liked Trump's decision to honor a Tuskegee Airmen service member who was among the first African-American pilots to serve in the history of the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
Like many Republicans, Keck hopes this year's election results in Trump's second term and that the House of Representatives will return back to Republican control.
He also remarked on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to rip Trump's address Tuesday night.
“She's low. That was disgusting,” Keck said to the agreement of his lunch party, Rieger included.
Rieger said he used to be a Democrat, but switched parties about six years ago. He said that he left the Democratic Party because he didn't feel that the party was working for the people, but admits he isn't entirely sold on the Republican Party either.
“It irritates me that when he says something good, the Democrats don't give him the credit he deserves,” Rieger said. “I don't want Trump as a neighbor and I don't want him as a friend, but I support him.”
Cranberry Township residents had a different reaction.
“I think we need a president and speaker of the House and Senate who need to put the country first because you can't have a president who constantly lies, and a speaker of the House who rips his speech up,” said Dan Sauer, a registered Democrat. Bob Maytan agreed, adding that he considered the speech indicative of how the two parties don't cooperate.
“The Democrats and the Republicans aren't working together right now — and it's not working,” he said.
Eagle staff writer Alex Weidenhof contributed to this report.
