Rallying Support Pence's Oberg visit kicks off campaign championing nation's economic recovery
BUFFALO TWP — More than 100 people erupted in applause and cheered Vice President Mike Pence as he addressed the crowd gathered at Oberg Industries on Friday afternoon.
“I'm here to tell you Pennsylvania, the Great American Comeback has begun, and you're leading the way,” Pence rallied the crowd.
Pence arrived and spoke after touring the Oberg Industries facility as part of a new campaign effort showcasing the nation's economy rebounding.
Dubbed the “Great American Comeback Tour,” the campaign is being organized by America First Policies, a nonprofit associated with the America First Action SuperPAC (Political Action Committee) supporting President Donald Trump's reelection. Other administration officials, including Ivanka Trump and trade adviser Peter Navarro, may appear at the tour's later dates.
Part of Pence's speech revolved around a positive jobs report released last week. “Businesses large and small created more than 3 million jobs by the middle of May alone,” Pence said. “We're going to continue to move forward.”
The event was just one of the several stops Pence made across the region Friday, including a meeting with faith leaders at Covenant Church of Pittsburgh in Wilkinsburg amid nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer.
Pence commented on Floyd's death and its aftermath, condemning the killing while still issuing support and respect to police officers serving throughout the country.
“There's no excuse for what happened to George Floyd,” he said. “There's also no excuse for the rioting and violence that ensued here in Pittsburgh and around the country.”
Pence then pivoted the focus of the conversation to what brought him to the Sarver manufacturer, which specializes in the production of advanced, precision machined or stamped metal components and precision tooling.
Namely a discussion on the economy and the nation's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Pence thanked manufacturers that stepped up to help stock the country with the supplies needed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I'm proud to report that just in Pa. alone, we were able to deliver more than 660 million masks and gowns and face shields for our outstanding health care workers,” he said.
Pence went on to thank the health care industry, as well as every American citizen who helped limit the impact of the pandemic.“It's about what we all did as a nation. We slowed the spread,” Pence said. “We flattened the curve. We saved lives.”Pence addressed a crowd which included about 45 Oberg employees.“It'll be interesting to see his plans to improve manufacturing and bring it back in Pennsylvania,” said Oberg apprentice Laren Williamson before Pence arrived.Oberg apprentice Megan Houston said she was excited to be one of the employees invited to attend.“I'm honored to be here and for the vice president to come to our company,” she said.Pence said with the pandemic winding down, it is time to return to expanding the role of manufacturing in the country's economy.He applauded Oberg for its effort in supplying the nation. He also applauded Oberg's effort in reinforcing America's workforce with its apprenticeship program.“This administration has fought for manufacturers just like this one,” he said.Many local and county officials attended the event, including Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe.“It was an honor to shake elbows with the vice president at the end of his speech,” Slupe said, referring to an opportunity to take a photograph while rubbing elbows in the post-pandemic's replacement for a handshake.Slupe was encouraged by the support of President Donald Trump and vice president for law enforcement agencies and the military.“I think the vice president covered an array of topics which affect everyone,” Slupe said, adding that he appreciates the direction the administration is taking the country. “The takeaways are they are committed to getting the economy back to what it once was, if not better, and the resilience of the American people to make that happen.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, said after the event that Pence's faith in the American workers' ability to restart the economy resonated.“We can do this. We know how to work in a safe and smart way,” he said. “I think he kind of brought it all together.”Before Pence arrived, Curtis Ellis, senior policy adviser for America First Policies, played moderator to a panel of legislators, including Kelly and U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-15th, and U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-14th.The panel blasted China for taking jobs away from American workers and used the coronavirus pandemic as context.“This is the America that's going to win again when this is pandemic is over, and I think it's time now to reopen those doors,” Kelly said.Reschenthaler argued China is controlling many supply chains that should be in America.“We got a view of what it looks like when so many supply chains are held by the Chinese Communist Party,” Reschenthaler said. “If we can get past the taxes and the regulations, then the (Gross Domestic Product) will grow.”Kelly, who recovered from COVID-19, said the virus will have a residual effect on the minds of America's workforce because governors have guided through fear, and the 24-hour news cycle forced citizens into believing that they cannot return to work safely.“They (the media) speak to people the way they think you want to hear,” Kelly said. “They're not selling the truth.”Thompson said if American citizens put their trust in the president, he can lead America to greatness again.“This is a president who knows how to build things and how to get things done,” he said.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
