JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, gave another solo speech on Monday evening— his second of the day and perhaps the entire campaign. He did not hold back in criticizing Kamala Harris, the newly crowned leader of the Democratic Party.
Vance said that Biden could be “a million times worse” than Harris and that what Biden did is what has been done by Kamala.
Vance talked to reporters after his hometown rally in Middletown, Ohio where he stated at Radford University’s Dedmon Center that. “If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he’s not fit to serve as president.”
It is found right around Appalachia – a place with cultural similarities with the region Vance grew up in Kentucky and Ohio.
As Vance spoke about returning manufacturing jobs from overseas to America’s Rust Belt an excited group broke into a “U-S-A!” chant.
“For years, Washington insiders in both parties have sold out places like Middletown, Ohio, and Radford, Virginia. Both parties shipped millions of good-paying manufacturing jobs overseas. They decided that we didn’t need to make anything in America again, and now we are way too dependent on the Communist Chinese to make things that we need from our weapons of war to the drugs that we put into the bodies of our children.”
These choices were made by flawed leadership who didn’t want us making things here anymore. President Trump has a different vision: let’s make more things in America.
With over one hour left until Vance was set to speak; seats started filling up early. The press pen was surrounded by people coming behind chairs.
For most participants inflation and work were major concerns
“We need jobs — and not just for young people leaving school too. We need better jobs for older folks and elderly people too,” said Tina Compton, 57, a tax-support specialist. Who’s lived in Virginia for decades. “But it’s also about safety. Opioids have touched just about every family in this county at this point including mine.”
“It’s also about respect,” added Raymond Young, a retired army officer. “Growing up we respected presidents. We respected our flag. JD is a great choice to help get us back there.”
“He used to be an atheist when he was in college but now he is a very practicing Christian and I love that,” Compton concluded.
Participants were also thinking about President Biden pulling out of the race.
“I feel just awful for him,” Young said. “He’s sick. He should be getting help right now. What they’ve done to him, it’s just terrible.”
There seemed to be heavier security at the event than before after Donald Trump narrowly avoided assassination in Butler earlier in the month; for instance. A secret service agent stood guard in the women’s bathroom.
