https://triblive.com/local/regional/more-than-250-people-on-hand-for-pence-visit-to-beaver-county/
VP Mike Pence asks for 4 more years in White House during Beaver County visit
Vice President Mike Pence promised during a visit Tuesday to a Beaver County Veterans of Foreign Wars post that he and President Trump would make Pennsylvania “more prosperous than you could possibly imagine” if reelected in 2020.
Pence called the impeachment inquiry a “disgrace,” vowed continued support for military veterans and said it would take four more years to “drain the swamp” during his 30-minute speech at Rochester V.F.W. Post 128 before about 250 cheering supporters.
“I’m here for one reason and one reason only and that is that Pennsylvania and America need four more years of President Donald J. Trump,” he said, describing the president as a “man who loves the state of Pennsylvania.”
Pennsylvania is shaping up as a key battleground in the coming election, and Pence said it was key to the Trump-Pence ticket winning a second term in the White House. Someone in the crowd was already thinking ahead to 2024 with a homemade sign that read “Pence 2024.”
Pennsylvania Democrats issued a statement saying veterans have experienced “nothing but broken promises” during the Trump administration.
“It’s clear that Trump and Pence are more interested in grandstanding than actually doing the work for veterans and their families,” said Andres Anzola, Democratic Party spokesman.
Veterans in the crowd said they were impressed by Pence and pledged support for Trump.
“I like the way the country’s been going, both fiscally and economically,” said Army veteran Sean Henderson of Lower Burrell. “I support almost everything on (Trump’s) agenda.
Lower Burrell resident and Army vet Sean Henderson said he supports most Trump admin policies. pic.twitter.com/vQ1Y46ulVf— Bob Bauder (@bobbauder) December 10, 2019
Cynthia Pavlakovich, an Air Force veteran from Sewickley, said she was honored to attend the rally.
“It’s like a dream come true,” she said. “I walked four blocks to get here. I think they’re doing a great job.”
Pence said the president has fought to keep promises for veterans, restarted the economy and rebuilt the military while the “do-nothing Democrats” have spent the last three years trying to overturn the results of the election. House Democrats announced two articles of impeachment Tuesday against Trump — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
“You’ll see in the headlines today; they’re back at it again. What’s happening in Washington, D.C., today is a disgrace. It’s nothing short of a partisan impeachment,” Pence said.
Terri Mitko, who heads the Beaver County Democratic Committee, said Trump promised economic prosperity and better health benefits while campaigning in the county during his 2016 campaign.
“He’s broken all of those promises,” she said of the president. “Driving around the county, the only prosperity we’re getting is the (Shell) cracker plant, but that all came about under Democrats.”
VP Pence speaks during a meet and greet in Rochester, Beaver County. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/IKCdwIOxdp— Kristina Serafini (@KristinaS_Trib) December 10, 2019
Pence said Democrats “can’t run against our record,” particularly when it comes to support for veterans. He said Trump fired 8,600 VA employees for not doing their jobs, increased funding for VA mental health programs by $9 billion and wiped out all student debt owed by permanently disabled combat veterans.
“I truly do believe, and the president does, too, that veterans benefits are not entitlements,” he said. “They are the earned compensation for men and women in the military.”
Anzola countered that Trump forced out acting VA Secretary Peter O’Rourke “after months of incompetent work,” and failed to implement measures that would improve the mental health of veterans, among other things.
“Trump’s incompetent leadership has no place at the VA, and our nation’s heroes deserve better,” Anzola said.
VFW Post Commander Wes Hill, an Army veteran, said the national organization does not endorse political candidates, but the post was honored to have the vice president visit its banquet hall facility.
“I made my point that we do not endorse, but we would support the program,” Hill said.”I was very impressed. I didn’t talk politics with the campaign.”
Pence recognized Hill and Republican officials in the room, including state House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Marshall. Former Rep. Tim Murphy of Upper St. Clair, who resigned in 2017 amid an extramarital scandal, also made an appearance. Murphy said he was friends with Pence and other dignitaries in the crowd, but wasn’t involved politically.
Pence said voters have a choice: A stronger, more prosperous America with Trump, or a Democratic Party that’s been taken over by “radical leftists.”
“I want to ask for your help one more time,” he said. “I want to encourage you to let your voice be heard.”
About 250 Trump supporters waiting for VP Mike Pence at a VFW post in Rochester, Beaver County. pic.twitter.com/1IEk1z9dkT— Bob Bauder (@bobbauder) December 10, 2019
Tuesday’s event was part of a planned bus tour of Pennsylvania. Pence left the VFW post around 11:30 a.m. and boarded a blue Trump-Pence campaign bus headed for Hershey, where he is scheduled to meet Trump for an evening campaign rally. He stopped briefly to meet diners at the Kings Family Restaurant in Center.
Pence has visited Southwestern Pennsylvania several times in recent years, including stops during the 2016 presidential campaign, campaign events supporting 2018 congressional candidate Rick Saccone and visits to the Flight 93 memorial in Somerset County.
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