He’s back.
Today, Vice President Mike Pence returned to the city of Philadelphia for the second time in as many months for a GOP fundraiser. The President took to Twitter tonight to express his approval of the VP’s visit to Philadelphia and the need to elect one of his “first supporters” to the Senate.
Lou Barletta was one of my first supporters. He is tough on Crime and Borders. Will be a great Senator from Pennsylvania. His opponent is WEAK on Crime, ICE and Borders. We need Lou! https://t.co/dcMSi4CPfb
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 24, 2018
Pence spoke this afternoon at an event held by “America First Policies” called “Tax Cuts to Put Americans First.” During this visit, he promoted the GOP tax reform bill and assisted Rep. Lou Barletta’s Senate campaign for fundraising. Sen. Pat Toomey, Reps. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) and Tom MacArthur (NJ-03) were also on the bill. All three Pa. representatives present voted for the tax reform bill.
Just today, the Philadelphia Inquirer published a Pence op-ed titled, “Our agenda is working for Philadelphia” where he states, “the typical family of four in the Philadelphia area will save nearly $2,500 on their taxes every single year.”
Although the focus of the event was centered around the tax reform bill and Barletta’s campaign, Pence spent the first several minutes of the address discussing Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), national security, and touting the phrase “promises made, promises kept”.
“It’s amazing to think that some leading Democrats across this country are actually calling on us to abolish ICE,” Pence said followed by boos. With holding onto a majority, Pence promised that their administration “would never abolish ICE” and that the Trump administration had already “started building that wall”.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in recent weeks has met with “abolish ICE” protesters.
Trump grabbed headlines this morning with his late night, all caps tweet about Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2018
“As he made clear again last night, we will no longer tolerate Iran sewing violence or terror across the world and we will not tolerate threats against the United States of America,” Pence said.
Pence painted Casey as too liberal of a politician for the people of Pennsylvania and described the GOP candidate’s life as having “lived the American dream”.
.@VP Mike Pence cites @RepLouBarletta’s “great American Story,” starting a road-line-painting business. “Lou Barletta has lived the American dream.”
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) July 23, 2018
Barletta, who has closely aligned himself with President Trump mainly touted the current state of the American economy and credits the Trump agenda for making the economy work.
.@RepLouBarletta credits President Trump, says business now has to train workers to fill existing jobs. “That’s all good stuff. And this is only in a year and a half. If we make the tax cuts permanent I think you’re going to continue to see the economy roar.”
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) July 23, 2018
The Democratic National Committee was particularly critical of the tax cuts and Barletta’s vocal support for President Trump.
“Mike Pence is descending on Pennsylvania today to peddle two of the biggest shams the Keystone State has ever seen: the GOP tax scam and Donald Trump’s personal lapdog, Lou Barletta,” said DNC Northeast Press Secretary Elizabeth Renda.
She continued her criticism of Barletta for “sabotaging our healthcare system, separating families at the border, and passing a tax bill that benefits the wealthiest among us at the expense of middle-class families.”
After the address, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy Patton Mills released a statement specifically criticizing the GOP tax reform bill and stance on healthcare.
“They are cutting taxes for their special interest cronies while wages for working Pennsylvanians are falling and jobs are being shipped overseas,” Mills said. “They are endangering the health care for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania seniors and people with pre-existing conditions.”
Barletta’s campaign raised over $1 for the second consecutive quarter, but trails incumbent Sen. Bob Casey in cash on hand $9.8M to $1.56M.
After the address, Pence is set to lead a fundraising event for Barletta at the Union League in Center City.
Update was made with a tweet from President Trump.
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5 Responses
Tax Cuts ??
Barletta is great at just being himself and not trying to be someone he isn’t. At his core, he is a creative and compassionate business man. He isn’t afraid to apply those values to leadership and policy making.
Meanwhile, Bob Casey continues to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. When confronted about not doing anything guess what he says…NOTHING. This guy isn’t right for PA.
Bob Casey is one of the most honest and ethical senators in Congress along with Bernie Sanders while Barletta is another Trump supporter that will cut taxes for the wealthy and cut health care for the millions of people in PA. Wages won’t increase and jobs will continue to move overseas.
Get him outa here!!!!! That applies to both Pence and Barletta.
Kind of funny to think a Tea Partier like Barletta got his start in politics after making his fortune on government contracts. Rules for thee but not for me!