Trump will be tough on trade, Pence says in NC
CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence said Wednesday that Democratic and Republican administrations have been "eroding the foundation" of American manufacturing.
Speaking at Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, the Indiana governor said he and presidential candidate Donald Trump would restore that foundation by getting tough on trade and easing regulations on business.
"Donald Trump and I know we haven't been tough, we haven't been smart in defending American jobs and American workers," he said. "And that's about to change. ... We aren't walking away, but we will roll our sleeves up and hold our (trading) partners accountable."
Pence spoke to around 150 invited guests at the 115-year-old company. He was introduced by Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest.
Pence is the latest high-profile visitor to the state. Trump was in Charlotte last Thursday for a rally and fundraiser. Democrat Hillary Clinton also visited the city this month and her running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, stumped in Greensboro.
The visits underscore North Carolina's role as a key battleground this election. Polls show a tight race.
An NBC-Wall Street Journal-Marist Poll released this month put the Democratic ticket of Clinton and Kaine 9 points ahead of Trump-Pence in North Carolina. But the RealClearPolitics average of all recent polls for the battleground state put Clinton ahead by only 2 points.
"The road to the White House goes right through North Carolina," Pence said.
In 16-minute remarks, Pence also said the next president could shape the Supreme Court for decades.
"If you cherish God-given liberties enshrined in our Constitution, if you cherish freedom of speech, of religion, if you cherish the Second Amendment ... we have to make sure the next president making (Supreme Court) appointments is Donald Trump," Pence said.
_The Charlotte Observer
