Pence campaigns in Greenfield

GREENFIELD — Wanting to return to the White House, but with a different title, Republican president candidate Mike Pence campaigned Friday afternoon in Greenfield as part of southern Iowa tour over two days.

The former vice president under Donald Trump was introduced by state Rep. Ray Sorensen in the Olive Branch restaurant. Sorensen’s district includes Adair and a portion of Union counties.

“What I love about Iowa is you all know your mind,” Pence said. “I think this country is in a lot of trouble. I think Joe Biden is weak at home in America and abroad in the last two and half years. I think now is the time for all us who have the ability to bring America back have a responsibility to step up for the American people.”

Pence said he was proud of his work as vice president including military support, economic strength, less regulation, support of American energy and nominations to the Supreme Court.

“Before that I was governor of Indiana. Bartholomew County and Adair County are about the same strong tradition fo family, faith, freedom and agriculture,” he said about his home county in the Hoosier state. He said his legislative work in Indiana included facing members of his own party about government spending.

He also noticed what he saw the challenges returning to Indiana after his time as vice president.

“From the time we left Washington D.C., we got five acres and a pond got a John Deere riding lawn mower, three granddaughters. Life is pretty good. When I look at what Joe Biden has done open border policies on the southern border that have unleashed the worst border crisis in American history. A gusher of spending that launched the worst inflation in 40 years, a war on energy to cause gasoline prices to shoot the roof and of course that disaster withdrawal from Afghanistan,” he said.

Biden said he was comfortable in Indiana.

“When I looked at all the challenges facing our country, Karen (wife) and I stepped forward,” he said.

His time as vice president, governor of Indiana and legislative work made him the kind of candidate he described. “I’m simply the most qualified, most tested, most proven conservative leader and that is why I’m asking for your support. Those conservative values is what will bring America back,” he said. He explained the background of his faith and asked the people to pray for him during his campaign.

Pence said “Donald Trump had his time and Joe Biden doesn’t know what time it is. I think it requries experience. As you got about this business in Iowa sorting out and shaping our national leadership. We need new leadership in the White House and need new leadership in the Republican party. I belive Iowa has the opportunity to start that conversation.”

Pence said he was faithful to his work as vice president as he followed the Constitution knowing what happened on Jan. 6, 2021. The nation’s Capitol was overrun by those in support of Trump who claimed the election was manipulated to make him lose a second term.

“We will bring America back, together,” he said.

Pence answered a few questions from the audience.

One question was about the access and cost related to child care for working families. Pence said he will reform the tax code that families with children can live with one income.

“It was about 25 years ago, that most Americans in about three quarters of the year they can earn enough to pay all the expenses for the family for a year. Now, it takes all 12 months,” he said.

Another question regarded the idea of expanding ethanol, the corn-based fuel additive that is a strong part of Iowa’s agricultural economy.

“I was for ethanol before it was cool,” he said. “A lot of people think renewables think it just helped with income on the farm.” He further explained how he favors ethanol because of its positive influence on livestock agriculture.

“Joe Biden ran on a promise to end fossil fuels. He’s been working to do it every day since and a detriment to the American people,” he said.

Pence said Russia probably would not have invaded Ukraine if it was not for America’s “disastrous” departure from Afghanistan that included the death of 13 American soldiers.

“Russia needs to be held responsible and accountable,” he said about its invasion that started in February 2022. “Whatever happens in Ukraine is going to bear upon wether or now we see China exercise its military ambition. China is watching.”

Pence referred to President Ronald Reagan who said in 1985 of America’s financial help to other countries to fight their enemies. Pence said he knows some Republicans are questioning America’s support of Ukraine knowing of America’s issues. He said the country can do both, work on issues at home and still support Ukraine.

“It’s all about wether we are gong to be leader of the free world,” he said. “Ukraine is not our war, but freedom is our fight.”

Another question was about the country’s debt.

“You can turn off about $3 trillion in unspent funds Biden has been appropriating left and right,” he said. “We have a national debt that size of our nation’s economy.”

Pence said 75% of the country’s budget is entitlement programs, like Social Security and Medicare. He referred to the cost of daily goods common for families. He said has no plans to change Social Security or even those older than 40.

“If you’re under the age of 40, these people have a whole world on their phone,” he said. “We are going to preserve these programs in the future by reforming. I need to work with you.”

In exchange of modest changes of program, which he said will not be noticed by the time they are used. He explained creating a personal savings account that hopes to build, at 2% over its lifetime, that will be greater than Social Security. It is the Thrift Savings Plan used by 10 million federal employees.

“It would grow our economy and give us a chance to reform these programs.”

Pence is in a crowded group of 14 Republican candidates including Donald Trump. Pence spent Friday and Saturday campaigning in Sidney, Mount Ayr, Atlantic, Red Oak and Glenwood.