PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

GOP VP Nominee Mike Pence Visits Sarasota

Topher Forhecz/WGCU

Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence was campaigning in Sarasota on Wednesday.  

The Indiana governor touched on GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s plans for the economy, foreign policy, and Trump’s meeting with Mexico’s president.

Spectators waved red signs reading “Make America Great Again.”

Pence praised them for coming to the rally as heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hermine hit the state.

“I’m so impressed you all are out here today,” he said. “This is Florida-tough right here.”

Pence praised Gov. Rick Scott, and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s win in the Republican primaries before pivoting to Trump’s plans for the economy and foreign policy.

“We gotta restore the arsenal of democracy,” he said, “we’ve got to stop apologizing to our enemies and abandoning our friends. And we’ve got to stand strong on the world stage. And Donald Trump will lead with American strength on the world stage and the world will be safer.”

Credit Topher Forhecz/WGCU

Pence visited Sarasota on the same day Trump met with Mexican President Enrique PeñaNieto.

Peña Nieto invited Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Clinton has not yet visited with the PeñaNieto.

Pence stressed Trump is sticking to his stance on illegal immigration when in talks with the president.

“I expect he’s going to make it real clear,” he said, “we’re going to restore the borders of this country, we’re going to build a wall, we’re going to stop the flood of illegal immigration and illicit drugs that are coming into the United States of America.”

Pence left to join Trump in Arizona, saying Trump will deliver a “broad-shouldered, American” speech to end illegal immigration into the country.

Topher is a reporter at WGCU News.