Trump rallies a second time for Saccone in special election
President Donald Trump announced a new campaign slogan March 10 for his re-election bid for the White House during a campaign rally he hosted for state Rep. Rick Saccone, who is seeking a U.S. House of Representatives seat in next week’s special election.
“It’s ‘Keep America Great’ exclamation point,” the president said before a standing room crowd in an Atlantic Aviation PIT airplane hangar at 300 Horizon Drive, Moon Township.
Saccone, R-Elizabeth, also took the stage at the private rally and criticized the media, drawing loud boos and chants of “CNN sucks” for how journalists report on the president.
“They won’t report it, but Trump is still popular in Southwestern Pennsylvania,” said Saccone, 58.
Pollsters have said Saccone is in a razor-tight race against Conor Lamb, 33, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former federal prosecutor from Mt. Lebanon, in Tuesday’s election to represent Pennsylvania’s 18th District. The seat came up for grabs after the October resignation of Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy of Upper St. Clair, after it was revealed he asked his mistress to consider an abortion when the anti-abortion lawmaker thought she was pregnant.
The House district that includes Pittsburgh suburbs and spreads to West Virginia was won by Trump by nearly 20 percentage points in 2016.
Speakers drew at least four rounds of booing for the media during the rally, where Trump reminded his followers he still supports building a wall at the Mexican border and also announced he supports stronger prison time and even the death sentence for convicted drug dealers.
Trump, who signed orders Thursday calling for tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, exempting Mexico and Canada, also mentioned those decisions at the rally. The orders call for levies on imported steel to rise 25 percent and those on aluminum to increase 10 percent.
“We’re saving steel,” he said. “Steel is back.”
The 45th U.S. president also discussed at length last week’s announcement of his desire to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jung Un, saying the dictator has since agreed to stop launching missiles until after their projected May meeting.
“I believe that. I believe that. … They want to make peace. It’s time,” he said, referring to North Korea. “Now, we have to be very nice.”
The rally was held in a steel building where red, white and blue signs were hung on a blue curtained wall beside the stage, exclaiming “PROMISES MADE” and “PROMISES KEPT.” A large American flag served as a backdrop for the stage where the president spoke for an hour and 10 minutes. Another sign in the same colors was on an opposing wall stating the president’s familiar campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
About 5:30 p.m., a man approached the lecturn to announce that thousands of people were still outside waiting to get into the event, and he asked those inside to shift to their left to make room.
The event began with a prayer asking God to deliver a win for Saccone, who served in the U.S. Air Force and spent time working in North Korea. Also taking the stage was U.S. Rep. Karen Handel, a Georgia Republican who won her seat in a June special election.
“We’re going to keep Pa. 18 red,” said Handel, who referred to Saccone as a “rock-solid conservative.”
U.S. Rep. Keith James Rothfus, R-12th District, also took the lectern in support of Saccone, warning the crowd Lamb will, if he wins, “vote lock-stop with Nancy Pelosi,” the U.S. House minority speaker.
Saccone was up next, and he praised Trump for his support.
“The president’s support is key to obtaining victory March 13,” Saccone said in a hoarse voice. “We have a country to save.”
Trump said he needs Saccone in Washington, D.C., to continue with his agenda.
“This guy can really help me,” he said.