US: Pence praises Winnebago and Trump in Iowa speech

Vice President Mike Pence offered an optimistic view of the nation and heaped praise on President Donald Trump during a speech Tuesday at recreational vehicle manufacturer Winnebago Industries in Forest City.

Pence stood before a giant American flag to address a crowd of about 250 people at Winnebago, most of them plant workers who were spaced out before him.

Pence focused most of his 24-minute speech on efforts to reopen the economy after many businesses ceased operations to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed at least 665 Iowa residents.

The vice president lauded Winnebago and said he expects that manufacturer to succeed, noting “America is hitting the road in American-made RVs."

Pence also touched on the death of George Floyd, calling it a “tragedy and a disgrace" but adding “there's no excuse for the rioting" that followed the black man's death after a white Minneapolis officer put a knee on his neck for more than eight minutes.

Even as he praised Trump for signing an executive order Tuesday that encourages better police practices, Pence promised “law and order" would be a centrepiece of the Trump administration.