Ryan stumps in Findlay

Democrat Tim Ryan promised to work for national unity and to uphold democracy if elected to one of Ohio's U.S. Senate seats in a stop Thursday in Findlay. He warned voters that his Republican opponent, J.D. Vance, is in league with anti-democracy extremists and a few billionaires. "I'm just telling everybody who is part of the exhausted majority — Democrats, Republicans and independents — who want to get this country back to a place of civility, of a place where we get rid of the hatred, we get rid of the anger, we get rid of the division, we get rid of the fear, that's where we want to move," Ryan said. He spoke before an informal gathering at the Wine Merchant in downtown Findlay. Ryan noted that Vance campaigns with Donald Trump Jr. The latter mocked Paul Pelosi, husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who suffered a fractured skull and other injuries after being attacked at night in his home by a man with a hammer. Trump Jr. posted a photo on social media of a hammer lying on a pair of underwear, saying it would be his Halloween costume. "This is who J.D. Vance is campaigning with. This is his friend," Ryan said. "We want to build a society that is built on love, that is built on compassion, that is built on togetherness and fellowship and forgiveness and reconciliation and grace," Ryan said. "We've got big challenges. We got a lot of work to do. We can't be fiddling around with this nonsense anymore." He cited competition from China. He cited China and Russia conducting military exercises together. "These two countries have no free speech, no free press, they do ethnic cleansing. If you run against them, their political opponents go to prison," Ryan said. "This is what we are defending here in the United States. Freedom is on the ballot," Ryan said. "We have to recognize the power that we have. Democracy is not like gravity. It doesn't just happen. It's not like the sun coming up. It is a choice. Democracy is a choice." He recalled former President Franklin Roosevelt's speech that his generation of Americans had a "rendezvous with destiny." "I believe that we have a rendezvous with destiny because if we don't step up, then our kids and our grandkids are going to have a life that is not going to be something we want for them," Ryan said. Ryan also talked about "economic freedom." He defined that as having "enough money in your pocket to be able to take care of your own business," afford health care and take a vacation in working five days a week. He cited the working class background of his family. "We're not here to be bought off by a bunch of millionaires," he said. "We're not here to say 'I'm going to represent just the corporate interests or the billionaires from Silicon Valley.' "We come from the working class," he said. He touts his support from unions. "The strength of America has always been the great middle class," Ryan said. In an interview with reporters after the speech, Ryan brushed aside a charge that he has voted with President Biden's policies as a U.S. representative. "I've agreed with Trump on trade and I've disagreed with Democrats on trade. I've disagreed with Biden with his student loan debt," Ryan said. He said he disagrees with Biden's border policy and with reducing tariffs on imports of Chinese solar panels. Ryan frequently points out that he ran against Nancy Pelosi for House minority leader after Democrats lost the House majority in the 2016 election. "So I've disagreed with my party. And this guy (Vance) is bought and paid for by Peter Thiel and Mitch McConnell. They own him before he even walks in the joint," Ryan said. "Ohio wants somebody who is independent, and that's me." He dismissed Vance's claim to be tougher on crime. "Vance is living in la la land. He's been in California too long. I brought $500 million back to staff policing here in the state of Ohio and he raised money for the guys who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6," Ryan said.