ASHLAND –Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence rallied a crowd of nearly a thousand gathered at the Myers Convocation Center at Ashland University Tuesday afternoon.

Pence told the crowd that there is a clear choice in this election and people are choosing what his running mate Donald Trump has to offer.

“This election, the choice could not be more clear. It’s change versus the status quo. Very simple,” the Indiana governor said. “The truth is, America is going to elect someone who literally represents the failed establishment in Washington, D.C., or we can elect a leader who will fight every day to make America great again.”

“It’s not just a choice between two people. It’s really a choice between two futures,” Pence said. “I choose a stronger America. I choose a more prosperous America. I choose an America that upholds the strongest traditions of the Constitution of the United States of America.”

The VP nominee blasted the media, saying it was like a 2-on-1 fight in the campaign.

“It’s not really a fair fight out there … it’s like the media is doing half of Hillary Clinton’s work for her every day, but Donald Trump is still out there winning hearts and minds every day,” Pence said.  “She may have the media, the money and the special interest on her side, but we’ve got everyday Americans on our side. And that’s how we’re going to make America great again, and I believe that with all my heart.”

Pence said that he believes in Trump and that he is the candidate who can turn America around.

“I joined this campaign in a heartbeat because you have nominated a man for president who never quits, who never backs down,” Pence said. “He is a fighter and he is a winner. I really do believe Donald Trump embodies the spirit of America. Strong. Freedom loving. Independent. Optimistic and willing to fight every single day for what he believes in and he’s going to fight all the way to the White House.”

Pence urged supporters to take advantage of the opportunity Ohioans have to vote early, even reminding them what hours they can vote and where the Board of Elections is located.

“It’s just a mile away,” Pence said.

Pence touched on a number of hot-button issues during his speech.

The Supreme Court

“You’re going to elect a president to serve a four-year term, but that president is likely going to set the course and direction of the Supreme Court of the United States for many years,” Pence said.

He said we need to appoint Justices who will uphold the Constitution, not rewrite it.

Benghazi

 “It was Hillary Clinton and her State Department who left Americans in harm’s way in Benghazi,” Pence said.

As the father of a Marine, Pence said he thinks any one who acted the way Clinton did during the siege in Benghazi should not be able to even run for president.

Foreign Policy

“We cannot have four more years of apologizing to our enemies, abandoning our friends and embracing the kind of reckless cutbacks that embolden the enemies of our freedom,” Pence said. “Donald Trump will rebuild our military, restore the arsenal of democracy, give our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines the resources and training they need to accomplish their mission and to come home safe and we will hunt down and destroy ISIS.”

The Affordable Care Act

As the announcement was made this week that premiums would go up by 25 percent for many Americans in 2017, the Indiana governor said the Affordable Care Act will be repealed and replaced with a system that doesn’t increase the size of government and lowers costs so Americans can actually afford health care.

Deleted emails

Members of the crowd yelled “Lock her up” as Pence talked about the deleted emails Clinton has faced questions about.

Police shootings

“It seems like every time a tragedy happens when a police officer is performing their duties there are many on the left who are quick to use a broad brush to mean all of law enforcement,” Pence said. “Some people talk about law enforcement like it’s a force for division in our society. Donald Trump and I think different. We think the men and women who serve bravely in law enforcement are  a force for good and they are the best of us.”

“We will restore law and order to every city and every community in the land,” Pence said.

Immigration

Pence said that Hillary Clinton is pushing for open borders and wants to allow dangerous refugees into our country.

“Donald Trump will end illegal immigration and we will get the dangerous criminal aliens out of our cities,” Pence said.

The economy

Pence said Trump’s economic plan is similar to plans implemented by Presidents Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy. Pence said they plan to cut taxes on families and small businesses, and lower business taxes so American companies can compete worldwide.

“Whatever progress you’ve made here in Ohio and whatever progress we’ve made next door in the Hoosier state is in spite of what has been coming out of Washington, D.C,” Pence said.

“They tell us this economy is the best we can do. It’s not the best we can do, it’s just the best they can do

In closing, Pence asked those in attendance to pray for the country and the election.

Pence stopped in Swanton near Toledo Tuesday morning and was headed to Marietta after his appearance in Ashland.