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SCRANTON — Donald Trump told a crowd at a packed Lackawanna College gymnasium on Wednesday that manufacturing jobs would return from overseas if he is elected president in November.

“We’re going to starting making things again,” the Republican nominee for president told the crowd. “I’m not even blaming China. They’re doing the right thing for them, but they’re killing us.”

Trump and his running mate, Mike Pence, were in the area for a town hall rally. Hundreds packed the gym to hear the duo. They will face Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and her running mate, Tim Kaine, in November.

Trump discussed the loss of manufacturing jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He said Pennsylvania has lost 43 percent of its jobs since the North American Free Trade Agreement was signed under the Bill Clinton administration.

He wants a 35 percent tax on companies going to Mexico.

Trump said he would be prepared to renegotiate NAFTA.

He shocked the crowd with a story about an unbalanced trade deal with Japan.

“We sell them wheat, they sell us cars,” he said.

“We’ll send them a notice. Here’s your 25-day notice, and we’re breaking the trade,” he said, insisting Japan would call and make a better deal in the United States’ favor.

And he didn’t miss a chance to take a few shots at the Democrats, who are holding their convention this week, and Clinton, who he referred to as “Crooked Hillary.”

He dismissed her several times during his almost hour-long speech, drawing the most cheers when he brought up the recent leak of emails from the Democratic National Committee and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the outgoing chairperson of the party.

He compared the situation to his former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who was alleged to have grabbed a reporter form Breitbart News.

“Hillary knew the system was rigged,” Trump told a cheering crowd. “When Corey (Lewandowski) had a problem, I was loyal.”

Throughout the speech, chants of “build a wall,” and “lock her up” rippled through the crowd.

Barletta, Marino speak

Before the rally began, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, and U.S. Rep. Thomas A. Marino, R-Lycoming Township, took the stage to rile up the crowd.

Barletta said he believes Trump will be the voice of blue collar workers, especially in Pennsylvania.

“Washington won’t run Donald Trump,” Barletta said. “He doesn’t need (another job).”

People in the Crowd

Veterans Adam Rutkowski, of Dickson City, and David Ragan, of Blakely, both said they are proud to support Trump. They are both Republicans, but said this time it’s more than the campaign they’ve gotten behind — it’s the “movement.”

“I believe Donald Trump, being a businessman, is going to make something of this country,” Rutkowski said.

“I am truly tired of political correctness,” Ragan said. “I think it’s absolutely refreshing the way Donald expresses himself to the American people.”

Rutkowski and Ragan are both veterans who have served in the Middle East.

Lorri Vandermark, of Nanticoke, a representative serving on theRepublican State Committee, agreed it’s a movement.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Vandermark said, noting the crowd was made up of people aged 16 to 80. “It can only mean they’re paying attention.”

Steven Urban, of Duryea, missed a Trump rally in Wilkes-Barre Township in April. He said even though he “votes for the individual,” he knows he’s already voting for Trump.

Urban said his wife is from Poland and she had trouble getting into the country. He appreciates Trump’s stance on people coming into the country illegally.

“You shouldn’t just have to wade across a little river,” he said.

Hillary’s Campaign Response

Before Trump’s speech, the Clinton campaign held a conference call featuring former congressman Chris Carney and Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale.

The two disputed Trump’s “dark and divisive vision for America.” They both warned the direction the country would go under a Trump presidency would not be favorable for the American public.

Carney spoke about the broad range of Trump and Pence’s speeches.

“When you listen to Trump and Pence speak, there is no substance to any policy proposal they make,” Carney said.

As a former Congressman with a military background, Carney believes he understands the values of Pennsylvanians; and it’s not the Republican ticket, he said.

Bloomingdale agreed, lauding Clinton.

“She’s a leader who understands workers and the middle class,” Bloomingdale said.

The AFL-CIO head touted the former secretary of state’s desire for an equal playing field in the business sector. He called Trump’s business record a “disaster.”

“Donald Trump is no friend of workers,” Bloomingdale said after noting the Donald J. Trump clothing line is outsourced to other countries. “Hillary Clinton is going to guarantee us a level playing field.”

Congressmen Lou Barletta, left, and Tom Marino were guest speakers at the Donald Trump for President rally at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton on Wednesday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump01-1.jpg.optimal.jpgCongressmen Lou Barletta, left, and Tom Marino were guest speakers at the Donald Trump for President rally at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton on Wednesday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)

Trump supporters cheer at Wednesday’s campaign rally for Trump.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump02-1.jpg.optimal.jpgTrump supporters cheer at Wednesday’s campaign rally for Trump.

Trump supporters cheer at Wednesday’s campaign rally for Trump.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump03-1.jpg.optimal.jpgTrump supporters cheer at Wednesday’s campaign rally for Trump.

Trump supporters cheer at Wednesday’s campaign rally for Trump.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump04-1.jpg.optimal.jpgTrump supporters cheer at Wednesday’s campaign rally for Trump.

Donald Trump points to one of his supporters in the crowd gathered inside the gymnasium at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton during Wednesday’s Trump for President campaign rally.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump05-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDonald Trump points to one of his supporters in the crowd gathered inside the gymnasium at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton during Wednesday’s Trump for President campaign rally.

Donald Trump gives a speech on Wednesday inside the gymnasium at Lackawanna College in Scranton during the Trump for President campaign rally.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump06-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDonald Trump gives a speech on Wednesday inside the gymnasium at Lackawanna College in Scranton during the Trump for President campaign rally.

Donald Trump gestures for a hug from his son, Eric, after his speech at Wednesday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump07-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDonald Trump gestures for a hug from his son, Eric, after his speech at Wednesday.

Donald Trump gives a thumbs up to his supporters.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump08-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDonald Trump gives a thumbs up to his supporters.

Trump gives interviews to the media at the conclusion of his campaign rally.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump09-1.jpg.optimal.jpgTrump gives interviews to the media at the conclusion of his campaign rally.

Trump gives interviews to the media at the conclusion of his campaign rally.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump10-1.jpg.optimal.jpgTrump gives interviews to the media at the conclusion of his campaign rally.

Trump delivers a speech on Wednesday inside the gymnasium at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton during the Trump for President campaign rally.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump11-1.jpg.optimal.jpgTrump delivers a speech on Wednesday inside the gymnasium at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton during the Trump for President campaign rally.

Mike Pence, governor of Indiana and candidate for vice president, introduces Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to the stage on Wednesday at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton during the Trump campaign rally.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_trump12-1.jpg.optimal.jpgMike Pence, governor of Indiana and candidate for vice president, introduces Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to the stage on Wednesday at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton during the Trump campaign rally.
‘We’re going to starting making things again’

By Melanie Mizenko

[email protected]

Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko