Published: October 31, 2008 11:56 pm      

Palin campaigns at Somerset plant, Bedford orchard

SOMERSET — Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin made a brief campaign stop at a successful Somerset manufacturing plant Friday, shaking hands with employees and a small crowd of supporters outside.

Wearing a white wool coat, orange scarf and blue jeans, Palin was escorted through the impeccably clean Leiss Tool & Die facility near the turnpike interchange by its owner, Pete Leiss.

After exchanging hugs and handshakes and posing for photos with about 50 supporters gathered behind yellow tape across the lawn, Palin returned to her “Straight Talk Express” bus without public comment.

“The goal was to talk to a ‘Joe the Plumber’ type,

a successful businessman who has created jobs,” Somerset County Republican Party Chairman Bruce Hottle said.

“This is a strong Republican area,” Hottle said.

“She’s got tremendous support here.”

Following a rally in Latrobe earlier in the morning and her 35-minute stop in Somerset, Palin visited Boyer’s Orchard in New Paris, Bedford County, as part of a whirlwind campaign swing through southwestern Pennsylvania.

Several hundred people turned out in New Paris, their cars lining the streets as Palin spoke with the owners of the orchard.

“Very impressive woman. Very people-friendly,” said Leiss, whose plant employs 150, along with 50 more at sister companies Jenny Products Inc. across the street and 50 at Highland Harley-Davidson.

“She knows what she’s talking about, even in a machine shop.”

Leiss said he told Palin his company needs a better educational pipeline for well-trained machinists, welders and fabricators.

“She asked about taxes,” he said. “I said, ‘We have to pay taxes to keep the government running.’ ”

Employees had mixed reactions about the visit.

“It’s great to see her come here,” said Jeff Truscott of Somerset, an undecided voter and registered Democrat. “Who would have ever thought?”

Ray Dayton, a Democrat from Windber, wasn’t impressed.

“To me, it’s just a big political show,” he said.

Others suggested it would have been more beneficial for Palin to spend time in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, two regions where GOP presidential candidate John McCain is heavily trailing Democrat Barack Obama.

“I think she needs to be in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh if they want to win Pennsylvania,” said machinist Todd Bowser, 41, of Somerset. “Those are the two most liberal parts of the state. This is a pretty conservative area.”