STOP HERE WAS SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO FARMERS AND RANCHERS. VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE ARRIVED TO A MOSTLY-SOCIALLY-DISTANCED CROWD OF SUPPORTERS AT THE STATE FAIRGROUNDS THURSDAY ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST DAY OF THE FAIR. THE VISIT TO DES MOINES WAS A CAMPAIGN STOP, KICKING OFF THE PRESIDENT’S FARMERS & RANCHERS FOR TRUMP COALITION. THE VICE PRESIDENT BEGAN BY TALKING ABOUT THE DEVASTATION WROUGHT BY MONDAY’S DERECHO. PENCE MET WITH AFFECTED FARMERS BEFORE THE RALLY. >> I WAS TAKEN ABACK TO HEAR OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS STORM AND THIS IMPACT. WE ARE WITH YOU. WE ARE GOING TO STAY WITH YOU, AND WE WILL WORK WITH YOUR GOVERNOR AND YOUR SENATORS TO BRING IOWA ALL THE WAY BACK. REPORTER: THE VP’S REMARKS QUICKLY SHIFTED TO POLITICS. HE COMES TO IOWA AS POLLS SHOW PRESIDENT TRUMP NECK AND NECK WITH HIS DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN. PENCE LOBBED ATTACKS AT BIDEN AND HIS NEWLY-SELECTED RUNNING MATE, SENATOR KAMALA HARRIS. >> JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS WOULD SET AMERICA ON A PATH TO SOCIALISM AND DECLINE, AND WE’RE NOT GOING TO LET IT HAPPEN. REPORTER: PENCE TOUTED THE STRONG ECONOMY BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIT. HE GEARED HIS CAMPAIGN PITCH DIRECTLY AT FARMERS, LAMENTING ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND PROMOTING TRADE DEALS. BUT PERHAPS SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHEERS CAME IN RESPONSE TO AN ISSUE TOP OF MIND TO CONSERVATIVE VOTERS, JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS. >> WE NEED MORE CONSERVATIVES ON THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, SO WE NEED 4 MORE YE