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Bethel Park worker will speak at DNC
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Pennsylvanians --- including the mayor of Philadelphia, the head of the AFL-CIO, and the U.S. secretary of agriculture -- will be in the spotlight tonight and tomorrow during the Democratic National Convention.
But the Pennsylvanian with the best speaking spot isn't a well-known politician or national leader. He's a former machine operator who made hanging file folders. His task: to portray Mitt Romney as a ruthless businessman who put profits ahead of people.
Randy Johnson, now of Bethel Park, was working for an AMPAD office supply company in Marion, Ind. 10 years ago when Mitt Romney's Bain Capital bought it. Bain laid off workers, cut wages and benefits and eventually closed the plant while pocketing $100 million, Mr. Johnson said in an interview today in Charlotte.
"The main thing I'll be trying to focus on [in tonight's speech] is they way Romney did business and this is what happened to real people," he said. "This is something the American people need to understand. Hopefully they'll be watching and they'll see it on TV.
Those are the people that will make a difference in this election."
He'll share the stage with two other former Bain employees during prime-time coverage of the convention, which begins at about 9 p.m.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, a Pittsburgh native, will speak earlier in the program.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, whose parents adopted him from a Pittsburgh orphanage, is on the schedule, too. He's sandwiched between House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski.
And Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is expected to offer remarks tomorrow during the lead-up to Mr. Obama's acceptance of the party nomination.
First Published September 5, 2012 4:52 pm
