Chosen Thursday as Trump’s running mate, the governor and former congressman will be called upon to rally conservative and evangelical voters behind the Republican Party’s unorthodox candidate for president. Roll Call and The Wall Street Journal are citing Republican sources. Interestingly, Pence’s 2016 veep competition, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was also on that straw poll and came in fourth.
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Thursday morning, Pence quickly exited a planned speaking event in Indianapolis shortly after releasing details about a new economic development initiative. Pence has spoken out against same-sex marriage, and liberal women’s groups are excoriating him over his recent tightening of abortion laws in Indiana. He is now seeking reelection to his second term as governor and will have to withdraw from that race by July 15 if he’s joining Trump’s ticket. More: “Republicans familiar with the celebrity mogul candidate’s deliberations said that he could spring a surprise”. However, the documents have not been filed, according to the Republican, who insisted on anonymity because that person was not authorized to publicly discuss Pence’s plans.
Pence is seen as the most cautious choice for the dynamic billionaire businessman’s running mate.
Donald Trump says on Twitter that he is delaying the announcement of his vice presidential announcement following the deadly truck attack in France.
The billionaire has tested the suitability of his potential running mates at audition-like campaign appearances, culminating on Tuesday in IN with Mr Pence’s appearance at a rally in an Indianapolis suburb.
“I hope that he picks a good movement conservative”, Ryan said.
“It very well could be a mistake to not have included Pence if they intend to nominate him VP”, Davis said.
But Pence has since been effusive in his praise for Trump, while encouraging reluctant Republicans to get on board the Trump train, as well.
Trump later tweeted: “I will be making the announcement of my Vice Presidential pick on Friday at 11am in Manhattan”.
Pence ran unsuccessfully for Congress twice before he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2000, where he was chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservatives.
“Mike Pence not only has a calm, steady demeanour which is a yin to Trump’s personality yang but Mike Pence is very predictable”, said Christine Matthews, a Republican pollster who worked for former IN governor Mitch Daniels.
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The Indiana legislature passed a “fix” to the law, which Pence signed, drawing criticism from some conservatives who thought the law had been watered down too much.
