Two decades later, Pence is the unflappable conservative governor of IN who’s being plucked by Republican presidential contender Donald Trump as his running mate. In his speech, he addressed his selection of Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate.
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And while Trump said he primarily based his decision by examining Pence’s work as IN governor, he added that party unity was also a factor, without elaborating.
“Donald Trump is a good man and he will make a great President of the United States of America”, Pence said. Paul Manafort, Trump’s campaign chairman, strongly rejected suggestions that the candidate considered changing his mind about Pence.
Some Republican lawmakers said they liked the idea of Pence on the ticket, saying it would improve the tone and tenor of the debate. In choosing Pence, Trump also appears to be looking past their numerous policy differences.
He then announced the choice on Twitter, though the presentation event was postponed a day after the terror attack in Nice.
As Trump and his family deliberated over the VP finalists – a small group that included Pence, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich – a significant factor was whether Trump would ultimately feel comfortable with his eventual running mate.
In a bid to broaden his appeal to a fractured Republican electorate, Mr Trump presented Mr Pence as a flawless complement for the White House: a veteran of government who can guide an outsider, a man with a Midwestern sensibility and strong Republican credentials. “Iraq, Syria terrible”, Trump said.
“What will be interesting if Pence can play the attack dog role – and maybe the answer is, you don’t really need that because Trump himself is such an aggressive attacker”.
In conversations late into the evening [on Thursday], Mr. Trump repeatedly hesitated over selecting Mr. Pence, according to people briefed on the tense deliberations, who insisted on anonymity to describe the confidential talks.
Trump and Pence will both attend the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, which kicks off Monday.
Trump said he won the state of IN in a “landslide”.
Donald Trump introduced his choice of vice presidential candidate by offering a narrative about his experience with Pence.
For 15 minutes, Indiana Governor Mike Pence captivated an audience still trying to figure him out.
Following the joint appearance together in New York City, Pence is traveling back to his home state for a “Welcome Home Rally” in Zionsville, Indiana scheduled for Saturday night.
“The turnaround and the strength of IN has been incredible”, Trump said. Pence also endorsed Sen. Ryan is 46; Trump is more than a generation older.
He is seen as helping Trump boost support among traditional conservatives and especially evangelical Christians wary of Trump, and perhaps even with voters in the Rust Belt – the former industrial area that includes in, neighboring OH and parts of Pennsylvania and MI.
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Clinton’s team was already painting Pence’s conservative social viewpoints as out of step with the mainstream.
