Share

Gov. Pence: I’m ‘very supportive’ of Trump immigration plan

He’d planned to introduce his pick at a news conference Friday morning in NY, but said on Twitter Thursday evening that he would postpone the event “in light of the disgusting attack”.

Advertisement

In his first interview as Donald Trump’s running mate, Illinois Governor Mike Pence late yesterday compared the Republican presidential hopeful to conservative icon Ronald Reagan.

The Republican Jewish Coalition welcomes the announcement of Governor Pence and congratulates him as the Republican Party Vice Presidential nominee.

“Donald Trump is a fresh face”.

Trump chose Pence in part to ease some Republicans’ concerns about Trump’s temperament and lack of political experience.

Once calling himself as “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order”, Pence is also a beloved social conservative among the devout evangelical conservatives within the party. “This new Trump-Pence ticket stands in dramatic contrast to Hillary Clinton’s vision of our future – one where we are stronger together, where unity prevails over division and the economy works for all Americans, not just those at the top”, Clinton’s campaign director John Podesta said in the note. Pence has been a longtime advocate of trade deals such as NAFTA and the Trans Pacific Partnership, both of which Trump opposes. In fact, the selection process appeared on the verge of sliding out of control in the final hours before the announcement, sparking speculation that Trump might be changing his mind.

In addition to Pence, Trump’s shortlist included former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, according to people familiar with the candidate’s thinking. By Friday, plans were back on track and Trump sent out a Twitter message announcing Pence as his running mate.

Still, Trump called Pence Thursday afternoon to offer him the job and ask him to fly to NY for a Friday morning news conference. The billionaire said in a series of television interviews Thursday night that he’d not yet settled on a “final, final” choice. Pence was the favored choice of many Republican leaders, as well as some top advisers in Trump’s campaign, reflecting a desire to see the real estate mogul add a more traditional politician to the ticket. He’s up for re-election in IN, but state law requires him to withdraw from that race by noon Friday if he’s joining Trump on the Republican ticket.

“Never waffled once he made his decision”, Manafort wrote in an email. Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump picked Pence as his running mate.

Pence endorsed Trump’s rival Ted Cruz instead.

Advertisement

That’s according to a Republican with direct knowledge of the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the details of Trump’s search for a running mate.

It's Pence: Trump announces his VP choice on Twitter