Mike Pence, making his first appearance in Cleveland since being named Donald Trump’s running mate, tried to reassure Republicans nervous about the celebrity businessman’s conservative credentials by vouching for his character and comparing him to Ronald Reagan.
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“What Donald Trump did was genius in balancing the ideological and geographic perspective and the style factor that people may want to see”. Those in Trump’s camp who advocated for Pence framed his selection as a step toward party unity, touting his popularity among conservatives, including those who were skeptical of Trump and supported other candidates during the bruising Republican primary battle.
The Indiana governor has close ties to some of the wealthiest contributors in the party, both through the Republican Governors Association and the Koch political network, where he has always been a favorite.
Pence at times was even self-deprecating, a sharp contrast to the top of the ticket.
“/ It will be our party and our agenda that opens the doors for every American to succeed and prosper in this land”, he said.
But he still faces some concerns across the Republican spectrum.
“It was a good solid thing. He’ll never upstage Trump”, he said.
Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich used part of his speech later in the evening to attempt to explain Cruz’s lacking endorsement. “I wouldn’t wish it on a dog I didn’t like”. “It’s a big reason he was picked”.
Trump told the New York Times on Wednesday that “if we can not be properly reimbursed for the tremendous cost of our military protecting other countries [then] yes, I would be absolutely prepared to tell those countries, ‘Congratulations, you will be defending yourself'”. “And the energy level he’s got, the aggressiveness, the constant selling – it’s who he is and you really get what you see”, Gingrich told Channel 2’s Justin Farmer.
On Thursday morning, Pence was on the Fox News Channel clarifying Trump’s views on North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. “Until now, he’s had to do it all by himself, against all odds, but this week, with this united party, he’s got backup; and on November 8, I know we will elect Donald Trump to be the 45th president of the United States of America”.
“I believe we have come to another rendezvous with destiny”, he said.
Pence also attended a Thursday breakfast meeting for Pennsylvania delegates, vowing that Republicans would win the state in a presidential race for the first time since 1988. He sang the praises of his running mate from both a professional and personal perspective, and earned a standing ovation after praising Trump for his children.
Vice Presidential nominee Gov. Mike Pence of IN points as he sits during the second day session of the Republican National Convention IN Cleveland, Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
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“It’s a different world than what it was three weeks ago”, he said.
