Trump selected Pence in a bid for “party unity”, which is shorthand for “unobjectionable establishment politician who won’t threaten my spotlight”.
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“I accept your invitation to run and serve as vice president of the United States of America”, Pence said.
Speaking from behind a podium that bore only the Trump logo, the GOP presumptive nominee listed several “primary reasons” for why he chose the IN governor – whom he called his “first choice”.
During the conference, Trump also hit upon several issues where he and Pence don’t exactly see eye-to-eye. And on top of that, we gave them back $ 150 billion, and we didn’t get our hostages until the end. Trump, who reportedly asked advisors if he could back out of the Pence pick Thursday night, formally announced the Trump/Pence ticket at the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan today-though it took him, like, 25 minutes to actually get to Pence. He also admitted that, “one of the big reasons I chose Mike is party unity, I have to be honest”.
“I come to this moment deeply humbled but with a grateful heart”, he said. The two only momentarily appeared onstage together as Trump handed off the microphone after 25-plus minutes mostly about himself.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence poses for selfies with supporters at a news conference where he was introduced as the vice presidential running mate by Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump in New York City, U.S., July 16, 2016.
Trump says he and Pence are the “the law and order candidates”, adding that his potential administration would be far tougher on both foreign and domestic terrorism than would Clinton.
Trump also jabbed lightly at Pence for not endorsing him during the Indiana Republican primary contest. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said that Pence has experience inside and outside Washington and shows a lot of maturity. “You just have to look ― every single thing they’ve touched has turned to horrible, horrible, death-defying problems”.
“He looks very good”, Trump said.
Pence’s quick about turn fed into chatter from critics that he would be Trump’s handmaiden, even as scores of internet memes erupted over social media about the Trump-Pence campaign logos unveiled on Friday.
There were no “Trump Pence” signs distributed to the crowd or adorning the room.
Donald Trump “will stand with our ene- our allies”, said Trump’s vice presidential candidate Mike Pence, capping off one of the strangest vice presidential announcements in recent memory and perhaps revealing his true feelings.
Trump had spent weeks vetting vice presidential contenders, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and only zeroed in on Pence in recent days.
This time, there was just a handshake, and Trump’s praise for Pence and his record in IN – which he read from the text – was overwhelmed by his signature meandering comments.
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Unlike Trump, Pence appeared to stick to his script, delivering a conventional speech for a vice presidential nominee, praising God, his family and offering a rundown of his political career and his fidelity to conservatism.
