Pence wins Trump's vote; GOP team addresses America Saturday

[rooster59]

Pence wins Trump's vote; GOP team addresses America Saturday

JULIE PACE, Associated Press
BRIAN SLODYSKO, Associated Press


WASHINGTON (AP) — After frenzied, final decision-making, Donald Trump announced Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate Friday, adding an experienced politician with deep Washington connections to the Republican presidential ticket.

Trump's pick was aimed in part at easing some Republicans' concerns about his temperament and lack of political experience. Pence spent six years in Congress before being elected governor and his demeanor is as calm as Trump's is fiery. While some conservatives are skeptical of Trump's political leanings, Pence has been a stalwart ally on social issues.

Yet Pence is largely unknown to many Americans. And his solidly conventional political background runs counter to Trump's anti-establishment mantra.

The two men scheduled a news conference for Saturday in New York to present themselves to America as the Republican team that will take on Hillary Clinton and her Democratic running mate in November. The duo will head to Cleveland next week for the Republican National Convention.

As Pence arrived for a private meeting with Trump Friday, he told reporters he "couldn't be more happy for the opportunity to run with and serve with the next president of the United States."

In choosing Pence, Trump appears to be looking past their numerous policy differences. The governor has been a longtime advocate of trade deals such as NAFTA and the Trans Pacific Partnership, both of which Trump aggressively opposes. Pence also has been critical of Trump's proposed temporary ban on foreign Muslims entering the United States, calling the idea "offensive and unconstitutional."

The reaction to the Pence choice from Republican officials was overwhelmingly positive — no small feat for Trump, given how polarizing he's been within his own party.

"It was a pick that clearly shows he is pivoting to the general election," said GOP chairman Reince Priebus, who was in the midst of an interview with The Associated Press when Trump announced his decision. "He is choosing a person who has the experience inside and outside Washington, Christian conservative, very different style that I think shows a lot of maturity."

Pence, a staunchly conservative 57-year-old, served six terms in Congress before being elected governor and could help Trump navigate Capitol Hill. He is well-regarded by evangelical Christians, particularly after signing a law that critics said would allow businesses to deny service to gay people for religious reasons.

Clinton's campaign moved quickly to paint him as the "most extreme pick in a generation."

"By picking Mike Pence as his running mate, Donald Trump has doubled down on some of his most disturbing beliefs by choosing an incredibly divisive and unpopular running mate," said John Podesta, Clinton's campaign chairman.

Clinton spent Friday holding meetings in Washington about her own vice presidential choice. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a favorite of liberals and one of the Democrats' most effective Trump critics, was seen in a car that left Clinton's home.

Trump spent weeks weighing vice presidential contenders, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and only zeroed in on Pence in recent days. 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.

Word that Pence would be joining the Republican ticket began trickling out in news reports Thursday before Trump had made a final decision or called Pence to offer him the job, according to a Republican familiar with the situation. Trump was in California for fundraisers, separated from his closest aides, and was fuming about leaks that he viewed as an attempt to pressure him into the decision.

Still, Trump called Pence Thursday afternoon to offer him the job and ask him to fly to New York for a Friday morning news conference. Pence accepted and boarded a private plane, along with his wife.

A few hours later, a huge truck barreled through a crowded holiday celebration in Nice, France, killing more than 80 people. With Pence sitting in a New York hotel, Trump decided to postpone the announcement.

The billionaire businessman then went on Fox News to say he had not yet settled on his "final, final" choice. He also held a midnight conference call with his top aides to discuss the situation, according to two people with knowledge of the call.

By Friday, plans were back on track.

Trump sent out a Twitter message saying he was pleased to announce Pence as his running mate. Moments later, one of Pence's aides filed paperwork with the Indiana Secretary of State's office withdrawing him from the governor's race.

Pence was up for re-election, and state law prohibits candidates from being on ballots in two contests. Trump's formal announcement came about an hour before Pence's noon Friday deadline for withdrawing.

Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign chairman, strongly rejected suggestions that the candidate considered changing his mind about Pence.

"Never waffled once he made his decision," Manafort wrote in an email.

Gingrich, one of the finalists for the vice presidential spot, said he was "very comfortable" with Trump's decision and praised Pence as someone who could help unite the party.

But as of Friday afternoon, Gingrich had yet to share his support with Trump himself. He told The Associated Press he had not received a call from Trump telling him he wasn't getting the job.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-07-16

[canuckamuck]

A Billionaire for President and one Pence for Vice-President

[bassman]

"Pence spent six years in Congress before being elected governor and his demeanor is as calm as Trump's is fiery."

Another minor typo in AP's reporting...in the opening paragraph, again. Pence spent 12 years in congress. AP has more typos than Thailand news agencies. If it wasn't for their endorsement of the hag Hillary, you could have thought of this as an honest mistake.

[ilostmypassword]

"Pence spent six years in Congress before being elected governor and his demeanor is as calm as Trump's is fiery."

Another minor typo in AP's reporting...in the opening paragraph, again. Pence spent 12 years in congress. AP has more typos than Thailand news agencies. If it wasn't for their endorsement of the hag Hillary, you could have thought of this as an honest mistake.

If it wasn't for your name calling, you could have thought...nah, no onek in their right mind would say your comment was rational

[Buzzz]

Pence pegs the 'stupid meter' with his views on evolution and climate change... or he is just pandering to the republican base?

[sgtsabai]

Not pandering. Pence is a bought and sold Koch (John Birch Society) traitor brothers "employee". A rampant misogynist, anti abortionist, homophobic and religious right wing wacko. As governor he has wrecked his state with tax cuts for the rich and cutting funding for the 99%. A little info on him..................http://www.alternet.org/print/election-2016/staunch-conservative-mike-pence-emerges-trumps-likely-running-mate...................

https://www.thenation.com/article/mike-pence-is-a-smooth-talking-todd-akin/...................

https://www.thenation.com/article/vice-president-mike-pence-would-be-a-dream-for-the-koch-brothers/

[Jingthing]

It has been leaked that trump wanted to dump pence last minute and asked his advisers at midnight before the announcement if it wasn't too late. trump wanted Chris Christie who is more to his style. His campaign manager wanted him to make a more "adult" choice as proof he could behave as an adult as president. The soap opera continues.

[Jingthing]

It's clear trump has conceded the gay vote.

The gay vote doesn't represent a large percentage of people, but the majority of Americans do support basic civil rights for LGBTQ Americans.

Expect democrats to hit trump HARD on this.

[Boon Mee]

Sounds like an OK guy!

So what if the precious snowflakes who make up the ranks of ths SJW crowd don't like his style?.

Trump & Spence will make America Great again!

[Jingthing]

Sounds like an OK guy!

So what if the precious snowflakes who make up the ranks of ths SJW crowd don't like his style?.

Trump & Spence will make America Great again!

Of course, dude.

He is very OK for the right wing anti-gay bigot demographic.

"Precious snowflakes" and SJW -- dude, you're not fooling anyone but I reckon you're probably not even trying. You're using CODE that endorses hateful discrimination and bigotry.

Sounds straight from right wing talk radio hate speech culture.

I think Pence used to be in that business, correct?

Trouble is for the right wing anti-gay bigot faction, they are far short of the majority.

Edited July 16, 2016 by Jingthing

[dunroaming]

Pence condemned Trump over his banning Muslims comments. Clearly now he has joined the circus he will be obediently towing the Trump line.

[Jingthing]

Pence condemned Trump over his banning Muslims comments. Clearly now he has joined the circus he will be obediently towing the Trump line.

Yes as VP he'll be obligated to support everything trump supports.

In trump's case, if he doesn't, you can be sure he'll be subject to a LAWSUIT. That's just how trump rolls.

[ilostmypassword]

Pence pegs the 'stupid meter' with his views on evolution and climate change... or he is just pandering to the republican base?

On the other hand, there is this:

Pence has also shown a deep misunderstanding of basic public health principles in the past. In 2001, he wrote an op-ed declaring that “smoking doesn’t kill.” The evidence? “Two out of three smokers does not die from a smoking related illness.”

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/two-times-mike-pence-brushed-off-science/

Come to think of it, I guess that's the same hand.

[Jingthing]

This continues to be big fun. It's glaringly obvious that trump doesn't really like pence and has been persuaded by his handlers including his less insane children (as Bill Maher pointed out ... how incredibly THIRD WORLD) to pick him for tactical purposes. But knowing trump of course he's going to put on a big act that he LOVES the choice and that pence is the cat's pajamas.

Anyone notice the ticket is

T P, as in Toilet Paper?

So the new LOGO, is it really about trump's tiny tiny hands?

A Hard Look at the Trump-Pence Campaign’s Penetrating New Logo

I do wonder how Pence feels about being portrayed as a voracious bottom, given his noted history of hostility to both women and LGBTQ people. But the 2016 contest is just getting started! If this logo is any indication, we can look forward to a veritable jackhammer of penetrating messaging from Trump, right through to the climax in November.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2016/07/15/trump_pence_campaign_s_penetrating_new_logo.html

"What is the T doing to that P?" he asked.

"This logo accurately represents what Trump Pence will do to America," he tweeted.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/15/politics/donald-trump-mike-pence-campaign-logo/index.html

Edited July 16, 2016 by Jingthing

[sgtsabai]

"Trump & Spence will make America Great again!" Dawg whistle, dawg whistle! That means in your world, make America white again. Hey BM it has nothing to do with "style", neither have any. It does have to do with substance. And they fail on the human scale, don't even show. Like some of our posters, I think we all know who, the TP show man's inhumanity to man. And yes that is a good logo. Caught the meaning the first time I saw it.

[boomerangutang]

Trump indicates he hates all career politicians, yet he picks a career politician. # 3,877 in a long list of lies by the Trumpster fire.

Lately, Trump has made some awful choices for people who represent him: I've watched interviews with two of his spokespeople (both are v. attractive young women, btw), .....and both were individually flummoxed when asked basic questions about Trump's policies. Actually, they did Rubios (kept repeating one-liners). It was sad watching, because the women were clearly intelligent, but were highly restricted in using their brain power because they were confined to justifying Trump's idiotic policy statements.

[thaihome]

"NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)Governor Chris Christie, of New Jersey, angrily refused to pick up Donald Trumps dry cleaning during a tense encounter between the two men on Friday, campaign sources confirm."

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/furious-christie-refuses-to-pick-up-trumps-dry-cleaning

TH

Edited July 16, 2016 by thaihome

[easton]

As a current resident of the state of Indiana I'm very pleased he was chosen as Trump's running mate, now he can no longer run for re-election as Governor. He has done nothing positive for this state.

[Jingthing]

As a current resident of the state of Indiana I'm very pleased he was chosen as Trump's running mate, now he can no longer run for re-election as Governor. He has done nothing positive for this state.

I heard he was going to lose anyway. The VP game gave him an out. When he loses with trump, it won't be his fault, it will be on trump.

[easton]

As a current resident of the state of Indiana I'm very pleased he was chosen as Trump's running mate, now he can no longer run for re-election as Governor. He has done nothing positive for this state.

I heard he was going to lose anyway. The VP game gave him an out. When he loses with trump, it won't be his fault, it will be on trump.

He was in a tough re-election campaign, it would have been close.

[bendejo]

Pence's staunch conservative, religious, and anti-gay record make him suspicious. This national attention may be his undoing.

"Governor, you seem to visit the Greyhound station fairly often, do you travel by bus?"

[bendejo]

"NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)Governor Chris Christie, of New Jersey, angrily refused to pick up Donald Trumps dry cleaning during a tense encounter between the two men on Friday, campaign sources confirm."

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/furious-christie-refuses-to-pick-up-trumps-dry-cleaning

TH

It's funny, but I think it's fake. It's not like DT doesn't have minions to do stuff like this. probably doesn't even wipe his own arse. On the other hand Chrispie has come off as such a lackey since he endorsed DT it makes stuff like this seem plausible. We can only imagine how far DT would go with sadistic humiliation.

No more Oreos for you, Chris!

[Jingthing]

They castrated the logo already.

[Jingthing]

"NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)Governor Chris Christie, of New Jersey, angrily refused to pick up Donald Trumps dry cleaning during a tense encounter between the two men on Friday, campaign sources confirm."

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/furious-christie-refuses-to-pick-up-trumps-dry-cleaning

TH

It's funny, but I think it's fake. It's not like DT doesn't have minions to do stuff like this. probably doesn't even wipe his own arse. On the other hand Chrispie has come off as such a lackey since he endorsed DT it makes stuff like this seem plausible. We can only imagine how far DT would go with sadistic humiliation.

No more Oreos for you, Chris!

It's a humor piece.

[Buzzz]

"NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)Governor Chris Christie, of New Jersey, angrily refused to pick up Donald Trumps dry cleaning during a tense encounter between the two men on Friday, campaign sources confirm."

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/furious-christie-refuses-to-pick-up-trumps-dry-cleaning

TH

It's funny, but I think it's fake. It's not like DT doesn't have minions to do stuff like this. probably doesn't even wipe his own arse. On the other hand Chrispie has come off as such a lackey since he endorsed DT it makes stuff like this seem plausible. We can only imagine how far DT would go with sadistic humiliation.

No more Oreos for you, Chris!

It's a humor piece.

False story. Christie is in charge of picking up the donuts.

[boomerangutang]

"NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)Governor Chris Christie, of New Jersey, angrily refused to pick up Donald Trumps dry cleaning during a tense encounter between the two men on Friday, campaign sources confirm."

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/furious-christie-refuses-to-pick-up-trumps-dry-cleaning

TH

It's funny, but I think it's fake. It's not like DT doesn't have minions to do stuff like this. probably doesn't even wipe his own arse. On the other hand Chrispie has come off as such a lackey since he endorsed DT it makes stuff like this seem plausible. We can only imagine how far DT would go with sadistic humiliation.

No more Oreos for you, Chris!

It's a humor piece.

False story. Christie is in charge of picking up the donuts.

Not smart to put Christie in charge of picking up processed snacks. They'll be gone by the time he gets back to the office. All that would be left are telltale crumbs around his mouth, stuck to his nose hairs, and a few pieces on his suit and tie.

.....and yes, Borowitz Report is a regular column that's always political satire.